Choosing a holiday camp in Dulwich.
What to look for before you book, from the shape of the day and the adults leading it to the practical details that make family life easier.
What will help them settle and join in?
Children can have very different ideas of a good holiday. Some want sport from the moment they arrive. Others need a calm welcome, a creative activity, or time to watch before joining a group.
A good camp should offer enough structure for children to know what is happening, with enough variety for different personalities to find their place.
A full day needs rhythm, not constant noise.
A long list of activities can look impressive, but the shape of the day matters more. Children need changes of pace, time to eat, opportunities to move, and moments where they can reset.
Ask to see a typical day. Look for a balanced programme with clear transitions rather than one repeated activity.
Art, sport, woodland play, coding, and short bursts of English or maths create a varied day. The learning feels enjoyable and relaxed, not like another day at school.
Experience with children changes everything.
Activities matter, but the adults delivering them matter more. Experienced staff can read a room, adapt an activity, encourage a hesitant child, and keep the day calm when plans change.
Primary school teachers run the camp with a team who have real experience working with children. The programme is planned specifically for Reception to Year 3.
A smooth day starts before drop off.
Confirm the standard arrival and collection times, any optional extended hours, what your child should bring, and how allergies are managed. It is also worth checking whether the provider accepts childcare vouchers.
Herne Hill School, 127 Herne Hill, London SE24 9LY. Standard drop off is 8.30 am and collection is 4 pm. Optional early drop off begins at 7.30 am, with late pickup available until 5.30 pm. Children bring a packed lunch, and the camp is nut and sesame free.
Good communication should not end at the gate.
Parents should know where to find the information they need before camp and how to contact the team during the day. Clear details about arrival, collection, clothing, allergies, and what to bring remove a surprising amount of stress.
Families have a parent portal with bookings, camp weather, and key information in one place. Parents also receive updates that help bring the day to life after collection.
Calm arrivals. Engaged children. Clear answers.
Reviews help most when parents mention the same qualities repeatedly. Look for specific comments about staff, organisation, settling in, and whether children wanted to return. A star rating is useful, but the detail behind it is more revealing.
Evergreen has welcomed more than 600 families since 2024 and holds a 5.0 rating on Google. Parents often mention the calm atmosphere, friendly staff, varied programme, and how easy drop off feels.
Eight signs of a thoughtful camp.
- 01The age range and group structure suit your child
- 02The day includes active, creative, and quieter moments
- 03Staff have meaningful experience working with children
- 04Safeguarding and supervision arrangements are clear
- 05The hours and location work for your family
- 06Food and allergy guidance is easy to understand
- 07Parent communication is clear before and during camp
- 08Reviews describe the experience, not just the facilities
We'd love to have them.
Summer bookings are live. Evergreen welcomes children from Reception to Year 3 for days shaped around creativity, sport, woodland play, coding, and learning that feels like fun.