Everything you need to know before camp
We’re so looking forward to camp. Camp days are full of moving, making and playing, and often of new friendships too. Some children run straight in on the first morning, others need a minute at the door, and both are completely fine. Our coaches will be there to welcome your child and help them settle. Below you’ll find everything you need. If you only have a minute, the packing checklist is at the bottom.
Finding us
Chobham Academy, 40 Cheering Lane, East Village, London E20 1BD
Our entrance is not the school’s main entrance, which maps often show. You’ll find the sports hall on Temple Mills Lane, at the corner with Celebration Avenue: what3words.com/nights.wiser.dice. Stratford International is about five minutes’ walk away.
There’s a paid public car park opposite the entrance. It isn’t run by the school or by Gymlab, so we can’t guarantee spaces or help with any issues. Parking is paid through the JustPark app and actively enforced, so please pay for your stay before you leave the car.
Times
Your times depend on the sessions you booked:
Morning (9:00–12:30): drop-off 9:00–9:10, pick-up 12:30
Afternoon (13:00–16:00): drop-off 13:00, pick-up 15:50–16:00
Full day (9:00–16:00): drop-off 9:00–9:10, pick-up 15:50–16:00
Early drop-off (8:00–9:00) and late pick-up (16:00–18:00) are extras that need booking in advance
For 9:00 starts, please wait outside until we open the doors at 8:55. A member of the team will greet you, take your child’s name and welcome them in, which keeps the entrance calm and safe. If you’re not sure what you’ve booked, it’s all in your booking confirmation.
Drop-off and collection
For the safety of all the children, and in line with school policy, parents don’t come into the sports hall. We know this can feel hard, especially for the youngest children or on a first day. Our coaches will be at the entrance to welcome your child in and help them settle.
Children are supervised at all times, in clearly defined zones with clear sightlines across the whole space, and are never left unattended.
At collection, a member of the team will call children one by one, once we can see their adult. If we know you, we’ll hand your child over straight away. If someone new is collecting, please email us in advance and make sure they know your safe word. We only hand children over to an adult who can give it.
Nut-free, allergies and medication
Gymlab is strictly nut-free, to protect children with severe allergies, so please check that everything you send contains no nuts. If your child has allergies or particular dietary needs, label their things clearly and let a coach know at drop-off. EpiPens and antihistamines go to a member of staff at drop-off, in a clearly labelled bag with written instructions.
What we do
Each day mixes gymnastics, dance, arts and crafts, and sports games and active play. On hot days we may also play water games outside.
What to wear
Shorts or leggings and a fitted t-shirt, comfortable for active play, with hair tied back. Skirts and dresses aren’t suitable. Indoor activities are done barefoot so no one slips. Grippy socks are fine if your child prefers, but ordinary socks aren’t allowed.
Food, water and spare clothes
Every child needs a named water bottle, every day. Full-day children need a packed lunch and snacks. Half-day children have one snack break, so a snack is enough. Food that keeps energy up works best on an active day: fruit, whole grains and protein-rich snacks. Sugary snacks and drinks tend to cause a crash later on.
Please also pack a change of clothes every day, for older children too. Children get paint on themselves, spill drinks and get wet. On hot days, a small towel and crocs or flip-flops help with water games. There’s no need for swimwear, as the games are played in normal clothes.
Sun protection
On sunny days we use SPF50+ sun cream made for young and sensitive skin (Boots Soltan Kids Sensitive & Sun Allergy Protect Spray). Please apply some at home before drop-off and we’ll top up during the day. A sun hat helps too. If you’d rather we used your own, tell us when booking or at drop-off, and send it in, labelled.
Belongings, phones and valuables
Please label everything: clothes, lunch box, water bottle, bag, sun cream. It’s the single best way to stop things going missing.
Phones aren’t used at camp. If your child brings one, it stays switched off in their bag, because camp is about moving, playing and making friends. Please leave tablets, smart watches, jewellery and anything valuable at home, as we can’t take responsibility for lost or damaged items. If you need to get a message to your child during the day, contact us and we’ll pass it on.
Friends
If your child would like to be with a friend, please email us at least a week before camp starts. We plan groups in advance, thinking about age, dynamics and a balanced day for everyone, so we can’t guarantee requests that reach us later. We also love helping children widen their circle, and mixed groups often lead to new friendships.
If your child can’t come
If your child is unwell or won’t be coming on a booked day, please email us as early as you can, so we’re not expecting them. To cancel a booking, email us as soon as you know. Refunds are counted from the first day of your camp week, not from the day you booked:
14 days or more before: full refund
7 to 13 days before: 50% refund
Less than 7 days before: no refund
We plan groups, staffing and equipment around the children booked in, and a place held is a place another family couldn’t take. Thank you for understanding.
Contacts and policies
For emergencies only, call 020 4572 7606. For everything else, please email hello@gymlab.fit. During the day our team is on the floor with the children, and that’s where we’d rather they stayed. Our safeguarding, behaviour and health and safety policies are at gymlab.fit/policies-and-procedures.
Packing checklist
Every child, every day:
Named water bottle
Nut-free snacks
A change of clothes
Grippy socks, if your child prefers not to be barefoot
Any medication, labelled, to hand to a member of staff at drop-off
Full days: a nut-free packed lunch
Hot days: a sun hat, a small towel, and crocs or flip-flops
Please leave at home: phones (or switched off in the bag), tablets, smart watches, jewellery and valuables
We can’t wait to get started.
Francesca