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FREE! Cambridgeshire MAY / JUNE 2017 ISSUE #42A
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M AY / J U N E 2017
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Contents & Competitions
Dear Reader, The sights and sounds of spring are in full swing, one of my favourite times of year. We have found lots of super events happening this May and June, including the return of the annual midsummer fair in Cambridge which has been visiting the city for over 800 years! We really only have room for a selection of events and things to do in print, so please follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit the website to keep up to date with new events and things to do.
My quote of the day: ‘Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.’ By C.S Lewis
4/5 News and Views The latest news for parents in Cambridgeshire
7 Pregnancy & Baby News @familiescambs facebook.com/CambridgeshireFamilies
DON’T MISS A COPY! Receive Families Cambridgeshire by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk for a subscription form.
The latest pregnancy advice, baby products and news for new mums
8/9 What’s On this Spring Great days out and events to keep you and your family occupied
11 Establishing Eco Awareness Early
WIN
A PUNTING SEASON TICKET– PUNT WHENEVER YOU WANT!
Scudamores are offering you the chance to win one of their season tickets
TH WOR5! 6 £1
Take your friends and family punting along the beautiful College Backs, or head up to Grantchester Meadows for a picnic. Season Tickets entitle you to one self-hire session a day, seven days a week. If you wanted, you could go punting every day between March and September. Each hire session can be as short as an hour or as long as all day, leaving you with plenty of time to master the art of punting. If you aren’t quite a professional punter you’ll be reassured to hear that Scudamores expert chauffeurs are always happy to give pointers and guidance to those with less experience. To be in with a chance of winning a Season Ticket for your family through Families Cambridgeshire visit the www.families cambridgeshire.co.uk website and answer the question. www.scudamores.com
Families Cambridgeshire is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cambridgeshire are fully protected by copyright and non of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.’
St Faith’s explores how to harness the passion of nature in children to create global citizens who have respect for the world around us
13 Summer Camps ‘What will the kids do with their long summer break?’ we have a few suggestions for you
15 W hat’s On, Summer Camp Special Things to do, places to go and fun to be had this Summer break. EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336 editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk DESIGN: Emma Sheppard emma@bigbearcreative.com PUBLISHING ASSISTANT: Becky Lawrence admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk LISTINGS EDITOR: Hayley Bryant admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SOCIAL MEDIA: Crystal McClean 20,000 copies of Families Cambridgeshire available through schools, nurseries, hospitals, clubs and classes, selected shops and restaurants. If you would like copies for your establishment please let us know.
M AY / J U N E 2017
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News & views
Smartphone games motivating children with cystic fibrosis
Date for the
diary
Father’s Day 19th Jun e
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition that affects both the lungs and digestive system. Most people with CF will experience problems with lung function, which can drop to less than 20% of the value expected in someone with fully functioning lungs. A combination of physiotherapy and medication can help control lung infections and prevent the build-up of mucus that causes the damage. Children with cystic fibrosis often struggle to complete the daily physiotherapy needed to clear their chest, finding it repetitive and boring. As well as affecting their own health, this reluctance can cause much family stress. Will Jackson’s young daughter hated her daily physiotherapy, so he created a smartphonecompatible device, the Zephbot, to turn the tedium into fun. In partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust was delighted to fund £40,000 toward the development and manufacture of a number of Zephbot devices to standards required for a clinical trial. Will said: “Physio time had become a battle in our house. My daughter used to have to complete 90 puffs on her nebuliser, twice a day. It gave 180 opportunities for us to argue! So I set myself a challenge to end this conflict. I’m a product designer so I created the Zephbot nebuliser, which links to a series of games on a smartphone app. “Now every time my daughter uses her nebuliser, with every breath she can shoot space invaders! She now chooses when she completes her treatment. It is firmly in her control and we don’t have to nag.” Will conducted early trials of the equipment and feedback has been exciting. Parents reported that when their children used the Zephbot they enjoyed doing their daily physiotherapy.
7 Ways to Make Homework Fun! ‘Homework? Boooring!’ Is this a regular moan in your house? We’ve all been there! We want our children to progress and do well at school but after a long day, many youngsters will feel reluctant to sit down to get on with their homework - and no amount of nagging seems to help. We’ve teamed up with the experts at Explore Learning to bring you seven awesome ways to make homework ACTUALLY fun.
