What To Expect At A Winter Sports Camp: A Parent’s Guide

Winter break camp is around the corner; you and your kids, between the ages of 5 and 14, are eager to get to one at All Sports Kids, but now you need to know what you’re signing your child up for. Our camps fill up fast, so now is the best time to have all your burning questions answered so you can secure your spot.

The benefits of winter sports camp are clear. Kids get the most awesome opportunity to make new friends, get some exercise, fresh air, and all while learning, playing, and having fun during the winter break season. Studies have proven time and time again how attention and memory, self-confidence, mental and emotional wellbeing, and so much more improve during a winter sports camp experience. We don’t need to dive deeper into further benefits of physical activity here, but understanding what to expect day by day during our camp schedule is a must-know, so we’re breaking it down for you.

What Does a Typical Day at Winter Break Camp Look Like?

Our days are accommodating to parents who need to work or need that extra bit of flexibility inside a busy schedule, so our doors open at 7 am and close at 7 pm. Sometimes all you need is the widest possible range of drop-off and pick-up times to make all the difference, which is why we provide this for families during winter break.

Schedules for each kid can vary during the days at winter camp; we sometimes have planned field trips and special activities, but for the majority of the time, our usual camp rhythms run like this:

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Arrival time and free play

All our campers arrive and settle in with some free play or gentle activities to get started and warmed up to their friends before the first sports sessions begin.

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM: First sports activity

When it’s time to get moving, our kids will start with their first sports activity for the day or another group activity for those who need one.

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Snack time and water break

A much-needed break time to rehydrate and eat some snacks, helps our campers regain some energy and take a little rest.

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Second activity or sport of choice

We’ll rotate everyone into their second activity or sport. Variety is important, so we try to encourage campers to give something new a try!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Free play or quieter activities

Free play, reading, arts and crafts, or downtime are important aspects of learning, fun, and growth we like to offer at other pockets of time throughout the day. Not everything needs structure; it’s great to have a diverse schedule.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch time

Lunchtime is another slot for eating, hydrating, socializing, and recharging before afternoon activities begin.

1:00 PM onwards: Afternoon activities

We may include more sports rotations for kids to try out new things; there will be structured games, skills-based activities or a planned field trip depending on the schedule for the week.

Later in the afternoons, we usually start winding down, and children will move into a time of free play as they get ready for pickup. By this time, many are tired and ready for some time to rest at home!

What Sports Will My Child Play?

At All Sports Kids, we are all for variety. Kids can learn so many different skills and abilities from exposure to different games, rules and team dynamics offered by different sports. Campers get the opportunity to rotate through different sports and activities, and one of the perks of this is that they start to get a feel for the ones they enjoy and the ones they’re happy to swap out of.

A couple of the sports included in our winter break camp:

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Flag football
• Cheerleading
• Dodgeball
• Floor hockey
• Baseball
• Kickball
• Tumbling
• Dance
• Fun games and other group activities

Some kids like to take a break and do something less physically demanding, such as a game with some friends or arts and crafts. We like to give children the opportunity to choose where they want to be, while also encouraging them to try out new things. Kids don’t need to feel pressured to be an experienced athlete; we make sure the environment is welcoming to all levels and a variety of natural interests too.

What Should Kids Wear To Winter Break?

When you think of sports, dance, games outside, and socializing with other kids, you think of something comfortable, breathable, and flexible for kids to allow for movement, and practical fun.

Most of the days are activity-based, so dress your kids in leggings, shorts, comfortable T-shirts or sports shirts.

Make sure your kid’s shoes and sneakers fit properly to avoid any discomfort during the day. Children will be running and jumping and making quick changes in direction, so quality, well-fitted and comfortable footwear matters.

Ensure all clothes, shoes, bags and belongings are clearly marked and labelled with your kid’s full name so nothing gets lost.

What Should My Child Bring?

One of the most important things your child will need to bring to winter break camp is their refillable water bottle with fresh water in it. We encourage children to stay hydrated, especially when they’re playing lots of sports! A small bag filled with personal essentials and a change of clothing goes a long way too – especially for our younger campers.

Children need to bring some snacks from home, but our facility also has its own cafeteria offering free food for program kids.

Parents will receive ongoing communication throughout the week; sometimes we send out a request for kids to bring something specific to a camp day, and this will always be included in our open communication. Parents are also always welcome to ask any questions throughout the week; we ensure we’re available.

It’s beneficial for kids to leave valuables and electronic devices at home unless they really need them at some point in the day.

What Happens If My Child Doesn’t Want To Do A Specific Sport or Activity?

Children are unique, and so their interests will naturally vary, and that’s okay! At All Sports Kids, we aim to include many different activities so that children can choose what they want to try out. We don’t lock them into one particular sport or activity for the day; we want to give them the chance to opt in and learn new things, and discover what makes them happy.

We have a few designated areas and rooms for specific activities and purposes. For example, our arts and crafts room will be a quieter, more creative space for self-expression, while our sports halls and outdoor facilities allow room for kids to run, jump, and have loads of physical fun!

For some kids, they will gravitate to a single sport, and we celebrate that, while others will stick with quieter activities. The freedom of choice and flexibility within the facilities allows kids to be free to explore without judgment from others.

Sign Your Child Up For Winter Sports Camp at All Sports Kids

Choosing a winter camp program just became much simpler, knowing the practical details of each day on our agenda. At All Sports Kids, our campers come back year after year because of how much fun they have, and how excited the parents are about the joy, health, and growth they see in their kids, even just over the winter break.

Our campers get to try sports such as basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, and dodgeball too, with breaks in between to try their hands at arts and crafts, other fun games, free play, and of course, snack time.

We welcome kids between the ages of 5 and 14 years old, so if you’re curious to learn more, contact us at 954-746-KIDS (5437) to register for this winter break, and book a tour of the facility if you’ve never been here before. We’re excited to meet you and host your kids!