29/05/2025
Real Stories, Real Smiles: Why Families Love Barracudas Summer Holiday Camps
Looking for the perfect summer camp for your child? Barracudas summer holiday clubs are trusted by parents and loved by children across the UK. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our families have to say.
Why Parents Choose Barracudas Summer Holiday Camps
Meet Matthew, Katie, Carol and Claire, four parents who return to Barracudas year after year for our exciting summer holiday camp experiences.
Here’s why they choose us:
- Unmatched variety of summer holiday activities
With a fantastic range of over 80 activities and a choice every session, there’s something for every child – from sporty to arty, energetic to imaginative. - Flexibility and choice
Our unique session-based structure means children choose what they want to do each time, making every day different and engaging. - Caring and professional staff
Parents consistently mention how welcoming, enthusiastic and attentive our staff are – it’s what gives them total peace of mind during the holidays. - A safe and structured summer holiday club
Our secure, well-run environment gives parents the confidence that their children are in safe hands while having the time of their lives.
What Children Love About Barracudas Summer Camp
Our summer holiday camps aren’t just about keeping children busy – they’re about helping them grow. Hear from Ryan, Florence, Harry, Ella and Eliza why they love coming to Barracudas:
What children love about camp
- Favourite activities galore
From archery to arts and crafts, go-karts to giant inflatables, there's never a dull moment. - Freedom of choice
They get to choose what they want to do every session – giving them independence and making each day feel like their own mini adventure. - Confidence and skill building
Children build teamwork skills, try new things and grow in confidence – all while having fun. - Friendships that last
Many campers return year after year and reconnect with friends they’ve made at our summer holiday clubs. - Fun, friendly staff
Our team makes every camper feel welcome, included and excited to come back again.
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot 🌟
Barracudas is proud to have received over 1,700 independent reviews on Trustpilot, maintaining an Excellent rating.
Parents consistently praise us for:
- Our outstanding range of summer holiday activities
- Friendly and professional staff
- A secure and fun environment
- Hassle-free booking
💬 "Nice staff, my son loved it. My son is 4 and in reception and this was the first activity camp (Woodford) we tried out for him since starting school. We were nervous that he'd be overwhelmed but the staff were really friendly at reception on the first day and he absolutely loved the activities and couldn't wait to go back the following days. It's great to know we have such a good option for the summer holidays - we'll definitely be booking in again."
💬 "Barracudas in Barnet have been fantastic for my kids. They love that they have options for each activity choice so if they don't fancy doing one, there is always another option. The staff are professional and caring and we feel so happy leaving the kids with them."
💬 "Absolutely wonderful club & camp! My son has been attending the Maidenhead club at St. Piran's for over a year now. The staff, location, activities and overall Barracuda organisation is just brilliant! There hasn't been a single day where the little guy didn't walk in or out without a smile and a hop of joy. Terrific place for kids!"
Parent Survey Says: 99% Would Book Again!
After Easter 2025, we received over 600 parent responses to our post-camp survey — and 99% said they’d be likely to book again. That’s the Barracudas difference: happy children and reassured parents.
💬 "My children had fun at camp and are counting down to when they can next return. This is great as they often hate having to attend childcare providers generally."
💬 "My child is happy and smiling after picking him up from the camp. This is the the most important criteria to book the holiday camp again and again."
💬 "For the past 4 years we have used barracudas and our daughter has always had a great time! Next year we will also be sending our son"
💬 "My son looks forward to attending Barracudas and the varied activities he can take part in. He gets on well with the staff and enjoys making new friends."
💬 "The best camp my child always has the best time and always wants to go back. Highly recommend to anybody."
👉 Read our Easter Parent Survey results here
Ofsted Registered: New Rating System, Same Outstanding Standards
All Barracudas summer holiday camps are Ofsted registered, ensuring they meet the highest standards of childcare. This also means parents can pay using Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers.
You may have heard that Ofsted changed their inspection criteria for school holiday providers. Previously, Ofsted awarded ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Inadequate’ ratings. Now, for school holiday childcare, the rating has been streamlined to a single outcome: ‘Met’ or ‘Not Met’.
A ‘Met’ rating means the provider fully meets all requirements for registered childcare – the highest standard currently available under Ofsted’s new framework for holiday schemes.
We’re proud to share that all five Barracudas camps visited by Ofsted this Easter achieved a ‘Met’ rating.
Here's what the inspectors said of camps this Easter:
Brighton:
"Qualified instructors support children to develop new skills in a range of sports. For example, children energetically demonstrate their strong swimming skills in the indoor pool. Children actively engage as they try out sports, such as archery and basketball. Staff also provide arts and crafts activities that promote children's creativity. Children have access to a broad range of exciting activities."
Hayes:
"Parents report that their children are happy and enjoy attending. They are particularly pleased with the broad range of play activities on offer. Parents also feel that staff communicate well with them, informing them about their children's time in the setting. The strong partnership with parents helps to support children's care and well-being."
Hutton:
"Parents speak highly of the holiday club and their children's experience. They comment that they welcome the electronic system in place to ensure children's safety on collection. They say their children are keen to attend and enjoy the variety of activities available to them. Parents say communication is good and staff are approachable and welcoming."
Winchester:
"Leaders and managers plan a varied programme of activities for children attending the camp. They aim for children to be active, make healthy choices and to have fun. Staff offer children a wide choice of activities to take part in, both indoors and outdoors."
Wokingham:
"Staff plan a wide range of age appropriate physical and creative activities for children to choose from. Children have ample opportunities to be outdoors and be physically active. They learn new skills and build on existing ones."
Why Barracudas Is the Best Choice for Summer
Whether you call it a summer camp, summer holiday camp, or summer holiday club, Barracudas offers the ultimate experience for kids — and peace of mind for parents.
With exciting summer holiday activities, a caring team, and a safe environment, you can trust us to provide your children with unforgettable memories and new skills, all while having the time of their lives.
Book now to secure your child’s place at Barracudas this summer!