1. Set up a fun and creative space Having a special place to do work, decorated in personalised decor, can really help children to focus. Avoid busy areas and make sure there are no other distractions, like technology or televisions. Younger children may appreciate their own artwork hung on the walls, while older children may prefer more desk space and personalised planners, so they can organise their work.
2. Magical motivators Keep homework battles at bay by using incentives to keep your child on track. Younger children may be motivated by sticker charts, where they can pick a reward once it is full, whilst older kids may be persuaded to crack on with their work with the promise of time on the iPad. Make sure your child understands the value of developing good homework habits, rather than just receiving a reward!
3. Find a study buddy Hold a homework play-date where your child and one of their friends do their homework together. Set some rules ahead of time and reward them afterwards with an activity of their choice. Or join your child yourself and 4
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accomplish some work of your own – be it catching up on emails, paying bills or planning a holiday. Win-win!
4. Turn it into a game Turn learning into a fun game. For spellings, you could use flashcards or writing words in foam, or for maths, you could use sweets like Smarties to help visualise numbers. When they get a right answer, they get to eat some!
5. Get outside If the weather is good, why not let your child do their homework outside? The fresh air will help them concentrate after being inside a stuffy classroom all day. Let them have a short break in between exercises, like a game of Frisbee or football.
6. Be positive Always be upbeat about school and homework and give your child bags of encouragement. Reinforce how well they are doing, write them inspiring messages and chat to family members about your child’s achievements.
7. Make it visual If your child feels overwhelmed by everything they have to do, visually being able to see their progress will help. Make a list or chart on a white board or special planner and get them to cross each task off as it is completed. Some new pens and exciting stationary will also keep them happy!
News & views
Your Local Families Team is Recruiting!
Childline launches new app to offer counselling for kids The NSPCC’s Childline service has just launched a new iPhone app to provide counselling for kids directly through their mobile phones. The ‘For Me’ app allows kids to access Childline’s online services, including 1-2-1 live chats with a counsellor, the ‘Ask Sam’ problem pages and entrance to their private ‘lockers’ – areas where they can write down their own personal thoughts and track their moods. It was invented by four teenagers who wanted to use technology to address the urgent need for support among young people. Childline founder Esther Rantzen said: “We know hundreds of thousands of young people use our website for help and support, with more than half those visits coming via mobile devices. Now young people can get immediate access to our counsellors through this brilliant, innovative app.” The App is free to download via iTunes and is designed for discreet usage. Read more at www.childline.org.uk
s Familie
Work Opportunity with Families in Cambridgeshire We are preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of the redesigned Families Cambridgeshire website and social media pages. We’re looking for a pro-active, self starter with great communication and relationship building skills to work across Families Cambridgeshire online and Families Cambridgeshire magazine. The role is part-time, with a potential to increase as the role expands. The perfect role for a mum who is looking for work to fit around childcare and wants to work with an exciting, rapidly growing brand. The role is home-based, so you would need to be able to work from home for most of the hours and need to have a home phone and internet access. If you have a passion for making a difference, are a positive thinker, enjoy getting things done and possess some sales or business development experience we’d love to hear from you. To register your interest in the first instance, please email editor@familiescambridgeshire. co.uk by the 30th May.
to open up the world of science and the natural world through interactive fun and discovery. A great opportunity for children and families to explore science and the natural world through art, music exhibitions and fun activities. This extraordinary festival will involve science shows, live experiments, prehistoric creatures and fascinating talks by leading experts. Highlights include a lecture by Prof Robert Winston, a dinosaur dig with a life size T REX and a Sci-Fi Prom featuring music from favourite composers and movies. For the duration of the Festival a specialist exhibition will be on display in the Lady Chapel exploring the world of science from ‘Dinosaurs
! LOVES
Ely Science from dinosaurs to DNA Ely Cathedral’s first ever Science Festival launches this month 19th May -18th June This brand NEW month-long festival aims
St Faith’s Invest in STEM Facilities St Faith’s is an independent school for girls and boys 4-13 years with a focus on the children’s future and a faith in their potential to succeed. As an independent school based in the heart of one of Britain’s academic and technology elite cities we are able to continually innovate, adapt and be receptive to new ideas. We adapt our curriculum, facilities and teaching provision to the changing needs of our fast-paced world. Our present and future emphasis on our Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) teaching facilities reflects our passion for preparing our pupils for the evolving modern world through the provision of an outstanding education. Engineering has become established as a curriculum subject for all pupils in Years 3 to 8, introduced in 2015. Our Engineering curriculum has been endorsed by the Cambridge University Engineering Department, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the James Dyson Foundation. We are most proud to have been approached by a leading Chinese university with the aim of rolling out our Engineering curriculum across schools in China. This April we commenced work on a £2 million STEM hub building which will link our Engineering, Science, Computing and Art & Design departments via a state-of-theart glass structure. Our new facility, due to be opened in 2018 will include a night sky viewing platform and roof-top green-house, as well as a complete re-fit of our existing science and engineering laboratories to reflect modern STEM teaching methodology. This project re-affirms our commitment to providing a future-focused curriculum and one which specifically reflects our local Cambridge academic, business and technology eco-system.
