1. family and parenting
2. children

Big fun
in Bracknell Forest
Summer of Fun Programme 2014
Come along and join us for our Summer of Fun activity programme.
These exciting events provide opportunities for families and friends to
come together and share a picnic where children and young people can
enjoy free fun activities for ages up to 18 years.
The programme is sponsored by Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell
Forest Homes, Bracknell Town Council, Sandhurst Town Council, Binfield,
Warfield and Winkfield Parish Councils. This is a fantastic opportunity for
families in the Bracknell Forest area to enjoy fun activities in our parks
and green spaces.
Date
Venue
Postcode
Time
Wednesday 30th July
Braybrooke Park
RG42 2HG
11am - 3pm
Friday 1st August
Westmorland Park, Warfield
RG42 3QP
11am - 3pm
Wednesday 6th August
Great Hollands Rec, (Play Day)
RG40 3EE
11am - 3pm
Friday 8th August
Memorial Park, Sandhurst, (Flagship event)
GU47 9BJ
11am - 3pm
Wednesday 13th August Calfridus Way, Harmanswater
RG12 9ET
11am - 3pm
Friday 15th August
RG42 4EW
11am - 3pm
Wednesday 20th August Wildridings Football Fields
RG12 7RH
11am - 3pm
Friday 22nd August
RG42 7PA
11am - 3pm
RG12 7PA
11am - 3pm
Foxley Fields, Binfield
Carnation Hall, Chavey Down
Wednesday 27th August Northlake, South Hill Park (Flagship event)
Playday and Flagship events
2014
Bracknell Forest’s Play and Childcare team will this year be hosting 3 FREE flagship
events including Play Day 2014, which are aimed at the whole family. Youth
Services will also be involved in the days, meaning that there will be entertainment
and activities for children & young people aged 0-18. Activities will include; climbing
wall, laser tag, graffiti workshop, mixing workshop, petting farm, pony rides, soccer
skills, bucking bronco, inflatables and face painting. These events have been
building momentum over the past few years and are not to be missed!
Youth Services Activities for over 11s
The Youth Service will be providing a varied summer programme for young
people aged 11-18 years as part of the Big Fun programme. The team will
be at centres and locations across the borough and activities range from
performing arts in Sandhurst to graffiti workshops at The Zone and drop-ins at
NRG, plus much, much more. Full details of the dates and locations can be
found on our facebook pages - come along and enjoy the fun. An example of
our activities and events are listed below. Full details and more can be found on
our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bfyouthservice
1st August
10am-4pm
Combat Challenge – A Day with the RMA
Age Year 6-8
Cost: Free
5th-8th August
10am-4pm
Age 14+
Accredited Baby Sitting Course, NRG, Coopers Hill
Cost: Free
7th and 14th Aug
10am-4m
Age 11+
Sports Days at The Spot – Take part in loads of sports
Cost: Free
12th and 14th Aug
10am-4pm
Age 11+
Cost: £5pppd
Spot Sandhurst, Music Project – Developing your own music and lyrics
13th Aug
10am-4pm
Skatepark Day at Longhill Park
Age 11+
Cost: free
18th-22nd Aug
10am-4pm
The Spot Sandhurst, Performing Arts Project
Age 11+
Cost: £25 pw
22nd August
10am-4pm
Open Day Fun at The Zone
All ages
26th/28th Aug
10am-4 pm
Arts Project at The Spot
Age 11+
Cost: Free
Cost: £5 pppd
Fun in Crowthorne
FREE fun days are happening at The Morgan Recreation Ground on Friday
25th July and 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd August. The popular fun sessions run
by Thames Valley Police and Churches Together Crowthorne, offer a range of
exciting activities for children and young people of all ages. Why not make it a
family affair and bring along a picnic.
Please note activities are subject to weather and may not be exactly
as advertised.
Aiming High for disabled children
A range of activities for Bracknell Forest families with children and young
people with disabilities are available throughout the summer.
Information about support and activities is readily available through the Aiming
High Service. If you would like to be added to the database please contact
Lorraine Knowles via email: [email protected] or
telephone 01344 352736.
All mainstream providers in this brochure are inclusive. If your child is of
mainstream ability and you are looking for smaller groups, you may wish to
consider the activity days at Oakwood or John Nike.
Oakwood Youth Challenge
Suitable for children and young people who:
• Have moderate learning difficulties
• Require low level and minimal supervision
• Can communicate in small group settings
Activity afternoons 1pm – 4pm for 8+ years
Consideration will be given to grouping regarding age, ability etc.
