The US has some attractive options but parents might have the impression from movies that there is a lack of discipline
The United States - land of opportunity? It certainly appears so when it comes to summer activities. Whether it is sea camp, performing arts or improving children's debating skills, the US can always offer something a little different.
While typical English language and activity tours are available through established local operators, alternatives range from Alaskan adventure tours to film school.
The activity that caught the attention of Winnie Loke Wai-wah and her teenaged son Loke Yue-heng in 2003 was a debate camp run by the National Forensic Consortium at UC Berkeley. Both had searched the Internet to find a course on public-speaking, an area that Yue-heng, then 15, had always been interested in. The two-week programme was being held at a suitable time and looked rigorous enough for Ms Loke to feel her son would be learning as well as having a new experience.
'Hong Kong parents like to choose academic camps in the US that give test preparation,' Ms Loke said. 'But I think it's important to give kids a break. The public-speaking course was a good compromise. It was not messing about, but provided some fresh air.'
The debating programme certainly was no 'leisure' camp for the former St Joseph's College student who had transferred to boarding school in Pennsylvania in 2002. 'It was very hard work, requiring days spent in the library doing research before presenting the information,' Ms Loke said. 'Some participants were aiming at the National League. It was an eye-opening experience for him.'