to DNA’ providing a rare opportunity to see many national and local artefacts of great scientific significance including an original copy of Darwin’s Origin of Species and over 2 metres of remains of a Late Jurassic Pliosaur discovered in the Cambridgeshire Fens in the 1950s. The Cambridge Science Centre’s Pop Up ‘Science Laboratory’ will be a permanent feature at the event. There are some super family events at the festival from a Rocket Show at night in the Cathedral to Dr Bunheads ‘Blast Off’ Show with explosive experiments, mayhem and live music. Take a look at our What’s On pages for more events or visit our website: www.familiescambridgeshire.co.uk M AY / J U N E 2017
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New Product Designed to Prevent Flat-Head Syndrome in Babies
IT’S A GIRL’S WORLD Twice as many mums want baby girls over boys It may be a man’s world - but modern mums are twice as likely to want daughters over sons, a new study from parenting site ChannelMum.com shows. Two in five mothers (39%) said they wished for a girl while pregnant, compared to just 18 per cent who hoped for a son. For fathers the reverse is true, with men three times more likely to want boys, while only one in ten wanted a daughter. While four in five mums (80%) said they believe it’s normal to have an expectant child gender preference, the report revealed the subject is taboo, with few families willing to admit any preference. Of the 2,189 mums polled, over a third (36%) didn’t tell anyone they had a gender preference, and under half (48%) confided in their partner. Only a third (33%) admitted their feelings to their family. The desire for a certain sex is so strong that only 18 per cent of mums felt ‘guilty’ for wanting their favoured gender. The study also showed parents are so keen to discover their child’s gender that almost two thirds of parents (62%) find out at scan, while only 38 per cent choose not to do so. A quarter of mums admitted feeling ‘very disappointed’ if their child was the ‘wrong’ gender. A further three per cent even admitted that affected their ability to bond with their child. Two in five mums (41%) say they tried for second child to get the ‘right’ sex, while 26 per cent opted for a third and 10 per
cent went for four or more children. Six per cent would even fly abroad for gender selection IVF which is illegal in the UK. Worryingly, 18 per cent of families have had negative comments on the gender mix of their children, with close family and mother-in-laws most likely to make jibes. The study revealed the nation’s ideal family is one girl / one boy. But 15 per cent of mums claim the growing celebrity trend to have ‘pink and blue twins’ (PBT) is putting pressure on normal mums. Two in five mums said the PBT phenomenon puts pressure on working mums to have an ‘instant family’ and 15 per cent had even felt pressured to try for mixed-sex twins themselves. The most common reasons cited for wanting a girl are that they stay closer to their parents when they grow up; are more fun to dress, are better behaved. The top reasons for wanting a boy are that they are easier; more fun to play with, cultural reasons. Siobhan Freegard, founder of ChannelMum.com said: “Boy or girl - every child is a blessing, but the issue of gender disappointment is something we need to talk about and bring into the open.” www.channelmum.com/topic/ gender-reveals
WHAT’S NEW
Lovenest+ by Babymoov could help protect infants against the onset of Flat-head Syndrome. Positional Plagiocephaly (Flat-head Syndrome) affects 47% of babies between 7 and 12 weeks. It is caused by pressure on the soft skull bones, not yet fused, which become moulded into a different shape. This can occur when an infant spends excessive periods of time lying or resting in the same position on their backs in pushchairs or cribs. Currently, treatment for Plagiocephaly is not available through the NHS and can cost upwards of £2,000. Committed to helping prevent flat head syndrome, Babymoov has worked with French paediatrician, Dr Maidenberg, to create an affordable, simple solution. The result is the Lovenest+ baby head positioner. The ergonomic design offers support without restricting movement, and features a special incline to ensure pressure is evenly distributed across the infant’s head, thereby maintaining the natural curvature of the skull. Antibacterial, thermoregulating Coolmax® fabric adapts to baby’s temperature to ensure optimum comfort. Suitable from birth to 6m, it can be used in pushchairs, bouncers, cots and cribs. The Lovenest+ is £19.99 at www.babymoov.co.uk
Families Fun Sledging and IceSliding WHEN? May and June
WHERE? SnoZone,Milton Keynes
HOW MUCH? From £4.99 Snozone is the UK’s leading indoor destination for Snowsports on real snow for age 2 years + www.snozoneuk.com
WHEN? 7th May WHERE? Newmarket Racecourse HOW MUCH? From £15 Adult, Children FREE Plenty of entertainment in the Grandstand & Paddock and Family Enclosures including inflatables, face painting, Rowley’s Kids Club and much more. For the older generation, there will also be lots of live music and fun. www.newmarketracecourses. co.uk
W hat’s On
Spring Meeting Family Fun Day
places Things to do, e had to go, fun to b Term... this May Half … for k ids of a
WHEN? 20th May
WHERE? Newmarket Racecourse
HOW MUCH? £11.00 per adult, Children FREE Fantastic afternoon of racing and lots of attractions for all race-goers to enjoy. Family entertainment includes inflatables, face painting and Rowley’s Kids Club as well as a number of activities to give first-time visitors an insight into the sport and venue. www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk
ll ages!
