School Holiday Camp at Gracie Barra St Peters: What Kids Do, Learn and Take Home
A Different Kind of School Holiday Activity
If you’re a parent in St Peters or the Inner West, you know how fast school holidays fill up with screens, snacks and “Muuuum, I’m bored…”.
There are plenty of options out there – vacation care, sports clinics, art classes – but it can be hard to find something that’s active, fun and actually builds life skills.
The School Holiday Camp at Gracie Barra St Peters is a different kind of summer activity. It’s not just babysitting or free play. Kids spend the day moving, learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), building confidence and being part of a positive, respectful team environment.
What Is the Gracie Barra St Peters School Holiday Camp?
A Quick Overview
Our School Holiday Camp is designed for children who want an active, structured and fun day on the mats.
- Age range: typically primary school and early high school (you can specify exact ages when you promote this camp).
- Format: you can book single days or multiple days, depending on the program we’re running that school holidays.
- Times: camp runs across the day with a clear drop-off and pick-up window so parents can plan around work and other commitments.
- Location: everything takes place at our Gracie Barra St Peters academy, making use of our safe, fully matted training space.
Whether your child already trains with us or is brand new to Martial Arts for Kids, the camp is a great way to spend part of their summer.
Who Runs the Camp
The camp is led by our Gracie Barra St Peters coaching team, the same people who teach our regular kids’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes.
- Coaches are experienced in working with children of different ages and personalities.
- All staff involved in the camp hold appropriate Working With Children checks and follow our safety and supervision guidelines.
Your child spends the day around positive role models who live the values of Gracie Barra: Brotherhood, Integrity and Development.
A Day at Camp: What Kids Actually Do
Morning: Warm-Up, Games and Jiu-Jitsu Basics
We start the day by helping kids feel comfortable and shake off their nerves.
- Fun warm-ups and ice-breaker games so everyone learns names and starts moving.
- Basic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu movements and positions taught in a fun, age-appropriate way – think rolls, hip escapes and simple holds.
- Partner drills that build teamwork, confidence and listening skills.
Even kids who are new to Jiu-Jitsu pick things up quickly because everything is broken down step by step.
Late Morning: Skill Sessions and Challenges
As the morning progresses, we move into more focused skill work:
- Simple Self Defence concepts like how to fall safely, how to stand strong, and how to escape basic grabs.
- Balance, coordination and agility drills, using cones, markers or simple obstacle-style setups.
- Mini challenges where kids can test themselves in a fun, supportive way – such as timed drills, relay races or technique challenges.
The aim is to keep kids engaged and learning, without ever feeling like they’re in a bootcamp.
Lunch and Break Time
Somewhere in the middle of the day we pause for a proper break.
- Kids have lunch and snacks in a designated area off the mats.
- They get time to relax, chat, read or chill before the afternoon session.
We encourage:
- Plenty of water throughout the day (refills are available).
- Healthy snacks and lunches.
- Clear rules around devices – if allowed, they stay off the mats and are only used during breaks.
Afternoon: More Jiu-Jitsu, Games and Team Activities
After lunch, the energy ramps back up.
- More Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including light, age-appropriate rolling and positional games for kids who are ready.
- Team-based games and problem-solving activities that encourage leadership and cooperation.
- We always finish with something fun and high-energy, so kids leave on a high.
By pick-up time, most kids are happily tired, a little sweaty and very proud of themselves.
What Kids Learn (On and Off the Mats)
Confidence and Resilience
Holiday camp is a safe place for kids to try new things:
- They step onto the mats not knowing what to expect.
- They learn new movements and skills that might feel tricky at first.
- They experience what it’s like to keep going when something is hard.
Throughout the day, coaches celebrate small wins – a new technique, a good effort, helping a partner. That constant positive reinforcement builds real confidence.
Respect, Discipline and Teamwork
Martial Arts is full of everyday lessons:
- Lining up, bowing and listening when the coach is talking.
- Working with different partners, sharing and taking turns.
- Encouraging others, not putting them down.
Kids learn that being part of Gracie Barra St Peters means treating teammates with kindness and respect, not just trying to “win”.
