08/03/2021

Ask us anything - Q&A’s

Last week we invited you to ask us anything about our activity camps. We shared our invite on Facebook and received lots of great questions from you.

With Easter camp opening soon and summer camp also available to book we wanted to give you the opportunity to find out more and get answers to any specific queries.

Here are the questions asked on social media along with others we’ve received recently by email and phone:

The day/preparing for camp

Q: Is there a kit list of what to bring to camp? Are there indoor activities in case of rain?
A: Our timetables are done on the day of camp so we will cater the activities depending on the weather. You don't need to bring any kit to camp as this is all provided. All you will need to bring is a packed lunch box, snacks and a refillable drink bottle

Q: What time do I drop my child off and pick them up?
A: Standard registration is between 8.30am and 9.30am and collection is between 4.30pm and 5.30pm. If you need extra flexibility you can book early & late clubs from 8am and until 6pm. 

Q: How does the day work?
A: Children are registered at camp in the morning between 8.30am and 9.30am. From there they go to their groups base room. There are 6 1 hour activity sessions in the day with a morning break, lunch break and afternoon break. Children are collected between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

You can find more information on your child’s day at camp here.

Groups/age

Q: Can you have more than one friend choice?
A: We only guarantee one advance and reciprocated grouping request per child. However, if there is more than one friend you would like your child to be grouped with please email the children’s names and ages to fun@barracudas.co.uk. Additional grouping requests are not guaranteed; however, we will do our best to accommodate them where possible. At Easter our group sizes are reduced due to COVID-19 which can make additional friend requests more difficult to accommodate.

Q: What are the group sizes and how many staff look after each group?
A: In normal circumstances our 4 ½ - 6years group size is a maximum of 24 children with a staff:child ratio of 1:8. Maximum group size for 7-10 year olds is 24 children with a staff:child ratio of 1:12 and the 11+ years groups have a maximum size of 28 children with a staff:child ratio of 1:14. Things are a little different this Easter due to COVID-19 so all groups have a maximum size of 15 kids (24 still for Early Years) and will be looked after by their Bubble Leader with a Bubble Support member also on hand to help with toilet runs and first aid etc.

Q: How strict are you with the age range 4.5-14 years? My youngest son will be one week away from being 4.5 years when your Summer camps are due to run.
A: We ask that children attending Easter camp will be 5 years old by 31st October 2021 and for summer camp that they’ll be 5 years old by 28th February 2022. In some circumstances we do have a limited amount of leeway. This depends on factors such as how far off they are from the specified date if they regularly attend a childcare setting. This would need to be agreed by our Head Office team and we’d need to make the booking for you.

Activities

Q: What activities are on offer this year?
A: We’ve got an unrivalled range of activities at our camps. There are 6 sessions each day and in usual circumstances we offer a choice for each one. This Easter due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be one activity each session but, as ever, these will be of the highest quality and designed to appeal to a range of interests. From teamwork and sports to arts and crafts, there’s something for everyone. We’re also excited to be introducing new activities to camp in 2021 which the kids will love! 

Q: Will swimming still be offered at the Easter Camps? What will the children be offered in place of motor sports and inflatables please?
A: Swimming will be available at selected camps this Easter, please check our website for individual camps. We will be offering a whole range of activities on our camps during the Easter holidays - our camps have over 80 to choose from.

Q: How will you know which days swimming will be on over the summer so you pack kit?
A: Our timetables are done on the day of camp so we advise that you bring your swim kit everyday to avoid missing out. We guarantee 2 swimming sessions per group per week. 

Bookings

Q: What if I want to change my booking?
A: We understand that plans can change right up until the last minute and that’s why we offer our Flex and Non-Flex booking options . If you want complete flexibility to change your booking, you can choose to book with Flex. For just £4 per day, our Flex option means you can amend your booking right up to the last working day before your child is due to attend in any given week. Plus, Flex allows for amendments or a refund to be made if your child is ill and cannot attend. With non-flex you can still change dates (within the same season) up to 21 days before your child is due to attend, but the booking cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable. All bookings are COVID-19 financially Risk Free.

Q: Do you accept Childcare Vouchers/Tax-Free Childcare?
A: Yes! As all our camps are Ofsted registered we can accept all Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare. We already have an account with all the main Childcare Voucher providers, but if yours isn’t on the list we’ll be happy to set this up. Find out more here.

Q: It’s my child’s first time at Barracudas, what if they don’t settle in?
A: Don’t worry, we’re confident they’ll have an amazing time. We know it can be nerve wracking booking your child into camp for the first time so we have a Money Back Guarantee for first time bookers. 

If you’ve got any questions about Barracudas that haven’t been answered here, please email fun@barracudas.co.uk or call us on 01480 467 567. We’re always happy to help!

Our camps are booking up fast! We advise early booking to secure your child's place at camp at great rates.