Next Dates

Summer
15th July - 23rd August
(Monday-Friday)

Help/FAQs

Parents Helpline on
01869 352000
info@campenergy.com
booking@campenergy.com

Oxford & Oxfordshire's best kept secret. 70 acres of fun packed space!

FAQs & Info

Simply click on a question below to reveal the answer. If you can not find what want to know, you can call us on 01869 352000 or email info@campenergy.com

• Where is Camp Energy held?
  • Camp Energy is held at the Summer Field School, Mayfield Road, Oxford, an independent preparatory school right in the heart of North Oxford.
    
    The school is well signposted and easy to find. Please see the school web sites or the location page for a detailed map.
  
  
• What are the camp's opening and closing dates?
  • Camp runs during the school holidays at Christmas, Easter and throughout the summer. Check the website for this years dates.
  
  
• What are the hours of operations?
  • Monday – Friday
    Children can be dropped off from 8.00am and must be collected by 6.00pm
    Activities run from 9.00am – 4.30pm.
    
    We try to cater for all our customers and therefore structure our days with both children and parents in mind. We understand the needs of working parents who need day care for their children during the school holidays, and open camp accordingly.
    
    You are welcome to drop off, and/or collect your children at any time within our opening hours, given prior notice. We reserve the right to charge an additional fee of £10 per 30 minutes (or part thereof) should you collect your child after 6pm. If this seems likely, please call the Camp Emergency Contact on 07733 233 849.
  
  
• Who staffs the camp?
  • Your children are cared for by a professional team of qualified play workers, teachers and sports coaches with plenty of experience in providing active holiday camps. We also employ younger people who aspire to work with children as assistants. Camp Energy is registered with Ofsted and the camp obtained a 'good' report from them, all staff are police checked. Camp will operate with staff members qualified in pediatric first aid, and first aid at work. Our staff to children ratios for The Fun Bunch and Action Gang are 1 : 8, and for the Academy it is 1 : 10.
  
  
• How are camp staff hired?
  • All staff must present their CV, attend and interview and a staff training day before the start of camp. Staff work in blocks throughout the season to ensure consistency with the children.
  
  
• What are their qualifications and experiences?
  • Staff hold qualification in sports coaching and childcare and early years, with many of them as qualified PE teachers, primary school teachers, and some even holding PHD qualifications.
  
  
• What background checks do they undergo?
  • All staff are CRB checked, and at least 2 references obtained.
  
  
• What are the staff duties?
  • To ensure that all children enjoy and achieve during their time at camp and remain in a safe, FUN, environment.
  
  
• What is the ratio between staff and children?
  • For children under 7 years old the ratio is 1:8
    For children over 7 years old the ratio is 1:10
  
  
• What do I need to provide for my child?
  • Your child should bring a packed lunch, swimming costume, towel and armbands if necessary and suitable clothing and footwear for an active day at camp, appropriate to the season and weather. In summer, for example, we would expect each child to have correct sun protection (sun hat and sun screen). In Spring and Winter a second pair of indoor shoes/trainers is necessary. For the St Hugh's site please bring a pair of indoor shoes on a d aily basis.
    
    All clothing should be name tagged. All equipment required for the daily activities is provided by Camp Energy.
  
  
• Are lunches provided by the day camp?
  • No, children must bring a packed lunch with them each day, preferably nut free. Please can you ensure that you provide cutlery if required for your child's lunch as the camp cannot provide any due to food allergies and cross contamination. An emergency lunch box is available should any children arrive at camp without lunch. Designed by a nutritionist, so very healthy.
    
    Camp Energy provides juice and water during the breaks.
  
  
• Valuables
  • We recommend that expensive items such as jewellery, computer games and mobile phones should be left at home as we cannot be held responsible any for loss or damage.
  
  
• Emergency Contact
  • If contact is essential, it can be made by parent/guardian through the office number or the Camp Emergency Contact number 07733 233 849. Similarly, please ensure we have up to date details of your own Emergency Contact Number.
  
  
• What activities are available?
  • Our extensive list of activities provides plenty of variety for your children to enjoy. Each day a choice of different activities is offered so the children have the opportunity participate in their favourite ones, or try out something new. We encourage them to participate in group activities, and to enjoy at least an hour of physical activity during their day at camp. Although some choices are “guided”, we always leave the children with the final choice, and alternative activities are always available.
  
  
• What is the daily routine?
  • Camp Energy follows a structured timetable, comprising of active sessions, swimming, and more sedate activities. There are regular breaks throughout the day as well as an hour lunch break.
  
