Summer School / Holiday Clubs

[PhantomErik]

This is the first year my DD10 will be attending a week long dance summer school & she is very excited! It's run by the dance school she has lessons at so very familiar with other students /teacher/ premises etc.

DS9 is going to a couple of football camp days through the holidays. DS7 isn't doing anything yet.

I'm a sahm so don't need it for childcare, it's only if they want to do it.

What I'm asking is do other people's DC do summer camps etc just for fun & what do yours do?

I've seen a 3 day summer school with the music trust but you have to be grade 1 or above & DD isn't taking grade 1 until November but is keen to try it next year.

Would be really interesting to hear what others do. Thanks

Yes of course kids go for fun! It’s not just childcare. My kids are too old now but I encouraged them to go - keeps them busy, meet new friends, develop independence, confidence, learn skills... you get a break... there’s no downside!

Mine have been to all sorts over the years, drama, dance, singing, hockey, football, cooking, multi-sports, as well as full day camps when they were younger and needed childcare.

Mine are attending Dance camp next week. Youngest has 2 days of football the week after. Many kids are sociable creatures who enjoy being with friends, not at home all the time.

This is the first year my dd has had the confidence to go so I'm really pleased & hoping it will continue!

Ds9 has much more confidence & has done some football days in the past & ds7 hasn't wanted to try any yet.

I've been searching but only come up with the local leisure centre which runs the football days £12 per day & multi sports days at £25 per day & a childcare facility that costs £35 per day which is a bit over budget for us.

Not sure where else to look - hmm.

A lot of the ones my DCs have been to have been through activities they do in termtime. Other than that it's been things that my friends have told me their DCs are doing, or mentions on FB pages.

Dance, musical theatre and tennis. Not a SAHM but these are the skill/fun ones as opposed to needing childcare

Kids (11 and nearly 8) have done a variety - usually one near us with swimming, sports and craft, particularly before we had an au pair, as it was one of the few where the timing worked. They like mixed camps, so they're not interested in pure sport.

It's got harder last year since DD started feeling she was too old for that one, but of course she's still some years off being able to just entertain herself all day.

So this holiday.
Week 1, first two days a cheap-as-chips sports camp. I've told them if they hate it, it's just the two days (and only 10-3), then last 3 DD has transition camp at secondary school and DS can helpfully go to another inexpensive camp that is literally nextdoor to it, which they've done before and he still likes.
Week 2: further away, more expensive camp but goes to older age group and maybe DD will like it. Though as soon as I booked it she told me her best mate had told her it was 'lame' (I mostly booked it bc I heard that friend went and liked it!)
Week 3: We're away
Week 4: New multi-activity camp somewhat further afield, but au pair has left by then and they'll be looked after by someone who drives
Week 5: DD to Guides Camp, DS back to the one they usually go to, as he still likes it.
Week 6: we're away again, and last few days before term, MIL wll have them mostly.

Phew, what a saga!