Sweet & Sour Week at Sugar Bay Camp: 16 to 23 August 2026
- Sugar Bay
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
From 16 to 23 August 2026, Sugar Bay Camp in Zinkwazi Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, will turn into a bright, messy, colourful celebration of candy-themed challenges, team games, birthday moments and classic Sugar Bay adventure. This is also the week Sugar Bay celebrates its 25th birthday, which means campers can expect extra energy around camp and the reveal of some exciting new activities.
For parents looking for a school holiday camp in South Africa that gives children more than screen-free time away, Sweet & Sour Week is built around the kind of fun kids remember properly. It is playful, a little chaotic in the best way, and filled with chances for campers to try, laugh, compete, create and make new friends.
Sugar Bay is a kids-only sleepover holiday camp for children and teenagers aged 7 to 17. Set on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, close to Ballito, Durban and King Shaka International Airport, camp gives children a safe space to enjoy independence, supervised adventure and beachside holiday fun.
What is Sweet & Sour Week?
Sweet & Sour Week is a themed holiday camp where every day has its own sweet-inspired twist. Campers will move through a week of marshmallow games, jelly challenges, coloured candy competitions, biscuit activities, chocolate carnival fun and a birthday celebration for Sugar Bay’s 25th year.
The theme will be led by two playful camp mascots: Captain Candy and Sour Sam. Captain Candy brings the sweet side of camp, while Sour Sam keeps everyone on their toes with surprise challenges and competitive moments. Throughout the week, teams will earn points during activities, games and evening programmes, with daily winners, funny team moments and a final Sweet vs Sour showdown near the end of camp.
The week still includes the full Sugar Bay experience. Campers can enjoy over 100 activities, choose what they want to take part in, meet new friends, sleep over in cabins, join evening programmes and experience the freedom of camp life in a supervised environment.
Parents who are new to Sugar Bay can also read more about our activities, safety and supervision, and 2026 camp dates and prices.
A 25th birthday celebration at camp
Sweet & Sour Week is extra special because Sugar Bay will be celebrating 25 years of camp.
For many families, Sugar Bay has become part of the school holiday rhythm. Children arrive nervous, excited, loud, shy, curious or full of plans. A week later, they leave with new friends, sandy shoes, stories from cabin time, favourite counselors, a few funny photos and a stronger sense of independence.
This birthday week will celebrate that spirit. Campers will be part of a colourful carnival-style birthday party, chocolate-themed games, sweet prizes, campfire moments and a special atmosphere across the resort. Sugar Bay will also reveal some exciting new activities during the week, giving campers a first look at what is being added to the camp experience.
It is the kind of birthday party only Sugar Bay could host: loud enough for the kids, structured enough for the parents, and full of the camp magic that has kept families coming back.
What campers can expect during the week
Opening day sets the tone with welcome games, snacks, colourful décor, photo moments and relaxed ice-breakers to help campers settle in. It is a big part of why Sugar Bay works so well for first-time campers. The first day is not about throwing children straight into the deep end socially. It is about helping them find their cabin, meet their counselors, learn the rhythm of camp and start building friendships.
Monday brings a marshmallow theme, with team games, building challenges, races and sweet-versus-sour twists. Tuesday moves into jelly-themed games, including slippery challenges, funny team relays and silly competition moments.
Wednesday includes a planned Golden Mile excursion, where campers can enjoy a Durban beach-style adventure with activities in a new setting. Campers who stay at Sugar Bay will still have their own special experience at camp, including an ice cream sundae activity.
Thursday is all about coloured candy, speed, sorting games and team challenges. Friday brings biscuit-themed activities, decorating, balancing games, building challenges, Party Night and the Fire Show.
Saturday is the big birthday celebration. Campers can look forward to a chocolate-themed carnival party with games, sweet prizes, a chocolate fountain, team challenges and the final Sweet vs Sour messy showdown. The week ends with Sugar Bay’s Final Campfire, one of the most meaningful traditions at camp.
By Sunday morning, it is time for goodbyes, packed bags, sleepy bus rides and the kind of stories that usually begin before parents have even pulled out of the parking area.
Why themed weeks work so well for kids
Themed camps give children an easy way to join in.
A camper does not need to know anyone before arriving. They do not need to be sporty, loud, outgoing or naturally competitive. A strong theme gives everyone a shared story for the week. It gives cabin groups something to talk about, teams something to work towards and quieter campers a way into the action without pressure.
