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Outdoor Education

Frequently Asked Q's

We all have questions, worries, and fears about sending our kids to new places. Wild Acres Camp is held at our home, it's a welcoming environment, there are a multitude of extra 'eyes and hands' to help out, and if something goes wrong like the weather not playing along, we have an abundance of alternate options and a house full of activities. All our campers will be cared for like they were our own kids (probably quite a bit better to be honest!)

If your querries arent answered below, definitely use the contact form to send us a question. 

What's the pool like?

Our pool is approx 12x23 feet and is 4ft deep on the shallow side with stairs, 6.5 feet deep in the deep end. It is a chlorine pool. The pool has a fence all the way around it enclosing a small garden and pool deck with a gazebo for shade. Campers will not be within the pool fence unless it is their swim time (ie: no lunches or games are run in the pool area) The pool will also have a lifeguard present during camp. There is also a bathroom at the pool deck so campers don't need to go back to the house when they are wet to use the restroom. 

What are the swim lessons like?

Camp groups will be swimming for approximately 45 minutes. The lifeguard and swim instructor will assess the campers' swimming abilities at the start of each week, and begin every swim time with about 20-30 minutes of swim instruction. Following this, campers will have about 15-20 minutes of 'free swim' where the lifeguard and swim instructor are still in charge, but kids play freely. 

What if my camper doesn't want to swim?

If they don't want to swim, or you don't want them to, for whatever reason, then they don't. There will always be a camp counselor on the pool deck in addition to the lifeguard when the group is having swim time. The counselor's role is to assist with the reapplication of sunscreen, wrap little ones in towels, assist in the washroom, and play with anyone who isn't swimming that day. 

How will the campers get changed for swim?

We have assigned separate girls' and boys' change areas. Older campers will change independently, younger campers will, of course, be assisted (dressing them in age-appropriate clothing will be a good idea as we will 'help them learn to help themselves'). It is a chlorine pool, so after swimming, campers will shower off in the outdoor freshwater shower to get rid of excess chlorine, they will then towel dry and return to the changerooms where they will put back on their dry clothes. (sending a waterproof bag for wet swimwear is essential!) More info on swimwear, and what to pack comes home in your camp package after you've booked.

What is the structure of the camp like?

Camp structure depends on numbers of campers registered for any given week and wether it is summer camp mode or school break camp mode. Generally: We will have camper groups which are age range groups 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. Depending on the number of campers registered each week we may blend the groups a little more or a little less, for example, we may need to form a group of all 3 year olds if we have lots of little ones registered that week. We take supervision very seriously and stick to the group ratios of 1:10, but the vast majority of the time the camp groups will be with their counselor at either the pool or an activity set up by a programmer, making the ratio 2:10. The exception to this is during early drop-off and late pick up when we have supervised large group free play in the play garden to facilitate sign in and out. 

What roles do the camp leaders play?

Camper groups have no more than 10 kids to each camp counselor. The camp counselor will be with our summer camp groups for the full week. During 1 day camps or school break camps the camp counsellor structure may differ a little. The counsellor will be the primary person responsible for their well-being (they are the fun ones, with the songs and the energetic personalities who the kids will LOVE!), The programmers, who the camper groups visit throughout the day are specialists in particular fields and will have amazing activities set up and offer unique experiences (that the kids will also love BTW). This way the camp counselor knows where their campers are at all times as they move around as a team. We also have some amazing junior counselors  - these are teens looking for some experience and leadership skills, these awesome young adults will assist wherever needed at camp! 

What is S.T.E.A.M?

S.T.E.A.M. is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics to guide student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. Project-based learning which involves all the senses, all the core subjects and inspires, intrigues or basically wow's the campers is what we aim to produce. These projects are easily adapted to any age range, an example of a simple STEAM project is building a volcano, which is then 'exploded' with vinegar and baking soda. We're gonna 1 up that one this summer! STEAM education results in students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century! If you wanna learn more click here. 

Is the property fenced? Away from the road?

The camp property is on a dead-end road with very little traffic. The property is expansive and includes wooded areas, lawns, gardens, hay fields and firepit, main house, pool, kitchen garden. The majority of the property is not traditionally fenced in, however, access ways will be blocked during camp time and boundaries will be set with the campers at the start of each week. The property has a number of 'natural boundaries' which while fences arent present, will certainly act as such. 

