When school’s out for the summer an action-packed summer scheme provides the perfect opportunity to keep the kids happy learning a new skill or enjoying full days of an activity they love…
Every parent wants their child to have an enjoyable break away from the classroom, and a positive summer scheme experience offers many additional benefits above the childcare aspect. Taking part is fantastic for their self- development such as making new friends, gaining confidence and giving them a sense of self-achievement to the experience of trying out something new and having that all important sense of independence. Of course with such a wide selection available it’s important to make sure that you choose a scheme that is right for your child. Age, personality and experience will all be big factors in your decision.
Most camps are run by seasoned professionals with many years’ experience, but do ask them some of the questions that we have listed here to make sure you and your child are happy and that you know exactly what to expect. Location is another aspect to consider. You might want to think about the time it would take to get there in the case of an emergency or how the drop off and pick up will affect your normal daily routine. Other aspects that you might wish to consider and discuss with the supervisors are what you would like your child to gain from the experience and do take the opportunity to highlight any special interests that your child may want to explore so that they get the most from their time there.
So, if you want to avoid the dreaded summer holiday lament of ‘I’m bored’. Take a look at what’s on offer for a sensational summer 2017…
Something For Everyone
This summer Excel Sports Academy have six weeks of fun and exciting camps for children aged five to 15 years. The All Sports camps allow children to enjoy a variety of different activities and Excel+ weeks include art, dance, tennis, computerXplorers, gymnastics, canoeing, swimming/diving and rock school. New for 2017 – Week 6 Football Qualification and Rock School at Music Base.
The Excel team look forward to welcoming you and your children this summer, so they can fully enjoy the Excel experience. Excel is a place to learn, develop and have fun. The camps are always extremely popular and sell out fast so book your child’s place today.
Book online at excel-sports.co.uk for summer camps from July 3 to August 11. All Sports Camps every week and 15 different Excel+ camps over the six week summer period. OPEN 8AM-6PM | PACKED DAY OF ACTIVITIES: 9AM-5PM
Childcare vouchers are accepted.
A Class Act
Love Drama is a drama in education business offering weekly classes, school clubs and holiday camps throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians for ages four to 16. All classes and camps are fun, exciting and are a learning destination for Children’s University!
Core aims are to deliver high quality, child-centred drama workshops which enhance valuable skills in line with the Curriculum for Excellence; confidence, self-esteem, independence, communication, teamwork, peer assessment, presentation, performance and leadership. The enhancement of transferable skills leads to children, parents and teachers recommending Love Drama on a regular basis.
All classes are led by professional practitioners with a focus on continuous professional development. Classes are physical and begin with a focused warm-up. A lead in activity introduces the skills that will be taught that day. The main activity involves group or partner work and usually includes a performance through acting or improvisation. A fun cool down brings the class to an end. See the contact information in the advertisement to get in touch and find out more.
Happy Holidays with SASCS
Holiday Care offers children an opportunity to socialise with peers during summer holidays, whilst taking part in fun, age appropriate activities. They also include pre-primary one children in their Holiday Care – this has been a popular addition to the service – with parents commenting that attending SASCS before starting school helped with the transition from nursery to primary.
Sports Camp started in 2009 and offers a wide variety of sports, games, dance, baking and large art projects. This year Sports Camp will make use of Edinburgh University Sports Centres; based on feedback from the children, who would prefer being outside the school as much as possible during the holidays.
By offering this combination of services, Holiday Care are meeting the needs of parents, who can drop off and collect children from one place; whilst also providing children with age appropriate activities and the chance to socialise with same-age peers.
Their next big adventure
Enjoy an action-packed summer at the Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Hillend. Whether you love skiing, snowboarding or tubing, they have an activity for you!
Five-day junior and kinder ski and snowboard camps are available from July 10 to August 11 with lessons in the morning or the afternoon. For those who simply want to enjoy practice skiing, great value lift tickets are available. For sightseers, simply enjoy a return trip up to the top of the hill – an added bonus is that the views across Edinburgh from the chairlift are spectacular.
The Tubing Runs are also open every day throughout this period, zipping down the hill in an inflatable tube is made even easier with a travelator to help you back up the slope again. It’s fast, fun and exciting! NB – all tubers must be at least 1 metre tall and 4 years+.
Let’s Dance
Dance Base has a packed summer ahead. Right now, you and your family can go along to their studios in the Grassmarket and drop into dance classes in dozens of different styles including Creative Dance for the little ones, and classes like ceilidh, Llyrical jazz, pilates, reggaeton, or morning ballet for adults.
And Dance Base has you covered over the holidays, with summer sessions for adults, a Summer Dance Intensive for 13 to 19-year-olds who are serious about their dancing, and Summer School for 7 to 9 and 10 to 12-year-olds – giving them the chance to spend a week dancing, making music and creating animation.
It all adds up to an amazing opportunity for your family to get fit and boost your confidence. Dance Base exists to prove that dance is for everyone and everyone can dance, so head along to the accessible, welcoming venue in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket to find out just how much fun dance can be.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What is the ratio of staff to children?
- What does my child need to bring each day?
- Are there any additional activity fees not included in the quoted weekly rate?
- Do the instructors have the necessary qualifications and how are staff and visitors screened?
- Is there supervision at all times?
- What is your policy on bad behaviour and bullying should it occur?
- Are there trained first aiders on site at all times?
- If it’s an outdoor activity, what are the bad weather plans?
- What does a typical daily schedule involve?
- If I am late to collect my child will they still be supervised and is there a late collection charge?