Here you will find answers to many of your frequently asked questions. Looking for something specific? Start typing in the search box and we’ll help narrow it down for you.
If you can’t find an answer to your question, call 0114 2632160 or get us on Chat.
Health, Wellbeing & Emergencies
Inevitably, bumps and scrapes happen from time to time and there will be at least one First Aid qualified team member on site. For minor accidents, an accident form will be completed and discussed with you when you collect your child. We will contact you by phone in the case of a more serious accident or incident.
We trust that you will give us as much information as possible about any medical conditions for your child before camp starts via your account. Medical information will remain confidential and only referred to by our on-site personnel. If you have any questions or concerns about the suitability of camp for your child, call 0114 2632160.
Our camps are ‘nut-free’ and we reiterate this to children each day as part of the daily KINGS welcome talk.
At the time of booking, allergy details should be provided for your child. Please speak to our Membership Team if your child has had, or is at risk of anaphylaxis and requires an epi-pen. Click here to complete a form and take with you to camp.
We have public liability and employer’s liability insurance.
Please follow the links to our camp policies below; these include behaviour, bullying, complaints and child safeguarding.
Kings Camps in England are registered on Ofsted’s voluntary register. We work closely with Ofsted to ensure we work within guidelines and ratios.
In Scotland and Wales, sports activities are not required to be registered with the Care Commission and CSSIW.
Our teams adapt the timetable and activities to ensure we can provide the best experience whilst ensuring the children’s wellbeing and safety.
When very hot weather is forecast, we’ll ensure children have plenty of breaks, access drinks and able to refill their bottles throughout the day. We’ll keep them out of the sun during the height of the sun and ensure we use shaded areas as much as possible.
Plenty of drinks, a hat and sun lotion should be brought to camp, and children should have sun cream already applied. Please note; our Red Tops will remind and advise children how to re-apply during the day, but they’re not able to apply the cream directly to children.
If heavy wet or cold weather is forecast, our teams adapt the timetable and activities to ensure they stay dry indoors. If it is light rain, children may still be outdoors so waterproofs are recommended.
Activities
Our programmes are structured to bring the best out of every child and are timetabled to make the most of the facilities, the group dynamics and of course, the weather. Although children cannot choose activities, we ensure they experience a wide variety of sports and active games. Timetables designed for each group are displayed on camp.
Please note: the full week offers the ultimate Kings Camps experience. When attending our flexible 3 & 4 day packages, not all activities will be experienced, only those timetabled on the days you attend.
We’ll be outside as much as weather permits at venues with outdoor space (Check here for facilities at your venue). Please ensure your child has clothing and shoes for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Wet Wednesday is our whole-camp afternoon of water games and activities! Soak a coach and water fights are very popular! A change of clothes is needed. Wet Wednesday only takes place during the Easter and summer camps (weather dependent – Wacky Wednesday offered as an alternative).
At the end of each week, our Kings Games event takes place from 3.15pm. This is a great opportunity for parents/carers to come and see what their child has participated in throughout the week – and even get involved themselves! Further details available from the Camp Manager.
There’s a variety of sports, games & activities (about 30 across the week!). Here is an example of the sports and games children may particpate in: Athletics, Badminton, Dodgeball, Basketball, Benchball, Cricket, Crazy Tag, Camouflage, Golf, Tag Games, Danish Longball, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Kwik Cricket Lacrosse, Netball, Orienteering, Rugby, Softball, Swimming (at venues with a pool) Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee & Volleyball.
An exact timetable for each group will be displayed on camp. (Swimming is not offered for 4 year olds at Blue Coat School or during our Christmas camps)
Swimming is offered at venues with a pool (check your venue for facilities), and aim to offer a minimum of 2 – 3 sessions each week.
Our swim sessions focus on confidence and water skills, giving children experience of a life-skill. Swim caps are provided to ensure our team can clearly determine the ability of each child both in and out of the water. Arm-bands/floats are provided for beginner swimmers. Each child’s swim ability will be assessed by the qualified swim teacher during the first session.
Bring a swimming kit including a towel. We recommend to bring it on the first day; you can check the group timetables at registration for set days for your child’s group.
(Swimming is not offered for 4 year olds at Blue Coat School, those attending RedTots or Root Academy. Swimming is not available during our Christmas camps)
Sometimes swimming may not be available due to external factors, such as pool maintenance but we will inform you of this in advance of attending camp.
