Virtual summer camps 2022: A guide to the best and most popular

Before 2020, virtual summer camps were not well known, not particularly popular and not offered by many companies. Covid-19, however, and the lockdowns changed that, and it seems that while “in-person” camps will continue to shine brightest during the hottest months of the year, online camps have firmly secured a spot in the annual calendar for some children and teenagers.

For some, it’s the convenience of being able to learn a new skill from the comfort of home, for others it may be more of a necessity (due to, for example, a disability) but, whatever the reason, virtual summer camps appear to be here to stay.

If you are looking for in-person camps, click here for our guide to sports-related camps during summer 2022, or click here for our guide to non-sports-related camps.

Otherwise, see below for some options for the school holidays for summer camps offered virtually that may appeal to parents, children and teenagers.

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Academy of Code

Learn to code this summer with the Academy of Code, online coding camps for children and teenagers. These camps are perfect for beginners and intermediate coders. Students engage with tutors via screen-share, the classes are small (6-8 students), and interactive coding games and challenges keep students engaged. Older or more experienced students will learn ‘Processing’ a java-based programming language.

Format: Via Zoom (about 6-8 to 1 teacher-student ratio). Camp options include regular coding camps (1, 2 or 4 week camps), Mobile App Development Camp and Roblox Game Development Camp. Dates: Multiple start dates across the summer — June, July and August Ages: Parent & Child (7-8 years), Fresher (9-11), Junior (11-13), Senior (13-18) Cost: From €55 Website: theacademyofcode.com

Alliance Française

Alliance Française Dublin is offering its summer camps online through its e-learning platform. While these holiday programmes are designed to be as lively and fun as possible, their content meet the requirements of the syllabus.

Format: Via Zoom Dates: June, July and August. One or two week camps available Ages: 4-6, 7-11, 12-15 and 16-18 Cost: From €72 Website: alliance-francaise.ie

Artzone

Artzone is running two online art camps this summer covering painting, drawing and collage with qualified art teachers. Materials are easily sourced locally, or Art Camp Kits can be booked from artzone.ie (to be collected or shipped nationwide).

Format: Live on Zoom for one hour each day (workshop recordings are sent after class to catch up, finish off or redo) Dates: July 11th-15th from 11am-12pm; August 15th-19th Ages: 5-12 Cost: €50 Website: artzone.ie

Brickflicks

The stop motion animation camp allows you to make your own action movie. All you need is your favourite Lego character and your imagination. Learn stop motion animation tips, tricks and techniques. If you are looking for a creative way to keep a tech-focused child entertained during the summer, then BrickFlicks Summer Camp may be for you.

Format: Zoom Dates and times: Five days, July 11th-15th from 10am-11am Ages: 8-12 Cost: €80 Website: createschool.ie

Ciara’s Kitchen

These are pre-recorded, so your child can bake at a time that suits him/her (and you). There’s no expiry on the recordings so they can take their time with no pressure. One is a mix of cooking and baking and one is all baking.

Format: Pre-recorded, so watch any time Ages: All ages Cost: €40-€50 Website: ciaraskitchen.ie

Cookalicious

Teens and tweens learn how to create simple, fuss-free nutritious food. Helping children to become confident, independent, capable cooks, they have fun and learn skills for life,

Format: Via Zoom Dates and times: July 12th-14th and July 26th-28th from 12pm-1.30pm daily Ages: 11-15 Cost: €50 Website: cookalicious.ie

Digital Hustle

The Hustle specialises in showing young Tik Tokers and Instagramers how to make it in the competitive world of influencing. The teen Hustlers will meet star influencers, agents and wellbeing gurus to help them navigate the competitive online world. There are fun learning activities and tuition.

Format: Zoom Dates and times: June 27th to July 1st Ages: 15-18 Cost: Free Website: itcarlow.ie

Healthy Ever After

From Fiona McEvoy’s kitchen to yours every Tuesday, for children who enjoy kneading, rolling, chopping, stirring, baking, whisking and dicing — and for parents who enjoy eating. Fiona also offers private cooking classes and ones for birthdays, too.

Format: The classes, via Zoom, take place at 4.30pm, with children guided through a recipe for about 45 minutes Ages: All ages Cost: €35 every four weeks (or €10 per class) Website: healthyeverafter.ie

Inspireland

Inspireland is offering summer tutorials in stop motion, claymation, pixelation, illustration, street art, mask making, collage, graphics, creative writing, sculpture, model making, book craft and puppetry. There is a kids’ camp for eight to 12 year-olds and a teens’ camp for those aged 13 to 18. Materials needed will be sent out to each participant before camp starts. Students will also get one month of unlimited access to the Inspireland Online Art Space, which features an impressive portfolio of art, animation and creative writing tutorials.

Format: Zoom Dates and times: July 25th-29th, the live online tutorials are scheduled at regular intervals between 10.30am and 2.30pm Ages: 8-18 years Cost: €160 Website: inspireland.ie

Institutio Cervantes

The worldwide organisation responsible for the promotion of Spanish language and culture runs weekly online camps. Live teacher-led classes in small groups with a maximum of 10 students. The young participants will have the opportunity to learn and practice Spanish in a fun and friendly atmosphere while interacting from home with new friends. There are specific camps for complete beginners and for those with previous knowledge of Spanish.

Format: Zoom. Maximum class size of 10 Dates and times: Five-day courses, June 13th to August 19th Ages: Teenagers from 1st-6th year Cost: €94 (one four-day course in August is €75) Website: dublin.cervantes.es

Kids in the Kitchen

The online cooking club by Jolene Cox puts a strong emphasis on getting children into the kitchen to teach them lifelong cookery skills and that healthy eating can be fun. It is designed to bring families of all ages together to interact and be part of an inclusive cooking community. And it promises easy to follow, delicious recipes cooked from press to plate in minutes with accessible ingredients.

Format: Live cook-along Zoom classes every week, with new video and recipe content every week Dates and times: Cooking classes every Tuesday at 5pm Cost: €10 per month or €100 annually Website: oneyummymummy.com

Little Lingua

Little Lingua is an award-winning online language school for children. They teach Irish, French and Spanish using a method which is fun and interactive. Activities include arts and crafts, singing and dancing, drama and interactive games.

Format: Zoom Dates and times: Five-day camps, with four weeks of courses in July and August Ages: 8-16 Cost: €60 Website: littlelingua.com

Susty Kids

Susty Kids is run by wholefood chef Rozanne Stevens, who takes all the good stuff from her sustainability day job and creates fun, earth-friendly cookery classes for kids. Building on the success of the last two Susty Kids Summer Camps, and in celebration of Plastic-Free July, this year they are going plastic-free in the kitchen — the Plastic-Free Party and Picnic Food Cookalong Camp.

Format: Live via Zoom, with replays available for six months Dates and times: July 18th-22nd from 4pm-6pm each day Ages: 9-13 Cost: €75 Website: rozannestevens.com

Teen Art Camp

Artist Kevin McSherry promises your teen will work on creating art from their imaginations. It could be a favourite book, music or character. Also covered is creative lettering.

Format: Zoom Dates and times: Five days, from 11am-1pm Ages: 13-17 Cost: €125 Website: mcsherrystudio.com