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Your Total Guide To families
My girls recently spent the day at Rockley’s holiday camp in Poole Park and, genuinely, they absolutely loved it.
They didn't stop laughing all day and by the time we left, they were already asking if they could go back every day!
As a parent, I don't think you can ask for a much better review than that.
I was also in the very lucky position of capturing content for Rockley that day, which meant I got to stay around and see first-hand exactly what they were doing, how the instructors interacted with the children and, most importantly, how much the girls got out of the experience.
What do the kids do at Rockley’s Poole Park Holiday Camp?
The camp runs from 10am until 4pm, so it's a proper full day of activities.
The exact activities can vary, but during our visit they started with some games on land before heading onto the water.
One of the highlights was raft building. They had to work together to figure out how to construct their raft before putting their creations to the test with a raft race.
It was so much more than simply having fun on the water. Without really realising it, they were working on team building, communication, logical thinking, problem solving and confidence.
And then came even more watersports!
During the day they tried:
The Mega SUP was definitely their favourite. Watching a group of children trying to work together on one enormous paddleboard – with plenty of wobbling, jumping in and laughing along the way – was brilliant.
A Huge Confidence Boost
One of the things I loved most about the day was seeing how much confidence the girls gained.
Being around water is such an important skill for children, and experiences like this allow them to become more comfortable and confident while having an enormous amount of fun at the same time.
The Rockley team were friendly and reassuring, and from a parent's point of view, everything felt organised and safe.
The girls had wetsuits supplied for their session on our visit and were kitted out ready for the water. Rockley also provides buoyancy aids for its water activities.
They came away tired, happy and noticeably more confident – exactly what you want from a day at summer camp.
It's also made me even more determined to get them onto some sailing courses as they get older. Rockley offers RYA sailing courses as well as holiday camps, clubs and taster sessions, so there are plenty of opportunities for children who develop a love of being on the water.
Parents Can Drop and Go
Another big plus is that parents don't have to stay.
You can drop the kids off and leave them with the Rockley team for the day, which makes it a great childcare option during the school holidays as well as a brilliant experience for the children.
Rockley currently states that its Kids Holiday Camps run from 10am–4pm, with early drop-off from 9am and late collection until 5pm available for an additional charge.
They also accept Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare, which is definitely worth knowing.
Or Make a Day of It in Poole Park
If, like me, you want to stay nearby, the location is absolutely perfect.
Poole Park has to be one of the loveliest locations for a children's activity camp. While the girls were busy on the water, I managed to fit in a run around the park and then get some work done from the lovely cafés nearby.
So if you work flexibly, you can quite easily bring your laptop, grab a coffee and work nearby while the kids spend the day having adventures.
It made the whole experience incredibly easy.
How Much Are Rockley Kids Holiday Camps?
At the time of writing, Rockley lists its one-day Kids Holiday Camps at £55 per child, running from 10am until 4pm. Early drop-off and late pick-up are also available for an additional charge.
The Poole Park Junior Holiday Camp is suitable for children aged 6–9, while Youth Holiday Camps for 10–16-year-olds are available at Poole Park Lake and other Rockley centres.
Buddens combines water and land activities for those that want a bit of both for example activities can include Archery, Tomahark Throwing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing and Giant SUP.
Prices and availability can change, so we recommend checking Rockley's website for the latest dates and prices before booking.
You Don't Have to Book a Holiday Camp to Get on the Water
This is something local families might not realise: you can also simply head down to Rockley at Poole Park and hire equipment.
So if you fancy an hour on the water as a family during the holidays, you don't necessarily need to book onto a course or camp.
Rockley currently advertises Poole Park hire on a turn-up, pay-and-play basis, with typical opening hours of 10am–4pm.
Example current hire prices include:
There are also sailing dinghies available for people with the required sailing experience.
This makes Rockley a really good option if you're simply looking for a spontaneous family activity in Poole on a sunny day.
Our Verdict
This was one of those activities where I knew the girls would probably enjoy it, but I hadn't appreciated just how much they would get out of it.
