Monday, 13 June 2016

My Top Summer camp picks in the area - Part 2



Disclaimer: There are some camps my eldest son has been to and others are just a handpicked selection. I take no responsibility for whether it is good or not. Where possible I will give you my honest opinion, but that's all it is, an opinion! Good Luck finding the right one!
Please note: All information is as per the camp's websites

My advice: If you tried one and your child loved it, no point deviating & lastly, try and co ordinate with friends to make it more fun, also makes it easier to drops and pick up's and share the load!

Young Engineers Multi Sensory Camp - Northwood
Location: Emmanuel Church, High Street, Northwood, HA6 1AS
Type: Multi sensory - Lego and K'nex, Yoga, Wise out visiting, outdoor games, free play....
Web address: Young Engineers
Age Groups: 4-8 year olds
Schedule/Timings/Prices:
  • 18th - 22nd July / 9-3pm
  • 25-29th July / 9-3pm
  • £235 per child/week & discounts for siblings and group bookings (£25 registration fee)
Reviews: Please find some reviews here (these are for the lego classes in general)
Contact: 07824811538 / smita@young-engineers.co.uk

Pooja's opinion: My son went to two terms of weekly classes with young engineers and loved it, this is pure edutainment, and learning through play. Kids were taught about STEM principles and then applied these methods to a motorised model at the end of the class. Great for lego enthusiasts! I have never tried the camps but I can imagine they are as enjoyable as the classes.


Harrow School of Gymnastics - Harrow Leisure Centre
Location: 186 Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, HA3 5BD
Type: Gym based fun
Web address: Harrow school of gymnastics
Age Groups: 4-11 years
Schedule/Timings/Prices:


  • Monday 27th July - Friday 28th August
  • 9.00am – 4.15pm £25.00 per day
  • 9.00am - 2.00pm £17.00 per day
  • 12.45pm- 4.15pm £13.00 per day
  • Discount if you book all week
 
Contact: 02084275611 / http://www.harrowschoolofgymnastics.co.uk


Stagecoach - Stanmore & Harrow (and other locations)
Age Groups: 4-18 (Junior/Senior)
Type: Drama, acting, singing....
There are many more locations other than the ones listed below, but these are local picks:
  • Orley Farm School Trust, South Hill Avenue - Harrow on the Hill   01923 248294
  • Rooks Heath College, Eastcote Lane - Harrow 0808 208 5134
  • Park High School, Thistlecroft Gardens - Stanmore & Harrow Weald 0802 208 5134
All information can be found here including prices 


Junior Playmakers - Stanmore
Location: 1st Stanmore Scout Hut, 186 Marsh Lane, Stanmore, Harrow, Middlesex, HA7 2SL
Type: Football based, but do have other activities throughout the day
Web address: Junior playmakers
Age Groups: 4-12 year olds
Schedule/Timings/Prices:


  • Half days 9-1pm or 1-5pm
  • Full days 9-5pm
  • Extended full days 8.30-5.30pm
  • Does accept childcare vouchers
Early bird discount - Half day £12 / Full day £20 / Full week £79.20 (free bag) & 50% off Wednesday and Friday

Contact: 07914 549 960 / dan@juniorplaymakers.co.uk



Arts and Craft summer camp with My sisters and Me - Harrow Arts Centre
Location: Harrow Arts Centre, 171 uxbridge road, Hatch End, London, Middlesex HA5 4EA
Type: Arts and Craft
Web address: n/a
Age Groups: 5-11 years
Schedule/Timings/Prices:
  • 930-3pm

Contact: 07946 055 422 / info@mysistersandme.co.uk


Barracudas Day Camps - Various locations, closest Watford
Location: Watford Grammar for Boys, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD18, 7JF
Type: Multi activity day camps
Web address: www.barracudas.co.uk
Age Groups: 4.5-16 year olds
Schedule/Timings/Prices:
  • 25th July - 19th August
  • Daily price £39 / Weekly price £154
  • Does accept childcare vouchers
  • Special offers:
    • Book between 5-9 day passes at a rate of £37 each
    • Book 10 or more day passes at a rate of £35 each
    • Book 2 or more children or weeks at the same time for just £144 per child/week! 
Reviews: Please find some reviews here
Contact: 0845 123 5299

Bright Stars Learning - Edgware
Location: St Andrew's Church, Lynford Gardens, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 8TZ
Type: Reading and arithmetic
Web address: Bright stars learning
Age Groups: 4-11 year olds
Schedule/Timings/Prices:
  • 8-19th August
  • £200 a week(Can only attend first week)
  • £350 for 2 weeks
Contact: 07538 656 810 / info@brightstarslearning.co.uk


