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Parenting

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Original poster

Holiday camp incident-need advice

12 replies

Keepcalm15 · 15/04/2015 22:24

Hi,

I am new to mums net and wanted some advice from fellow parents regarding an incident that took place at one of the holiday camps run by Super camps during the Easter holidays. While enrolling my LO in the camp, I clearly stated that my child is unable to swim in the booking form which was confirmed to me in the booking email. However this information was not handed over to the onsite camp manager and my LO was allowed to enter the big pool. My LO was offered arm bands but despite that within minutes of entering my LO was distressed and was not able to manage. A lifeguard had to jump in to rescue and bring him back up. He was quite distressed after the incident. I was told about this incident that evening which has left me completely shaken as any parent would. The onsite manager showed me the form they had and there was no information about my child's swimming status in that form. Super camps never got in touch to explain why the information was not passed over to the camp manager. I have lost all faith with Super Camps now and have put in a formal complaint. Only after my complaint, they have bothered to come back to say they are investigating this error. Just wanted to get your views on what more I can do as clearly this can happen with any child attending Super Camp locations across the UK.
Thanks.

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wannabestressfree · 15/04/2015 22:26

You said supercamps a LOT....

usualsuspect333 · 15/04/2015 22:28

How old is your child? Did he not tell them himself he couldn't swim?

Original poster

Keepcalm15 · 15/04/2015 22:31

Usualsuspect333: they didn't ask him before. He was only asked the question after the incident

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onepieceoflollipop · 15/04/2015 22:32

Did your child wear the armbands? If so, I am unclear as to what happened, unless they were faulty or too small for the child?

It all sound very upsetting.

I think that if they are investigating your complaint, you need to clarify how long this will take, and wait for the results.

WalterWall · 15/04/2015 22:32

Ask for a copy of their complaints procedure and make a formal complaint in writing.

Original poster

Keepcalm15 · 15/04/2015 22:37

Thanks for your suggestions.

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onepieceoflollipop · 15/04/2015 22:37

If he was offered (and accepted) armbands, that suggests to me that they were aware he is a non swimmer, and his acceptance of them indicated he knows he is a non swimmer.

How old is he? Does he have any issues that make communication difficult?

Fwiw my dcs have had swimming lessons from the age of 2 years, all of these lessons have been in a "big pool", with appropriate swimming aids (belts, armbands or similar) so unless in your distress you have not made yourself clear, I am not really sure of the issue here.

usualsuspect333 · 15/04/2015 22:46

How old is he?

EdithWeston · 15/04/2015 22:48

If you sent him with trunks/towel, then he would swim.

As he was offered armbands, they must have known he was not a secure swimmer and, like for any other beginners' session, there should have been close supervision. Presumably the investigation is to establish whether the expected supervision was delivered that day?

onepieceoflollipop · 15/04/2015 22:53

I have seen a lifeguard jump in a couple of times during lessons; more as a controlled response to a child floundering and understandably getting panicky, and they act fast to minimise the child's distress. I don't think it is really unusual, perhaps if a child has less floats than usual on his swim belt and panics?
It sounds as if this is what happened here, but difficult to say when we don't know some of the details.
How old is the child?
Thankfully I have never seen the lifeguard act in a proper emergency e.g. A child sinking to the bottom or no one noticing that a child is in trouble.

m0therofdragons · 15/04/2015 22:57

My 3 year olds can't swim but with arm bands they'd be fine in a big pool or would tell someone if they weren't. I'm not sure what they did wrong. Maybe I'm misunderstanding but he had arm bands so no major risk of drowning and as soon as he became distressed he was rescued. Sounds like they have good life guards. How old is your dc? I'm not saying it wasn't upsetting but I would say it was an unfortunate experience rather than massive error. how old is he? If they gave him arm bands that sounds like there was a conversation re whether he could swim doesn't it?

m0therofdragons · 15/04/2015 22:59

Just realised I asked your dc's age twice sorry I'm very tired but waiting up to find out which school my dc got into.

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