Stick the Landing: How to Choose the Right venue for Your Summer Gymnastics Camp
Planning your summer gymnastics camp? Before you break out the leotards and start choreographing the fun, there’s one big decision you need to nail: where’s it all going to happen?
Whether you don’t have a permanent venue, or you’re just looking to shake things up for summer, this blog is for you. A fresh location can inject new energy, attract different families, and make your camp feel like a special event, not just another week at the club.
Finding the right venue can feel a bit like walking on a balance beam, one wrong move, and things get wobbly fast. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you vault over the stress and stick the landing with our go-to venue checklist, designed specifically for gymnastics clubs like yours.
8 Steps to Finding the Right Summer Gymnastics Camp Venue
Safety is the Foundation, Don’t Skip the Warm-Up
Safety isn’t just a box to tick; it’s the core of your gymnastics camp’s credibility.
What to consider:
- Floors: Does the venue have sprung or padded flooring? Can you bring your own mats or flooring if not?
- Ceiling height: Essential for activities like tumbling or bar work.
- Structural layout: Avoid sharp corners, low-hanging lights, or immovable objects that create hazards.
- Access points: Emergency exits, fire safety compliance and first aid kits must be in place.
- Hygiene and cleaning standards: High footfall means germs, confirm cleaning schedules with the venue owner.
Risk Assessments and Insurance:
- Ask to see the venue’s public liability insurance and ensure it aligns with your own cover
- Double check whether your insurance policy covers activities at third-party locations, some require you to name each venue specifically.
- Conduct and document a risk assessment before confirming the booking, it protects you and reassures parents,
Bonus: Send parents a short “What we’re doing to keep your kids safe” email, it’s gold for trust-building.
Room to Cartwheel (and Then Some)
Your campers are moving all day long, flipping, stretching and laughing. Space isn’t just about size, it’s about flow.
What to consider:
- Open layout: You’ll need unobstructed zones for circuits, conditioning, and group activities.
- Zoning: Can you create areas for warm-up, equipment, breaks, admin, and quiet time?
- Capacity: Check the maximum capacity and make sure it suits your staffing ratio and your safety policy.
Other elements to consider:
- Clarify setup and pack-down time, is it included in our rental hours?
- Ask whether the venue will be exclusive to your group, or if other bookings run alongside your gymnastics camp (which could be distracting or pose security issues)
- Check if you’ll need additional permissions for large groups or public events (especially for school or council-owner properties)
Pro tip: Walk the space and physically map out stations with cones or tape on your first visit.
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Budgeting Like a Balance Beam
Gymnastics camp costs can climb fast. Venues can vary widely in price depending on location, size, and extras. Don’t blow your budget on the building.
What to consider:
- Is the venue charging hourly, half-day, or full-day rates?
- Are there extras (cleaning fees, security deposits, equipment hire)?
- Do you get setup/cleanup time included?
Make sure you…
✅Get everything in writing: cost breakdowns, cancellation policies, and access terms.
✅Ask about public liability coverage on their end, some venues require you to provide your own and send documentation.
✅Check if the venue needs to be named on your insurance.
Create a spreadsheet to compare venue costs vs value. Some pricier venues are worth it if they reduce your staffing needs or gear transport.
Energy & Experience: Does It Spark Joy?
A summer gymnastics camp is supposed to feel special, like summer nostalgia meets backflips. The venue needs to match that energy.
What to look for:
- Bright, clean, open space that feels positive and fun.
- A layout that lets you decorate or theme the space—bunting, banners, or zones.
- Room for extra activities—crafts, games, quiet corners—especially for longer days.
Admin:
- Ask if you can decorate or brand the space during your summer gymnastics camp.
- Are there any restrictions on noise, music, or group activities (e.g. no whistles or loudspeakers)?
- If the venue is used for other things (church halls, schools), is it child-friendly in décor and setup?
Sometimes it’s not about perfection—it’s about potential.
Admin on Point: Let Software Do the Heavy Lifting (Hello, ClassForKids!)
Let’s be real: planning a gymnastics camp isn’t just cartwheels and costume days. There’s admin, a whole uneven bar routine of it. From taking bookings and chasing payments to managing registers, waivers, and emergency contacts, it can quickly turn into a full-time job.
That’s where a booking platform like ClassForKids comes in, and believe us, it’s like having an extra team member who never forgets to follow up.
How ClassForKids helps you nail the back-office stuff:
- Online bookings: Parents can sign up at any time (even during the 9 p.m. post-bedtime scroll), and you won’t be stuck chasing paper forms or spreadsheets.
- Instant payments: No more last-minute bank transfers or cash on the day. Payments are taken up front and recorded automatically.
- Automated comms: Send out welcome emails, kit lists, and reminders with a few clicks—no manual copying and pasting.
- Attendance tracking: Know exactly who’s turning up each day, and track staff-to-child ratios in real time.
- Medical info & consents: All your waivers, allergy alerts, and contact info in one tidy place—no paper files to lose or forget at home.
- Camp planning tools: Easily add or remove sessions, offer individual days, half days, or full-week bookings, and make life even easier for families with early drop-off and late pick-up options.
Final Dismount: A Venue That Lets Your Camp Shine
Planning your summer gymnastics camp venue is like choreographing a floor routine—it takes thought, structure, and the occasional pivot. But with the right space, you set yourself up for a smooth run and a flawless finish.
To recap, think:
✅Safety first (and insured!)
✅ Plenty of space for activities and kids to breathe
✅ Equipment logistics and storage
✅ Parent-friendly location
✅ Quality facilities
✅ Budget-conscious but professional
✅ A vibe that feels like a 10.0
When you stick this landing, your gymnastics camp becomes more than a place to train—it becomes a place where kids flip, fly, and feel amazing.
And when you’re ready to run the best summer gymnastics camp your club’s ever seen, get in touch. We’d love to show you how our gymnastics club software can help you save time, grow your club, and keep parents happy.
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Caitlin Martin
Cait is our in-house social media manager and digital content writer. When she isn’t brainstorming puns or chasing participants for TikToks, she can be found outside running, playing her fiddle in Scottish pubs, travelling on the Avanti West Coast train line to visit her family (read, dog), or nestled up on the sofa with a good book or movie.
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