Leaders are Readers - Stanmore and other locations
Location: Bentley Wood High School, Bridges Road, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3NA
Type: English, Reading, Maths and Assessments preparation
Web address: Leaders are readers
Age Groups: 3.5-12 years old
Schedule/Timings/Prices:
  • DATE 1: Monday to Friday, 25th July to 12th August, 2016 (3 weeks) 
    • 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
    • 9.00 am – 3.30 pm 11+ Programme only
    • Additional childcare 1-330pm can be added
    • Fees can be found here 
    • Does accept childcare vouchers
Contact: 01992 651 300 / info@leadersarereaders.co.uk 


Little Big Leaders

Effective Reading, Maths and English Programmes, children aged 3.5 to 11. Consistent lessons during term time & 3 week Super Summer School at Rickmansworth, Bushey, Edgware. 9am to 1.00pm or 1.20pm. £100 off Super Summer Offer (valid until the end of the month for those paying for 3 weeks. Please check ad for full terms and conditions). Call NOW 020 8213 3100 www.littlebigleaders.com

Makes ‘n’ Bakes

22nd, 24th, 29th, 30th March. Small, fun, hands-on baking classes in the comfort of Karen's home in Stanmore for children between the ages of 2.5 until their 6th birthday. Sessions begin with an Easter/Spring story, bake something yummy and then ­whilst in the oven ­you create something crafty which also links in with the topic. Sessions are at 10.30 or 2.30 and last for one hour. Price is £10 per child. Please contact Karen at Makes 'n' Bakes on 07887-984401 or at wilkin@afrormosia.com for more information. Assessments and tuition for 4+ and 5+ preparation also available during the holiday period.

Mother Nature Science Holiday Camps

Open to boys and girls, ages 5- 12 years and run during the summer, Christmas and Easter Holidays at school venues across London. The Scientists will ensure your children 'get ahead in science' this holidays with action packed programmes of hands-on activities exploring a spectacular array of scientific themes and topics.  www.mnature.co.uk 020 8863 8832 info@mnature.co.uk.


Friday, 10 June 2016

My Top Summer Camp picks in the local area

Summer camps for kids, Pooja's picks

Disclaimer: There are some camps my eldest son has been to and others are just a handpicked selection. I take no responsibility for whether it is good or not. Where possible I will give you my honest opinion, but that's all it is, an opinion! Good Luck finding the right one!
Please note: All information is as per the camp's websites

My advice: If you tried one and your child loved it, no point deviating & lastly, try and co ordinate with friends to make it more fun, also makes it easier to drops and pick up's and share the load!

Fit for sport - Harrow leisure centre
Location: Harrow Leisure centre, Christchurch Avenue, HA3 5BD
Type: Multi sports
Web address: Fit for sport
Age Groups: 4* (Half days) / 5-7year olds / 8-12 year olds
Schedule/Timings/Prices:
  • Standard day 930-430pm / £25 per day / £113 per week
  • Extended day 830-530pm / £33 per day / £146 per week
  • Half day 930-1pm / £19 per day / £84 per week
Reviews: Please find some reviews here
Contact: 0845 456 3233 / enquiries@fitforsport.co.uk


Aspire - Stanmore
Location: Aspire Leisure centre, Wood Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4AP
Type: Multi sports
Web address: Aspire Leisure centre
Age Groups: 5-14 year olds (limited spaces for 4 year olds)
Schedule/Timings/Prices:

  • £31.50 per day - Rest of the info to follow

Contact: 0208 420 6725 / kidzzone@aspire.org.uk


Elms Tennis Camp - Stanmore, Hatch End, Watford, Bushey, Ruislip
Age Groups: 4-12 year olds
Type: Some are Tennis and Football, others offer more
There are many more locations other than the ones listed below, but these are local picks:
Pooja's opinion: The Stanmore camp is okay, although mainly tennis focussed, when my son went he was only 4 years old so didn't enjoy it. He went earlier this year for half a day and thought that was enough. Test it out for half a day and take it from there! I think the Hatch end one does more, so perhaps you can try both!


Harrow Games multi activity camp in Kenton (Harrow)
Location: Harrow Boys School (week1) and Claremont High School (other weeks)
Type: Multi sports - they do have a phenomenal amount of sports on offer
Web address: Harrow Games
Age Groups: Please ask
Schedule/Timings/Prices:

Week 1:    
18th to 22nd July / Harrow Boys school / 1 Day £27.50 / 5 Days £125  (swimming 1 Day £5, 5 Days £20)     
Week 2:
25th to 29th July / Claremont High School / 1 Day £25 / 5 Days £115 
Week 3:
1st to 5th August / Claremont High School  /1 Day £25  / 5 Days £115
Week 4:
8th to 12th August / Claremont High School / 1 Day £25 /  5 Days £115 
Early drop off and late pick up available at extra fees
Discounts available for early bird
 
Reviews: Please find some reviews here
Contact: Mel on 07733 366327/ harrowgames@outlook.com

Pooja's opinion: My Son goes to football training with these guys every week, they are very professional and I have heard their camps are good.