The Emperor’s New Clothes WHEN? 21st May
WHERE? Cambridge Junction
Ely Cathedral Science Festival WHEN? 19th May - 18th June
Wildlife Trust Bat Safari Punt Tours WHEN? 12th May - 22nd September WHERE? Scudamores Punting Cambridge HOW MUCH? Child £15.00 Family suitable tours led by a Wildlife Trust expert with use of specialist electronic bat detectors. www.scudamores.com 01223 359750
The Elves and the Shoemaker WHEN? 14th May: 11.30 & 14.30 WHERE? Cambridge Junction
HOW MUCH? Adult £10.00, Child £6.00 In this topsy-turvy re-telling we meet Geoff, a lovable retired shoemaker, who is visited by two magical friends who help him relive the past. www.junction.co.uk
National Mills Open Weekend-Fun with Flour WHEN? 14th May: 11.00 – 17.00
WHERE? Burwell Mill and Museum Mill open for FREE Saturday and Sunday; museum only open Sunday. Join for bread and cake making from the Victorian era to the 1960s. www.burwellmuseum.org.uk
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WHERE? Ely Cathedral From major scientific theories to local discoveries this event will take a journey through science meeting pre-historic creatures and exploring the latest DNA technology. Family events include Meet a T-Rex with dino dig; A Night at the Cathedral with a rocket show and Mini-beast hunt. Some events require booking. www.elycathedral.org/events
Hinxton Watermill Open Day and Village Hall Teas WHEN? 14th May: 14.30 - 17.30 WHERE? Hinxton near Duxford
HOW MUCH? £3 Adult, £1 Child Visit this stunning working watermill, dating back to the Doomsday Book. Children can take part in the ‘Where’s Ratty’ competition. www.cambridgeppf.org/events/ hinxton-watermill-open-day/
Discover Ferry Meadows WHEN? 20th & 21st May: 11.00am-4.00pm WHERE? Nene Park Peterborough Meet the regular groups and organisations that work in the Park. Have a go at a taster session and try a new activity. Also enjoy a Helicopter or Hot Air balloon ride. www.neneparktrust.cloudvenue. co.uk
HOW MUCH? Adult £10.00, Child £6.00 Puppets, music and song, this inventive and energetic production is told with unending energy and great storytelling for a little kids. www.junction.co.uk
Teddy Express WHEN? 27th - 29th May WHERE? Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough
HOW MUCH? Child with teddy £4 Children accompanied by a teddy travel half-price. Journey on a decorated stream train with lots of fun family activities taking place around Wansford station. www.nvr.org.uk/events Fre
e!
