When children arrive at Aspire Active Camps in the morning, you’ll usually see a mix of excitement and a few first-day nerves.
Some children run straight in to join a game.
Others take a little longer, staying close to their parent while they take in their surroundings.
Both are completely normal.
Our mornings are designed to help every child settle in comfortably and start their day feeling confident and supported.
While parents often see the smiles, movement and energy, there’s also a lot of thoughtful planning happening behind the scenes. Every part of the day is carefully structured so children feel safe, included and ready to enjoy themselves.
Here’s what a typical day at Active Camps looks like, so you can plan your day with confidence knowing your child is in safe hands.
Watch: a day at Aspire Active Camps 👇
8:00 am – 9:30 am: Early drop-off and structured free play
Our day begins with early drop-off, giving families flexibility at the start of busy mornings.
Children ease into the day through supervised free play. It might look relaxed, but this time is really important for helping children settle in.
Although it’s called free play, there are always several activities available, and staff are on hand to guide and support children as they get involved.
Our team uses this time to:
- Welcome each child personally
- Check in on how they’re feeling
- Encourage gentle social interaction
- Support anyone who might need a little extra reassurance
Staff also encourage small games and activities, which can be especially helpful for quieter or more nervous children as they begin to build confidence and friendships.
For some children, this calm start makes a big difference. It allows them to get comfortable in their own time before the main activities begin.
9:30 am – 9:40 am: Registration and welcome
This is when the day officially begins.
Groups come together to:
- Complete registration
- Go through camp rules and expectations
- Introduce the activities planned for the day
- Set a positive tone for teamwork and respect
Clear routines help children feel secure. And when children feel secure, they’re far more confident joining in and trying new things.
As an Ofsted-registered childcare provider, safeguarding and structure sit at the heart of everything we do.
9:40 am – 10:15 am: Warm-up games
The energy starts to build as the first activities of the day begin.
Children take part in a variety of fun, engaging warm-up games designed to get them moving and ready for a full day of physical activity.
At this point in the morning, children who have booked onto one of our Academies head off with their specialist coaches, where they’ll begin their day of focused, expert coaching in their chosen activity.
Depending on the venue and programme, children might be preparing for sessions such as:
Our coaches aren’t just running activities, they’re constantly supporting children to grow.
They’re watching for:
- Children who might need encouragement
- Children ready to take on leadership roles
- Opportunities to build teamwork
- Ways to adapt activities so everyone can join in
The goal is simple: keep children active, engaged and included.
10:15 am – 10:30 am: Morning break
A short but important reset.
Children take time to hydrate, have a snack and recharge. Our team checks in with them and helps smooth out any small friendship wobbles that sometimes happen during play.
Some children want to keep moving.
Some need a bit of quiet time.
Some just want to chat.
This balance helps keep the rest of the morning positive and enjoyable.
10:30 am – 11:15 am: Morning session one
By now, children are usually feeling much more settled and comfortable at camp.
This is when the first sport on the daily timetable begins, and the day really gets going.
Everyone joins in with one of the many sports on offer.
Sometimes it’s a familiar favourite like basketball, cricket, handball or dodgeball. Other times it’s a chance to try something new, such as ultimate frisbee, bench ball, Danish longball or tchoukball, sports many children discover for the first time at camp.
It’s often during this session that you start to see:
- New friendships forming
- Teamwork improving
- Confidence growing
- Quieter children stepping forward
Our experienced coaches adjust activities throughout the day so every child feels included, supported and able to enjoy being active.
11:15 am – 12:00 pm: Morning session two
By this point in the day, children are fully settled and ready to dive into the next activity.
A different sport from the timetable is introduced, giving everyone another chance to try something new and keep the excitement going.
Sessions might include skill development, team challenges or friendly mini competitions as children build confidence and improve their abilities.
While the games are always fun and energetic, our coaches also focus on the values that make sport so positive for young people:
- Effort
- Positive behaviour
- Encouraging teammates
- Personal progress
Sometimes the biggest success of the morning isn’t winning a game.
It’s a child stepping outside their comfort zone, trying something new and discovering a sport they never expected to enjoy.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch and free play
Lunch gives children time to recharge.
They sit with their groups under supervision, and our staff continue to encourage positive conversations and inclusive behaviour.
We often ask simple questions like:
- “What’s been your favourite activity so far today?”
- “What are you excited for this afternoon?”
- “How’s your day going?”
After lunch, children enjoy supervised free play, giving them a bit of independence while still being supported by our team.
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Afternoon session one
By the afternoon, children are usually feeling confident and comfortable.
The activities vary depending on the programme your child is attending.
For children in MultiSports, they may be introduced to a new sport or team game, helping them experience a wide range of activities across the week.
For those attending one of our specialist academies such as Cricket, Football, DanceBeatz, StageBeatz, GymBeatz or Active Leaders this session builds on the skills they’ve already been developing.
This is where children often begin to see their progress.
They’re not just joining in.
They’re improving, gaining confidence and feeling proud of what they can do.
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm: Afternoon break
Another short break to reset.
Children rehydrate, take a breather and prepare for the next session.
Keeping the rhythm of the day balanced helps maintain energy and focus.
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Afternoon session two
Energy builds again as children move into the next activity.
At this point in the day you’ll often see:
- Stronger teamwork
- Children trying something new
- Increased independence
- More confidence in group activities
Children thrive when they feel supported and encouraged, and our team works hard to create that environment.
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm: Afternoon session three
This session often includes whole-group games or team challenges.
Friendships are stronger by this point in the day, and children naturally begin working together more confidently.
We continue guiding behaviour, celebrating effort and making sure everyone feels included.
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm: Final activities
We begin to gently wind down the day.
Children take part in group choice activities, where they can choose from a range of fun options with their friends.
This helps ensure they leave feeling happy and relaxed
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm: Celebration time
One of the most special moments of the day.
We come together as a group to recognise:
- Teamwork
- Effort
- Kindness
- Leadership
- Resilience
We also award Star of the Day to a child who has shown outstanding attitude or demonstrated Aspire values.
It’s a lovely moment that helps children leave feeling proud of what they’ve achieved.
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Extended day (selected venues)
At some venues, families can make use of our extended hours.
Children take part in supervised group-choice activities, where they can choose from a range of structured options while still being supported by our team.
It’s a relaxed end to the day and a helpful option for busy working families.
The team behind every camp day
Behind every Active Camp is an experienced and caring team.
Our Camp Coordinators oversee safety, safeguarding and the smooth running of the day.
Our coaches deliver engaging activities while building positive relationships with the children.
Together, they create a camp environment that is:
- Safe
- Structured
- Inclusive
- Energetic
- Supportive
Why this matters for parents
We know choosing school holiday childcare is a big decision.
You want to know your child is somewhere safe, supported, and genuinely enjoying their day.
At Aspire Active Camps, every part of the day is carefully planned and led by experienced staff who care about helping children grow in confidence, make friends and stay active.
So while you get on with your day, you can feel reassured that your child is learning, moving and having a brilliant time.
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