Summer Camp Program

About the program

Summer camp is the fullest version of our school-age program: whole days instead of afternoons, room for projects that take a week rather than an hour, and enough time outdoors that children come home properly tired. It runs in weekly sessions, each with its own theme, so families can book the entire summer or only the weeks they need.

Because camp runs out of the same space with many of the same educators children already know, the first morning tends to be easy for returning families — and a much gentler landing for children joining us only for the summer.

How a week is built

Each week is organised around a theme — science and experiments, building and engineering, art and making, sports and games, nature and the outdoors, cooking, or performance — and the theme shapes the projects rather than dictating every activity. Something the group has made, built, cooked, or rehearsed together usually caps off the week.

Within that, children still get real choice. Alongside the themed project there is always free play, an active option, and a quieter option, so a child who does not want to be in the middle of everything at two o'clock on a hot afternoon has somewhere else to be.

A typical camp day

• Morning drop-off — Arrival, quiet games, and settling in as the group gathers
• Mid-morning — Outdoors while it is still cool — field games, group challenges, nature exploration, water play
• Late morning — The week's themed project: building, experimenting, making, or rehearsing
• Lunch — Packed lunches eaten together, usually outside
• Early afternoon — Deliberate quiet time — reading, drawing, card games, shade and water
• Afternoon — Second active block, sports, or the continuation of the project
• Late afternoon — Snack, free play, tidy-up, and calmer activities until pick-up

Trips and special days

Off-site trips and visiting guests are scheduled through the season — the specific outings vary year to year and are confirmed in the summer schedule sent to families in advance, along with any additional cost, what to bring, and departure and return times. Trips are optional, and children not attending a particular outing are cared for on site.

Weeks that include water activities, swimming, or anything requiring extra supervision are flagged clearly in the schedule, along with any consent or equipment needed.

Pacing a long day

Ten hours is a long time to be a child in a group, and we plan for that rather than filling every minute. Quiet time is built into every afternoon, shade and water breaks run throughout the day, and there is enough unscheduled play that children are not managed from drop-off to pick-up. Hot-weather days are adjusted as needed, with more indoor and shaded activity and less time on open field.

We ask families to send a labelled water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, and a change of clothes daily, plus swimwear and a towel on water days. Anything else specific to a themed week goes out with that week's schedule.

Booking

Camp is booked by the week, and popular weeks tend to fill first. Families already enrolled in our after-school program usually get first access to the schedule, with remaining spaces opening to the wider community afterward. Registration, deposits, and cancellation terms are set out in the summer information package.

What The Program Includes

• Weekly themed sessions, bookable individually or as a full summer
• Full-day care through July and August
• Daily outdoor play, field games, group challenges, and water play
• A week-long themed project with something to show at the end
• Creative making, cooking, science, sports, and nature activities
• Scheduled off-site trips and visiting guests, confirmed in advance
• Built-in quiet time, shade, and water breaks every day
• Free play protected within the daily schedule
• Familiar educators and a familiar setting
• Priority booking for families already enrolled with us