POD has thoroughly enjoyed the past week being back at school and playing with her friends again. I think all parents collectively breathed a sigh of relief when the schools re-opened on the 8th of March! That combination of online learning and working was a tough juggle at times. We’ve settled back into a new routine again now although the Easter holidays are less than 3 weeks away! POD is super excited though as she’s heading to one of the Barracudas activity day camps. She’s enjoyed part of the Easter and summer holidays at Barracudas for a few years now and always has the best time.
Last year we all spent more time than we could have ever imagined at home but we’re thrilled the Barracudas activity day camps are back in 2021 and with COVID-19 Secure camp policies in place. Barracudas is the UK’s leading multi-activity camp that provides exceptional Ofcom registered childcare for children aged 4½ up to 14. We know the Barracudas set up so here’s a round of what sets the camps apart, what to expect and what changes have been implemented for the forthcoming season.
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About Barracudas activity day camps
Barracudas is POD’s favourite day camp by some distance. She has the most amazing experiences, gets involved in a huge range of activities and makes new friends in the process. POD is beaming when she’s collected at the end of the day and always asks to go back! Barracudas activity day camps are Ofsted registered with the majority graded as “Outstanding”. There are 43 locations in the UK with these camps operating over the Easter holidays. We know from personal experience that the childcare is of a high standard and staff (all DBS checked) always go out of their way to ensure the kids are well looked after and have a brilliant time. Each child is assigned a Keyworker during their time at camp who is responsible for a child’s welfare.
Camps are open from 8:30am until 5:30pm but these hours can be extended if there’s a need to drop off earlier and/or pick up later (8am to 6pm). These flexible timings work really well for us as they take into account a typical working day and travel to/from camp. The Barracudas camp POD will be over the Easter holidays is less than 30 minutes from home and work so it’s a great balance.
Activities
Barracudas has an extraordinary range of activities to choose from. Tailored to suit the developmental stage of each group from 4½ to 6, 7 to 10 and 11 to 14 years, there are over 80 activities in all (see each age group for more information and example timetables). POD’s typical day comprises of six sessions with a choice of two activities for each, this will be one during Easter camp due to staff/child ratios in group bubbles. Each day is well structured with breaks and lunch so there are rest periods following the more energetic sessions. POD always says she’s had “the best day ever” but it’s hardly surprising when her days include the likes of dodgeball, tennis and cheerleading to badminton, quad bikes and aqua slide! Barracudas is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle so whatever the activity, there are plenty of opportunities to get active. And there’s Friday dress-up if the kids fancy it too.
New for 2021
Barracudas always keeps it fresh by including new activities and this year is no exception. There is the Barracudas Cube, a series of 5 challenges that test teammates both mentally and physically, Mission Impossible, cracking a series of codes to rescue Billy Barracuda, trying out circus skills in the Circus Spectacular, Feel Good Yoga and POD is really keen to create her own Stop Motion video!
Football camps
For football fanatics, there’s the new “Palace for Life” Football Camp and the West Ham United Foundation Football camp. Designed for girls and boys aged 7 to 12, these are specialist stand-alone courses available at selected Barracudas camps over Easter. There are 28 places available at each Easter camp with days consisting of a workshop, classroom and practical sessions. These are a mix of individual and team sessions and run from 9:30am to 4:30pm with the option to include the Barracudas extended hours.
COVID-19 Secure safety measures
Barracudas has put a number of COVID-19 Secure safety measures in place to ensure children, staff and parents stay safe. This includes reducing the number of places available to 15 (and 24 for early years) and adjusting the programme to COVID-19 safe activities. An assessment has been completed at each location with staggered entry/exit, social distancing and one way systems in place. There will also be extra hand washing and sanitising throughout the day, extra daily cleaning of the facilities and equipment and an onsite COVID-19 officer. Other measures include confirmation of no symptoms on entry, parents to wear mandatory face masks and staff in PPE if first aid needs to be administered.
In addition, each booking is also financially risk-free as Barracudas is offering a credit or refund if a camp has to be cancelled due to COVID-19. If a child needs to isolate, there is the option for a credit to use another time or a refund if you have a Flex booking.
So the countdown to fun is on to the next Barracudas activity day camp! Having spent far too much of the past year at home with her parents, POD is definitely looking forward to spending time with children her own age and making new friends along the way. As well as having an enormous amount of fun! Bookings for the Barracudas Easter camps are open now, head to their website for more information.
Header image photo by Senjuti Kundu on Unsplash
