10/09/2021

2021 summer of FUN!

As the holidays are now at an end and kids have returned to school, we’re looking back to all the fun we had at Barracudas this summer.

It’s been a challenging time recently and no more so than for children and their families as we’ve gone through some extraordinary times of isolation, home schooling, limited socialising and restrictions. We’ve risen above the chaos and are proud to have had such a rewarding and positive summer.

Children have enthusiastically embraced all the fun and adventure at camp this year. We’ve loved seeing them grow in confidence and develop key life skills at camp over the summer months. Here’s just a few of the highlights we’ve shared:

New activities

Barracudas always likes to keep things fresh whilst still delivering the activities which are always popular. So whether it’s your child’s first time at camp, or if they’re seasoned Barracudas returners, they’ll have an amazing experience at our holiday club.

This year we introduced a number of fun new activities to our already unrivalled options. From chill out yoga to Barracudas escape rooms, children loved the full range of fresh sessions on offer. We look forward to developing these and adding more exciting options in 2022!

Football camps

We were excited to launch 2 football camps at Barracudas this year. Following the success at Easter, we were pleased to welcome mini football fanatics to our specialist week long clubs at various locations throughout the summer.

Palace for Life Foundation gave children an amazing experience at Chislehurst, Croydon and Streatham. They also identified children who had attended the course for their Player Development Programme and we were delighted to be able to extend the unique invitation to the lucky players.

West Ham United Foundation coaches led fantastic courses at Chelmsford, Chigwell, Harlow and Upminster.

Unique activities at camp

We’re committed to providing a unique experience at each of our camps. We insist on quality as standard at every Barracudas site, but are proud of being able to deliver something special at each camp. Children get to be a part of shaping the experience at Barracudas and, once again this summer, had fun creating their own activities.

Here are just a few of the inspiring sessions our camps created this summer: Stingrays at our Bishop’s Stortford camp created own mini golf course, the Barracudas group at Barnet enjoyed their own ‘Warewolf’ activity, Copthorne camp went crazy for the Olympics during History week and created their own week long art project, and Barracudas at Godalming introduced their own Water Polo activity.

Special visitor

We had a special visitor at our Barnet and Watford camps this summer. Thomas the Gorilla from Teach Rex gave children a unique opportunity with several sessions involving the whole camp throughout the day. The younger groups met Thomas face to face and learned about his story.

The older children became explorers in the rainforest and overcame dangerous threats on their journey. This really encouraged children to discuss ideas and we loved to hear all their thoughts.

Parent reviews

We’re only as good as our parents (and children!) say we are. Barracudas works hard to provide an amazing experience for every child who comes through our camp doors and we really appreciate the helpful independent reviews parents take the time to leave us each operating season.

We were thrilled to get a bumper number of Trustpilot reviews this summer. Here’s what parents have said:

Barracuda Canterbury Team: YOU ROCK!!!
Our kids had the best week ever, and now would like to go to the Summer "School" year round please! Usually they go to camp on their own school grounds so I was really nervous about dropping them off at a new location (they're little), but wow, they LOVED it. So huge thanks to all the team for looking after them and creating such an absorbing, action packed and thoroughly enjoyable summer camp experience: especially when we're both working, it's so important and valuable to know they're still making their best-life memories. Louisa

My son attended the Barracudas Camp in High Wycombe. He absolutely loved every day he spent there and couldn't wait to go back. Would 100% recommend the camps, very slick registration and collection each day and the variety of activities on offer to the children was amazing. Will definitely book again. Anna

We've sent our two (now 6 and 8) to a variety of summer camps over the years - Barracuda's is by far the best. The staff at the Canterbury camp (at Kings School, Surry) were all fabulous, and the kids loved their 4 weeks there. They can't wait to go back! Stuart

This is a well organised company, with safety, organisation and fun at the heart of its brand. There are always plenty of red jumpers around to ask questions and if there is an issue or question that needs escalating, a blue jumper is always quick on the scene to address it. My children have enjoyed the Barracudas experience and will surely go again. David

Why can't I give more stars?
Our son has attended the Hertford Camp for everyday they have been open. In the past, especially around Covid restrictions our son had been reluctant to go to other childcare providers, but not with Barracudas. He has skipped in everyday and even begged us to take him early and collect him late! we have got to know the team over the past five weeks, they are ALL superb. He adores them all. today is future dress up day - our son has gone as a Barracudas Lifeguard! Marcia

Ofsted ratings

We were delighted to have received amazing reports from the officials at Ofsted who visited our camps this summer.

5 of our newer locations were inspected for the first time this year and we were judged very positively at each camp.

The ratings have now changed from ‘Outstanding’ ‘Good’ ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’ to a more simple ‘Met’ or ‘Not met’. Whilst we’ve been happy to confirm that Barracudas has historically received more ‘Outstanding’ ratings than any other comparable provider, we’re delighted to still be performing to the highest levels that our parents would expect.

All five of our camps first ratings at our camps were ‘Met’. The officials inspected our camps thoroughly and made some very rewarding observations at each camp. Common themes were the high standard of care, engaging and varied activities, positive atmosphere and opportunities for children’s growth at camp. Just take a look at what they said about our camps here:

Canterbury, Chichester, Copthorne, Salisbury, Twickenham Waldegrave. 

Summer camp video

We love the energy the team bring to Wokingham camp every year. This year was no exception and the whole camp got involved in creating this brilliant video summing up the summer of fun. Whilst this is just a snapshot from Wokingham, we know that this is a great reflection of the energy and enthusiasm at all of our camps.

Want to hear more about what we got up to this summer? Read our camp highlights from 19th - 23rd July, 26th - 30th July, 2nd - 13th August, 16th - 27th August.

What a great time we’ve all had during summer 2021, thanks for being a part of the fun!