Hi guys, I'm on my last night of a 4-day summer school at Queen's University Belfast (which is a wonderful place), and next month (24-28) I'll be at Lancaster to study economics.
Of course, the programmes will differ, but I thought that my experience at QUB might give you an insight as to what to expect at Lancaster.
The first night, we came into the accommodation, before piling into the main university building for a massive curry, where people got to know each other a bit.
The second, third and fourth days were spent in lectures and workshops, followed by on the Monday a quiz night plus some free time, on the Tuesday a night in the university sports centre plus some free time, and on the Wednesday a full night of free time where we enjoyed and mourned our last night as a group.
The QUB summer school is considerably smaller (3 subjects, each with ~35 students) than the Lancaster one will be, but quickly people formed friendship groups (and created facebook group chats). Everyone will be intending to stay in touch.
The summer school has been a great experience; the Lancaster summer school has much to live up to.