FAQ

1. How do I book a holiday camp?

Search whats on offer in our Holiday Camp 2025 section on the website. Once you've found the perfect option, simply follow the instructions to reserve your child's spot.

2. What happens after I make my booking? 

After booking, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to complete the parent permission form, along with helpful details on what to bring to camp. Parent permission forms MUST be completed before your child attends camp to ensure we have all the necessary emergency contact and health information for your child’s safety.

3. Can anyone attend an AccessEA course? 

Yes, we’re delighted to share our facilities and have something for everyone over the age of 5 years.

4. Where do I go to sign my child in and out of camp?

Please visit the reception at the sports center to sign your child in and out of camp each day. For safety reasons, children must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian. If someone else, such as a family member or friend, will be picking up your child, please inform our staff in advance by emailing info@accessea.co.uk.

Our sports center reception is located at The Edinburgh Academy Junior School, Arboretum Road, Edinburgh. Enter through the main gate, pass the barriers, and you’ll find the centre on your right-hand side.

5. What time does camp start and finish?

We strive to make our camps as convenient and flexible for parents as possible. You can choose from half-day, full-day, or full-week options to suit your schedule. If your child is booked into a specific half-day camp, you also have the option to add a half-day multi-activity camp to create a full-day experience.

Our camps run from 9am to 5pm, but we also offer early drop-off and late pick-up options to make things easier for you. With our early bird and late pick-up services, you can drop off your child between 8am-9am and pick them up between 5pm-6pm. During these extended times, activities will vary based on your child's interests—they might enjoy playing sports, watching a film, or simply relaxing after a fun-filled day.

6. Information for off-site camps

Some of our camps, including Foxlake, Lost Shore, Lasswade, and Coast 2 Coast, will take place off-campus. If your child is booked onto one of these camps, please ensure they are at the Junior School campus on time to catch the coach. The coach will depart promptly at 9am and, with the exception of Lasswade, will return for collection at 5pm.

Transport to and from external camps is included in the overall camp price. AccessEA will organise all transportation, using only qualified and reputable transport companies to ensure the safety of your children. A staff member from AccessEA will accompany each group during off-site activities and will stay with the children throughout the day to assist with any needs.

Off-site activities are perfect for children who are adventurous and thrive in independent thinking.

7. What food and drink should a child bring to camp?

All the exciting activities at camp are likely to increase your child's appetite. To keep them energized throughout the day, be sure to send them with plenty of healthy snacks, a nutritious lunch, and a water bottle from home. Water can be filled up from our water fountain throughout the day.

Our school has a strict "No Nuts" policy. Please kindly ensure that no items containing nuts are included in your child's packed meals.

8. Can my child have lunch on campus if they are only staying or a half day session?

If your child is participating in a half-day camp program, they are welcome to stay on campus for lunch. Any children staying for lunch on campus and transitioning between camps will be escorted by a member of AccessEA staff.

9. What should children bring to camp?

For water-based and outdoor activities, please ensure your child/ren is dressed in suitable and comfortable clothing and footwear. While wetsuits, board accessories, and safety equipment is provided, it's a good idea to pack a change of clothes and a towel in case they get wet.

Please also consider how your child is dressed for the weather. If it's cold, kindly send them with a jacket or raincoat. On sunny days, we recommend packing a sun hat and sunscreen to keep them protected.

To participate in our water-based camps—Coast 2 Coast, Foxlake, and Lost Shore—children should be confident swimmers or feel comfortable in the water, as the activities may take place in deeper or open water environments. For Lost Shore specifically, children must be able to swim 25 meters unaided.

10. What skills are required to take place in our water-based camps?

An additional signed consent form from the external provider may be required to confirm the child’s ability to participate in water-based activities.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that may impact participation and ensure that any necessary medications (e.g., inhalers for asthma) are brought to camp.

11. How do parents inform AccessEA of any allergies, medical issues or additional needs?

Once you’ve booked your child’s camp, you will automatically receive a parent permission form for each child registered for an activity. This form must be completed before your child attends camp to ensure we have all the necessary information on file.

If your child has specific additional needs, please discuss them with a member of the AccessEA team prior to booking. This will help us ensure that we have the appropriate staff ratios in place to support your child’s needs. While we are committed to including all children, please note that we are unable to provide 1:1 care at camp. For further discussion, please contactinfo@accessea.co.uk

12. Why are there different age ranges for different camps?

Our camps are open to children aged 5 and above. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate children under the age of 5. Some activities have a higher minimum age requirement, which reflects the level of maturity needed to participate. Please carefully review the age range specified for each activity before booking.

13. Are your staff PVG checked?

Absolutely! All our camp staff members undergo thorough PVG checks and complete extensive training before starting their roles at our camps.

14. Do you accept childcare vouchers?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept childcare vouchers as payment for our holiday camps

15. My child hasn’t been to an AccessEA camp before. How do you help them settle in? 

This may be a new experience for your child in an unfamiliar setting, but our staff are used to helping children feel comfortable and settled. With so many activities, there's usually no time to worry, but if anyone does feel uneasy, our staff are always there to offer support. For first-time campers, a team member will take extra care to familiarise them with the venue, introduce them to the staff, and go over important details like where the restrooms are and what to do if they feel anxious.

Feel free to call 0131 624 4900 at any time during the day, and a staff member will check on your child and update you on how they’re doing 

16. What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to change your booking, please get in touch (info@accessea.co.uk or 0131 624 4900. We will try to make the changes you’ve asked for subject to camp availability.

