21/02/2024

How holiday clubs support children's mental health and well-being

Supporting children’s mental health is crucial to their overall well-being and development, and as parents and caregivers, it's our responsibility to ensure that our children are supported in this area. Mental health issues can affect children of any age and it's essential that we take proactive steps to help children build resilience and manage stress in a healthy way.

Benefits of physical activity

One of the best ways to support children’s mental health is through physical activity and play. Activity camps such as Barracudas Activity Day Camps provide a unique opportunity for children to engage in a wide range of physical activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Not only do these activities help children to build physical strength and coordination, but they also have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.

Physical activity can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost self-esteem. Children who take part in physical activity regularly are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and to feel more confident and capable.

Activity camps such as Barracudas provide children with a positive and supportive environment where they can engage in physical activity and play, and develop key skills that will help them to manage stress and build resilience.

Varied and balanced activities

At Barracudas Multi-Activity Day Camps, we are dedicated to supporting children and their well-being, and our programs are designed to help children build resilience, manage stress, and improve their mental health.

We carefully design our holiday club timetables around our ACTIVE motto. Our timetable is all about promoting an active lifestyle. We offer a huge range of sessions that will always be fun, varied and engaging.

We know that all children are different and interested in different things. Whether they are sports fanatics, team players, experimenters or creative geniuses, there'll always be something for them at Barracudas.

Children are the masters of their own day at camp and select their favourite choice of activity for each of our 6 daily sessions. As well as always doing something they love, this also makes them feel more in control and builds self confidence.

Supportive environment

It's important to provide children with a supportive and nurturing environment where they feel heard, valued and appreciated. This can be achieved through open and honest communication, and by taking the time to listen to children’s concerns and to help them find healthy solutions to problems.

Children are encouraged to be themselves at Barracudas and to express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Our experienced and caring staff play a big part in the camp experience. We love to see these relationships grow over the holidays, creating life long memories.

Making friends at camp

It's also important to help children build positive relationships with peers, and to provide them with opportunities to develop social skills and emotional intelligence. Children who have positive relationships are more likely to feel supported, valued, and appreciated, and are less likely to experience mental health problems.

Barracudas provides children with the opportunity to form positive relationships with new children of their own age. Outside of familiar school and home settings, they're introduced to plenty of new faces at camp. This widens their horizons and helps children to develop social skills and emotional intelligence.

It's so rewarding seeing new friendships blossoming at Barracudas every season.

Other ways to improve kids mental health

Another way to support children’s mental health is to help them develop healthy coping strategies. Children who are taught healthy coping strategies are more likely to be able to manage stress and to maintain good mental health. For example, children can be taught techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and mindfulness to help them manage stress and anxiety. These techniques can be practiced and reinforced in a supportive and safe environment like Barracudas.

Finally, it is important to educate children about mental health and to help them understand that it is a normal part of life to experience stress and anxiety at times. Children who are taught about mental health are more likely to understand that it is a normal part of life and that there is nothing to be ashamed of if they experience stress and anxiety. They are also more likely to seek help when they need it and to develop healthy coping strategies. Barracudas Activity Day Camps provide children with a safe and supportive environment where they can learn about mental health and develop healthy coping strategies through a variety of activities and games.

Top ten tips for supporting children’s mental health

1. Encourage physical activity and play: Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and boost self-esteem in children. Encourage your child to engage in physical activities they enjoy, such as sports, dance, or playtime outside.
2. Teach healthy coping strategies: Teach your child techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and mindfulness to help them manage stress and anxiety. These techniques can be practiced and reinforced in a supportive environment like activity camps.
3. Provide a supportive environment: Create an environment where your child feels heard, valued, and appreciated. Encourage open and honest communication and take the time to listen to their concerns.
4. Foster positive relationships: Help your child build positive relationships with peers and adults. Encourage them to participate in activities that allow them to form positive relationships, such as joining a sports team or taking part in group activities.
5. Develop emotional intelligence: Encourage your child to develop emotional intelligence through activities that help them understand their feelings and emotions, such as journaling or participating in group discussions.
6. Encourage creativity: Encourage your child to engage in creative activities, such as drawing, painting, or playing music. These activities can help improve their mental well-being and boost their self-esteem.
7. Promote a healthy lifestyle: Encourage your child to maintain a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet, enough sleep, and regular exercise. This can help improve their physical and mental well-being.
8. Teach positive self-talk: Teach your child positive self-talk and encourage them to focus on their strengths and achievements. This can help boost their self-esteem and confidence.
9. Encourage resilience: Help your child develop resilience by teaching them to take responsibility for their actions, to set and achieve goals, and to cope with challenges in a positive way.
10. Educate about mental health: Educate your child about mental health and help them understand that it is normal to experience stress and anxiety at times. Encourage them to seek help when they need it and to develop healthy coping strategies.

We look forward to welcoming your child to camp soon!