Staff & Venues
Our coaches ideally have a minimum Level 2 qualification in teaching, sports coaching or childcare discipline and 3 – 6 months experience of sports coaching or working with children. Our senior roles, have ideally 12 months experience of working with children and in a management or leadership position. Swim Teachers have ASA Level 2 Teaching Aquatics or the STA Level 2 or a certificate in swim teaching and at least 12 months swim teaching experience. Lifeguards have a current Lifeguard Qualification and at least 6 months’ Lifeguard experience.
We select Red Tops for their outgoing and energetic personalities, their dedication to child development and their ability to inspire children, a magic formula we call The Kings Factor.
Our selection is rigorous, including an in-depth interview and clearance process and widely-recognised training process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Safer recruitment is central to the way we work and all staff and volunteers are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding, always creating an environment where young people feel safe and can thrive. Read our Safeguarding Policy here
All of our Red Tops undergo a thorough selection and preparation process including:
– Interview
– Professional and personal reference checks
– Registration and clearance with the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) or Scotland’s PVG scheme
– Online training courses
– In-person induction
– On-the-job mentoring
– Performance evaluations and scoring
To host Kings Camps, venues must have exceptional sports facilities such as sports halls, swimming pools and playing fields. For details of facilities specific to your venue, find your local venue here
Parking is available on-site at most locations (or within walking distance). There may be restrictions in place, for specific details for your camp find your local venue here.
Making & Amending a Booking
Any donation made to Kings Camps at checkout or via our Donations page goes towards our Supporting Families programme: https://www.kingscamps.org/supporting-families
Where donations are collected, these are separated from all other income or revenues and allocated specifically and only for our Supporting Families programme.
Our 100% financial promise is important to us. Since our inception, all the charity’s operating costs have been met by our income-generating charitable activities. These activities cover essential costs including staff salaries, administration, our headquarters, supplies and transport. This enables us to use 100% of donations for our Supporting Families programme. We’re registered with the Fundraiser Regulator – find out more about our Donations Policy.
For more information, please visit our Donations page.
No refund is given on donations that have been made to us. If a request is made for a donation to be refunded, the decision is purely at our discretion. This would need to be raised with Kings Camps Membership Manager in writing to info@kingscamps.org.
We will claim Gift Aid on all donations using the guidelines set out by HMRC. Donating through Gift Aid means we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give (from UK tax payers), at no extra cost to you. All you need to do is make a Gift Aid declaration which can be selected at the time of donation.
Gift Aid can only be claimed on your donation amount, not your booking total.
The quickest and easiest way to secure your places is online – BOOK NOW. Both our Flexible short week booking and full week options are available to book through the website. Alternatively call 0114 2632160 Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm. Booking confirmation will be sent via email immediately on completion of the booking.
Our programmes are designed around a full week to give the ultimate experience and to get the best out of every child, and operate from 8.15am – 5.30pm.
We offer a flexible 3 or 4 day booking option for the Multi Active programme for 5 – 14s. The Rookie Academy is a full week programme to ensure those aged 15-17 participate in all activities to complete the level.
(Please note: flexible booking of 3 and 4 days are not available on subsidised places, unless it is a bank holiday week where we offer a 4 day week package)
We’re unable to make bookings for the week once camp has started.
Please see below the discounts available.
Early Booking discount: 10% discount automatically applied to bookings made from dates launch and ends the last day of February.
Multi-buy discount: 10% discount offered on bookings of 4 or more full week places (e.g. 1 child for 4 weeks or 2 children, for 2 weeks).
Group Discount: Save up to 20% when booking as part of a group via a Kings Camps Member Ambassador. Find out more here
Supporting Families: To enable children to attend camp from lower-income families or challenging circumstances, we provide subsidised places – read more here
Military Families: We offer subsidised places to serving military families at our camps across the UK. Visit our Kids Camps at Military Bases page for more details.
Corporate discounts: 15% discount for large businesses and organizations. To apply for your workplace to receive a 15% discount, email us with where you work and the number of employers interested in booking with Kings Camps.
Please note: Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with one another, unless otherwise stated. The higher level available will always be honoured. Discounts are available all year round unless stated. Discounts are not offered on subsidised places. (Discounts can only be added to a booking retrospectively, within the first 14 days of booking.)
We offer monthly payments if you are booking well in advance of the start of camp. If you wish us to debit your card over a few monthly instalments rather than in one lump sum, you can chose this at the time of booking. There is an additional £2 booking fee for this service where available. All payments must be completed by the start of camp. An initial payment of 30% of the total amount is taken to secure the booking.
Payment is required at the time of booking (payment options available). We accept all major credit/ debit cards. For our camps in England, we also accept childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare.