£10 per session payable at time of booking
• Tuesday 29th July
• Monday 4th August
• Tuesday 12th August
• Monday 18th August
• Tuesday 26th August
• Tuesday 28th October
For further information telephone 0118 9792253
Email: [email protected]
John Nike Holiday Camp Days
Ice skating, skiing, broomball and rotational activities
Suitable for children and young people who:
• Have moderate learning difficulties
• Require low level and minimal supervision
• Can communicate in small group settings
Camp Days 9.30am – 4.30pm for young people 8 – 18 years
£29.50 per day (includes lunch) OR half day option
£10 morning session – collection from restaurant
£15 afternoon session – drop off at restaurant
• Thursday 31st July
• Thursday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th August
• Thursday 30th October
For further information telephone 01344 789000
Email [email protected]
Disability Challengers Summer Holiday Scheme
Challengers Youthschemes are for disabled young people aged 13-19 and we
have a full programme of activities and trips out - for example, trips to Marwell
Zoo, California Country Park, Beale Park, swimming and more. As well as this,
there is also time to hang out and make friends at the Youthscheme Centre
which is at The Warehouse, 1 Cumberland Road, Reading RG1 3LB. We
promote a programme of activities so that you can choose the day and activity
that you want to book. All disabilities are catered for and our staff members are
fully trained - up to half the spaces are reserved for young people who have
complex impairments and need 1:1 support.
Tuesday 29th July – Saturday 30th August, 10am - 4pm, £18 per young person
(half price for families who receive benefits).
For further information telephone 01483 230 930
www.disability-challengers.org/ReadingYouthscheme
Kids summer activities
‘Kids’ provides a range of fun activities for children with additional needs
For more information contact: [email protected]
Kerith Konnections
We provide Saturday Short Breaks for under 11s with special needs and Holiday
Short Breaks for under 11s and over 11s with special needs
Most days are centre based, where we provide a fun and safe environment for
the children. One Saturday a month is a day out with varying activities. In the
holidays we provide some under 11s mostly centre based days. We also have
10 days of over 11s holidays short breaks which are all going out days.
For more information telephone 01344 828802
[email protected]
Bracknell Forest Children’s Centres
Children’s Centres offer a range of support services, activities and events for
families with children under 5 years old.
Details of individual centre activities can be found on the Bracknell Forest
Council website. Services and activities are delivered from the main Children’s
Centre buildings and a range of community buildings.
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/childrenscentres
The Rowans and Sycamores based on the site of Fox Hill Primary School
serving the communities of Easthampstead, Wildridings, Harmans Water,
Crown Wood, Forest Park, and Martins Heron.
For more information telephone 01344 312800 rowansandsycamores.
[email protected]
The Oaks and Hollies based on the site of Great Hollands School serving the
communities of Great Hollands, Jennett’s Park, Birch Hill, Hanworth, Binfield,
Temple Park, Farley Wood and Amen Corner
For more information telephone 01344 317020
[email protected]
The Willows and Maples based at Priestwood Youth Centre serving the
communities of Priestwood, Bullbrook, the town centre, Warfield, North Ascot,
Winkfield and Cranbourne.
For more information telephone 01344 354450 willowsandmaples.
[email protected]
The Alders and Chestnuts based on the site of College Town Infant School
serving the communities of College Town, Owlsmoor, Central Sandhurst,
Crowthorne and Little Sandhurst
For more information telephone 01344 354200
[email protected]
Kids Carers
Are you a young person caring for a family member?
‘Kids’ provides a range of fun activities and support services for young people
who care for a family member.
For more information contact: [email protected]
Parks & Countryside Events
Bracknell Forest Parks and Countryside Services are offering a huge range of
exciting activities this summer including ranger walks and conservation events.
All Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Check out the full
programme at:
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parksandcountryside
For more information telephone 01344 354441
[email protected]
Bracknell Forest Homes
Are you a tenant or leaseholder of Bracknell Forest Homes? If so you are
eligible for their free children’s activity programme – please contact 01344
382833 or e-mail [email protected] to find
out what they have going on or to be added to the mailing list.
The Lookout Discovery Centre
Where else can you launch a rocket, build a house and study a colony of
ants…all in one day? There are more than 90 hands-on interactive activities
at the centre… from playing the light harp, creating circuits, making locks in a
“stream”, down to challenging puzzles and playing games on the Smart Table.
There is quite literally something for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents.
Help our herd of Brachiosaurs to survive a number of dangerous challenges.
Find out what the breath of a T-rex would have smelt like and how much poo
the biggest dinosaurs would have made! How do we know that the T-rex had
the best sense of smell out of all the meat eating dinosaurs? Find out this and
lots more at The Look Out in the fantastic BIG DINOSAUR SHOW. It is going to
be FUN, don’t miss it!