Lovely Lattersey at 30
WHEN? 28th May: 11.00am-3.00pm WHERE? Lattersey Local Nature Reserve, Whittlesey
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom WHEN? 17th & 18th June
WHERE? Kings Lynn Corn Exchange HOW MUCH? From £14.00 Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this magical musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter. www.kingslynncorn exchange.co.uk
HOW MUCH? FREE Celebrate 30 years of Whittlesey’s only Local Nature Reserve. Guided walks, wildlife trails, wildlife art and craft activities, face painting, willow weaving, refreshments and more. www.wildlifetrusts.org/events
40s at Denny WHEN? 28th & 29th May: 10.30am5.00pm WHERE? Denny Abbey, Waterbeach HOW MUCH? ??? Vintage cars and vehicles, re-enactors, children’s 1940s crafts, and much more. www.dennyfarmland museum.org.uk
Kings and Queens WHEN? 29th May - 1st June 11.00am-5.00pm WHERE? Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden HOW MUCH? Children: £10.50 Uncover the ultimate curtsey, bow like a pro, and entertain without being a fool. Get it wrong and it’ll be off with your head! www.english-heritage.org.uk/ audley Please quote Families when booking any of these events
QIPCO Guineas Festival Family Fun
Families Fun Bounce WHEN? 30th May - 2nd June 10:00am-4:00pm WHERE? Wood Green the Animals Charity, Godmanchester HOW MUCH? £8.00 per child Pop along with the kids for an inflatables’ open day; hours of fun. www.woodgreen.org.uk
Half-term Family Creative Afternoon
Tractors and Trains Weekend WHEN? 17th & 18th June
WHERE? South Angle Farm Park, Soham HOW MUCH? £8 Child Dads and granddads enter for FREE when accompanied by full price child. Animal handling, trails, craft and more. www.southanglefarmpark.co.uk
WHEN? 24 June
WHEN? 31st May - 1st June
WHERE? Newmarket Racecourse
WHERE? Denny Abbey, Waterbeach Drop-in between 12.00pm and 4.00pm for crafty family fun. www.dennyfarmlandmuseum. org.uk
HOW MUCH? From £11 per Adult, Children FREE Put on your best cape and mask and join us for a very special Heroes Day at Newmarket Racecourses. As well as a thrilling
WHEN? 1st June 10.30am & 2.00pm HOW MUCH? £5.50 Little dens for the minibeasts, big dens for you. Plus games and challenges inspired by sticks. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events or call 0344 249 1895.
30 Days Wild Family Fun WHEN? 1st & 2nd June 10.00am-2.00pm WHERE? Paxton Pits, St Neots Drop in family fun. Come and get set for 30 Wild Days in June. Selfguided indoor and outdoor fun with activities to do at venue and to take home. www.wildlifetrusts.org/events Fr
ee!
Dragon Boat Festival WHEN? 10th June
WHERE? Thorpe Meadows Peterborough HOW MUCH? FREE A fabulous day is guaranteed with plenty of bank side family entertainment including funfair activities, inflatable’s and children’s rides plus a variety of food stalls and bar. If you would rather take part visit the website for details. www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk
Thomas Weekend WHEN? 10th & 11th June
WHERE? Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough HOW MUCH? Family £48 Thomas fans can travel to see him from any Nene Valley railway station. A one day ticket will include entertainment and travel up and down the whole of the line. www.nvr.org.uk/events
day’s racing they’ve got an actionpacked programme of ‘Marvel-ous’ fun and FREE activities including an appearance and meet and greet with some of your favourite heroes. www.newmarket.thejockeyclub. co.uk/family-fun-days
Blast Off! Dr Bunhead Science Show
Den Building WHERE? Wicken Fen, Ely
Summer Saturday: Heroes Day
WHEN? 10th June at 4.30pm WHERE? Ely Cathedral
Father’s Day Dads Go Free WHEN? 18th June
WHERE? Church Farm, Stowbardolph Dads and Grandads FREE when accompanied by children. Large machinery used on estate on how for one day only. Tractor rides, animal encounters, pig feeding & pig racing. www.churchfarmstowbardolph. co.uk
Horrible Histories: Best of Barmy Britain WHEN? 4th June 2.00pm & 4.00pm WHERE? Kings Lynn Corn Exchange HOW MUCH? From £11.50 Could you beat battling Boudicca? Delight in the ghastly and all things barmy British. www.kingslynncornexchange. co.uk Fre
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Day
Trumpington Meadows Discovery
WHEN? 10th June 11.00am-4.00pm WHERE? Trumpington Meadows
HOW MUCH? FREE Annual Discovery Day with plenty of wildlife activities throughout the day; meet local community groups and enjoy refreshments at this beautiful reserve. www.wildlifetrusts.org/events
HOW MUCH? £30 Family Ticket The amazing stunt scientist Dr Bunhead brings science to life with explosive experiments, mayhem and live music. www.elycathedral.org/events
Celtics Day WHEN? 10th June 10.30am & 1.30pm WHERE? Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough HOW MUCH? £3.00 per child Go back in time to the Celtics, and experience methods and tools used in cloth dyeing and cordage making. Children aged 7yrs+. https://neneparktrust. cloudvenue.co.uk Fre
