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The People Behind the Summer Magic: Meet the Amazing Staff Who Make Barracudas Special
When parents think about what makes a great summer camp experience, activities often spring to mind first; swimming, archery, arts and crafts, sports, motor sports and so much more. But behind every smile, every new friendship, every confidence boost and every memorable camp moment is something even more important: our incredible staff team.
At Barracudas, our seasonal staff are at the heart of everything we do. They bring the energy, enthusiasm and encouragement that help children feel welcomed, supported and excited to try new things. Whether it's helping a nervous child settle in on their first day, leading an action-packed activity session, or celebrating a child's achievement, our staff help create the positive experiences that children remember long after summer ends.
Of course, creating a safe, enjoyable and enriching environment starts long before camp opens. That's why we invest heavily in robust recruitment, comprehensive training and clearly defined roles, ensuring every child benefits from high-quality care, supervision and support throughout their time at camp.
How We Recruit and Train Our Summer Camp Staff
Parents often ask us what training our staff receive and how we ensure children are well looked after.
The answer is simple: we never leave quality to chance.
Every member of our team goes through a thorough recruitment process before joining Barracudas and all are enhanced DBS checked.
Before stepping onto camp, staff complete extensive training designed to prepare them for the responsibilities of caring for children and delivering exceptional activity experiences. Training covers areas including:
Safeguarding and child protection
Health and safety
Behaviour management
Activity delivery and engagement
Emergency procedures
Our training doesn't stop there. Throughout the summer, managers observe sessions, provide coaching and support continuous development, helping staff build confidence and deliver the best possible experience for every child.
Clearly Defined Roles for Outstanding Care
One of the things that sets Barracudas apart is our structured camp teams.
Every camp has a range of specialist roles designed to ensure children receive the highest standards of care while enjoying a varied and exciting programme.
Teams include:
Camp Managers
Early Years specialists
Senior Sports Instructors
Group Leaders
Activity Leaders
Multi-Activity Instructors
Arts and Crafts Instructors
Dance and Drama Instructors
Lifeguards
Having dedicated responsibilities means children benefit from staff who are focused, well-trained and supported, while parents have the reassurance that there are clear systems and experienced leaders in place throughout the day.
Our on-camp teams are also supported by our experienced Area Managers and our Head Office team, ensuring they're delivering the highest quality care throughout camp.
The Qualities That Make Great Camp Staff
While training and qualifications are essential, the qualities that truly make a difference can't always be taught.
The best camp staff are positive, approachable, patient and enthusiastic. They encourage children to step outside their comfort zones, build friendships and discover new interests.
They notice when a child is feeling nervous.
They celebrate achievements, no matter how small.
They create an environment where children feel valued, included and confident to be themselves.
These everyday moments often have the biggest impact on a child's camp experience.
Meet Some of Our Summer 2026 Staff Stars
Throughout the summer, we recognised outstanding team members who consistently went above and beyond for children, families and colleagues.
James, Ware Camp
James was recognised for his calm, professional approach and willingness to support wherever needed. Alongside leading his group with enthusiasm and energy, he took on additional responsibilities across camp and helped ensure children enjoyed engaging, well-organised sessions throughout the week.
James, Cambridge Long Road Camp
Another James made a huge impact at Cambridge Long Road. Known for his positivity and outstanding activity leadership, he impressed both children and managers with his engaging sessions and his ability to encourage reluctant participants to get involved and build confidence.
Stella, Horsham Camp
Stella's dedication to supporting a child with additional needs transformed their camp experience. Her thoughtful and caring approach helped create a welcoming environment not only for the child she supported directly but also for other children across camp.
Dan, Twickenham St Catherine's Camp
Affectionately known as "Dan the Man", Dan embodied everything we look for in a Barracudas team member. Always positive, eager to learn and willing to help wherever needed, he continuously sought feedback to improve and delivered fantastic experiences for children across multiple areas of camp.
While these individuals received special recognition, they represent the same passion, dedication and commitment demonstrated by staff teams across all our camps this summer.
What Parents Say About Our Staff
One of the things we're most proud of is how frequently our staff are mentioned in parent feedback.
Throughout Summer 2026, families consistently highlighted the warmth, professionalism and dedication of our teams.
Here are just a few of the wonderful Trustpilot reviews received this summer about our staff:
“The staff is outstanding, both of my kids love going there. There is plenty of activities and staff goes an extra mile to ensure kids are having the best time.”
"The staff are helpful with a warm disposition in welcoming and settling the children in."
"A special mention must go to Nicky who heads up the camp who goes above and beyond to accommodate for the children. My youngest daughter can be very reluctant to go to any clubs but Nicky always ensures that she is given the support she needs at drop offs to make her transition as smooth as it can be, which is such a massive help"
"Joel, Tom and Nathan looked after my children in their classes, girls had a BLAST, wanted to stay for further weeks instead of going on holiday (ha) and this melted anyway any “working Mum guilt” I had."
"It’s brilliant knowing they’re having such a fun, active and varied day while being well looked after. The staff are fantastic and the whole experience has been consistently excellent."
"The staff are friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming, and it’s reassuring knowing the children are in a safe and well-organised environment."
The staff there are always so friendly and welcoming. It’s lovely to see such friendly faces!"
Many parents also shared how staff helped nervous children settle quickly and confidently, providing reassurance during drop-off and helping children feel comfortable and included from day one.
Others praised the care, support and attention their children received throughout the day, with several mentioning specific team members who made a lasting impression on their family.
For us, this feedback reinforces what we already know: our people are what make Barracudas special.
Why Great Staff Matter
Activities may attract children to camp, but it's often the relationships they build with staff that make the experience truly memorable.
A supportive instructor can help a child discover a new passion.
An encouraging Group Leader can help build confidence.
A welcoming team can turn first-day nerves into excitement.
These positive interactions help children develop resilience, independence, social skills and self-confidence—all while having an incredible amount of fun.
Thank You to Our Summer Team
Every summer, thousands of children attend Barracudas camps across the UK. Delivering safe, exciting and memorable experiences on this scale takes an extraordinary team.
To all of our seasonal staff, managers and support teams who have brought energy, enthusiasm, care and professionalism to camp this summer: thank you.
And to parents, thank you for trusting us with your children. We know how important that trust is, and we're incredibly proud of the dedicated staff who help us earn it every day.
Looking for a Camp with Exceptional Staff?
At Barracudas, we're proud to combine over 30 years of experience with rigorous recruitment, comprehensive training and passionate staff who genuinely care about helping children have the best possible holiday experience.
From their first day at camp to their final activity session, children are supported by a team committed to making every day safe, active and unforgettable.