Show times are at 11am, 12 noon, 2pm and 3.15pm, subject to minimum
numbers. Shows run at weekends and during Bracknell school holidays. The
show is suitable for children who can sit down for up to ½ hour.
For more information telephone 01344 354400
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre
Coral Reef
Coral Reef is a great place to meet up with friends. Enjoy fabulous pools, slides
and rapids. During school holidays a 2 hour session in the water is guaranteed.
For more information telephone 01344 862525
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/coralreef
Bracknell Leisure Centre
A large number of courses and pay as you go activities available for children
and young people of all ages including swimming, dance, trampolining and
much more…
For more information telephone 01344 454203
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/bracknellleisurecentre
Sandhurst Sports Centre
Bouncy Castle and soft play sessions every Wednesday
from 23rd July – 27th August from 9.30am - 11:30am
Suitable for 1-5 year olds.
For more information telephone 01344 778836
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/sandhurstsportscentre
Edgbarrow Sports Centre
Holiday Clubs - Foxy’s for 3 - 6 year olds. Junior Sports Academy for 7 - 10 year olds. NEW Senior Sports Academy for 11 - 16 year olds.
23rd July to 2nd September
For more information telephone 01344 776 211
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/edgbarrowsportscentre
Library Activities
Libraries across Bracknell Forest run a broad range of events and activities for
all ages including craft sessions, bounce and rhyme, story time and puppet
workshops. A small charge applies to some sessions, whilst others are free.
Booking may be required for some events. We are adding to events all the time
so please look at library notice boards, Bracknell Library Facebook page and our
library homepage:
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries
The Summer Reading Challenge
Mythical Maze - 12th July to 13th August.
The Mythical Maze challenges children aged 4 to 11 to find their way around a
labyrinth that introduces them to fantastical creatures from the world of legend
and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way. Every library in
Bracknell Forest is participating and all you need is to be a member of the library.
Puppet Shows
Ticket price £3.50 – limited availability so book early!
• Binfield Library
Tue 5th Aug at 10.30am
• Crowthorne Library
Tue 5th Aug at 2.30pm
• Bracknell Library
Wed 6th Aug at 10.30am
• Sandhurst Library
Wed 6th Aug at 2.30pm
• Birch Hill Library
Thur 7th Aug at 10.30am
• Harmanswater Library
Thur 7th Aug at 2.30pm
• Great Hollands Library
Fri 8th Aug at 10.30am
• Whitegrove Library
Fri 8th Aug at 2.30pm
South Hill Park Arts Centre
July 11-13 and 17-20 – Oh What a Lovely War!
A promenade performance, taking place within the beautiful, atmospheric
rooms and grounds of South Hill Park. This community show draws together
local writers, directors and performers to celebrate the play’s 50th anniversary
and to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
£18, Conc £17, Schools & Under 16s £9
July 24 – LEGO Animation
Bring your favourite LEGO models or Bionicles and bring them to life with
stopframe animation. 10am-4pm, £40
July 25 – Mildred and the Midnight City
A family-friendly puppetry adventure following the intrepid journey of an unlikely little
hero. Mildred is suddenly thrown out of her hum-drum computer screen routine
and thrust into the heart of an Arctic adventure. She is sent on an impossible
mission to The Midnight City but her journey drastically changes course and with
only a polar bear for company, Mildred faces the challenge of a lifetime.
£10, Under 16s £6.50
July 28 – Summer Holiday Play with Clay (7-12 yrs)
Explore the exciting possibilities of pottery, including hand building and throwing
using air drying clay. Price inclusive of materials.
10am – 12noon, £18
July 28 – Aug 8 – Summer School (Last Hope of Pandora)
South Hill Park’s Summer School is back with another original musical. If you
love to act, sing or dance you need to be part of our two week long, mythical,
Greek adventure. This year we are opening up Pandora’s box and who knows
what adventures await us… Singing serpents? Epic battles? Join Pandora and
save the last light of hope. In the Wilde Theatre will she restore calm to the
unruly realm of the Gods. £250
July 29 – Summer Holiday Art Factory (4-11yrs)
Spend your morning using clay, collage, drawing and sculpting with lots to take
home at the end of the session. Expert advice and guidance. Dress for mess!
Price inclusive of materials. 10am-12noon, £18
July 31 – Summer Holiday Parent and Child Clay Workshop (5-8 yrs)
This workshop gives children and their parents the opportunity to explore and
learn about the possibilities of pottery together. 10am-12noon, £18
August 2 – Affinity Music Festival
Following on from the success of last year’s festival, Affinity 2014 will continue
to bring the very best of local talent with a high profile headline act in the
evening. £8 advance, £10 door
August 4-8 – Unity Young Game Designers Week (14-18yrs)
An extraordinary week for serious game students. Learn in-depth use of the
Unity engine to design, code and build your own creative game for desktop,
iOS or Android. Working with a Unity Technologies Consultant Trainer, you’ll
gain priceless inside knowledge of the industry, game design and development
process, plus gain access to new online learning resources after the course.