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Open Farm Sunday
WHEN? 11th June
WHERE? Various locations across Cambridgeshire HOW MUCH? FREE Hundreds of farms across the country open their gates to welcome the public. A great way to find out more about where food comes from. Farms taking part can be found at www.farmsunday.org
Steampunk at Denny! WHEN? 11th June 10.30am-5.00pm WHERE? Denny Abbey Farmland Museum Teaming up with Steampunk and the Cambridge Museum of Technology for a day of Victorian and science fiction fun. Expect to come face to face with aliens and zoombies! www.dennyfarmlandmuseum. org.uk
Jazz and Brass in the parks WHEN? Selective Sundays in June 3.00pm-5.00pm WHERE? Various locations Jazz and brass bands will be playing in Cambridge’s parks and open spaces for you to enjoy this summer. Just turn up, bring a picnic and enjoy for FREE. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
Midsummer Fair WHEN? 21st - 26th June
WHERE? Midsummer Common, Cambridge A traditional fair, market and family fun. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/ city-events
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt WHEN? 27th & 28th June WHERE? Key Theatre, Peterborough
HOW MUCH? £13.50 Michael Rosen’s award-winning book is brought vividly and noisily to the stage in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score. www.vivacity-peterborough.com/ whatson or call 01733 207239
Please mention Families Cambridgeshire when booking M AY / J U N E 2017
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Families Education
ESTABLISHING ECO AWARENESS EARLY Children love nature. They love to get their Nature. Younger pupils looked at the symmetry hands muddy, to watch creepy-crawlies scuttle of butterflies during Maths lessons while older around in the leaves and to observe tadpoles pupils learnt about Fibonacci sequences and turning into frogs. At St Faith’s we want to how to calculate the number of blades of grass harness this passion to create global citizens in a square metre. Science lessons focused on who understand and have a respect for the the differences between honey and bumbleworld around us, and who want to bees. Our Engineering classes looked protect it for the future. at the types of wood produced We are fortunate to have by our native trees and how acres of fantastic greennature inspires engineering is Sustainability filled spaces with trees design. The day’s finalé an integral part of the and nature-friendly was a special wholeareas, which proudly school assembly, with school’s ethos and curriculum, display hedgehog guest speaker Nick ool sch the ond it extends bey houses, bug hotels Baker from the BBCs the ing gates by embedd and a conservation ‘Really Wild Show’, mind-set into every garden. The Jubilee who spoke about pond is home to a host the humblest of British pupil of aquatic and land animals, inhabitants, what makes the most recent arrivals them so amazing, and how we including a pair of ducks who have should respect everything about the decided to start a family here.The “Wild Place” precious world we are so privileged to live in. is used by our youngest classes giving them the Sustainability is an integral part of the school’s opportunity to explore, create, assess risk, work ethos and curriculum, it extends beyond the together and learn about the natural world. school gates by embedding the mind-set into Our children can often be found outdoors every pupil. In Pre-Prep, one pupil wears the during lesson time where academic subjects are coveted ‘Tortoise Badge’ every day, and has the brought to life through hands-on experiences. privilege of being last to leave the classroom, This March we launched our first ‘Great ensuring that all lights are switched off and that British Nature Day’ which saw every lesson doors are closed. Year 4 pupils have designed across each year group focus on Great British and built bird houses in engineering lessons,
testing their skills in an area that matters to them. Our youngest and oldest pupils have written the school’s “eco code”, in the form of poems, which are displayed in every classroom, reinforcing our principle that being eco-aware should be nothing out of the ordinary. Re-using is a crucial aspect of eco-activity. Projects include an annual school-wide “Chuck Out” of clothing and textiles, which are sold, with proceeds going to charity. The Eco Committee has a stall at the school fair, recycling things such as old records into clocks. Money raised from these activities funds projects such as motion sensor cameras to observe and understand the school’s wildlife, and improve their various habitats. We are passionate about instilling a love of nature and sustainability into all our pupils by making it achievable, relevant and fun.