  
• Are there enough activities to keep children involved, but also opportunities for quiet down times?
  • Yes, staff ensures that the daily timetable has a balance of active and quiet times.
  
  
• Do children get to choose activities?
  • Yes, children get a free choice at break and lunch times. Staff also try to use feedback from children to plan an enjoyable timetable.
  
  
• What happens outdoors?
  • Morning games sessions, afternoon sports, orienteering, rock climbing, adventure playground, and Wild Connections are just some of the outdoor activities on offer. Please check the web site for further detail.
  
  
• Are there field trips and enrichment opportunities?
  • Yes, Camp Energy provides a range of day trips and often invites specialist visitors in to talk to the children.
  
  
• Will my children be in the same group as their friends?
  • Our groups are designed to provide the correct level of care, and types of activity with others of the same age. We are more than happy to have an older sibling look after a younger one, or for friends to be in the same group if, even though their ages are different. Just let us know at the time of booking, there is a section for this on the Booking Form.
  
  
• How are children grouped?
  • Children are split into three groups depending on their age. Fun Bunch (4-7 years), Action Gang (8-10 years) and The Academy (11-13 years).
  
  
• Site inspections
  • Parents are welcome to arrange a site inspection pre camp. These are normally held on Saturday mornings. You are more than welcome to come and view our 70 acres of parkland, and we are the only local provider to offer such a tour. "Oxford's best kept secret".
  
  
• Are parents welcome at the camp anytime and are there opportunities for them to get involved?
  • Parents are welcome however it is often very busy and due to Ofsted regulations parents cannot join in with any of the activities and must remain with a member of staff whilst on site.
  
  
• How does the camp solicit parents' opinions, suggestions, and concerns?
  • Questionnaires, parents comment book, talking to staff, and a suggestion box.
  
  
• Are there some parents I can call for references?
  • Yes. Please ask us for details.
  
  
• Does the camp offer flexible schedules?
  • Yes, children can either come for the whole week or only on the days they wish to.
  
  
• What is the deadline for submitting applications?
  • Spaces are limited, especially in the fun buch, so early booking is recommended. Children can be booked onto Camp on the same day as attending.
  
  
• What is included in the fees?
  • High quality childcare, a range of activities/entertainment, transportation to any off site activities, insurance, special trips, and use of equipment. There are no hidden extras, even the fun bunch swim lessons are FREE.
  
  
• Voucher Payments
  • All voucher payments must have cleared with Camp Energy before the first day of camp, and please bring a copy of the voucher payment/code. If this is not possible, an alternative payment must be brought to camp on arrival.
  
  
• Is there a membership fee, must parents join the sponsoring organisation in order for their child to participate?
  • No.
  
  
• How and when are fees paid?
  • Clients can pay for half a day (£17.00), full days (£33.00), by week (£149.00). Online booking is preferred as the office is always busy, and you can also download a booking form to post or fax in to the office. All fees payable in advance of the child's attendance.
  
  
• Are scholarships / sponsorships available?
  • Yes, must be a 'need to go'. Contact Barry Grinham to apply.
  
  
• Are there systems or methods for keeping track of each child and making sure every child receives attention and care?
  • Yes, signing in and out sheets, coded doors, small groups, key persons, and camp policies are all in place to ensure that children are safe.
  
  
• Is the facility and outdoor environment safe and clean?
  • Yes, coded doors and supervision by staff ensure that children remain safe. At Camp we also operate a 'buddy' system whereby the children look out for each other. Children are encouraged to keep the site tidy, however camp staff clean all rooms at the end of each day, as well as school cleaners. We also nominate a 'Recycling' monitor to each group.
  
  
• Is the environment inviting, exciting, and fun, but also warm and nurturing?
  • Yes, children’s work is displayed around the site with bright coloured posters. Staff are friendly and welcoming for parents and children.
  
  
• Are there adequate supplies and equipment?
  • Yes.
  
  
• How do parents receive information about what their child is doing?
  • Feedback from children and staff, as well as displays of children’s art work, photo slide shows of the activities, and weekly trophies and prizes.
  
  
• What are the specific rules children must follow, and what are the consequences for not following those rules?
  • Camp Energy uses a three strike discipline system. Strike 1 – the child is given a verbal warning and their name is recorded, Strike 2 – the child is sent to speak to the manager, Strike 3 – the parents are informed. If such behaviour persists the parents will be asked to remove their child from camp.