Can my 2 year old / 9 year old attend?

Please contact us to discuss your unique situation. While we will do what we can to allow siblings to attend together, let's have a conversation to make sure that our camp is appropriate for your camper before saying yes or no. Our general rule of thumb is that all campers must be toilet trained and out of pull-ups to attend. 

When you say toilet trained...?

We have a hard rule as it relates to toilet training as we are not a daycare, and don’t staff as such. Campers need to be out of pull-ups and be independent enough to "more often than not" recognize the need to 'go', manage pulling up and down clothing, wipe, wash hands etc. We are not staffed for consistent bathroom assistance or consistent 'accidents', however all children, will have the occasional mishap which we are more than prepared to help them with. On our part, our littlest campers are prompted for toilet breaks approximately every hour, a leader is standing near the door when they are in the washroom in case assistance is needed and we check to ensure they've done all the necessary bathroom routine things... because they are learning after all. 

Can my child attend for 3 days/week?

During the summer, to guarantee your child's spot, we recommend booking for a full week. As the weeks fill up, if there are a few spots left over we will then accept "drop-in campers" at a daily rate of $85. Please contact us to discuss your unique situation and needs if attending full weeks of camp is not on the cards for you. 

During the School break camps we offer day passes and 3 or 5 day passes, please see the pricing posted on each camp registration page for sibling discounts and price breaks for multiple bookings. 

Can I pick up early? Drop off late?

This is camp, we dont issue late slips or claim disruption of the day like school does. Please just let us know so that we can expect you late, or that you'll be picking up early so that your wait isn't longer than it needs to be. FYI: we do message or call all campers who are absent by about 10am to ensure that they are safe and accounted for and to enquire about their health. Discounts or refunds are not given for sick, late or early pick up campers.

If my camper is sick?

Campers should not attend camp if they are experiencing symptoms of sickness or on medication. A camp day is hard on sick kids as we are outside, swimming and running. If a camper becomes sick during the camp day we will call home and give them a separate space to hang out until they can be picked up. Discounts or refunds are not given for sick campers who miss days of their pre-paid time at camp. (Why?: We have held a spot for your camper and hired and made sure that staff are present that week to account for them.) As such we cannot give refunds, but will do our best to attend to each situation on a per-camper basis as we realize there are lots of reasons a kid may need to miss time during the week they have booked. We ask parents to be mindful of others when deciding if their camper is well enough to attend camp. 
The good news is: camp tends to be less riddled with sickness simply by the nature of it. Being outside in the breeze, not cooped up together using all the same desks and hand rails etc. So typically we see much less sickness during the camp summer than we do during the school year.

Qualifications, certifications?

Amongst our leaders, we have qualified Teachers and ECE's, certified Forest School leaders and Outdoor Education Specialists. Our leaders have taken continuing education and additional qualification courses in Sensory Education, Special Populations, Montessori Methodologies, learning of Language and Math, Process Art and Education, Science of Reading, Teaching English as a Second Language, Art Therapy, Permaculture, Risky play, Play-based Education. Place-based Curriculum Development, and Primary Curriculum Design. We have certified Lifeguards and swim teachers and qualified first aid and CPR providers... The list is getting long but I'm sure it suffices to say that we value leaders with a love for lifelong learning and who are eager to continue their education in an ongoing way. 

Lunch, snacks and food...

Campers should come to camp with all the snacks and lunch that they will need for the day, same as school time. We ask for nut-free lunches and a refillable water bottle. Cold water is available to refill in all day long, giving your camper a bottle that can hold ice and is easy to refill is advisable. The camp day is quite a bit more active than the school day so providing a couple more snacks is also a good idea. We do campfire snacks and cooking activities, and some of our themes lend themselves to more food-based activities than others, We will communicate what these snacks will be , you can always opt out of them by letting us know, but these are to be treated as extra, please continue to send the regular amount of snacks and lunch even on days when we will cook with the kids. 

CONTACT US

Sion Hill Plantation, St James, Barbados

10 mintues from Holetown or Speightstown on the ridge overlooking the west coast of Barbados. 

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