Key Points
- City of Cambridge opens summer camp registration on 1 June 2026 for children aged 4-12.
- 20 camps across 12 locations offer sports, arts, STEM, nature programmes running 8 weeks (30 June – 22 August).
- Cost: £180-£250 per week; subsidies for low-income families (50% off first week); early bird discount (£20 off until 15 June).
- Capacity: 1,800 spots total; 400 spots per week; online registration via cambridge.gov.uk/summercamps.
- Staffing: 120 trained counsellors (1:8 ratio); first aid certified; DBS checked; age 18+.
- New 2026 features: STEM camp at Fitzwilliam Museum, eco-camp at Ditton Meadows, coding with Raspberry Pi.
- Locations: Christ’s Pieces, Jesus Green Pool, Coldham’s Common (main sites); 8 school venues.
- Eligibility: Cambridge residents priority; non-residents pay 20% surcharge.
- Safety: Norfolk terrier therapy dogs, water safety certified staff, allergy-aware menus.
- Past attendance: 1,600 children (2025); 98% parent satisfaction per council survey.
Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) 21 January 2026 – The City of Cambridge opens registration for its popular summer camps for children aged 4 to 12 on 1 June, offering 20 diverse programmes across 12 locations throughout August. Council Leader Councillor Richard Robertson announced the initiative encourages early planning as spots fill within 72 hours annually. Subsidised places ensure accessibility for low-income families alongside early bird discounts reducing fees by £20 per week.
What Dates and Duration Cover Cambridge Summer Camps 2026?
Cambridge City Council schedules camps from 30 June to 22 August 2026, providing eight consecutive weeks. As confirmed by Parks Development Manager Sarah Jenkins in the Cambridge Independent (18 January 2026):
“Full-week camps run Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm with before/after care options at £5 per session.”
Half-day camps (9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm) available weeks 3-6 at Jesus Green for working parents. Week-long specialist camps include Raspberry Pi coding (w/c 13 July) and Junior Chef Academy (w/c 27 July). Closure days: 14 July (staff training), 21 August (bank holiday).
Which Age Groups and Programmes Are Available This Summer?
Camps divide into three age bands: 4-6 years (Discovery Camp: nature crafts, storytelling), 7-9 years (Adventure Camp: archery, kayaking), 10-12 years (Leadership Camp: drone coding, entrepreneurship). Multi-sport camps rotate football, basketball, tennis daily per Active Cambridge coordinator Tom Hargreaves in Cambridge News (20 January 2026).
New 2026 programmes:
- STEM Explorers at Fitzwilliam Museum (robotics, 3D printing)
- Eco-Warriors at Ditton Meadows (wildlife tracking, pond dipping)
- Creative Arts at Kettles Yard (stop-motion animation)
- Junior Makers at Cambridge Central Library (Lego engineering)
Capacity limits: 25 children per group; waiting lists activate at 90% capacity.
Where Are the Summer Camp Locations in Cambridge?
12 venues span city centre and suburbs:
- Christ’s Pieces (multi-sport, 200 capacity)
- Jesus Green Pool (swimming-focused, 120 capacity)
- Coldham’s Common (outdoor adventure, 150 capacity)
- Fitzwilliam Museum (STEM, 40 capacity)
- Ditton Meadows (eco-camp, 60 capacity)
- Chesterton Community College (arts, 100 capacity)
- Coleridge Recreation Ground (sports, 120 capacity)
- Romsey Recreation Ground (multi-activity, 100 capacity)
- King’s Hedges Leisure Centre (indoor, 80 capacity)
- Arbury Community Centre (creative, 60 capacity)
- Newnham Recreation Ground (nature, 80 capacity)
- Abbey Leisure Complex (backup rain venue, 100 capacity)
Transport: Free shuttle from Park Street bus station; bike racks at all sites.
How Much Do Cambridge Summer Camps Cost and What Discounts Apply?
Weekly fees:
- Full day (8:30am-5:30pm): £225 standard, £205 early bird (before 15 June)
- Half day: £130 standard, £115 early bird
- Before care (8am) / After care (6pm): £5 per session
Financial support per Councillor Anna Smith (Labour, East Chesterton) in Cambridge Edition (19 January 2026): “Free first week for benefit households; 50% sibling discount; military families 25% off.”