Call and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request, including date changes, subject to availability. Please provide as much notice as possible – a minimum of 24 hours before your child’s first day is required. We’re unable to move individual selected days or part weeks.
We accept childcare vouchers, Government Tax-Free childcare and Childcare Grant Payment Service for camps in England registered with Ofsted – click here for more information.
We’re unable to accept childcare vouchers in Scotland and Wales, as sports activities are not required to be registered with the Care Commission and CSSIW.
Camps at Military Bases
Our camps on military bases operate 8am – 5pm (these times also apply at locations where camps operate for military personnel). If you want to arrive a little later or pick up earlier, that is absolutely fine.
We offer camps across the UK in over 40+ locations from Aberdeen to Plymouth. Dispersed families can access the subsidised rate at any of our camp locations. Call 0114 2632160 for further details.
If you do not already have a security pass you will need to enquire with the security office at the base. At some locations, transport is available from an off-base pick-up location. Currently this is available for Devonport, from Bull Point Pavilion – information is emailed to those with a current booking, prior to camp.
Camps at military bases are available to the children of currently serving military personnel.
Junior Rate : AB/MNE/LH/CPL
Senior Rate: PO/SGT/CPO/CSGT/WO2/WO1
Officer: Midshipman and above
RAF
NATO
Please check here for the booking dates. Please note these vary by season. Click here for further details.
Please be aware for venues on military bases, access to the base is required, and we are unable to support with this in any capacity. Please ensure that this is arranged with the base directly prior to camp starting to avoid any delays at registration.
The Weekender is a residential weekend for 14-17 year olds of serving families. You can find out more here.
Transport is available from drop-off points across the UK. Call us to discuss this with you in more detail. During the Weekend, there’ll be plenty of active sports and games, as well as downtime. A full schedule is sent prior to the weekend.
What to bring:
Pack what you’d normally pack for an overnight stay
Sports / active clothes
Swimming kit and towel
What not to bring:
Towels, bedding, food and drink.
Expensive jewellery & electronics
Day to Day
Children are grouped with others of a similar age. This can vary by venue, depending on the number of children attending camp. Children are grouped by date of birth (not school year) with a couple of years between them (e.g. 9 – 11 year olds). Due to group sizes and ratios, this can sometimes be a greater age mix. To learn more about the structure of a typical day, visit our programmes page.
Log into your Account – ensure all your contact information and details of your child(ren) is accurate and up to date in your account. Please call if you cannot locate your confirmation email or booking on your account.
Membership Number – this is available on your Membership Card in your account – you can either show this on your phone or tell it to our Red Tops on collection at the end of the day.
Venue information – access and parking varies, so please check your venue page for accurate details of facilities, directions and important messages.
You will need:
- Packed lunch – we operate a No nuts policy at camp.
- Snacks – for morning and afternoon breaks and a refillable bottle with your childs name on it
- Swimming kit – bring on the first day & please include a towel (check swimming facilities at your venue here) *not needed for Christmas camps
- Change of clothes – for Wet Wednesday activities (Easter & summer camps only – weather dependent)
- Clothing for indoor and outdoor activities – for varying weather conditions
- Hat and/or Suncream – please apply suncream prior to camp
- Pack of tissues – should a child need to, they can ‘Catch it, Kill it, Bin it’
You won’t need:
- Mobile phones (the use of mobile phones is not allowed, any child bringing a phone must keep it in their own bag)
- Sports equipment (we’ve got plenty!)
- Money and valuables (including non-essential jewellery)
(4 year olds attending the Blue Coat School, will not need to bring a packed lunch or swimming kit)
Children should bring a packed lunch, snacks for morning and afternoon breaks and a refillable drink bottle with their name on it. We have a no nuts policy on camp. (At our Liverpool venue, we must adhere to the venues Kosher requirements)
We’re unable to guarantee friend requests. You are able to make a request in the ‘camp notes’ section at the time of booking and where possible we will try to accommodate this request. Groups are based on a child’s date of birth. Changes can be requested to the Site Manager at registration on the first day of each week. Please note, any changes to groups cannot be made after the first day of camp.
After you have signed in your child, they will join in the activity sessions. At 9.30am, every morning Site Managers start the day with an engaging and positive welcome that includes our ‘K-I-N-G-S’ expectations. This is an important part of welcoming children, establishing rules and communicating essential behaviour expectations.
K – Kindness
I – In Case of Emergency
N – No Nuts
G – Grab a Buddy
S – Speak Up
After the children have eaten their packed lunch, we have Coaches Challenges. This allows time for the childrens lunch to settle, prior to re-starting activities.