Yes, they spent the day kayaking, canoeing, building rafts, paddling and generally getting soaked – but they were also learning how to work as a team, solve problems, listen to instructions, try new things and become more confident around the water.
And they laughed. A lot.
The fact they finished the day asking whether they could go back every day pretty much says it all!
For parents looking for school holiday activities in Poole and Dorset, particularly if you want something active, outdoors and confidence-building, Rockley's holiday camps are definitely worth adding to your list.
And if a full camp isn't what you're looking for, I'd absolutely recommend popping down to Poole Park and hiring a kayak, canoe, SUP or pedalo instead.
We will definitely be back.
Rockley Poole Park Holiday Camp FAQs
Where is Rockley Poole Park?
Rockley’s Poole Park Activity Centre is located at Poole Park Lake, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2SF.
What age are Rockley Kids Holiday Camps for?
Rockley's Junior Holiday Camps at Poole Park are for ages 6–9. Youth Holiday Camps are available for ages 10–16.
What time does the holiday camp run?
The standard holiday camp day runs from 10am until 4pm.
Rockley also advertises early drop-off from 9am and late pick-up until 5pm for an additional charge.
How much does Rockley Holiday Camp cost?
At the time of writing, a one-day Kids Holiday Camp is advertised at £55 per child. Always check directly with Rockley for current prices and availability.
Do parents need to stay?
No. The holiday camps are designed as drop-off sessions, so parents can leave their children with the Rockley team and collect them at the end of the day.
What should children take?
Rockley's published kit guidance recommends appropriate clothing for the weather and activities, including swimwear, a towel, suitable footwear, sun cream, a hat, plenty of water and a packed lunch. Their website also lists a wetsuit/rash vest among the suggested kit, so check your specific booking information for what will be provided for your child's session.
On our visit, the girls were supplied with wetsuits.
Do Rockley accept Childcare Vouchers?
Yes. Rockley currently states that it accepts Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare for its Kids Holiday Camps.
What activities will my child do?
Activities vary, but Rockley's Poole Park programme can include kayaking, paddleboarding, Mega SUP, sailing and raft building.
On our day, the girls enjoyed land-based games, raft building and racing, kayaking, canoeing and Mega SUP.
Can we visit Rockley Poole Park without booking a course?
Yes. Rockley offers turn-up, pay-and-play equipment hire at Poole Park, including pedalos, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards.
Do you have to pre-book equipment hire?
Rockley currently describes Poole Park equipment hire as turn up, pay and play, although availability can depend on operating conditions. If you're travelling specifically to visit, it's worth checking with Rockley before setting off.
Ready to Get the Kids on the Water?
If your children love being outdoors, enjoy trying new things or you'd simply like them to build their confidence on and around the water, take a look at Rockley's Kids Holiday Camps at Poole Park.
With a full day of activities, experienced instructors and an absolutely gorgeous location in the heart of Poole, it's a brilliant school holiday option – and judging by my girls' reaction, you may have trouble getting them to leave!
Book a Rockley Kids Holiday Camp or find out more about equipment hire at Poole Park via the Rockley website.
About the Author – Liz
Liz is the Founder and Managing Director of Total Guide to, which she launched in 2012 with a vision to create trusted local digital guides connecting people with the best businesses, events and experiences in their area.
Now based in Dorset, Liz leads the growth of Total Guide to Dorset while overseeing the wider Total Guide to network, Total Marketing and Total Business Network.
A passionate advocate for local businesses and communities, Liz loves getting out and experiencing the places she writes about first-hand. When she’s not working, you’ll often find her exploring the Dorset coastline with her family, running, surfing or taking on her next outdoor challenge.
Through Total Guide to, Liz combines her love of Dorset with more than a decade of experience in digital publishing and local marketing, sharing genuine recommendations and first-hand experiences to help people make the most of the area.
Located in the centre of Poole on the shores of the UK's largest inland saltwater lake, you can be on the water within minutes of arriving at Poole Park Lake!
Poole Park Lake, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2SF
Website Email +44 (0)1202 677272
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