07/03/2022

The Journey Continues

We’ve given you a little insight into the workings and development of Barracudas Activity Day camps over the past 30 years. From our first summer camps, to the early years and on to creating more camps in more seasons. It’s been a fun journey since 1992 so far!

Oaks from acorns grow! 

From our first 2 summer camps with 80 children in 1992, growing to 5 camps with 2k children in 1995, up to 16 camps in 2003, our first 3 Easter camps in 2004 to 28 summer camps and 6 Easter camps in the mid 2000’s, we’ve seen a strong growth from our early days.  

This development never slows and we’re now happy to be running 45 summer camps, 36 Easter camps in 2022. We also and had our biggest number of October camps in 2021 with 10 camps in the half term and looking forward to being able to keep kids active and entertained in the half terms in 2022! 

Barracudas has had a relentless focus on the quality of the camp experience since we started up way back when. Our first camps offered kids new activities they’d never had the chance to try and we continue to review and innovate our offering so each year kids can’t wait to come back. It’s not just our activities, Barracudas never stops thinking about ways to elevate the customer experience for our parents, from additional ways to communicate with us right through to multiple ways to book. We really don’t stop growing.

A strong foundation

Barracudas has always been about giving kids an amazing experience, keeping them active and giving them the chance to do what they love in the school holidays.

It’s been our mission to maximise the fun so they can’t wait to return to camp. Everything we do has been so that children become our raving fans. Barracudas wanted to be the best of its kind, to offer kids an amazing experience and parents peace of mind. Quality and fun are at the heart of Barracudas school holiday clubs and always have been.

Strong relationships

Relationships have always been central to how we operate. From our staff, host schools, suppliers and, course, children and parents! We’re proud of these long-term connections.

We’re touched that children who attended our first camps are now sending their kids to Barracudas in the school holidays and that many of our staff also attended camp when they were children.

We have great relationships with our host schools and are happy to be long term returners to their fantastic venues. In so many different ways we’ve proved we’re a business built around people. It’s these relationships and the continued sense of teamwork that contribute to the smooth running of our activity day camps meaning we can offer kids and their parents the best experience!

Out of acquaintances, real friendships have developed over the years. We’ve even had a Barracudas wedding, with the tables being named after our groups! There’s a real sense of belonging at camp, from the first visit to camp, to returning friends looking forward to the highlight of their summer together. It’s rewarding to see so many connections develop at camp both between children and staff.

Always developing

It’s not just our activities, Barracudas never stops thinking about ways to elevate the customer experience for our parents, from easy and convenient booking options, to contactless check ins and instant access to information with our parent app. We really don’t stop growing.

Proud of our achievements

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and reassured with affirmations that we’re getting it right. From positive parent feedback right through to formalised ratings. Each season we get a positive response from parents who fill in our end of camp surveys.  

It’s great to hear the good stuff, and we’re happy to act on areas that might need improvement. You only need to take a look at our Trust Pilot rating to know that parents give us the thumbs up.  

It’s not just the kids and parents though, we’ve got the official seal of approval with more Outstanding Ofsted ratings than any other comparable provider and continuing to hit the mark with our latest ratings in 2021. This makes us very happy! 

Our promise 

Barracudas began back in 1992 with a clear mission to give kids such an amazing time at camp that they couldn’t wait to come back. This is still our promise to parents today. Barracudas has been built of the foundations of strong relationships and we’re proud to still be working with many schools, staff and children from those early days.  

We’re looking forward to our making new friends, creating new memories and building even more long-term relationships as we continue to grow. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed these insights into the company behind the brand! You can catch up with our full series here: 

Part 1 - The Vision, Part 2 - Starting Out, Part 3 - Growing up, Part 4 - Expanding the Family and Part 5 - Latest Years.