03/10/2023
What they said about our summer camps in 2023
We had a great summer at our activity camps this year. With 212 weeks across 49 camps, we provided amazing experiences to a wide range of children, and peace of mind for lots of parents!
We appreciate all the feedback we get from our bookers. It helps us to understand how you feel about our services and what’s important to you. This means we can develop our strengths, work on any potential areas for improvement and make sure we’re at the top of our game and continue to be the UK’s favourite activity camp!
Trustpilot reviews
Barracudas now has over 1,400 independent parent reviews on Trustpilot. With over 200 reviews received over summer alone, we’re delighted to have a 5 star rating. Here are just some of the reviews our summer camps received:
Activities and choice
We signed our son up for Barracudas holiday camp in Newbury for 3 days this summer. He enjoyed himself so much he asked to go back again - so we booked him in for a 4th day very last minute. He loved all the activities, especially swimming everyday, quad bikes, bouncy castle and the balloon making. Thank you so much - would highly recommend. Rachel
My son is always excited about what awaits at Barracudas (Watford). The activities are varied so everyday is different. He’s been going for the past 3 years and I’ve rarely heard a complaint. The best bit for him is that the whole day is broken into blocks of time where they always get a choice of 2 activities. That means he can pick and choose what he wants to do throughout the day. If your child is more sporty, they’ll got for archery, football, badminton, treasure hunts, etc. If they need a slower pace, the alternative of arts and crafts, yoga or other creative activities are an option. Nadine
My 5 year old has been attending the Letchworth camp at St Christopher's. I've loved seeing how happy he is coming out. They have so many activities, swimming, arts and crafts, motorsports, bouncy castle, den making to name a few...quite honestly I'd like to go for myself! Will definitely be booking next year....Shame its just in the summer but something to look forward to next year. Brilliant camp! Vanessa
Woking Branch - this is now our 2nd Summer at Barracudas Summer Camp and my son absolutely loves it. (we also do the Easter Camp too). He loves the variety of activities on offer which changes on a daily basis so never gets bored. Also, the staff here are amazing and really attentive. They instantly recognise us each year and also ensure the wellbeing of my son. Special shout out Tasha who remembers us each year and is always there to greet us with a great big smile! Tasha is also on hand at pick up and will give us an update on our sons' day! Great camp, the kids love it and the staff are great! Elizabeth
Great camp, my boys tried a lot this summer and it was their standout favourite. They loved the swimming and volleyball. Michelle
Camp staff
I’ve never sent the children to a camp where every member of staff, either face to face when signing in/picking up or phoning the main office have been so incredibly helpful, friendly and polite. The boys have had a fantastic week thank you so much Barracudas! Charlotte
My daughter attends the St Catherine’s site. The staff are amazing, so welcoming and kind. Each day my daughter comes home with a big small and can’t wait to share her day with us. The activities provided are varied and your child has the opportunity to choose what they want to do. A wonderful camp and we shall be returning next year. HN
I would highly recommend to any parent who is considering a holiday camp. All the staff have been lovely in person and on the phone. My daughter has come home every night asking, how many hours till she can go back!! Thank you to all the wonderful staff at the Colchester Baracudas for making my daughters holiday one to remember. Alex
What a week!! My child has been at Newbury camp every day this week and they have had the best time. Tom and Izzie (I think I’ve got the names right) have been so welcoming on the front desk every morning and afternoon. They go above and beyond every day and I can’t get over how amazing the registration area looks. My child has not stopped talking about Maddie and Bianca (again, hoping the names are right) and how lovely they are. The huge range of activities is outstanding and honestly, I could not recommend Newbury enough!! Will be sending my child back next summer! Anonymous
This is my 1st child's (7y) 3rd year at Barracudas & my youngest's (5y) 1st year. They are pretty much booked in every school holidays for at least 3 days a week, as we like the fact that kids have plenty of choices of activities to choose from and staff are all very friendly and smiley - they also remember kids' names! They also did good job in settling both of my children in when they first started. So whilst we try to book sessions with my kids' school friends, they don't mind going there without their usual school friends, as they have already made friends throughout the period of attending Barracudas. Office staff are very helpful too whenever we have queries. My two never complain about their days at Barracudas, so I'm fairly happy to give a 5* to recognise everyone's hard work! Please keep up the good work 😊 M. Wright
Amazing summer camp experiences
Excellent and consistent childcare with a smile and thoughtfulness. We have tried a few of the local camps but since coming here to Chigwell we keep returning as our child enjoys it very much and we feel they are in safe hands here! Happy parent
My son absolutely loves Huntingdon barracudas. He does so much in a day and has asked to go all holidays! Thankyou guys! It’s clear how much effort and time goes into the camp! Customer
Watford camp is amazing. The kids have such a great time here and look forward to coming back every term. The staff are so friendly - it’s really reassuring to know they are in good hands and having fun while I have to work! Barbara
Our cheeky monkey loves going to Watford Barracudas! He is excited to go in every single day :) The staff are amazing too and they constantly come up with variety of ideas/activities to keep the little ones happy and entertained it gives me a piece of mind that I found a place where my little one loves to be while we are working. A big thank you to all staff members x Desislava
Absolutely amazing camp. My two boys didn't want to leave. The staff at Upminster are all wonderful people, and we trust them implicitly with the kids. Well done to all involved here! Ben
2 weeks of nonstop excitement for my 7 year old this summer holidays, he has had the most amazing time and is already begging to be booked in at Easter! This is his third year attending and he is always so excited to be going back. The staff have always been reassuringly professional and very approachable. TTH
How to put the Barracudas Activity Day Camps Hemel Hempstead experience into words?! Magical, empowering, fun, just to name a few. My son is returning to this camp for his second year. He loves the choice he gets every day, the special Friday events and the games available. As an active kid who likes to run and play, this is perfect place for him. I would like to thank Barracudas Hemel staff for giving Rares again an unforgettable summer experience. Keep up the good work! Gabriela
Can’t wait to come back!
