Andrew Douglas takes his son to a residential activity camp and watches him tackle a range of challenges with relish.

WATCHING my son lean backwards off a balance beam precariously positioned atop a 40ft high pole filled me with a little trepidation.

I'd watched him fearlessly tackle a series of high-level obstacles on his way up to the blustery perch. And 20 minutes earlier, he had attempted the othermain high ropes attraction - the Leap of Faith.

Essentially, you climb to the top of another 40ft high pole, scramble onto a small platform then - trusting to your safety harness - leap off to grab a trapeze a few feet away.

Normally, parents aren't present to witness such triumphs at Camp Beaumont's residential summer camps. Instead, they're likely be at home enjoying the peace and quiet.

However, I really enjoyed watching the kids tackle a range of challenges and activities during this taster weekend.

Having tackled the high ropes and the equally lofty zip wire, Tom and his new-found pals were buzzing. All were encouraged to push themselves as far as they could, but no-one was forced to do anything they felt uncomfortable with.

The whole ethos of Camp Beaumont is to give children the opportunity, encouragement and guidance to discover their sense of adventure and independence, to push their comfort zone in a fun, but safe and caring environment.

We stayed at the 50 acre eco-friendly Dearne Valley site in South Yorkshire, which has taken over the former Earth Centre millennium project. Accommodation blocks, containing dorms sleeping four to eight, were comfortable and well-equipped.

It is one of seven such centres across England and Wales - which also includes DukeshouseWood, just outside Hexham - operated by Camp Beaumont. It offers 13 different holidays tailoring a range of activities and adventures to four age ranges - 7 to 10, 11 to 13, 14 to 15 and 15 to 17 - although not all activities are available at every camp. There are more than 36 activities on offer, including climbing walls, laser, aeroball, archery and bushcraft.

The breaks themselves range from a week-long stay to four-day minibreaks, as well as birthday party packages. One of the most-popular holidays is the Multi-Activity, which offers a huge range of different indoor and outdoor sports and challenging activities.

The 2013 brochure also includes the new Adventure Holidays: Adrenaline Extreme, Beaumont Boot Camp, Football Academy, Glee Club, Stable Club, Motor Racer, Mountain Adventure, Rock Week, Pamper Party, Surf School, Survival Zone and Watersports.

Tom enjoyed the laser zone, part of the 11,000sq ft activity centre, and the evening social activities, but one definite highlight was Bushcraft.

There, he was transformed into a young Ray Mears, learning how to start a camp fire with a flint and steel before being given instructions on how to build a rudimentary shelter from branches and grass.

He left with ash streaks on his face, reeking of campfire smoke, and chattered much of the way home, retelling his weekend's adventures.

There can be no greater recommendation for Camp Beaumont than to say he asked whether he could go again - this time for a week, on his own.

For more information about Camp Beaumont holidays or to request a brochure visit campbeaumont.co.uk