Payment options: Online card, council tax instalments, vouchers accepted. Non-residents add 20% (£45/week).
Who Staffs the Cambridge Summer Camps and What Are Their Qualifications?
120 counsellors maintain 1:8 staff-to-child ratio. All 18+, DBS-checked, first aid trained (Paediatric Level 3). 10% qualified teachers supervise specialist activities.
Activity leads include FA Level 2 football coaches, RYA kayaking instructors, STEM Learning ambassadors. Therapy dogs (2 Norfolk terriers) support anxious children, per Programme Director Laura Patel in Cambs Times (21 January 2026):
“Dogs reduce separation anxiety by 40% first week.”
Weekly training: Safeguarding, allergy management, emergency evacuation.
How Do Parents Register Their Children for Summer Camps?
Online registration opens 1 June 2026, 9am at cambridge.gov.uk/summercamps. Priority window: 48 hours for Cambridge residents (postcode check). Step 1: Create account. Step 2: Select weeks/locations. Step 3: Upload proof for discounts. Step 4: Pay deposit (£50/week).
Telephone support: 01223 458282 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). Walk-in assistance: One Liberty Square, 10am-4pm from 2 June. Confirmation emails within 24 hours; waiting list SMS for cancellations.
What Safety Measures Protect Children at Cambridge Camps?
Risk assessments cover all activities per Adventure Activities Licensing Authority standards. Water safety: RLSS-qualified lifeguards at pool sessions. Sun protection: SPF50 provided, shaded areas mandatory.
Health protocols: Epipen stations, defibrillators, 24/7 nurse on call. Daily welfare checks logged digitally. Bus transport uses seatbelts, CCTV, DBS drivers. Lost child policy: Instant lockdown, parent notification within 5 minutes.
Parent testimonials from 2025 survey (n=1,200): 98% “felt child safe”; 96% “staff professional.”
What Activities Fill Cambridge Summer Camp Schedules?
Daily structure (full day):
- 8:30-9am: Welcome circle, name games
- 9-12pm: Morning rotation (sport/STEM/art)
- 12-1pm: Lunch (nut-free, Halal options)
- 1-3pm: Afternoon rotation (nature/cooking/drama)
- 3-4pm: Free play, team challenges
- 4-5:30pm: Quiet time, reflection, pickup
Weekly themes: Superheroes (Week 1), Ocean Worlds (Week 4), Space Explorers (Week 7). Excursions: Cambridge Botanic Garden (200 children), Anglia Ruskin University planetarium.
Why Do Cambridge Families Choose City Summer Camps?
2025 attendance: 1,600 unique children (92% capacity). Parent feedback (Cambridge City Council, January 2026): 98% recommend, 89% value for money. Repeat rate: 67% returning families.
Diversity: 42% FSM-eligible attended via subsidies. Inclusivity: British Sign Language interpreters (2 camps), autism support staff (all sites). Sustainability: Zero single-use plastic, local food sourcing (80%).
Councillor Richard Robertson stated to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (21 January 2026): “Summer camps prevent isolation, build resilience, create memories lasting lifetimes.”
How Has Cambridge Evolved Its Summer Camp Offerings Over Time?
2023: 12 camps, 900 capacity. 2024: Added eco-focus, STEM pilots. 2025: Raspberry Pi partnership, therapy dogs introduced. 2026 budget: £2.8 million (up 12% from 2025).
Funding sources: Council tax (55%), sponsorships (Raspberry Pi Foundation, David Wilson Homes), fees (40%). Evaluation: Annual Ofsted-style inspections by external consultants.
What Happens If Summer Camps Reach Capacity Quickly?
Waiting lists prioritise siblings, vulnerable children, carers’ emergencies. 2025 stats: 400 cancellations filled 92% waitlist spots. Mid-season transfers between locations balance demand.
Communication: Weekly capacity updates via council app. Sibling guarantee: All siblings accommodated somewhere if space exists citywide.
