To coincide with the Darwin 200th anniversary celebrations this year, the theme is evolution. The programme includes canoeing, drama, nature hikes, singing and swimming. Cerebral pursuits range from talks on odd animals to a role-playing evolution game. The camp costs £275pp for five days, for children aged 8 to 17 sleeping in army-style tents with flooring and camp beds. Details: 07818 430037, www.camp-quest.org.uk

Into the wild

They'll never complain about eating broccoli again after Camp Beaumont's Outback Challenge week brings a taste of the Australian jungle to the wilds of Newcastle with a Beaumont Tucker Trial.

The camp, Dukeshouse Wood, is set on a fellside in woodland close to the Northumberland National Park. Activities include white-water rafting, pony trekking and zorbing - rolling down a hill strapped inside a large transparent ball. A week's full board for 7 to 17-year-olds starts at £425pp. Details: 01603 660333, www.campbeaumont.com

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Camp USA

More than eight million American children head off to summer camp in the US each year - and there are more than 10,000 camps to choose from. International campers make up at least 10 per cent of the numbers at Med-O-Lark, “the Arts Camp of New England”, near a lake in Washington, Maine. Eight to 16-year-olds can put together their own itinerary of bike trips, beach trips, rafting, arts fairs, hikes through state parks, waterskiing, excursions, and theatre shows.

Med-O-Lark is also unusual in that it's not competitive: there are no best camper awards, tournaments or sports competitions. It costs £1,900pp for two weeks (recommended for first-time campers) and children flying from the UK can be met at Boston airport. Flights extra. Details: 001 203 927 8688, www.medolark.com

Need help?

If you need help deciding which summer camp would suit your child, Camp Experts (07795 491350, www.campexperts.com) offers a free advice service. The New York-based outfit has reps in the UK and provides information on more than 900 camps around the world. It is particularly useful for finding community-service camps for older teenagers who want to boost their university applications.

Green spaces

Check out a finalist in The Times 2008 Green Spaces awards. Mill on the Brue is an activity centre on the Somerset/Wiltshire border with impressive eco-credentials: vegetables, herbs and fruit are grown on site, and the “longhouse” dining area is roofed with recycled tyres.

Its summer camp keeps 8 to 15-year-olds busy with more than 40 activities such as canoeing, zip wire, raft building, camping archery, climbing, air rifle shooting and a Crazy Olympics. There is no TV, and no computers or fizzy drinks and crisps in the tuck shop. A week costs £499pp, with a discount of £45 for bookings made before the end of February. Details: 01749 812307, www.millon thebrue.co.uk

Spy break

Sign up for Spy School at Moor Park in Shropshire and there'll be codes to break. Moor Park is one of five summer camps used by the Active Training and Education Trust. The camp is suitable for 10 to 14-year-olds, runs from August 4-11 and costs £365. Details: 0845 4561205, www.ate.org.uk

Adventure time

Channel your inner Enid Blyton and book 6 to 13-year-olds on to a Wickedly Wonderful Camp near West Wittering, Sussex, in July. Children will camp in a field, sail, ride, kayak, swim, surf, play golf, ride bikes, go crabbing and eat lashings of healthy food. There are three camps to choose from: multi-activity, sailing camps and pony camps, with prices starting at £445pp for five days. Details: 07941 231168, www.wickedlywonderful.com

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