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Families Fun
SUMMER
CAMP British summer camps for kids
A long-established tradition in the USA, summer camps are now readily available across the UK for all ages. British parents have found that packing their youngsters off for a few days or weeks of stimulation and entertainment is the perfect answer to the annual conundrum: “what will the kids do with their long summer break?” For working parents, the concept is a godsend. The great news is that the children love it too. Although sport and adventure are heavily featured, not all camps cater to active mini-athletes. For the less boisterous, there are art and academic options, technology and performing arts. If your child loves dancing, motorbiking, film-making or computing, there is bound to be a camp to suit and build their skills, and they vary in length from one-off days to several residential weeks.
The benefit of going off to camp for the average child is the phenomenal boost to their self-esteem and independence.
Finding one that suits you A good place to research all the activities on offer, from archery to zorbing, is the British Activities Providers Association, which lists and gives accreditation to over 100 summer camps in the UK and Europe. Two well-known British providers are Outward Bound and the Youth Hostel Association. The Outward Bound Trust caters to 11-19 year olds in residential camps, and the YHA holds themed camps for 10-19 years with accommodation in their own hostels. Younger children are accepted by xkeys.co.uk from 6 years, and at ATE from 8 years. Fun might include scuba diving, football or quad biking. The so-called “Bear Grylls effect” has led to a lot of kids (and their parents) enjoying the idea of learning survival skills and coping with the great outdoors. Over-10s can bivouac under the stars in the Lake District, and coasteering, bush tracking, den-building and bonfires are all popular. If your 9 - 15 year old is an adrenalin junkie, they will relish the cliff jumping and sea swimming at the Isle of Man Venture Centre.
Day camps are great too Not all kids are comfortable with the prospect of being away from home and this is where day camps are ideal. Camp Beaumont is the leader in this field with over 40 choices and they run all through the summer from 8.30am to 5.30pm. At The Academies, day camps for 3-17 year olds, offer such clubs as “Mad Scientists” or “Groovy Gardeners” and teens can brush up their UCAS applications or learn to coach the young ones, which is great for CVs. Would-be rock stars can sign on to KZR!Music, where a
2-day music course costs £120. Another day camp operator is Fire Tech. They are based throughout England for 9-14 year olds and cover such subjects as video game development and mobile app design. We may think of camps as featured in American movies with lots of strenuous sports, s’mores by the fire, and friendly competition, but these days the cerebral is celebrated, just as much as the physical. Learning a new language is a popular camp choice, and some parents elect to fly their children overseas to brush up on their French, German or Spanish. It’s even possible to go to Shanghai or Beijing and learn mandarin. Of course, hanging from zip wires, pushing the boundaries of courage and competence and trying new things will always be top reasons to consider a summer camp, and companies like PGL, like to combine activities for their teens and tweens. Creativity and adventure can go hand-in-hand on their seven day courses with mornings spent fencing and evenings doing photography. Cost is obviously a consideration for most families, especially when they have more than one child to pay for. Many companies offer Childcare Vouchers and in addition, they give discounts for multiple or early bookings. Some even offer scholarships or reduced rates for special circumstances. The benefit of going off to camp for the average child is the phenomenal boost to their self-esteem and independence. It can be a little daunting for parents to let them go off on their own, knowing they will not be there to soothe and reassure should anything go wrong. However, this is just the character-building part of the experience which allows children to flourish and find their own confidence. Most camps will team younger children with an older “mentor” who will keep a special eye on them, and provide that all-important cuddle if necessary. Tempting though it may be to call and check on them all the time, it really is better to restrict contact, and encourage your child to have a positive attitude to being away. If considering a summer camp, involve your child in the selection process, so that they know what to expect, and have input into the choice. You can tailor this process to support your child’s personality, for example, a shy child may be happier in a smaller group, such as those of no more than 12, at Mill on the Brue in Somerset. Ultimately, with the right preparation, a summer camp is the ideal way for your child to spend their time during that long summer holiday. Spend some time selecting, look at each camp’s suitability, and be excited for your child for one of the most life-enriching experiences out there. For more information about clubs and classes visit: www.familiescambridgeshire.co.uk
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Barracudas Activity Day Camps Ages 4.5 - 14 years