If you need to cancel your booking and you tell us more than seven days from the camp start date, you will receive a full refund of your payment. If you cancel between seven days and 48 hours from the camp start date, you will receive 100% credit for each session purchased. If you cancel within 48 hours of the camp starting, you will not receive a refund or any credits.

I have more questions, can I talk to a person? 

Yes, please call us on 0131 624 4919 for a chat or send us a message at info@accessea.co.uk and we’ll be in touch.  

Booking the Venue

Please note: As we are a school, our venue spaces are only available for hire in the evenings after 5pm, on weekends, and during school holidays

1. How do I confirm a booking with you?

Simply let us know you’d like to proceed, and that will confirm your booking. We’ll then send you a contract to sign, which we'll need returned within two weeks. A deposit will also be required to secure your booking, and then you’re all set!

2. Can I provisionally book a date for a venue at AccessEA? 

Of course! We're more than happy to temporarily reserve a space while you finalise your plans. Typically, we can hold it for a week or two, but if you need a longer period, we can certainly discuss options. Just reach out to one of our events team members on -info@accessea.co.uk and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs!

3. Can I book a viewing at the venue? 

Yes, we’d love to show you around. Email us at -info@accessea.co.uk or call us on 0131 624 4919 and we’ll get you booked in. 

4. Is there car parking available on site? 

Yes, and it’s free! Both of our locations have spacious car parks available for use outside of school hours. If you're expecting large groups, there is also on-street parking with some restrictions near both sites. Additionally, we can accommodate coaches for larger groups arriving at once.

5. Where is the nearest train station? 

Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket train stations are just a short taxi drive or roughly a 25 minute walk away. 

6. What is accomodation like in this area?

The area around EH3 5BL is excellent for accommodation, offering a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets. You’ll find a mix of high-end luxury hotels, charming boutique hotels, and more budget-friendly choices. Some hotel options are The Raeburn Hotel, The Bonham Hotel, Nira Caledonia and The Balmoral.  

Drinks and Catering

7. Do you provide in-house catering? And, do you have a preferred list of caterers? 

We've carefully selected a small number of preferred caterers to help make your event a success. We can contact them on your behalf, or we're happy to put you in touch and let you speak to them direct. Find out more in our events brochure.

8. Can we provide our own catering?

We’re happy for you to bring in your own caterers for your event and they’ll have access to our external events kitchen facilities. We do ask that all equipment be PAT tested, and we’ll need certification to confirm this before the event.

As a completely 'nut-free' school, we require that this policy be strictly followed if you're providing your own catering. Safety is our top priority, so please ensure no nuts are included in the food brought onto the premises.

9. Can we provide our own drinks?

Yes, we are happy for you to provide the drinks for your event, we do apply a standard service charge of £2 per guest. Additionally, an occasional drinks license is required, which takes a minimum of six weeks to apply for with Edinburgh Council. As long as you book in advance, securing a license shouldn’t be an issue.

10. Do your spaces have a bar? 

We can add a bar to any space you like, as long as we have licensing approval. 

Additional Details

11. Is there a standard event finishing time? 

The standard finishing time for events depends on the space you hire. Typically, events conclude by 10pm or midnight.

12. Are children allowed at functions? 

Yes, although this may vary depending on the event and whether you have an alcohol license. Please discuss with our events team for further details.

13. Do your venues have accessible toilets? 

Most spaces have direct access to toilet facilities. However, not all are accessible. Please chat to our events team about how we can make sure you have the right facilities for your event. This will be prioritised by the team. 

14. What if I book an outdoor space and the weather is terrible on the day? 

We have a range of indoor alternatives which we can use as a back-up plan. Your events co-ordinator will discuss contingency plans and make sure you have a plan B. 

15. Is there a designated smoking area? 

No, there is no smoking anywhere in our venues and grounds. However, you are welcome to step outside the campus gates if you'd like to smoke.

16. Can I get married at an AccessEA venue? 

Yes, we are licensed to hold civil wedding ceremonies at the venue. 

17. Are there decorating restrictions? 

Yes, we kindly request that nothing is fixed to the walls and all decorations are pre-agreed with our events team. We’re happy to discuss any new and exciting design ideas, but we’ll need to ensure that a risk assessment has been completed and all health and safety standards are met before approval.

18. Are the ceremony and reception held in the same room or separate rooms? 

It’s up to you. When you book for exclusive use, the choice is yours, and it depends on what you want your event to be like. 

19. Do you provide the seating for the ceremony? 

Yes we do. Standard banqueting chairs are included in our wedding package, but we work with a range of quality event furniture hire companies and can find something different for your event, just talk to us about what you'd like.

20. Can I have a rehearsal at the venue and a rehearsal dinner? 

Yes, both can be booked as part of your hire package. 

21. Will there be any other events taking place on our wedding / partnership day? 

If you have booked on an exclusive hire basis, there will be no other events taking place on your special day. 

22. Can we book our own band or DJ? 

Yes, we can accommodate both live bands and DJs. The live music finishing time will 

depend on the occasional licence but will be midnight as standard. 

23. What time do you allow music to play until? 

Subject to licensing, music can play until 12 midnight. 

24. Do you have Wi-Fi?

Yes, we offer a fast and reliable Wi-Fi network for all guests, and its free! 

Info coming soon