Why Letting Your Kids Get Uncomfortable Might Be the Best Parenting Decision You Make This Year | Bear Grylls Week | Sugar Bay Camp
- Sugar Bay
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Let’s be honest—watching your child squirm at the sight of a spider, freeze before speaking in public, or recoil at the idea of jumping into a cold pool isn’t easy. As parents, our instinct is to protect. But what if helping our kids face their fears is the best way to help them grow?
That’s exactly what Bear Grylls Week at Sugar Bay Camp (10-17 August 2025) is all about—building courage, confidence, and connection one challenge at a time.
Send us a WhatsApp: 082 525 9503
From Fear to Fierce: Real Growth Happens Outside the Comfort Zone
Over the course of a week, campers dive into a carefully designed experience that challenges them to face their biggest childhood fears—the dark, creepy crawlies, public speaking, and more. But it’s not about forcing kids to "toughen up." It’s about guiding them, step by step, to realise they’re stronger than they think.
Each camper begins the week by rating their fears from 1 to 10. That’s right—kids identify their own limits. Then, through a mix of playful exposure, peer encouragement, and well-trained counselors, they’re given the tools to gently push past those limits.
As one mom said last year:
“My daughter came home talking about how she conquered her fear of heights and sang karaoke in front of a crowd. She’s never been the same—in the best way possible!” - Antoinette
New to Sugar Bay?
Based on the American Summer Camp model, Sugar Bay stands out head and shoulders above every other South African camp since 2001. We are the only resort in South Africa that has been specifically designed and built as a children-only resort. Holiday camps are our primary specialty, and school tours are a secondary service that we offer out of the holiday season.
We offer sleepover camps for children between the ages of 7 and 17 years old. Our various transport options allow kids and teens from all over South Africa, and from all over the world, to enjoy the best school holiday they've ever had. We offer over 100 activities, and have a free choice system, in which children may choose what activities they want to participate in. There are no compulsory activities.
We make each and every week completely different from any other by giving it a unique theme. We introduce new activities, an extravagant themed dinner, and unforgettable weekly highlights to suit each theme. All these are in addition to our normal over 100 activities.
Why Parents Are Loving This New Kind of Adventure Camp
This isn’t just a “survival week.” It’s a life skills bootcamp cleverly disguised as school holiday camp fun. Between building shelters, making fire, swimming in lagoons, and even trying out mopane worms (yep, real ones!), kids are learning:
Teamwork & Leadership
Emotional Resilience
Problem-solving Skills
Self-confidence that lasts well beyond summer
And it’s not all mud and grit. There are pamper nights, star-gazing, story circles, pizza feasts, and s’mores around the fire—because being brave doesn’t mean skipping out on the fun.
Safety & Security
Our 1:3 staff-to-child ratio is the highest in the country, and 24-hour supervision ensures that your children are kept extra safe while having the time of their lives. Our camp counselors are specifically trained and experienced in the growth and developmental needs of the different age groups, as well as Emergency First Aid & CPR. We also have our own qualified lifeguards who accompany the children to the beach, lagoon, and swimming pool.
Fashion-forward, fearless, and ready to slay? This is THE school holiday experience they’ll be talking about all year.
What’s Really at Stake? Raising Kids Who Can Handle Life
Let’s face it—life is full of discomfort. New schools, difficult conversations, unexpected changes. Teaching our kids to manage discomfort now sets them up for success later.
That’s why more and more parents are searching for resilience-building summer camps, confidence-building programs for kids, and fear-conquering outdoor adventures.
If that’s you—this camp should be at the top of your list.
So, Should You Sign Your Kid Up for Bear Grylls Week?
If you want your child to:
Come home a little braver
Feel more connected to nature
Believe in themselves a little more
Have the best school holiday stories ever
Then yes. 100% yes.
Because sometimes the best thing we can give our kids isn’t comfort—it’s courage.
Click below to book your child’s spot today, and let them experience a week of Hawaiian adventure, friendship, and unforgettable Disney magic! 🌴🏄♀️✨
For more information: 032 485 3778 | holidays@sugarbay.co.za | www.sugarbay.co.za
Send us a WhatsApp: 082 525 9503
