Insights and advice from our team

Children today are spending less time outdoors than ever before. Screens, packed schedules, and indoor routines have replaced muddy knees and fresh air. However, nature offers far more than just a breath of fresh air. Outdoor play is vital for children’s physical health, mental wellbeing, and all-round development. At Active Camps, we believe every child …

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the wonderful mums who bring so much love and joy to our lives. While traditional gifts like flowers and chocolates are lovely, this year why not mix things up and stay active together as a family? It’s a fantastic way to bond, keep healthy and create lasting memories. …

World Book Day is a special occasion that encourages children to dive into the wonderful world of reading and creativity. Whether you’re a parent, teacher or caregiver, this day is the perfect opportunity to inspire kids to develop a lifelong love for books. Celebrating World Book Day with your children doesn’t have to be a …

The Back-to-School Blues are real! After a week of relaxed mornings, spontaneous activities and family fun, getting back into the school routine can be a challenge for both kids and parents. It can be tough to trade in lazy mornings for alarms and school bags, but don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to ease the …

As the February half term approaches, many parents wonder how to keep their children entertained. One great option is a holiday camp. These camps offer much more than just fun; they play a crucial role in your child’s growth and development. In light of Children’s Mental Health Week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on …

Celebrating All Things Pasta!🍝 October is home to not one, but TWO pasta celebration days, with National Pasta Day earlier this month and World Pasta Day on the 25th! To get in the spirit, we’re sharing some fun themed games below. Why not cook up your favourite pasta dish this week and test your pasta …

With Half Term fast approaching this October, choosing the right Half Term childcare or activity provider can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time. To help, we’re giving you a glimpse of what to expect when booking a first camp and sharing information on our fantastic Camp Leaders who will be there to support …

This Youth Mental Health Day, we’re shining a light on screen time—a major influence on our children’s mental well-being. Dive into our helpful tips and strategies below to help manage and reduce screen time, creating a healthier balance. According to a survey by CHILDWISE, children aged 7-8 spend approximately 3 hours online daily, increasing to …

Children’s Summer Activity Ideas We have ten quick and easy children’s activities for summer to help keep the fun going until it’s back to school in just a few weeks. Jump in below and keep boredom at bay! 1. Shadow Scene Drawing ————————————————————– Line up sheets of paper in the garden and on a sunny …

Today we are joining the global community in celebrating the International Day of Education. Established by the United Nations in 2018, this day serves as a reminder of the vital role education plays in fostering peace, promoting sustainable development, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Theme: Learning for People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace …

Improve your physical health and get active We know that physical activity is good for our health, but devices don’t help as being constantly distracted could be cutting into your individual and family’s exercise regime and time spent outside. Maintaining healthy habits can be hard when you spend lots of time using screens and devices …

Walking or jogging in a local park or nature trail Going for a walk or jog in a nearby park or nature trail is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. Kids can explore the natural surroundings and burn off some energy at the same time. There are so many local trails, …

The Coronation of His Majesty The King As we come to an end of a tremendous weekend of celebrating the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III this weekend, not only was this an important, national, and historic event for the Country, we thought it was a good opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work of …

Easter garland craft These pretty garlands are sure to enhance your Easter theme if you’re celebrating at home this weekend if you’re hosting for family and friends or you’re looking for a nice activity to do with the children this school holiday. Start by drawing Easter eggs or bunny shapes on some paper, use a …

Explore a theme #EmbraceEquity was the theme of this year’s IWD. The aim of the #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action. Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. A focus on gender …

Relax and reduce stress Many people deal with stress every day. Work, family issues, health concerns, and financial obligations are parts of everyday life that we all experience, and can commonly contribute to heightened stress levels. Some stress is normal, but if it’s becoming a problem and you need help, it’s important to know how …

Take up a sport and feel the benefits of exercise It’s a well-known fact that regular exercise does wonders for our mental health. If you’ve been thinking about ways to get more exercise during 2023 but wondering how to get started, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you’re going to …

Guess the Smell Christmas Game Put your sniffer to the test with this silly game, which features all sorts of holiday scents like peppermint, pine, nutmeg, and more. Christmas is one of those times of the year which is particularly fragrant, and often a smell that reminds you of the holiday season can take you …

Pull Out the Christmas Decorations Whether you plan on decorating your house this month, or you prefer to hold off until just a week or two before Christmas, it’s a good idea to find those Christmas decorations (and dust them off) so they’re ready to go when the urge to start decorating hits you. One …

Magic Wands and Potions For the young witches and wizards amongst us, why not have a go at whittling your own wand, or collect some sticks and make a twig broomstick – perfect for a quick game of Quiddich! You can whip up a woodland potion using special ingredients gathered from the forest floor, just: …

Foraging apples and blackberries The apple harvest typically takes place between September and November, with October being the optimal harvest month for most varieties. So, if apple pie/tart/crumble wasn’t already on your mind, it should be – after all, what better excuse is there for making a dessert made of apples?! Baking is great fun …

Keep it simple! There is lots of pressure to fill every day of the summer holidays with amazing trips out, however the kids usually just want to spend time with you doing the simplest of things. The summer is a fabulous opportunity for picnics in the garden or the local park. Where can you walk …

With temperatures hitting the high 30’s early next week, it’s important to know how to cool off when it gets hot! However, with the Summer finally here, this is a perfect opportunity to have some fun, bring out the water soakers, splash around in the pool (where possible) and prepare the water slides – anything …

Father’s Day It’s not every day dad’s get a pack on the back and remembered for all the good things they do each day, and with it being fathers day this Sunday 19th June, we thought it’d be good to share some ideas on how to make his day extra special. Father’s Day is that …

Mental Health Awareness Week As last week was Mental Health Awareness Week, and in light of new research which showed how the emotional well-being of young children in particular, has been adversely affected by lockdowns, we are exploring the extraordinary power of nature and the different ways to assist with keeping us all stay emotionally …

So the Easter holidays are over, you’re still trying to figure out where the last three weeks have gone and now it’s back to school and business as usual! Hopefully you were able to enjoy some time off and or enjoyed a nice long weekend with the family, but it’s a shock with life resuming …

TERMS and CONDITIONS Our aim when you book with ACTIVE CAMPS or ACTIVE ADVENTURE that as a parent / carer, you are satisfied and happy with everything we offer you and your child(ren). It is our mission to provide all children with a safe, fun and stimulating environment. As you may know, whilst operating during …

International Women’s Day On the back of International Women’s’ day this week and the reality for the women in Ukraine and having to face the horrors of war, it feels fitting to reflect and pause for thought for all the women that are facing some battles or internal struggles at the moment. International Women’s Day …

Children’s Mental Health Week (7-13) This week is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Children should not have to face mental health problems alone and Place2Be’s national campaign for Children’s Mental Health Week, helps to ensure every child has easy access to mental health support …

Dear St Swithuns Parents/Carers, We are excited to see you at camp this holiday so here are a few things to get you started. Hopefully, all of your queries will be answered below. Please ensure you have completed your health and safety information for each child attending. This can be done by logging in to …