Urchin - living for kids whatson4kids.com The online calendar of kids' events
in London
19 August 2008

Highlights

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The British Museum

Hadrian

Hadrian: Empire and Conflict at The British Museum

City Farms

City Farms

Wherever you happen to live in London, the countryside is literally in your backyard

Nature reserves

Nature reserves

Nature reserves in london

London's Lidos

London's Lidos

Find a swimming pool near you.

Summer Camps for Kids

Now's the time to start planning for the summer holidays....

Although they have been part of every American childhood for decades, kid's day and residential camps are becoming increasingly popular here in the UK. There are now many to choose and a huge range of activities to choose from.

Whether you are a working parent or not, it can be a challenge to keep your children safely occupied during the long summer weeks and although the costs mount up if your have more than one child, the fun and experience can be very worthwhile.

Book as soon as you can as the popular camps fill up very fast.

Forest YMCA Day Camps is a fun-packed outdoor activity camp for children aged 5-15. These non-residential camps run over the Easter and Summer holidays at Gilwell Park, Chingford in East London.

Do It 4 Real camps are run by the Youth Hostel Association with government. With residential camps across the country for 10-16 year olds with various themes such as watersports, make a film, environmentalist etc. For families in receipt of benefits the cost is only £25. For those in receipt of child tax credit a week costs £199. All other places cost £350. What a bargain!

Here are our tips for choosing a summer camp for your child:

Day Camps

  • Location - find a site near to your home or workplace so that you don’t spend all your time chauffeuring your kids to and fro.
  • Check the start and finish times carefully - will you get caught up in rush hour traffic? Will the times coincide with your working day?
  • If you have children in different age groups, will they finish at the same time?
  • Check the range of activities on offer - if you have a boisterous boy who can’t sit still then a full-on physical sport-fest is probably what is needed but perhaps your shy, less confident child may feel more comfortable with less group bravado and more craft or music based activities.
  • Check the age groups. If you have a mature, sensible and confident 10 year old you may be able to push them up into the next age group rather than putting them in with the 6 year olds.
  • Check out what is included - drinks, snacks, lunch, tea - these all add up if they have to be paid for separately.
  • Find out if anyone else in your area is going - perhaps you can lift-share?
  • Check out who will be looking after your child - the ratio of adults to children? Their qualifications? Is the camp a member of any safety organisations?
  • Is there anywhere safe to leave belongings during the day? Mobile phones are very loseable!

Residential Camps

Having fun and making friends will be the key ingredients of a residential camp. Only you, the parent, will know if your child will enjoy staying away from home - you don’t want to have to drive for miles at 2 in the morning to collect your inconsolable offspring but most children enjoy the experience and don’t want to go home!
  • Find a friend or a cousin to go with - a bit of group confidence on the first day can be useful.
  • Check how many children sleep in a room - of course chatting and midnight feasts are the best bit, but your child will enjoy themselves more if they have some sleep!
  • Check out how much, if any, travelling the children will have to do to reach the various activity sites. Travel-sick kids really don’t want to sit on a coach for an hour every morning.
  • What is the boy/girl ratio for your child’s age group?
  • Are there plenty of evening activities arranged? Kids can get bored and silly if they are just hanging about.
  • What will the food be like? Will it be burgers every day? Will your incredibly fussy eater have any choice?

Costs vary depending on the age of your child, the range of activities on offer and the location. Many councils arrange day camps which can be very reasonably priced and are likely to be conveniently situated with public transport links.

Here is a suggestion list of companies to check out:

  • BARRACUDAS - 29 day camps nationwide; ages 4 1/2 to 16 years; weekly rate approx. £167
  • CAMP BEAUMONT - 10 day camps in London and Home Counties, 5 residential camps nationwide; ages 3-16 years; residential camp 1 week approx. £418; day camp 1 week approx. £198.
  • EAC ACTIVITY CAMPS - 7 day camps nationwide; ages 5-16 years; residential camps 9-16 years; day camp 1 week approx. £149; Residential camp 1 week approx. £389
  • PGL - 19 residential camps nationwide; 12 residential camps in Europe; ages 7-17 years; residential camp 7 nights approx. £396.
  • KIDS KLUB - 7 day and residential camps in eastern England; ages 6-17 years; please check for prices.
  • KINGS CAMPS - 30 day camps nationwide; ages 5-17 years; day camp 4 days from £99.
  • SUPER CAMPS - 30 day camps nationwide; ages 4-13 years; day camp 1 week from £99.
  • summerfun4kids.co.uk - gives details of many camps both national and local.
  • All4kidsuk.com - also has lots of useful information.

Family Summer Camps

How about all going away on summer camp? The kids are entertained all day long, you get to try new activities or simply opt out and read a pile of books. You all get together in the evening for supper (cooked by someone else) and a little entertainment if you wish - everyone is happy!