Summer Holiday activities at Thames Young Mariners
What to expect
We are thrilled to welcome TAZ explorers back to Thames Young Mariners near Richmond this summer!
Take a look at our current summer courses below.
Childcare vouchers
We accept childcare vouchers and Tax Free childcare for holiday activities. (Only for bookings made at least 2 weeks before the start of the course).
Follow this link to find out more information about childcare vouchers and tax free childcare
Drop off and pick up time
Drop off is at 9.30am and pick up is at 4.15pm
What to bring
- Appropriate clothing for the weather - jumper, trousers, long sleeved t-shirt
- Old pair of trainers that can get wet during water activities or water shoes (flip-flops, crocs or open back or toe shoes are not suitable)
- Shorts or swimming costume and towel
- A change of clothes including underwear and socks
- Waterproofs, to prevent getting wet during activities where the children might get splashed and for rainy and windy days
- Sun cream and sun hat
- Warm coat
- Hat and gloves
For water activities: (Wetsuits and cagoules for water activities will be provided by the centre)
Lunch
And don't forget a packed lunch without nuts and a water bottle.
(Wetsuits and cagoules, waterproof jacket, will be provided by the centre)
Little Foxes Forest School Holiday Day Camp (5 to 6 year olds)
Come join us in exploring the woods at Thames Young Mariners and let your imagination run wild.
No two days are the same at Little Foxes Forest School Holiday Day Camp and there is so much to explore and do. During the time you spend in the woodland you will do a mixture from the following:
- Shelter building
- Fire lighting
- Bug hunting
- Making instruments
- Whittling
- Clay faces
- Bark rubbings
- Scavenger hunts
- Animal tracking
- Puppet making
To reap the benefits from our Forest School programme we recommend booking consecutive days, however it is possible to book single days.
Young Explorers (6 and 7 year olds) 1 day
For 6 and 7 year olds we have Young Explorers which are individual days with natural progression throughout the week.
No two days are the same which makes it ideal for those who would like to book the whole week while still remaining great fun for those who may only want to come once or twice.
Team challenges introduction
Take on the low ropes challenge course and team tasks, building the ultimate problem solving group who are ready for anything including the formidable blindfold trail. A great way to build confidence and make new friends.
Team survival
Work together with other young explorers to build shelters, forage for resources on a scavenger hunt and shoot bows and arrows. We have an introduction archery set using suckers instead of pointed tips (a perfect way for younger ones to start).
Team exploration
Discover the natural world by finding and identifying plants and bugs in the morning then taking to the water to spot wetland and river wildlife in the afternoon. A fun way to learn about wildlife and build confidence on the water in our stable bell boats.
Team navigation
Learn the art of navigation using games and map making. Put skills to the test in an orienteering competition and treasure hunt. Active fun with useful like skills.
Team challenges
Fire lighting finale – put your group to the ultimate challenge with the pick of the best activities from the low ropes challenge course and team tasks, earn points to win your team more goodies for the fire.
End the day or the week helping your instructor to build and light a fire to cook on.
Junior (8 to 11 year old) Multi-activity: 2 days
Each adventure may be made up of the following activities:
- Archery
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Orienteering including map and compass skills around the site
- Paddle boarding
- Team challenges
- Bushcraft survival skills including:
- fire lighting
- cooking over the fire
- den building
- hanging a hammock
- animal tracking
- bug hotel building
- scavenger hunt
- nature hike
- eco arts & crafts
Activities undertaken will depend on availability.
Junior (8 to 11 year olds) Multi-activity: 3 days
Each adventure may be made up of the following activities:
- Archery
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Orienteering including map and compass skills around the site
- Paddle boarding
- Team challenges
- Bushcraft survival skills including:
- fire lighting
- cooking over the fire
- den building
- hanging a hammock
- animal tracking
- bug hotel building
- scavenger hunt
- nature hike
- eco arts & crafts
Activities undertaken will depend on availability.
Senior (11 to 13 year olds) Multi-activity: 1 day
Each adventure may be made up of the following activities:
- Archery
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Orienteering including map and compass skills around the site
- Paddle boarding
- Team challenges
- Bushcraft survival skills including:
- fire lighting
- cooking over the fire
- den building
- hanging a hammock
- animal tracking
- bug hotel building
- scavenger hunt
- nature hike
- eco arts & crafts
Activities undertaken will depend on availability.
Senior (11 to 13 year olds) Multi-activity: 2 days
Each adventure may be made up of the following activities
- Archery
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Orienteering, including map and compass skills around the site
- Paddle boarding
- Team challenges
- Bushcraft survival skills including:
- fire lighting
- cooking over the fire
- den building
- hanging a hammock
- animal tracking
- bug hotel building
- scavenger hunt
- nature hike
- eco arts & crafts
Activities undertaken will depend on availability.
Senior (11 to 13 year olds) Multi-activity: 3 days
Each adventure may be made up of the following activities
- Archery
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Orienteering incl map and compass skills around the site
- Paddle boarding
- Team challenges
- Bushcraft survival skills including:
- fire lighting
- cooking over the fire
- den building
- hanging a hammock
- animal tracking
- bug hotel building
- scavenger hunt
- nature hike
- eco arts & crafts
Activities undertaken will depend on availability.
RYA Sailing (Royal Yachting Association) Sailing stage 1 and 2 (11 to 16 year olds) 5 days
For ages 11 to 16 years, the RYA Sailing (Royal Yachting Association) stage 1 and 2 course is suitable for beginners and those who have some experience but need to develop their basic skills.
Stage 2 builds on these skills to develop a really confident ability to sail a triangular course making best use of the boat and sails. (This is offered as a combined course).
Sailing will be in single handlers with no doubling up and each participant will use the same boat throughout the course.
RYA Sailing Stage 3 (11 to 16 year olds) 5 days
Find out details about the course content and the experience needed from the RYA website.
Course details
RYA Sailing (Royal Yachting Association) stage 3 is the next step for 10 to 16 year olds.
This course transfers the skills learnt at stages 1 and 2 into a double handed racing dinghy requiring good teamwork.
Find out details about the course content and the experience needed from the RYA website.
TAZ Start Paddleboarding (1 Day) for 8 to 13 year olds
Our one-day course will get you onto the water and feeling confident using a Paddleboard.
You'll develop your decision making and practical skills for a fun anand d safe time on the water. The course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, a great place to learn to paddle due to its calm and sheltered waters.
Minimum age 8 years – no pre requisites for this course.
TAZ Paddlesports Beginner (5 days) for 8 to 13 year olds
Our 5 day Paddlesports Beginner course will get you onto the water and feeling confident using open canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards. You'll develop your decision making and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water.
The course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, a great place to learn to paddle due to its calm and sheltered waters.
You will be issued with a Paddlesport Logbook to track your progress following a simple syllabus based around the guidelines given by British Canoeing.
Minimum age 8 years – there are no pre requisites for this course.
Junior (8 to 11 year old) Multi-activity: 1 day
Each adventure may be made up of the following activities:
- Archery
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Orienteering including map and compass skills around the site
- Paddle boarding
- Team challenges
- Bushcraft survival skills including:
- fire lighting
- cooking over the fire
- den building
- hanging a hammock
- animal tracking
- bug hotel building
- scavenger hunt
- nature hike
- eco arts & crafts
Activities undertaken will depend on availability.