Holiday activities 

Camden holiday activities and food Programme 

The Camden Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) summer programme is open for 5-16 year-olds who live in Camden and are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Bookings are now open. The programme, which runs 23 July-29 August, offers free, fun activities and nutritional education – from learning to make healthy meals, to creative activities, including photography, drama, arts and crafts, and sports such as football and basketball.

A free hot meal is included as part of each day’s activities. The Camden HAF programme is co-ordinated by Young Camden Foundation on behalf of the Council, with funding from the Department for Education. Find out more and book places: Youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk/haf. If you have any questions, please email Info@youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk.

Islington free holiday activities with lunch

Islington's free Summer holiday programme gives young people the chance to enjoy a wide range of free activities with a healthy lunch.
https://www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/things-to-do/lunch-bunch

Camden Summer University

Girls club

Designing an Animal Enclosure with London Zoo

Monday 28 July–Thursday 31 July 10.30am-3pm

Join London Zoo this summer for an exciting four-day course! Across the week, students will find out all about the different types of jobs that exist within the Zoo, from zoo keeper to graphic designer, whilst working in groups to design the perfect animal enclosure. 

Each day will include hands-on activities and classroom learning, giving participants a taste of zoo life as they learn how London Zoo cares for their 10,000 animals, and why these species need our protection. From muck outs to feeding time, participants will get a flavour of the variety of different tasks and jobs that exist at ZSL, with the week culminating in groups presenting their enclosure design to each other. 

• Age range: 12-15
• Only available for students on Free School Meals
• Each day will include a hot meal at lunch time
• Includes AQA accredited certificates as evidence of their experience (useful for school and university portfolios)

Booking link: https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/ObRlhmLs9cCKolQBvlFc
 

Inspiring Change: Designing an Eco-Campaign with London Zoo

Tuesday 26-Friday 29 August 10.30am-3pm

Animal-mad and want to learn more about amazing endangered species? Want to help make the planet a better place, all while getting nose-to-nose with spectacular species from around the world?

Join London Zoo this Summer for an exciting four-day course!

Across the week, students will find out all about the different types of jobs that exist within London Zoo and the conservation charity that runs it, ZSL. From zoo keeper to zoologist, participants will learn about endangered animals and the people who work to protect them, whilst working in groups to design their own environmental campaign. 

Each day will include hands-on activities and classroom learning, giving participants a taste of zoo life as they learn how London Zoo cares for their 20,000 animals, why these species need our protection, and how everyone can help make a difference. From muck outs to feeding time, participants will get a flavour of the variety of different tasks and jobs that exist at ZSL and how Zoos can help save species, with the week culminating in groups pitching their environmental campaign to each other. 

• Age range: 12-15
• Only available for students on Free School Meals
• Each day will include a hot meal at lunch time
• Includes AQA accredited certificates as evidence of their experience (useful for school and university portfolios)

Please note: students must attend all four days. Priority will be given to students who have not completed the course in the past.

Booking link: https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/EKI9vynIZZFlwqIC1ezN (you just need to filter)
 

Animal care work experience 

Monday 18-Friday 22 August 2025 8am-4pm

This summer we are offering the unique opportunity to gain a week's work experience with the animal care teams at London Zoo. The placements are targeted at those groups underrepresented in animal care, conservation and veterinary medicine.

Enabling participants to gain 35 hours of animal care experience that can typically be put towards university applications, students will get a practical look zoo life, including; diet preparation, enclosure maintenance, training, behaviour observations, enrichment creation, and more.

- Open to Y12 students only (16-17 year olds)
- Only 6 places available 

Application form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=EqEWfc_-MUCxmTyciSvMnGVps3VOBc5MlhlY5RXQFhJUMzVHVklWN1RCNlEwWUw0NTVGQ05ONDdONC4u

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Artichoke Summer school