The Coaches Challenges include Mummy Wrap, Dizzy Penalties and Beat the Keeper.
(4 year olds attending the Blue Coat School will finish before the lunch break)
If you need to contact your child whilst on camp, please call us on 0114 263 2160 and we’ll contact the Site Manager directly on your behalf.
Community & Support
Our programmes are suitable for children who have had their 5th birthday by the time they attend. We have programmes suitable for children up to 17 years.
Multi Active is for 5 -14s and Rookie Academy for 15 – 17s year olds.
If you’re child is unable to attend that’s ok, attendance at camp is flexible and there’s no need to let us know of their absence.
If you’re child is not able to attend or is unwell, we’re unable to offer a refund. We follow our Policies and Procedures inline with NHS guidance, for all sickness and contagious illnesses. If you’re child is unable to attend the full week, call 01142632160 to speak to one of the team.
To reduce the likelihood of items being lost, please label clothing, drinks bottles and lunch boxes. We leave all lost property with the venue for 2 weeks after the last week of each season, so you’re able to collect items from your local venue.
We welcome children from overseas :) To ensure their safety and wellbeing, they need a basic understanding of English, to ensure they can communicate with the staff teams and follow guidance. They do not need to be fluent in the English language.
Our camps are non-residential and we’re unable to offer help with accommodation for families travelling from abroad.
You can contact our team via online chat & Facebook messenger, by phone 0114 2632160 or email membership@kingscamps.org.
The team are available Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm and during camp Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm.
At the start of each level, all teens attending the Rookie Academy will be sent a Rookie pack to their home address. This includes a welcome letter, as well as a workbook, t-shirt and wristband which they will need with them on camp.
The t-shirt is an adult size; a choice of small, medium or large and should be selected on the ‘participant details’ at the time of booking (you can log in to your account at anytime to ensure the details are up to date).
Any booking made in the few days prior to camp starting, will receive a workbook on camp and the remaining items in the post during the week.
Children attending the Multi-Active programme have to have had their 5th birthday before attending camp. In Birmingham at Blue Coat School, we offer a special provision for 4 year olds – a morning only session 8.15am-12.30pm. Find out more about our pre-school programme here.
Any donation made to Kings Camps at checkout or via our Donations page goes towards our Supporting Families programme: https://www.kingscamps.org/supporting-families
Where donations are collected, these are separated from all other income or revenues and allocated specifically and only for our Supporting Families programme.
Our 100% financial promise is important to us. Since our inception, all the charity’s operating costs have been met by our income-generating charitable activities. These activities cover essential costs including staff salaries, administration, our headquarters, supplies and transport. This enables us to use 100% of donations for our Supporting Families programme. We’re registered with the Fundraiser Regulator – find out more about our Donations Policy.
For more information, please visit our Donations page.
No refund is given on donations that have been made to us. If a request is made for a donation to be refunded, the decision is purely at our discretion. This would need to be raised with Kings Camps Membership Manager in writing to info@kingscamps.org.
We will claim Gift Aid on all donations using the guidelines set out by HMRC. Donating through Gift Aid means we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give (from UK tax payers), at no extra cost to you. All you need to do is make a Gift Aid declaration which can be selected at the time of donation.
Gift Aid can only be claimed on your donation amount, not your booking total.
Children may need to take short breaks from sessions to get water or go to the toilet. Kings Camps has a Buddy System rule which all children must follow.
Under 8s – supervised by staff member and have a buddy with them
8 – 14s – must tell their coach where they are going and take a buddy with them
15 – 17s – must tell their coach where they are going, but can go alone
Our teams adapt the timetable and activities to ensure we can provide the best experience whilst ensuring the children’s wellbeing and safety.
When very hot weather is forecast, we’ll ensure children have plenty of breaks, access drinks and able to refill their bottles throughout the day. We’ll keep them out of the sun during the height of the sun and ensure we use shaded areas as much as possible.
Plenty of drinks, a hat and sun lotion should be brought to camp, and children should have sun cream already applied. Please note; our Red Tops will remind and advise children how to re-apply during the day, but they’re not able to apply the cream directly to children.
If heavy wet or cold weather is forecast, our teams adapt the timetable and activities to ensure they stay dry indoors. If it is light rain, children may still be outdoors so waterproofs are recommended.
Arrival & Collection
If you arrive after 9:30am and you’re unable to gain access, please call 0114 263 2160 and our team will contact the Site Manager.
