Day Camps: Non-residential full-day courses for unaccompanied children
and teenagers. Day Camps usually run from Mondays to Fridays offer a varied
programme of sports, adventure or creative activities throughout each day.
Arrival and departure times vary but usually involve a starting time between
9.00-10.00am and a collection time between 4.00-5.00pm. Day Camps are provided
predominantly for young people living within the immediate catchment area of
the venue, but some offer a supervised transport service from a wider catchment
area. Age groups from 3 years and above.
Holiday Playschemes: Non-residential full or part-day supervised
childcare for unaccompanied children and teenagers. Playschemes are usually
run by voluntary organisattions or local authorities. Playschemes may be
restricted to specific activities (E.g. Sports or Arts & Crafts) or involve
a range of different activities. Some playschemes may involve off-site trips.
Playschemes are provided predominantly for young people living within the
immediate catchment area of the venue. Age groups from 3 years and above.
Sports / Activity Courses: Specialist courses in single activities or
sports. These courses usually take 2 or 3 hours per day, lasting anything from
a single day to a progressive course over 4/5 consecutive days. Sports courses
are usually led by qualified Instructors / Coaches and national governing body
awards may be achieved, subject to the length of course. Sports courses are
often organised by local authority sports centres or specialist centres (e.g.
Riding Schools, Watersports Centres, etc.). Age groups from 7 years and above.
Multi-Activity: Programmes or courses involving a combination of
acctivities rather than a specialist course. Typically multi-activity
programmes involve between 4-6 activity sessions per day, with each activity
session lasting between 1-1.5 hours. This type of course usually focuses on
"taster" or introductory sessions in a range of acctivities such as sports,
adventure, creative and performing arts activities. Age groups from 3 years and
above.
Residential Camps: Independent holidays for unaccompanied children. Age
groups from 7 years and above. Children and teenagers are supervised round the
clock in a secure residential environment such as a boarding school or an
activity centre. Group leaders usually take care of children's pastoral and
welfare needs while Instructors provide a programme of activities - specialist
courses or multi-activity. Evening entertainments are usually organised as
quiter winding-down sessions after dinner each day. Unlike American summer
camps, the UK versions usually involve a 7 or 14 day break, usually running
from a Saturday or Sunday. Age groups from 7 years and above.
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What about safety?
Most summer camps and courses are regulated by various independent bodies who
will inspect and monitor safety standards. Levels of inspection vary according
to the type of course or camp:
Day Camps & Playschemes: All day camps and playschemes offering full
daycare programmes for children under the age of 8 are legally required to
register with their local authority social services department under the terms
of Care Standards
Act 2000. Registered providers are subject to inspection by
OFSTED.
Sports / Activity Courses: Will not generally be registered with the
local authority unless they provide tuition for under 8's. Watersports centres
may be recognised by their national governing body (Royal
Yachting Association for Sailing or Windsurfing,
British Canoe Union for Canoeing). Horse Riding centres are legally
required to register with the local authority amd may also be a member of the
British Horse Society or the
Association of British Riding Schools.
Adventure Activities: Any commercial organisation providing specific
adventure activities (certain watersports, climbing, trekking and caving
activities) is legally required to obtain a licence from the
Adventure Activities Licensing Authority. This body inspects and
monitors safety standards in these activities and information on these
inspections is available to the public from the AALA. Office in Cardiff (tel.
029 20 755715)
Residential Camps: Not subject to legal registration unless they operate
specific adventure activites (see above) or provide courses for under 8's.
Operators who are members of the British
Activity Holiday Association are subject to an independent inspection
scheme covering site safety, activity standards, staff qualifications &
training, health & safety and emergency procedures.
What about staff police checks?
Since the introduction of the Criminal Records Bureau earlier in 2002 it is now
possible for all staff working with children to have a criminal record check
prior to employment. All registered day camps and playschemes are required to
get checks on specific staff, but it is worth checking with the provider to see
what their policy is on this area.
What about staff qualifications?
You may also want to check on staff qualifications. Most sports governing bodies
have an official coaching scheme for Instructors or Leaders at various levels.
It is a good idea to ask for further information on staff qualifications if the
organisation does not explain its policy in its promotional literature.
When is the best time to book?
Many summer courses have limited places due to staff ratio capacities or limited
availability of equipment. Summer courses may start booking ahead as early as
January. Some providers will accept a deposit payment to secure a booking and
then require the balance to be paid nearer the time of the course.
Where can I get further information?
For further information on courses featured in the Summer Fun 4 Kids directory
simply click on the info button to be directed straight to their web site.
Additional information on safety inspection schemes, sports governing bodies
and local childcare information can be found in our Links section. Local
libraries are often a good source of additional local information.
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