Running through the jungle.... (Haven Holidays in general)

Member Name: hazel_uk316

Product:	Haven Holidays in general
Date:	22/06/03 (2156 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheep as chips x, very cheerfull

Disadvantages: The same songs every night

Running through the jungle
climbing up a tree
see a big gorilla staring down me
swim across the river crocodiles to see,
theres so much fun here for you and me,
'coz were
looking for tigers
were looking for cheetahs
were looking for rhinos
and big alligators
from giant gorillas to little bear cubs
'coz were having fun in the tiger club
T-T-T-tiger club , YEAH!


I am 14 years old. I first went to Haven when I was about 5, so you could say me and my family are regular customers. I've been to Presthaven, Blue Dolphin, Primrose Valley and Reighton Sands, all in either Wales, Scarborough or Cornwall.
In the caravan theres normally my youngest sister, whos 9, younger sister whos 11, me , my oldest sister whos 16 and my mum! You wouldnt think it would suit or fit in 1 caravan us all but it does.

----Caravan types/accomodation----
Bronze, silver and gold (where Bronze are the cheapest and Gold the most expensive) oh, and we cant forget the rory caravan! Plus theyres challets.

Bronze caravans -A very bascic caravan which normally have 2 bedrooms (one with bunk beds in, the other with double bed)with a sofa bed in the lounge area, most have a small dining area or dont have one at all. In the kitchen you will get basic items and a fridge.Also they are quite far away from the entertainment and shops. You will be given the keys to get into the caravan around 2pm and there you will be handed (in a plastic cover) your blankets and sheets and pillows.

Silver Caravans - These normally have 3 bedrooms (one with single bunkbeds in, one with 2 single beds and the other with a double bed) plus a sofa bed and a medium sized dining area for the meals. In the caravan there will be a freezer and a microwave.These caravans are situated quite near the entertainment and shops and you will me handed over your keys around 12. You will be given your blankets/sheets/pillows the same way as
a bronze.

Gold Caravans - (the posh ones) Normally have 3 bedrooms the same as a silver, quite a large dining area (compared to the bronze anyway) and a sofa bed. But you will get quite a large fridge/freezer, a microwave and a radio/CD player. The caravans inside (decore) are more decorated with nicer curtains and (wait for it) the sheets and pillows will allready be waiting on the beds all made up! I just think thats worth the extra £50 ! You can get your keys from as early as 11 oclock I think.Ths caravan wil be situated right next to the entertainment/swimming pool/shops for extra comfort!

Rory caravans - These are for the kids! You can tell just by looking at them as they have giant pawprints painted all over the outside aswell as palmtrees! You will get the same items as a gold/bronze apart from the quilt covers and curtains will be all bright and colourful, with a picture of Rory on! And the kids get a special pack with colours in and a wall chart to see how much they grow! Theres normally about 12 of these caravans in a site all situated in like a little group !

Challets - I have never stayed in a challets (these are the cottage like homes)at Haven but from what I've seen they're probably a tine bit bigger than a caravan but I suppose more homely.

Tents - Yes you can take your tent/motor home with you, but I have never done this so I couldnt tell you much about It.

The bad bit....---The prices---
I cant say what the prices are because it all depnds on how many are going, what type of accomodatiuon and when you are going. But you can easily pick up a brochure at your local travel agents. Also they are cancelations for a couple of hundred pound usually, however you have to be ready in a week or two.

And on to....---the entertainments---....
T-co - This is the group I joined but then a few days later found it wasnt really my thing. All the teenagers in the camp get together (12-16 year olds)
and do different activities. Putting on shows, having barbeques, swimming events, playing sports like football, going on the beech. All that happens in the daytime with, normaly 2 Haven reps looking after the group.

Rory Club - I remember being in this one. I think this is still held in the daytime and evenings for around 6-11 year olds. This group have a few more reps looking after them and have events and competitons such as colouring, paper aeroplanes, dancing, having fun basically.(But parents, please note you cant just dump your kids and then 'swanny' off, you have to stay with them)

Throughout the week- It depends on really what time of the year you go but previously when I last went (around august) there was, Fame, Cannon & Ball, circus, cabaret, pantomimes, magician, just general acts/shows/singers. Also at night time there are dancing competitions (for the kids) talent competitions and smaller ones like, Miss Haven 200?(which my sister won once!) the children that win get certificates and Haven goodies to take home. And at the end of the week 2 Rory awards are given out, one for the older bunch, and the other for the young ones. This is given out for helping and being kind/friendly.

For the adults- Theres the shows which are mentioned above and bars which you can go to, some where no kids allowed, where all the adults go for a quick smoke!
Also theres a special time of the year where its only for single parents, my mum being one thats how I know. However I dont really know much about it. I will look into it, so watch this space.

Next the....---facilities---....
There are loads of facilities for adults and children;
Pool, heated out door pool, mini golf, motor tracks (over 16), renting bikes, bowling, shops; laundrette, food, bars/restaraunts, gift shop, arcades.
(depending on which camp you go to) Some camps are a bit more active with, rock climbing, fishing and surfing events.

Now....---
The staff---....
I dont know how they do it; I mean keep a smile on their face all week round. Most of them are constantly, fun, polite, helpful friendly etc. You do get the odd nasty one though! So watch out. Ths reps are quite young who do the entertainment so theyre usually all hyper and fun and laughter on stage. Basically they're OK, better than most places.


Whenever I go to Haven I make loads of friends and I think everyone does, and everyone forgets where they're from, you get mancunians mixing with liverpudlians, and all sorts ! I dont even think I've ever seen a fight in the bar!
Some people really dont like Haven though, my mums friend just came back saying she hated it and there was nothing for her and her kids to do. She even came back a day early!
I can see why some people dont like it, they may prefer a weekend away at Amsterdam without their kids, but it is a family holiday so you've got to make allowances!
But I cant wait to go, were all heading off on July 12th.
If you go to Pontins or Butlins I'd certainly give Haven a try or if you want something new....I strongly suggest if you have booked a trip to a camp, you learn the above song!!

Thanks for reading x

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