Sweet & Sour Week is especially good for children who enjoy creative games, team challenges, messy fun and a bit of drama. There will be chances to compete, but the heart of the week is participation. Campers earn points, cheer each other on, get involved in evening programmes and become part of the bigger camp celebration.
That is often where the confidence grows. It happens in small moments: putting up a hand, joining a team, trying a new activity, laughing after a silly challenge, making a new friend at a meal table, or realising that a week away from home can feel exciting instead of scary.
A supervised sleepover camp on the KZN North Coast
Parents naturally want to know that the fun is backed by proper supervision. Sugar Bay is a supervised sleepover camp with trained counselors, structured programmes and safety systems in place across camp.
Water safety is especially important at a coastal camp. Sugar Bay teaches ocean and swimming safety, uses the buddy system for water activities, and has lifeguard supervision for water-based sessions. Parents can read more on the Safety & Security page.
Campers are also supported through the normal routines of sleepover camp: cabin life, meals, activity choices, evening programmes, rest times and daily structure. For children who are new to overnight camps, this balance matters. They get independence, but they are not left to figure everything out on their own.
Learn more about Sugar Bay: https://www.sugarbay.co.za/about-sugar-bay-holiday-camp
Who is Sweet & Sour Week for?
Sweet & Sour Week is for kids and teens aged 7 to 17 who want a school holiday with energy, friendship and something different every day.
It is a strong fit for children who love themed events, games, challenges, messy fun, birthday celebrations, beach holidays, creative activities and camp traditions. It can also be a great choice for first-time campers because the theme gives the week a clear rhythm and makes it easier for children to get involved.
Families from Durban, Ballito, Umhlanga, the KZN North Coast, Gauteng and other parts of South Africa and the world often choose Sugar Bay because it offers a full sleepover holiday camp experience in one place, with transport options available for many camp weeks.
Book Sweet & Sour Week at Sugar Bay
Sweet & Sour Week runs from Sunday, 16 August to Sunday, 23 August 2026 at Sugar Bay Camp in Zinkwazi Beach, KwaZulu-Natal.
Parents can view the full list of 2026 Sugar Bay camp dates and prices, read more on the Sugar Bay Camp Blog, or book directly through the Book a Holiday page.
For booking help or more information, contact the Sugar Bay team:
Call: 032 485 3778
WhatsApp: 082 525 9503
Email: holidays@sugarbay.co.za
Book Online: https://www.sugarbay.co.za/book-a-holiday
If your child loves big games, colourful themes, campfire moments and the kind of holiday that feels completely different to a normal week at home, Sweet & Sour Week is one to look at early. Sugar Bay only turns 25 once, and this birthday week is going to be full of flavour.
FAQ Questions:
When is Sweet & Sour Week at Sugar Bay?
Sweet & Sour Week runs from Sunday, 16 August to Sunday, 23 August 2026. It is a 7-day holiday camp at Sugar Bay in Zinkwazi Beach, KwaZulu-Natal.
What is the theme for the week?
The theme is Sweet & Sour Week. Campers can expect a colourful mix of candy-themed challenges, team games, messy activities, evening programmes and sweet-versus-sour surprises throughout the week.
How much does Sweet & Sour Week cost?
The original price for Sweet & Sour Week is R12 999. The Early Bird Price is R9 999, which gives parents a saving of R3 000.
Is there an excursion during Sweet & Sour Week?
Yes. The planned excursion for Sweet & Sour Week is the Golden Mile in Durban. The excursion cost is R400.
Is the Golden Mile excursion included in the camp fee?
No. The Golden Mile excursion is an optional additional cost of R400.
What makes this camp week special?
Sugar Bay will be celebrating its 25th birthday during Sweet & Sour Week. Campers will be part of the birthday celebrations and Sugar Bay will reveal some exciting new activities at camp during the week.
What age group is Sweet & Sour Week for?
Sugar Bay holiday camps are for children and teens aged 7 to 17.
Is Sweet & Sour Week suitable for first-time campers?
Yes. Themed weeks are often a great choice for first-time campers because the theme gives everyone something fun and shared to join in with. Opening day also includes welcome activities and ice-breakers to help campers settle in.
Will campers only do sweet-themed activities?
No. The theme adds extra fun to the week, but campers still e
njoy the wider Sugar Bay experience, including free-choice activities, cabin life, evening programmes, beachside adventure and camp traditions.
How do parents book Sweet & Sour Week?
Parents can book through the Sugar Bay website: https://www.sugarbay.co.za/book-a-holiday