Participants can bring their own laptop to continue work outside of the session.
Supported by Unity. £250
August 7 and 24-25 – Treasure Island
Sail the seven seas this summer with Jim Hawkins and help this misfit crew
find Billy Bones’ treasure. With an hilarious sub-plot based on Goldoni’s “The
Servant Of Two Masters”, this fun-filled show will have audiences, young and
old, bursting with laughter. £10, Conc £8, Family £28
For more information telephone the Box Office: 01344 484123
www.southhillpark.org.uk
Holiday Clubs
Some of our clubs are listed below - for a full list of schemes available in Bracknell
Forest contact the Family Information service. (contact details on the back page).
Downshire Golf Complex Kids Camps
Downshire Golf Complex is holding its popular Children’s Golf Camps during
the School Holidays for children aged 8+. The days run from 10am - 4pm.
£30.00 gets a day of fun-based tuition, covering all aspects of the game of
golf, catering for all abilities. All equipment needed is provided, along with lunch
and refreshments during the day – all they need is themselves. There will be a
maximum of 10 children per day; ensuring quality time can be spent with all the
children. The Pros are PGA Qualified and DBS Checked.
For more information telephone 01344 302030
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/downshiregolfcomplex
Edgbarrow Sports Centre
Holiday Clubs Foxy’s for 3 - 6 year olds, Junior Sports Academy for 7 - 10 year olds
NEW Senior Sports Academy for 11 - 16 year olds. 23rd July to 2nd September.
For more information telephone 01344 776 211
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/edgbarrowsportscentre
Kidz R Us
Based at Uplands Primary School, Sandhurst, Albion Road (temporary location).
Uniquely a child-led club where your child freely chooses their favourites activities,
our job is to facilitate activities that include football, tennis, roller skating, scooters,
paddling pools, BBQs, trips to local parks, arts & crafts, cookery, den building,
dressing up, movies, video games, action figures, trains and planes and much
more. Check out our photos on the website. Open w/c 28th July & 4th August
2014. 8.30am-6.00pm From £3ph or £23 per day.
For more information telephone 07928 806557
[email protected]
www.newscotlandhill.co.uk/ (found under Parents tab)
KOOSA Kids
The KOOSA Kids Summer Activity Programme looks set to be the best yet, with
more than 300 fantastic activities on offer across the six week holiday period,
including Wet N Wild, Cricket, Football, Team Games, Go Karts, Drama & Creative
Play as well as running Wicked Wednesday special activity days and Fantastic
Friday fancy dress days throughout the period. KOOSA Kids are one of the leading
providers of Ofsted registered holiday clubs, after school club and breakfast club
childcare for children aged 4 to 13 years in Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and the
London Borough of Richmond. With the summer holidays just around the corner, it
is a good idea to book well in advance to secure a place for your child on the days
you need childcare provision. There are some fantastic offers available for full week
bookings and siblings.
Opening times, dates and costs: From £18.75 standard day 10-4pm,
extensions available from 8.15-6pm. Summer Holiday Operational Dates
for Bracknell Forest as follows: Birch Hill Primary School - 23rd July to 27th
August, Ascot Heath Juniors 21st July to 27th August.
For more information telephone 0845 0942322
www.koosakids.co.uk
Wellington Fun Zone Holiday Club.
Based at Dukes Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire. RG45 7PT We can cater for children aged 5-13 years. We offer swimming, basketball, football, tag rugby. rounders, quick cricket, walking basketball, parachute games, bouncy castle, arts and crafts, dance, trampolining and much more.
Open every school holiday from 8.30am to 6pm Cost £14 - £25.
For more information telephone 01344 444244
[email protected]
www.wellintonfitness.co.uk
Bracknell Forest Family Information Service
The Family Information Service (FIS) provides a free
and impartial information and signposting service on
childcare and other services that support parents and
carers of children and young people up to the age
of 20 (25 with additional needs). We also work with
organisations and professionals who support families.
We offer information, support and guidance about other services,
facilities and publications including childcare, health, schools,
family support, parenting, sport, leisure activities and Children’s
Centre services.
How to contact us
Visit our website and fill in an online enquiry form:
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/familyinformation
email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01344 353133
Copies of this booklet may be obtained in large print, Braille, on audio
cassette or in other languages. To obtain a copy in an alternative format
please telephone 01344 352000.
Big Fun in
Bracknell Forest
is sponsored by:
ECC.WH.0714