redjam Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 The annual summer childcare crisis is looming larger than usual this year. My kids are veterans of the various playschemes around East Dulwich - Nimble Arts, Gumboots, Artastic - but my oldest daughter is 11 now and seems a bit old for some of them. I was wondering whether anyone could point me in the direction of summer activities or courses for slightly older children? I'm hoping I can find something that my (soon-to-be) 9-year-old can also go to at the same time, but I realise that might not be possible.I know there's a sports camp at Jags but my daughters aren't keen on wall-to-wall sports. They are more into drama, music, arts and crafts, cooking, coding, creative writing - that kind of thing. Ideally I'd like to find something that offers a mix of sporty activities and more creative/arty stuff.Any ideas? I need to be able to get on with my freelance work on at least a part-time basis over the summer and don't want the kids vegetating on screens while I do so! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
slh2009 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Supercamps at St Dunstans go up to 14 with different activities... Currently have 15% off summer holiday bookings Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-999838 Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjam Posted May 20, 2016 Author Share Posted May 20, 2016 Oh, this looks great, slh2009, thank you! Have you had any personal experience with this camp? Is there a good mix of ages? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-999916 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 I've just booked my 6 yo at St Dunstans for the May half-term camp.More stuff here: https://www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/london-south-east/things-to-do/activities-clubs-and-classes/school-holiday-playschemes-workshops-and-daycamps-se-london Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-999995 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Not local, but it might also be worth looking at what Imperial College has on offer. I think they have all-day science camps starting in August. My daughter did the Christmas camp last December. It's not cheap, but it was totally amazing. It was well worth the money and the experience, even if you only do it as a one-off.Imperial is actually pretty easy to get to on public transport. Camps and classes for children are booked through Richer Education. I found their staff to be lovely. http://www.richereducation.co.uk/ Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-999998 Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjam Posted May 20, 2016 Author Share Posted May 20, 2016 Saffron, thank you so much - that link is really useful. Lots of great ideas. And thanks for reminding me about that science camp - also sounds great. Starting to feel a bit less panicked about the summer now! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1000008 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 No worries, I had the same panic earlier this morning! I hope St Ds is fun. I've no personal experience with them, but it looks nice and is reasonably priced. And (more?) importantly, the hours are good. I had to pass on several interesting camps that were only doing half days, which is no good for us, or were a little bit more than I can afford atm.Air Craft Circus youth camps look like fun but are more expensive. I might look into this in the future though, because Air Craft seem like great group. My daughter adored their interactive activities at a festival last year. The staff were so deeply engaged and supportive of every child. http://aircraftcircus.com/If anyone knows of a good summer session for dance/drama/singing, I'd love to hear more. So far all the theatre and music workshops I've seen didn't really fit the bill for us because they were too short. xx Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1000096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
slh2009 Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 No but have booked my 5 yr old for a couple of days in half term! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1000138 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog-Kennel-Hill A.P Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 We are running both a half term play scheme & a summer one at Dog kennel hill adventure playground:?25 per dayArts & crafts...tie dye...clay etcCookingMusicDramaFree playI.T accessT-shirt designwww.dkhap.org.ukplease email [email protected] for more info and a registration form. Thanks so muchKate x Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1000859 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanity girl Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 My two (9 and 5) spent two days at the DKHAP playscheme over the Easter holidays and they absolutely loved it. They can't wait to go again next week. I warmly recommend it. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1001088 Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjam Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 Thanks for the info about the DKHAP playscheme - but what is the upper age limit for it? I had got the impression it was mainly for younger kids. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1001322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-lovell Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Check out The Acting Network West End Workshops@ www.theactingnetwork.com/west-end-workshops.htmlHalf day or Full Day workshops for 8-16year olds! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1003543 Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryhenley Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I've just picked my two children up from DKHAP. They had a brilliant day, even with the awful rain all this morning. It was a wide age range. I could see a lot of year 5/6/7 age children as well as younger ones. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1003926 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanity girl Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Yes my kids were there yesterday and are back again today. They just adore it there. There are some older children - my daughter made friends with an 11 year old boy and there are teenagers who help out. maryhenley Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> I've just picked my two children up from DKHAP. > They had a brilliant day, even with the awful rain> all this morning. It was a wide age range. I> could see a lot of year 5/6/7 age children as well> as younger ones. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1004177 Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjam Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Thanks so much for all these replies. I will definitely be booking some days at the DKHAP scheme and have already booked a week at the Supercamps place mentioned above. I've also found a drama course at the link Saffron posted above that sounded great. Thanks EDF! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1004249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple&pears Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 http://holidaydropoff.com/ Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1006375 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog-Kennel-Hill A.P Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Thank you for all the lovely recommendations for our playscheme. We, the staff team always have such a good time so its great to know the kids do too!We have a fun packed summer programme & cant wait for the holidays now. x Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1016757 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidsclub1 Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Dear Sanity girl,I am running a summer holiday club, please have a look at our attached flyer and website or you are welcome to contact me for more information.Suzie Dulwich Village Kids Club Manager Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1018515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjam Posted August 13, 2016 Author Share Posted August 13, 2016 Three weeks into the summer holidays and my kids are already veterans of three different holiday drop=offs with another one to go next week! Just wanted to particularly mention Dog Kennel Hill Adventure Playground summer scheme, which is great - really reasonable cost and run by lovely friendly staff. We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep and we will definitely use it again. Nimble Arts is also always brilliant (more for my younger daughter now as my older one has very sadly outgrown it) and we also tried Supercamps for the first time at St Dunstans, which I'd recommend for more sporty organised games etc. Next week Freedom Academy Film School! (My poor overscheduled children - they are having some relaxing time after all this, honest...)Thanks again for all the recommendations. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1034452 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog-Kennel-Hill A.P Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Thank you so much for the recommendation redeem. Me & my team were talking about all the lovely children we have met so far. We are having soon much fun-were just glad the kids are too lol x Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1034483 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildLondon Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 At the Centre for Wildlife Gardening (28 Marsden Road, SE15 4EE) we are running activities on Saturday afternoons for 7 - 12 yr-olds. 1.30pm - 4.30pm. We are running the activities as family sessions so I'm afraid it won't help with childcare but if you are looking for some extra activities as a family hopefully it might help. It is free and you are free to drop in without booking.Sylvia Myers, London Wildlife Trust Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1034554 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LV0210 Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 Hi Sylvia,Do you run any sessions on a Sunday morning or afternoon? I would be interested in outdoor/nature sessions for under 5's.Thanks. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1034804 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICIANCHI Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 Hi all!I saw aircraft was mentioned earlier and wanted to make sure you'd heard of Flying Fantastic! They have a space based in Peckham so a walkable distance from Dulwich. They are running week long Aerial circus summer camps for kids.Very active and creative space but there's no experience required.www.ffyc.co.ukIssy Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/107107-summer-holiday-playschemes-or-activities-for-older-childrentweens/#findComment-1429548 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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