Summer camps might be very popular with parents and adults, but what do teenagers think? We sent three young adults to summer camps around the capital to find out
ROB Mac CARTHYwent to a songwriting workshop at the Rua Red Centre in Tallaght, Dublin
For most teenagers, the choice of summer courses revolves around the Gaeltacht or some studious course that acts as a precursor to a potential future career: “Son, pack up, you’re going to law camp.” What people often forget is there is a third option: you can do a course you genuinely have an interest in. As a teenager who adores music, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to sample the Suburban Sounds course at the Rua Red Centre in Tallaght for a day.
This is a songwriting course aimed at teenagers aged from 15 to 18 with a strong interest in music and who are already skilled musicians. Meeting only one of the two necessary qualifications, I thought my spell in Suburban Sounds would be one of observation. The day was divided into three block sessions, two of which I could take part in. The first was a singing lesson. Although I am a mediocre singer at best, the friendly ethos of self-improvement meant that this was an educational and enjoyable experience. We were taught to leave embarrassment at the door.
The second session, a creative-writing workshop with a local poet, was definitely more in my comfort zone. This involved examining song lyrics, listening to music and trying out a few creative-writing exercises, the objective of which was to make sure these young musicians don’t end up penning baffling lyrics. I found this session very worthwhile.
Having been far more involved than I expected, I happily took a “sit back and watch” approach to the final session of the day – the actual songwriting workshop. The lads were assisted by two extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic mentors in crafting their songs.
What the young musicians got were effectively two expert producers helping them dissect, re-think and carefully construct their songs. The results were staggering; one song was a fantastic Blur-meets-Jack White rock gem, another was a chilled slow burner featuring a clarinet solo that was like nothing I had ever heard before. I can only imagine the satisfaction the lads must have felt in creating their songs. The objective they were working towards was having their songs completed so they could record them in a studio the following week and then perform them live to their (hopefully) adoring fans – the local Tallaght populace.
The facilities were exceptional, the coaches and instructors were very helpful and the teenagers taking part were genuine, friendly and ambitious. I’m sure they have benefited greatly from the course.
I would strongly recommend it to any teenager who has formed a band, or to anyone who simply wants to explore music further.
Suburban Sounds is a pilot scheme, and if all goes to plan it will be running courses next year in the midterm and at summer.
So instead of feigning interest in Gaeilge and the legal system, I suggest that you do this.
PAUL FENNESSYtries a day at the Fighting Words Creative Writing Centre in Dublin 1, which offers free courses to children and teenagers
AS I ARRIVE at 13 Russell Street, Behan Square, I meet Sara Bennett – the manager of Fighting Words. A look of bewilderment initially flickers across her features. She possibly assumes I am one of the students and wonders why I’m wearing a suit and tie.
I clear up the situation and we discuss the Fighting Words initiative. She explains that it is the “final day” for this particular group and describes how impressed she has been with them.
The project constitutes a series of week-long workshops whereby young people ranging from the ages of seven to 17 are given the opportunity to participate in various creative activities (free of charge, on a first come, first served basis) such as graphic-novel writing and performance art.
When I enter the building, Bennett’s praise immediately appears justified. Conversation permeates the room and a tangible air of excitement prevails. Some of the participants look deeply focused on their respective tasks. They rub out errors in their sketches with the intensity of a heart surgeon in the middle of a life-preserving operation.
Others, however, are more keen to be sociable and chat at length. Katie Grant, a volunteer assistant at Fighting Words, explains how their easy-going approach to teaching was deliberately implemented: “It’s not like a boot camp,” she says. “If they don’t want to draw they can just read a book, but obviously you’d prefer that they draw.
“The stories they’re coming up with are great,” says Grant. “One of them has got one about kings and ninjas. And one of them has a story about a character passing between two worlds – a shadow world and the real world.”
But given the relative success of Fighting Words, the question must be asked: should a school be like this? Grant certainly thinks so. “The kids just love it,” she says. “I don’t think there’s quite enough emphasis on the arts in schools and it is always the first thing to go when the funding is cut. I would have loved having something like this when I was 15 or 16.”
Similarly, Phil Barrett, one of Fighting Words’ illustrators-in- residence, asserts that there is not enough scope for creativity in schools: “I’m not sure about primary schools, but in secondary schools it’s all about results. Unfortunately, they have to be graded somehow, so there must be a criterion for marking them.”
Killian Redmond, another illustrator, concludes that current teaching methods are inefficient: “That’s the problem with school these days – you get told why you’re doing it wrong and it’s all about percentages and marks rather than emphasising what they’re good at.”
SADHBH Ní DHONNABHAINwent to the Ark's Garden Party workshop in Temple Bar, Dublin
It’s great to be young. Impossible is nothing inside the walls of your imagination. What is even better is a place where you can take advantage of this and express yourself. Recently, I visited the Garden Party workshop at the Ark in Temple Bar and found one of these wonderful environments.
The theatre space of this cultural centre for children has witnessed a real makeover. The Garden Party is a place where children from ages three to 12 are given an opportunity to contribute to the “garden” by making animals, bugs, plants and even a spaceship.
The twittering of birds and the images of green fields projected on the wall gives a real sense of serenity, even if there are a group of kids bustling around, busy at work.
Everyone was enjoying themselves – the children seemed to gain comfort in the fact that parents were sitting on the empty theatre seats overlooking them as they worked on their masterpieces. Five-year-old Etain drew a man on the phone – when asked why, he said: “I can’t draw women yet.”
Five-year-old Aoife said of the Garden Party that she “loved it and was glad it wasn’t raining in the garden”. At the end of each workshop, each child “plants” their art in the garden – one or two ask when they should come back to water it.
Yes, it’s great to be young and enjoying your summer – though it’s a pity that after a lovely hour of art you are asked to answer such absurd questions.
The Garden Party workshop at the Ark, Temple Bar, runs Thursdays to Sundays until August 15th and costs €3-4. www.ark.ie