If you’re unable to arrive by 5:30pm please call 0114 263 2160.
Your Membership number is used as part of our security process when collecting your child. This can be found on your online account under ‘Membership Card’. If someone else is collecting your child, they will need to know this number (they don’t need access to the online account you can share via text for example).
Children aged 11 and over can sign themselves in and out of camp, with prior permission from their parent/ guardian. This must be selected online in the child’s details. If a sibling is attending camp too, the older child (11+) can sign out a younger sibling aged 8 and over, this must also be selected online in the child detail’s.
Children can be dropped-off between 8.15am and 9.30am and collection is between 4.00pm and 5.30pm. Camps at military locations (or or locations where camps operate for military personnel) may operate different hours, so please check your email booking confirmation or venue page.
If you arrive after 9.30am and you’re unable to gain access, please call 0114 2632160 and we’ll contact the Site Manager. On collection, if you’re unable to arrive by 5.30pm please let us know.
Times can differ by season or venue. Please check your online booking or confirmation email for times.
(Please note 4 year olds attending Blue Coat School can arrive anytime from 8.15am with prompt collection at 12.30pm.)
Preparing for Camp
Your Membership number is used as part of our security process when collecting your child. This can be found on your online account under ‘Membership Card’. If someone else is collecting your child, they will need to know this number (they don’t need access to the online account you can share via text for example).
Log into your Account – ensure all your contact information and details of your child(ren) is accurate and up to date in your account. Please call if you cannot locate your confirmation email or booking on your account.
Membership Number – this is available on your Membership Card in your account – you can either show this on your phone or tell it to our Red Tops on collection at the end of the day.
Venue information – access and parking varies, so please check your venue page for accurate details of facilities, directions and important messages.
You will need:
- Packed lunch – we operate a No nuts policy at camp.
- Snacks – for morning and afternoon breaks and a refillable bottle with your childs name on it
- Swimming kit – bring on the first day & please include a towel (check swimming facilities at your venue here) *not needed for Christmas camps
- Change of clothes – for Wet Wednesday activities (Easter & summer camps only – weather dependent)
- Clothing for indoor and outdoor activities – for varying weather conditions
- Hat and/or Suncream – please apply suncream prior to camp
- Pack of tissues – should a child need to, they can ‘Catch it, Kill it, Bin it’
You won’t need:
- Mobile phones (the use of mobile phones is not allowed, any child bringing a phone must keep it in their own bag)
- Sports equipment (we’ve got plenty!)
- Money and valuables (including non-essential jewellery)
(4 year olds attending the Blue Coat School, will not need to bring a packed lunch or swimming kit)
Children can be dropped-off between 8.15am and 9.30am and collection is between 4.00pm and 5.30pm. Camps at military locations (or or locations where camps operate for military personnel) may operate different hours, so please check your email booking confirmation or venue page.
If you arrive after 9.30am and you’re unable to gain access, please call 0114 2632160 and we’ll contact the Site Manager. On collection, if you’re unable to arrive by 5.30pm please let us know.
Times can differ by season or venue. Please check your online booking or confirmation email for times.
(Please note 4 year olds attending Blue Coat School can arrive anytime from 8.15am with prompt collection at 12.30pm.)
Children should bring a packed lunch, snacks for morning and afternoon breaks and a refillable drink bottle with their name on it. We have a no nuts policy on camp. (At our Liverpool venue, we must adhere to the venues Kosher requirements)
Parking is available on-site at most locations (or within walking distance). There may be restrictions in place, for specific details for your camp find your local venue here.
Swimming is offered at venues with a pool (check your venue for facilities), and aim to offer a minimum of 2 – 3 sessions each week.
Our swim sessions focus on confidence and water skills, giving children experience of a life-skill. Swim caps are provided to ensure our team can clearly determine the ability of each child both in and out of the water. Arm-bands/floats are provided for beginner swimmers. Each child’s swim ability will be assessed by the qualified swim teacher during the first session.
Bring a swimming kit including a towel. We recommend to bring it on the first day; you can check the group timetables at registration for set days for your child’s group.
(Swimming is not offered for 4 year olds at Blue Coat School, those attending RedTots or Root Academy. Swimming is not available during our Christmas camps)
Sometimes swimming may not be available due to external factors, such as pool maintenance but we will inform you of this in advance of attending camp.
Check your venue for 2025 dates
Our safeguarding promise
Kings Active Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Safer recruitment is central to the way we work and all staff and volunteers are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding, always creating an environment where young people feel safe and can thrive. Read more