HAF Young Explorer Days

HAF days run during Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays when we take groups of children on adventures in the countryside. Our next days are during the summer holidays. Find more information below.

Key Information

What do we provide in the holidays?

Young Explorers are part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which are government funded holiday activities. If your child is entitled to free school meals they are eligible to come on Young Explorer Days.

What is the programme about?

Activate Your Holiday programmes, funded by the Department of Education, is delivered across Bath and North East Somerset by a variety of local and national partners.

For more information visit LiveWellBath

Dates of upcoming HAF funded Young Explorers Holiday Days

Dates for Summer 2025 to be announced soon

How do I book?

If you are an eligible parent / carer of the HAF programme, digital vouchers are issued to you via your child's school. You book our days through the link you are sent with the vouchers.

For more information you can visit We-Activate

Timing of days

Our sessions run from 10am until 2am.

Where we meet

Drop off and pick up are in the 'Bus Turning Space' in Upper Swainswick village, BA1 8BU, 10am - 2pm. Upper Swainswick is a 4 min drive or 30 minutes walk from Alice Park (London Road) or Larkhall. Please read these guidelines carefully and take note of all the details so that you arrive with your child on time and know the correct place for drop off and pick up.

What to bring

Prepare your child for this outdoor day and pack / dress appropriately for the weather so that they can really enjoy their day. What to bring: Dress in outdoor clothes - plenty of warm layers, waterproofs and sturdy, comfortable footwear. Bring a rucksack big enough to carry spare clothes and a large bottle of water. Remember to send your child with enough water for a day of walking and energetic play. Make sure their rucksack has straps rather than strings and fits them well.

Please keep an eye on the weather and send waterproofs if rainy, sun cream and hat on sunny days.

A Typical Day

On a 'Young Explorer Day,’ we journey through the countryside, exploring a series of wild places along the way. We don’t go far, but it always feels like an adventure! We'll provide snacks, picnic lunch and foodie treats throughout the day. Every day is different. Once we arrive at a place we set up a 'camp' with hammocks and a rope swing. This might be in the woods or by a stream. You can help us make a campfire for cooking food we will share. Children can play and do crafts. These groups are small, typically 8-10 children with 2 or 3 adults and sometime young volunteers 14-16. Your child needs to be prepared in outdoor gear, a bottle of water, and a rucksack to carry their stuff in.

Gallery

Testimonies

S.O., Bath

"As always, thank you so much for providing such a lovely holiday club for our kids so that us parents can get our work done while knowing that our kids are healthy and happy in nature :)"

I.D., Bath

"Thank you so much for the wonderful Young Explorer days — he absolutely loved every moment. It was by far his favourite activity over the Easter break, and he’s still talking about the den building and fire cooking with great enthusiasm!

We’re really grateful for all the care, creativity, and energy you put into making these adventures so special. He came home each day full of stories and excitement."

A.U., Bath

"Both my kids were absolutely delighted with this activity day!!! Thank you so much!!!"