If you’re searching for summer camps in Reading, summer holiday clubs in Berkshire or fun school holiday activities for children, you’re certainly not short of choice.
From sports camps to coding clubs and creative workshops, there are hundreds of holiday activities available each summer. But how do you know which one will be the best fit for your child?
At StageAbility, we’ve been running our Summer Drama Camps since 2010, welcoming well over 1,000 children from Reading, Wokingham, Tilehurst, Mortimer and the surrounding areas.
Here are some of the questions we think every parent should ask before booking a children’s summer camp.
1. Will my child actually enjoy it?
This is usually the biggest question parents have. Some children love trying new things. Others need a little more reassurance. A good summer holiday club should make every child feel welcome, regardless of their confidence or previous experience. At our Drama Summer Camps, many children arrive without knowing anyone. Others have never taken part in drama before. That’s perfectly normal.
Our experienced teachers use games and creative activities to help children settle in quickly, make friends and feel part of the group from the very first morning.
2. What will they actually do all day?
Parents often ask us what happens during a typical day at one of our Summer Drama Camps. Every day is slightly different, but children enjoy a varied programme including:
- Drama games
- Acting workshops
- Singing familiar songs
- Character development
- Team challenges
- Rehearsals
- Creative storytelling
- Plenty of laughter
Children stay active, engaged and involved throughout the day. By the end of the week, everything comes together in a full musical performance for family and friends.
3. Is it suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. One of the biggest misconceptions about a theatre summer camp is that children need previous acting experience. They don’t.
Whether your child has performed for years or has never stepped on stage before, our camps are designed to help everyone enjoy themselves while developing new skills.
Children are encouraged at their own pace, with plenty of support from our experienced teaching team.
4. Will they make friends?
For many parents, this is just as important as the activities themselves. The answer is usually yes. Drama naturally encourages teamwork, communication and cooperation.
Children spend the week working together, solving problems, sharing ideas and supporting one another as they prepare for the final performance. By the end of the week, it’s common to see children who met on Monday behaving like lifelong friends.
5. Is it worth the money?
When comparing summer camps in Berkshire, it’s important to look beyond the headline price. Consider what your child is actually receiving.
At StageAbility, children enjoy:
- Five full days of creative activities
- Around 30 hours with experienced drama teachers
- An original StageAbility musical production
- A performance in a real theatre
- A safe and welcoming environment
- New friendships
- Confidence-building activities
- Communication and teamwork skills
For many families, it’s far more than simply arranging childcare during the school holidays. It’s an experience children remember for years.
6. What should children bring?
If you’re booking a children’s summer camp, it’s always worth checking what’s needed. For our Summer Drama Camps, children should bring:
- A packed lunch
- A healthy snack
- A refillable water bottle
- Comfortable clothing
- Trainers
- A sun hat
- Sun cream already applied
Although we may spend short periods outside, the majority of activities take place indoors.
7. What happens at the end of the week?
One of the highlights of our Summer Theatre School is the final performance. Throughout the week, children rehearse an original musical production featuring familiar songs and exciting characters. On Saturday, they perform at The Oakwood Centre in Woodley, giving family and friends the opportunity to celebrate everything they’ve achieved. For many children, it’s their first experience of performing in a real theatre.
It’s a memory that often stays with them long after the summer holidays have ended.
Why choose StageAbility?
StageAbility has been helping children grow in confidence through drama since 2008.
Our Summer Drama Camps have welcomed well over 1,000 children and are designed to be inclusive, supportive and, above all, great fun.
Whether your child dreams of performing on stage or simply wants to spend a creative week making new friends, we’d love to welcome them this summer.
Our Summer Drama Camps
Ages: 5 to 14
Locations:
- Tilehurst
- Wokingham
- Mortimer
Dates:
Monday 3rd August to Friday 7th August
Performance:
Saturday 8th August at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley.
If you’re looking for summer camps in Reading, children’s holiday clubs in Berkshire, creative school holiday activities, or a fun and welcoming drama summer camp, we’d love to welcome your family.
Places are limited and bookings close on Friday 24th July.
Book your child’s place today and give them a summer they’ll remember: https://pbbl.uk/stageability-camp