Real Self-Defence Foundations
We also cover practical Self Defence foundations:
- Basic principles like good posture, distance and awareness.
- The idea that the goal is to get away safely, not to hurt others.
- Discussions around when jiu-jitsu is appropriate – and when it’s not.
Kids are reminded that their skills are to be used responsibly, and only in the right situations.
What They Take Home (Besides Tired Legs!)
New Skills and Confidence
By the end of camp, kids don’t just feel like they’ve “played all day” – they:
- Know a few real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
- Understand basic ideas about Self Defence and body control.
- Feel proud of having tried something challenging and different.
That sense of earned confidence sticks with them long after the holidays.
Friends and Positive Role Models
Kids often form strong connections during camp:
- They make friends from different schools and backgrounds.
- They look up to older students and coaches as positive role models.
It’s a refreshing change from spending the holidays mainly with siblings, screens or the same school group.
A Spark for Ongoing Training
For many children, camp becomes their first step into Martial Arts.
- Some come back for every School Holiday Camp.
- Others decide they want to join our regular kids’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes during the term.
We’ve had plenty of students who started at a camp and are still training, growing and thriving on the mats years later.
Is the Holiday Camp Right for Your Child?
Great For…
The Gracie Barra St Peters camp is ideal for:
- Energetic kids who need a positive outlet for their energy.
- Shy kids who could use a gentle confidence boost in a small group.
- Kids who are curious about Martial Arts, movement or trying something new.
You don’t need any prior experience – beginners are very welcome.
If Your Child Is Nervous or Shy
First-day nerves are totally normal.
- Some kids rush onto the mats.
- Others prefer to hang back and watch for a bit.
Our coaches:
- Introduce activities gradually.
- Pair shy kids with gentle, encouraging partners.
- Can allow parents to stay and watch at the start (if that’s something you’re comfortable with), so your child feels secure.
The goal is for every child to finish the day feeling proud of themselves.
Practical Details for Parents
What to Bring
For the Gracie Barra St Peters School Holiday Camp, kids should bring:
- Comfortable clothes (T-shirt and shorts/leggings they can move in).
- A refillable water bottle.
- A packed lunch and snacks (follow any nut or allergy guidelines we provide).
- Thongs/slides for off the mats, and bare feet on the mats.
If your child already trains with us, they can bring their gi as well – we’ll let you know how we’re using it on the day.
Safety and Supervision
Your child’s safety comes first.
- We maintain sensible coach-to-student ratios so kids are always supervised.
- We have a clear check-in and check-out procedure – only approved adults can collect your child.
- First aid is available on site, and if there’s any issue, we’ll contact you using the details on your registration form.
You can relax knowing your child is in a safe, structured environment all day.
What Parents Say About Our Holiday Camp
This is a great spot to add testimonials from families who’ve attended previous camps. Common feedback we hear includes:
- “They slept incredibly well that night.”
- “They couldn’t stop talking about the games and new moves.”
- “They were nervous at first but now they’re asking when the next camp is.”
As you run more camps, you can drop real quotes here to build even more trust with new families.
How to Book the Summer Holiday Camp at Gracie Barra St Peters
Booking Steps
Getting your child into our next School Holiday Camp is simple:
- Check the camp dates and times for the upcoming summer break.
- Reserve your child’s spot via our website, email or by calling the academy.
- Complete the waiver/registration form so we have all the details we need (emergency contacts, allergies, etc.).
We’ll then send you a confirmation with everything you need to know for the day.
Spots and Early Bird Info
To keep the camp safe and high-quality, spots are limited.
If you’re planning ahead:
- Keep an eye out for any early bird pricing or sibling discounts.
- There may be different rates for current members and non-members.
Booking early is the best way to lock in your preferred dates.
Give Your Child a Holiday They’ll Remember
If you’re tired of holidays dominated by screens and “I’m bored”, the School Holiday Camp at Gracie Barra St Peters is a fresh alternative.
Your child will:
- Spend the day moving, learning and laughing
- Build confidence, resilience and respect
- Go home tired, happy and proud of what they achieved
Ready to book your child’s spot in our next School Holiday Camp?
Reach out to Gracie Barra St Peters to reserve a place, ask questions or find out more about dates and pricing.
