Safeguard-Me Blog 2026

Running the BEST Summer Camps — Practical Daily Routines

2025-12-18 11:54

How to Make Kids Say “BEST DAY EVER”

Day-to-day summer camp operations are what make a busy camp run smoothly. Keeping children engaged, reduce the chaos that creates safeguarding risk but still send them home saying BEST DAY EVER.
What should you consider?
  • Designing a day that flows;
  • Transitions between activities (where things often go wrong);
  • Keeping children entertained without over-stimulating them;
  • Building in down time;
  • Managing energy, heat and hydration - and that goes for staff too.

The real goal of a great summer camp day

A brilliant camp day has two outcomes at the same time:
  • Children are safe, seen, and supported.
  • Children go home saying: “BEST DAY EVER.”
That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the day is designed to flow.

1) Design the day like a story: high energy, low energy, reset, repeat

If every session is high energy, children burn out and behaviour spikes. If every session is low energy, they disengage.
A simple rhythm that works:
  • Arrival + warm welcome (connection)
  • High-energy session (movement)
  • Cool-down + snack (reset)
  • Creative/skill session (focus)
  • Choice time (autonomy)
  • Lunch + calm zone (recharge)
  • Team challenge (belonging)
  • Wind-down + reflection (closure)
Insight: a few years ago Butlins identified it was usually 'mom' who booked the family holiday so they made sure mom had a great time too. So don't forget to engage the parents and guardians; maybe even find a way for them to join in for the last activity!

What this does for safeguarding

Predictable rhythm reduces anxiety, conflict, and impulsive behaviour. It also makes it easier to spot when something is “off”.

2) Transitions are where camps win or lose the day

Most operational problems happen between activities:
  • children don’t know what’s next
  • staff aren’t in position
  • equipment isn’t ready
  • queues form
  • energy spikes

The “3-2-1 Transition” method

Use the same routine every time:
  • 3 minutes: pack away + reset space
  • 2 minutes: water + toilet opportunity
  • 1 minute: line-up / regroup + next activity preview
Add one consistent phrase staff use:
“Eyes on me. Here’s what’s next. Here’s how we’ll get there. Here’s the one rule.”

Micro-role clarity (no jargon, just reality)

For every transition, assign:
  • Front lead: takes the group to the next space
  • Back lead: ensures no one is left behind
  • Reset lead: preps the next activity area
(You can rotate these roles so staff don’t fatigue.)

3) Keep kids entertained by giving them ownership (not just more activities)

The easiest way to keep engagement high is to increase choice.
Practical ways to do it:
  • Two-option sessions: “You can do A or B”
  • Team names, chants, and points for kindness
  • Daily “camp jobs” (equipment helper, hydration captain, welcome buddy)
  • “Show and tell” moments for skills and creativity

Why this works

Ownership reduces boredom. Boredom is a common trigger for behaviour incidents.

4) Build in down time properly (down time is not “nothing time”)

Down time is essential — but it needs structure.
Create a Calm Zone with:
  • colouring, puzzles, books
  • quiet games
  • sensory options (where appropriate)
  • a clear rule: calm zone is for calm bodies and voices
Schedule it:
  • after lunch
  • after high-energy sessions
  • during peak heat

Q: Won’t down time make kids restless?

Not if it’s framed as a reset and the options are genuinely engaging.

5) The “no-queue” rule: queues create conflict and complaints

Queues are where:
  • arguments start
  • children wander
  • staff get pulled into crowd control
Reduce queues by:
  • splitting groups before moving
  • setting up more stations rather than one bottleneck
  • using “grab-and-go” snack/water points
  • pre-laying equipment for the next session

6) Staff alignment: the 5-minute ops huddle that saves your day

Safeguarding and smooth operations overlap. When staff aren’t aligned, children feel it.
A daily huddle that works:
  • What’s the timetable today?
  • What are the transition pinch points?
  • Any children to watch out for (shared appropriately)?
  • What’s the heat/hydration plan?
  • Who is leading each block?
Keep it short, same time, same structure.

7) Heat, hydration and energy: make it part of the timetable

In summer, welfare is operational.
Build in:
  • water breaks on the clock (not “when asked”)
  • shade breaks
  • lower-intensity options during peak heat
  • reminders for hats/sun cream expectations
If a child is dysregulated, check the basics first: water, food, shade, rest.

8) When things go wrong: keep the day moving without hiding the issue

Smooth camps don’t avoid incidents — they handle them without derailing the whole day.
Practical approach:
  • one staff member supports the child
  • one staff member keeps the group engaged
  • log the facts the same day in digital safeguarding records
  • spot patterns across days using safeguarding software

Where DBS check status fits (briefly)

During peak season, seasonal staffing changes are common. Maintain clear DBS checks visibility for regulated roles and document supervision arrangements where relevant.

Q&A: running smooth day-to-day summer camp operations

Q1: What’s the fastest way to make a camp day feel calmer?

Fix transitions. Use the same transition routine every time and assign simple roles.

Q2: How do we keep children entertained without constant high-energy activities?

Use rhythm: high energy → reset → focus → choice → calm. Add ownership through choice and “camp jobs”.

Q3: What should we do when behaviour escalates mid-session?

Split roles: one adult supports the child, one keeps the group moving. Then record patterns in digital safeguarding records.

Q4: How do we reduce complaints from parents?

Predictability. Clear routines, fewer queues, get them to join in and consistent end-of-day communication reduce friction.

Q5: How do we make children go home saying “BEST DAY EVER”?

Connection at arrival, ownership through choice, a day that flows, and a strong finish: reflection, celebration, and a positive handover.

Quick checklist: “BEST DAY EVER” camp operations

  • Day rhythm designed (high/low energy balance)
  • Repeatable transition routine (3-2-1)
  • Calm Zone scheduled daily
  • Choice and ownership built into sessions
  • Queues reduced with stations and pre-prep
  • 5-minute daily ops huddle
  • Heat/hydration built into timetable
  • Same-day logging in digital safeguarding records