A well-established Inner West school holiday provider has officially expanded into Lane Cove — and judging by the feedback from local families, it’s been a very welcome addition.
Beyond the Bell, known for their popular Balmain programs, recently launched sessions in Longueville at the iconic Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club — bringing active, waterfront school holiday fun right to our doorstep.
And yes — ITC families put it to the test.
What Does a Day at Beyond the Bell Look Like?
A typical day is packed with outdoor adventure and hands-on activities designed to keep kids engaged, active and building confidence.
Depending on the program, activities can include:
- Water-based experiences
- Team challenges
- Outdoor games
- Skill-building sessions
- Adventure-style activities
The focus is on getting kids outdoors, working together, learning new skills and enjoying a structured but fun environment.
And the setting? Hard to beat.
Located at the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club in Longueville, the waterfront location gives the whole program that “holiday vibe” without leaving the suburb.
The Fishing Program (Parents, You’ll Understand)
One particular program has already caught the attention of Lane Cove parents for the April school holidays — the fishing sessions.
Full disclosure – I am ridiculously excited about the fishing one. It saves me doing it with my son… the worms… the waiting… all of it.
If you’ve ever stood on a wharf negotiating bait, tangled lines and patience levels, you’ll understand the appeal of handing that experience over to trained instructors who genuinely enjoy it.
Kids get the experience. Parents get a break. Everyone wins.
ITC Feedback: Happy, Tired, Wanting More
Several ITC team members, including myself, enrolled our children during the last holidays. Usually if I book my kids into something together, one will say they loved it and the other will declare they absolutely hated it and it was the worst day of their life. So I was fully prepared for the post-camp drama at pickup — but instead I was greeted with smiles, enthusiasm and animated stories about their day. I almost started crying… partly from relief, partly from sheer confusion at the unexpected peace.
Another mother said “It was great to have a local holiday program that offered something a little different to what my kids (10, 8, 6) have tried before. The mix of outdoor play in and out of the water, adventure, as well as thoughtful quiet periods (like craft with shells, leaves and more that were collected on a walk) really made for fun days. They had so much to say at the end of the day and were excited to return.”
We would described the camps as:
- Extremely well organised
- Confident, supportive leadership
- A great mix of fun and skill development
- Inclusive and adaptable
The kids came home happy, tired and already asking to go back the next day — which is arguably the gold standard of school holiday feedback.
What the kids had to say
The kids had plenty to say what they loved about the program:
“The ferry to Greenwich Baths!”
“Making shell necklaces was so fun – we got to find the shells on our walk and then design them ourselves.”
“It was cool going to the city to the art gallery, walking through the Botanic Gardens and doing our city sketches.”
“It was like a treasure hunt, we found so many cool things on the beach”
“I had so much fun making jewellery out of shells. Everyday was so different!”
Now Booking Future Dates
Beyond the Bell’s Lane Cove programs are now open for upcoming holiday dates.
If you’re looking for something active, outdoors and a little bit different this school break — particularly for primary school–aged children who love being near the water — this could be a fantastic local option.
You can view upcoming dates and book here: beyondthebell.com.au/dates
To learn more about what a typical day looks like: beyondthebell.com.au/a-day-at-btb
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