Why This Matters #
Adventure Camps thrives on variety and choice. Children love being able to pick what excites them most — it builds independence, confidence, and ownership of their camp experience. But choice also brings complexity. Without clear systems, electives can quickly become chaotic, with children in the wrong place, registers confused, or ratios unsafe.
This page explains the three types of sessions we run — Non-Elective, Individual Elective, and Group Elective — and exactly how to manage each one.
The Three Session Types #
1. Non-Elective Sessions #
(The standard timetable session)
- What It Means: Children follow a pre-set timetable. Everyone in a group goes to the same activity.
- Staff Role:
- Follow normal transition procedures.
- Complete headcounts before and after the move.
- Deliver the session as planned.
- Example: All 7–9s go to the Creative Den for arts & crafts at 10:30.
2. Individual Electives #
(Children choose their own adventure)
- What It Means: Children are given a choice of activities (e.g., football, drama, or crafts). They select individually and join the group of their choice.
- Staff Role:
- Present choices clearly and fairly.
- Update the Elective Register before children move. Every child must be logged to a specific activity.
- Manage group sizes — if numbers are too high in one session, staff may need to redistribute for safety.
- Complete headcounts before leaving and on arrival.
- Communicate with receiving leaders so no child slips through.
- Example: Out of 20 children, 8 choose football, 7 choose crafts, 5 choose drama. Each group is handed over to the correct leader with names checked off the elective register.
3. Group Electives #
(The group decides together)
- What It Means: The group votes or decides as one on which activity they’d like to do.
- Staff Role:
- Facilitate the decision-making fairly (vote, show of hands, or discussion).
- Confirm the final choice clearly to all children.
- Carry out the usual transition and handover process.
- If the group cannot agree, or needs to be split, the Site Manager makes the final decision and ensures ratios are safe.
- Example: The 10–12s are offered swimming or rounders. They vote, and the majority choose swimming. The group transitions together as one.
Key Principles for Electives #
- Registers First, Movement Second → Children should never move until they’re logged on the elective register.
- Clear Communication → Always confirm numbers with the receiving leader.
- Fairness Matters → Present choices enthusiastically and manage expectations if children can’t always get their first choice.
- Safety Trumps Choice → If numbers don’t allow for safe ratios, staff must re-balance groups — even if it means some children swap activities.
- Keep Energy High → Electives should feel exciting, not stressful. Present options with enthusiasm: “Who’s ready to be a football star today? Who wants to unleash their inner artist?”
Example Scenarios #
Scenario 1: Individual Elective Mix-Up
A child signs up for football but walks to drama with their friend. Wrong: Letting it slide.
Right: Politely redirect them — “Your name is down for football, let’s go there together.” Update the register if they truly want to change.
Scenario 2: Group Elective Split
The group can’t agree on swimming vs crafts. Wrong: Forcing a quick, messy split.
Right: Call in the Site Manager, who decides based on ratios and timetabling, then communicates clearly to both staff and children.
Scenario 3: Oversubscribed Activity
20 children choose climbing, but the safe limit is 12. Wrong: Letting all 20 try.
Right: First come/first served, with a rotation system or redirection to alternative activities. Always prioritise safety.
Common Pitfalls #
- Children moving before registers are updated.
- Staff not double-checking numbers during handovers.
- Allowing groups to “drift” instead of moving together.
- Elective sessions starting late due to unclear organisation.
The Adventure Camps Magic Touch #
Electives are more than just choices — they’re about making children feel empowered.
- Celebrate their decisions: “Great choice, you’re going to love this!”
- Add excitement to the process: build hype like an announcer at Disneyland.
- Make every elective feel like a special event, not just another slot.
Quick Tip #
Electives are where chaos could creep in. But with structure, clarity, and energy, they become one of the most exciting parts of camp. Children love the freedom — parents love the professionalism.
