Everything you need to know about your child attending DKC…
#DKC2026
Is your child staying at Derby Kids’ Camp this summer?
We visit every family – either at home or school – before the children attend Summer Camp. This visit gives you chance to meet some of the volunteers who’ll be looking after your child, talk through any specific support needed and ask questions. Home visits usually take place in June & July ahead of your child’s holiday.
But if you have any questions after the visit, don’t worry – here are some of our frequently asked questions! If your question isn’t on the list, please get in touch with us via the camp leader’s contact details in your home visit form, or contact our team.
What do we need to pack?
Your child will need to bring comfortable, everyday clothes suitable for plenty of outdoor play! As we’ll be camping in the countryside and doing lots of outdoor activities, please don’t buy anything new for your child’s holiday, as we wouldn’t want it to get spoilt.
All of the bedding – including duvets, pillows and cosy blankets – will be provided on camp, so there’s no need to pack any sleeping bags or bedding (though your child bringing their favourite teddy is strongly encouraged!). Please put your child’s initials in every item of their clothing, this makes it much easier for us to reunite them with lost items of clothing before they come home at the end of the week!
You will be given a copy of our suggested packing list (downloadable here if you can’t find it) during home visits to complete your child’s consent form. But in general, please pack the following in a soft holdall-style bag (rather than a suitcase):
- Jumpers
- T-Shirts
- Trousers and shorts
- Socks and underwear
- Sensible play shoes, such as trainers
- Towel
- Swimming costume or swimming trunks
- Coat
- Toiletries; toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, deoderant and a comb or hairbrush
- Teddy Bear!
Please note that any medication and pocket money should not be packed in the bag, but should be brought to the coach and handed to our volunteer team who will look after it safely.
Derby Kids’ Camp has a large stock of available clothes, toiletries, towels, shoes, swimwear, etc. If you forget – or don’t have something on the list – then don’t worry!.. leave it to our team to find your child whatever they need.
We can also provide waterproof coats & trousers, wellington boots, rucksacks, sun hats, etc as required for your child.
What activities will the children experience?
Derby Kids’ Camp is all about your child enjoying the great outdoors and the beautiful countryside surroundings of camp.
We have a whole host of exciting activities for the children to take part in throughout the week on and around camp including country walks, exploring caves, sports, crafts, campfires, cycling, paddling and campfire songs & stories. We also have some great visitors join us including magicians, exotic animal keepers, the board game team and more!
And if that weren’t enough the children will also go on a number of off-site trips including adventure playground, farmyard ‘meet the animals’ experience, swimming baths and shopping.
And if your child is nervous or unsure about any of the activities, we’ll never pressure them to take part and always encourage and understand.
Can my child take their mobile phone?
We ask that you ensure that all mobile phones and electronic devices remain at home during your child’s holiday. As an outdoors experience, we strongly encourage focusing away from technology and digital devices throughout the week.
In addition, we cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to children’s devices.
Should any children arrive on camp with their mobile phone or device, we will store it in a secure area, to be returned to your child at the end of the week.
Can I phone / contact my child while they are away on Camp?
We do understand that parents may be anxious about your child’s welfare throughout the week; please be assured that should there be any issues with your child’s welfare and enjoyment of their holidays, the camp leader team would contact you directly.
Please understand that if all families were to phone Camp during their children’s holidays, we would be unable to manage the high numbers of phone calls. Please only telephone Camp in an emergency.
Are DKC volunteers DBS checked?
All residential volunteers taking part in Derby Kids’ Camp holidays will have been Enhanced DBS checked. A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) – sometimes referred under its old name of ‘CRB check’ or ‘police check’ – gives us a detailed background check on all volunteers to identify any convictions, cautions, final warnings or reprimands, relevant to their role with the charity.
All volunteers with the charity will also provide us with two professional references and be will interviewed by our camp leader/management team.
What will the children have to eat?
Our amazing team of on-site cooks prepare delicious, fresh and nutritious meals 3 times per day, every day!
Breakfast will include cups of tea, a choice of cereals and a cooked breakfast.
Lunch: Most of the days of your child’s holiday we’ll be out on a trip or an adventure in the countryside, so we’ll take a delicious picnic with us to eat in the sunshine! Children will have a choice of sandwiches, crisps, fruit, chocolate bar and lots of juice.
Tea: Each evening the children will have a full hot meal including dessert.
If your child is concerned that they do not like any of the choices on a particular day, they can speak to the helpers and they’ll make sure there’s always something to eat that they like.
Do you cater for vegetarians/ halal or special dietary requirements?
If your child has any special dietary requirements – vegetarian, halal, vegan, allergies, etc – don’t worry! – our cooks will be making sure there’s always a delicious meal for everyone and will make sure there is always something suitable and delicious.
During your pre-Camp home visit form our team, please ensure that any special dietary requirements are recorded on the form completed during the visit.
I’ve lost my child’s health form, what do I do?
We ask that all parents and guardians fill in a new health form just before their child comes to Summer Camp. This makes sure that we have up-to-date contact details, medication and health information.
If you’ve lost your child’s Health Form, you can download another one below. If you have any difficulties printing a copy, please let us know.
If you have more than one child attending, please make sure they each have their own completed Health Form.