Mad Scientist - Various locations, closest is Priestmead in Harrow
Location: Various locations can be found here
Type: Science/Educational
Web address: Mad Science camps
Age Groups: 4-11 year olds
Schedule/Timings/Prices:

  • Various dates at different locations please see link / 10-3pm
  • 5-Day Week Rate: £170 per child / Single Day Rate: £36 per child/day
  • EARLY BIRD COSTS: £32 per child/day(book by 5:00pm Tuesday 21st June 2016)!
Reviews: Please find some reviews here
Contact: 0203 031 6900 / flammablefaiqah@madscienceeast.co.uk 


Club Excel in Aldenham (Herts)
Location: Aldenham School School Estree Hertfordshire WD6 3AJ & Edge Grove High Cross Watford Hertfordshire WD25 8NL
Type: Multi sports / Lego Robotics / Mad Scientist / Cricket / Cookery / Performing arts...
Web address: Club Excel
Age Groups: Age groups and explanations of each camp are shown here (they take 3+)
Schedule/Timings/Prices:
Reviews: Please find some reviews here
Contact: 01923 469475 / info@clubexcel.co.uk

Pooja's opinion: My son and his friend went to this one at the age of 4 and they really liked it, although stuff they could do was limited, now they would be able to do more!


Thursday, 9 June 2016

Things to do this weekend & Celebrate Liz's birthday

Here are my top picks for this weekend


Saturday 11th June

TROOPING OF THE COLOUR: Dating back to the 17th century, Trooping the Colour is perhaps the most famous part of the Queen's birthday bash. If pageantry and horses are up your street (1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and over 400 hundred musicians), make sure that street is The Mall (or on the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards). If you're tall/have a step ladder/don't mind nudging fellow Royalists out of the way, you might catch a glimpse of Her Maj riding back to Buck Palace. Events start around 10am (get there at 9am for any kind of a view), and there's an RAF fly-past at 1pm, while an assortment of Windsors exercise their wrists on a balcony. This is quality royal birthday.
Alternatively, there's a Queen-less, but nonetheless grandiloquent, flotilla heading down the Thames from 12.15pm

CROUCH END FESTIVAL: Go north for a huge selection of exhibitions, markets, entertainment, zombie walks, comedy, craft and live music at Crouch End Festival. For a complete list of events, visit their website. Various prices including many free events, just turn up, until 19 June

SECRET GARDENS: Discover 10 of Spitalfields' treasures at this secret gardens day with NGS. See a new side to the area's history of merchants and weavers and even grab some homemade tea on your tour. £14 (children go free), just turn up, 10am

Sunday 12th June

PARTY AT THE MALL: The icing on the birthday cake comes in the form of a 10,000 strong street party down The Mall on the Sunday, featuring a posh picnic and a parade of performers. How do you get an invite? Er, you can't now. But you can watch the festivities unravel on a big screen in nearby Green Park and St James's Park, while knocking back a tube of Pringles.
Otherwise, make your way to Trafalgar Square, where they're screening the Mall lunch, but also laying on a stage full of entertainment, dance workshops, a football challenge, cookery demonstrations and food tasting sessions, royalty-themed games and activities and face painting. 'Commonwealth-style' food for sale includes fish and chips, an Oz-style burger, Caribbean jerk chicken and Indian curry.

MAKE MERRY: The longest community festival in the borough of Greenwich welcomes you to Plumstead Common today. Plumstead Make Merry is a packed day of music, arts and activities with up to 80 stalls, food and family-friendly fun. Free, just turn up, noon-6pm-4pm

PATRON'S LUNCH. Have lunch with the Queen at this St James's Park Patron's Lunch. Don't let not having a ticket to the official celebrations put you off — watch the action on big screens, grab picnic food from the caterers on site and celebrate Liz's 90th. It's going to be a busy one, so plan your journey in advance. Free, just turn up, from 10am

LONDON BRIDGE CITY SUMMER FESTIVAL: Enjoy live music performances at More London's London Bridge City Summer Festival. Be entertained by street performers at More London and London Bridge City Pier. Free, just turn up, all day

BIG LUNCH: Bring a dish to share at Stepney City Farm's Big Lunch to celebrate their sixth birthday. Meet the animals, learn swing dancing, discover history and be a part of games, competitions and even a treasure hunt. Free (just bring a dish to share), just turn up, 10.30am

STANMORE FETE: Get in the mood for British summer time at Stanmore Fete's traditional day out on Old Church Lane. Chock-full of stalls, activities and entertainment — do some shopping, hook a duck or climb St John's Church Tower. Free (some activities cost), just turn up, noon-4pm

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN: Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is London's oldest botanical garden. Get up close with over 5,000 plants on this family fun day. Discover the edible, useful, medicinal and historic. Free (with entry to the garden: £10.50/£6.95), just turn up, noon-4pm

HIDDEN GARDENS: Take a peek into the hidden gardens of Regent's Park on this behind-the-gate look at the green spaces of St John's Villa, Queen Mary's Rose Garden and more. Hear stories of their creation and secrets behind their famous residents. £9.63-£10, prebook, 2pm-4pm