My daughter loved her time over the past two weeks and has been begging me to go back! Harry
This is my 7-year-old daughter's 3rd year attending Watford Barracuda's. She absolutely loves it and wants to go more! Every year she asks to go back. Olivia
My two children aged 7 and 8 absolutely loved the camp and the first thing they asked when I picked them up is when can they go back. They especially loved having a choice of activities. Thanks Barracudas Hutton! Sophoe
We had an incredible experience at the Barracudas Ely kids' summer camp this year! The range of activities provided endless fun for our 6-year-old, keeping them engaged and excited throughout. Liv, one of the camp staff, stood out with her exceptional enthusiasm and helpfulness. Her dedication to ensuring our child had a fantastic time was truly heartwarming. We're grateful for the wonderful memories our child created at this camp and can't wait to return next year! Beth
My boys (age 5 & 6) have just spent a week at the High Wycombe barracudas camp and absolutely loved it. They have done so many different activities. It’s so well run, and all the staff are fun and friendly. They can’t wait to go back another time. L Ryan
My children attended Bishops Barracudas over the summer, they had a brilliant time and can’t wait to come back ! Jennifer
Recommendations
Amazing summer camp and great staff. My daughter attends 3rd summer and she loves it and doesn't want to go to any other camp. Highly recommended. Agata
My daughter absolutely love the camp. It's been nearly 3 weeks now and she is so excited and happy to go every day. She is going to school in September and was getting bored of nursery so we decided to try the summer camp for the first time and the best decision we made. They do so much with the kids during the day and they have great choice of activities, definitely recommend. And great prices too! Laura
Excellent programme with great facilities for children and passionate about the camp Team! Also a great location! We’ll definitely be back and recommend to family and friends! Evalina
Best summer camp experience! Our son had an amazing time at the camp in Letchworth and we will be booking for next summer! Very warm and lovely staff. Couldn’t recommend more. Mrs Sinclair
It wasn’t just parent approval we received this summer. Our Letchworth camp was visited by Ofsted and we’re happy to have received another glowing report
Ofsted results
Here’s what the official inspector said about our Letchworth camp:
Children demonstrate they are happy, safe and secure in the club. Children build good relationships with staff, and they are excited to see them back at the club upon returning. The youngest children benefit from a strong key-person system. Games created, and time spent in the base room in the morning, allow staff to spend time with their key children and build their relationships. This helps develop children's confidence.
Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff create clear rules and values with the children and refer to these as and when needed. The oldest children are offered freedom within the rules of the club and can move between events independently. This provides them with a level of responsibility which is well respected by the children.
Children arrive at the club excited for the day. They point to the information board and talk to their parents about what is planned for their day. When visitors enter the base room, children are confident to talk to them about their favourite activities. Staff support children to develop relationships with other children in their base group. They play games and complete icebreakers, learning about each other. Staff talk of the lovely friendships, which are created over time.
This camp was last visited by Ofsted in 2017 and received a Good rating. From 1st September 2019, Ofsted changed the way they inspect all early years providers and decided out of school and holiday providers should be rated differently under the new framework. Instead of being graded from Inadequate to Outstanding, we are simply rated ‘Met’ or ‘Not met’. For reassurance, historically Barracudas has more ‘Outstanding’ ratings than any other comparable provider.
More feedback on Barracudas camps
We're happy to share full access to our customer feedback and official ratings. This is because we're proud of what we do and confident that we deliver on our promises.
After each camp season we ask our parents to fill in our anonymous survey and tell us what they really think about our camps. You can read our summer 2023 parent results to see how parents felt about their experience.
You can also access our latest Ofsted reports on our individual camp pages or read what Ofsted have said about our camps before.
Now we're looking forward to entertaining children across our 15 October camps. We're looking to even more fun in the school holidays for 2023!