St Faith’s School, Cambridge 24 July to 18 August Days are from 8am-6pm Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon From 24 July to 25 August Days are from 8am-6pm HOW MUCH? From £39 per day or £154.00 per week Barracudas offers multi-activity day camps and have been running day camps for 22 years, they have an experienced team who make sure your children always have a brilliant time. Ofsted registered, giving parents peace of mind, whilst ensuring maximum FUN for kids! A wide range of activities are on offer. 0845 123 5299 or visit www.barracudas.co.uk
Paxton Lakes Sailing Club From age 8 years
WHERE: Paxton Lakes, Hall rd (next to the nature reserve), Little Paxton Sailing courses in August WHEN: Morning courses 10am1pm, afternoon courses 2pm-5pm HOW MUCH? Adult £125.00 Child £85.00 An official RYA training centre that with a large selection of club owned boats & equipment available. Learn how to sail a dinghy and learn to reach, tack, run and gybe. Learning essentials such as rigging and rope work and how to launch and recover a dinghy. Courses are run for 4 days in the morning or afternoon. www.paxtonlakes.org.uk
STAGECOACH - Drama, Dance and Singing Summer workshops Ages 4-16 years
WHERE: Coleridge Campus, Parkside Federation, Radegund Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 3RJ WHEN: See website for dates and details 9.45am-2.00pm & 10.00am-4.00pm HOW MUCH? £130 for a 5 day camp (£105.00 for siblings) The original, largest and still the best network of performing arts schools in the world. Nurturing and developing young people’s potential through dance, drama and singing, helping develop confidence. This summer children are invited to visit different workshops for 5 days of fun, working with a professional team to rehearse and perform for family and friends. No experience needed just enthusiasm. www.stagecoach.co.uk/cambridge or call 01223 359974
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MAD SCIENCE HOLIDAY CAMPS
WHERE: Various locations across Cambridgeshire WHEN: Dates throughout the holidays 10.00am-3.00pm Capturing children’s interest and imagination means making sure Science is fun, colourful, hands-on and full of wonder. Mad Science holiday camps engage children by allowing them to investigate Science in a safe, structured but fascinating way. Check their website for details. www.east.madscience.org/ summerscienceholidaycamps. aspx cambridge@ madscienceeast.co.uk or call 01223 880997
MINI ATHLETES Ages 5 – 7 years
WHERE: Camborne Church hall, Jeavons Lane, Trumpington Meadows Primary School, Kestrel Rise WHEN: Saturday mornings
SUPER CAMPS Ages 4 – 12 years
WHERE: Long Road Sixth Form College, Long Road, Cambridge WHEN: Days are 9.00 – 17.00 with extended care available
HOW MUCH? Prices from £49 per day or £200 per week. Perfectly located for families needing school holiday childcare in Cambridge, Super Camps at Long Road Sixth Form offers a fulfilling school holiday activity experience that combines wonderful outdoor pitches and courts with state-of-the-art indoor amenities. Super Camps have received yet another Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2016. www.supercamps.co.uk or call 01235 467300 the Horse with the Golden Mane. The 7-12s will be zooming off on a fun-filled outer space adventure with Robinson Crusoe in a spaceage version of the castaway survival classic. FREE sessions for newcomers. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class today
RAZZAMATAZ Dance, Drama & Singing Ages 4 – 18 years
WHERE: CRC Sports Centre, Cambridge Regional College, Science Park Campus, Kings Hedges Road, Experience dance, drama and singing, together with learning about theatre skills, prop making and more. On a week long course: students aged between 4-8 can attend morning sessions and students aged 8-18 all day. On the last day there will be a short performance for family and friends. Summer Stage Academies are
based on shows such as Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Frozen. Currently running one week trial sessions. www.razzamataz.co.uk
RUGBY TOTS Ages 2 – 7 years
WHERE: Cambridge, Ely, Bluntisham WHEN: Every Thursday in August 2-3.5 yrs 9-9.30am, 3.5-5yrs 9.4510.30 and 5-7yrs 10.45-11.30 Fun, structured play sessions take children on a journey of sporting imagination with engaging and energetic coaches supporting them every step of the way whilst teaching how to catch, pass, kick, run with the ball and play as part of a team. Running summer clubs and regular weekly sessions throughout the year, check website for more information and to register interest. www.rugbytots.co.uk or call 0345 313 0446
HOW MUCH? 6 week block £42 and 12 week block £77 Mini Athletes classes start the specifics of athletics events through game based activities. This class has the added element of teaching children the basis of athletic skills that can be used in all sports throughout life. The classes run throughout the year. Call for free trial. www.miniathletics.com/bookclass
PERFORM Drama, Dance & Singing Ages 4 – 12 years
WHERE: Newnham Croft Primary, Chedworth Street, CB3 9JF WHEN: Saturday morning classes run until 21 July. This Summer Perform’s 4-7s group will be saddling up and going on a Wild West adventure to find
Please quote Families when booking any of these events
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Awaiting Stagecoach Full page artwork - rpt from last edition