Lizzy took her children Jack (age 12) and Lucy (age 5) for a couple of days at Fit for Sports, a holiday club for children which is open in many sports centres in the UK during the school holidays.
The holiday sports club was held at Dunmow Leisure Centre, easy to find, well signposted and adequate parking facilities. Staff within the centre were extremely helpful and the 3 instructors running the club, were all friendly and well mannered, yet seemed able to keep control of the children at all times. The club ran from 9.30-4.30pm and although it seemed that the children were to be split into age groups, they actually all stayed together due to the smaller numbers involved. This was ideal for the younger sibling as it was her first time partaking in such a club, as it meant she was able to stay with her brother.
As we had not received any detailed paperwork, we were slightly unprepared for the first day, as we had not brought swimwear with us. Luckily we had packed lunches on the off chance that they were needed – which they were. Perhaps better information could be provided to those new to the scheme. However, both children let me know that the day was action packed and full of different sports, games and other events. There were 2 snacks breaks during the first 4 hours and then lunch was taken at 2pm. Swimming was from 12-1.30pm and then lunch was taken after. Once lunch was finished, the events were slower paced and were quiz tournaments etc. I felt that this was very well thought out, so as to avoid strenuous exercise after lunch.
The team games in the mornings were apparently very exciting and involved learning to work as a team, older versus younger and competitive sports, such as kwik cricket, football, British bulldog and others. Both children seemed to be equally involved and the younger one found it all extremely exciting. One instructor in particular seemed to have an impact on her as he took the time to teach her how to catch a ball every time and so on – made her feel extremely important and I appreciated his effort to help her. For a quite quiet child, she has already begged me to rebook her onto the scheme in the next holidays! My older son also enjoyed himself, although I think he would have wished to have been apart from his younger sister. Both spent two days getting fresh air, exercise and making new friends.
The facilities that I saw seemed clean and well equipped. Both children told me that the toilet/changing facilities were good and that siblings were allowed to change together, but that was it. Strict guidelines on changing for swimming made me, as a parent, more relaxed to allow them to participate. There was always adequate access to water top ups, should they finish their own drinks and there was a good emphasis on hydration and exercise combined.
Overall, both children thoroughly enjoyed their two days on the scheme and both wish to participate again in the future. It would be nice if they looked to undertaking the same scheme in North Essex, Colchester way, so that others could get involved!
To find out where your local Fit for Sports Club is have a look at this website: http://www.fitforsport.co.uk/
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