There are lots of exciting summer camps for children to choose from this year – but don't forget they need a bit of downtime too, writes SYLVIA THOMPSON
THE COUNTDOWN to the summer holidays has begun, and parents throughout the country are busy looking for things to occupy their children during what must be the longest school holidays in Europe.
When considering a summer camp, remember it’s got to be an activity they will enjoy, and they ideally they should learn something new as well as making new friends and having fun.
Choosing something close to home is a priority so it’s not a hassle to get to, but equally important is choosing something your child will genuinely engage with. There is no point in sending a sporty child to an arts and crafts camp or vice versa. Sometimes, improving their skills in a specific area (eg football, tennis) makes the game more enjoyable in the future but often, the multi-activity camps are the best fun and the most sociable. Chat to your children before you book and remember they need downtime, too, during the summer so don’t over-schedule them.
Once you’ve chosen a summer camp or camps, remind yourself that it’s summer for all the family so plan some family outings to museums, castles and galleries for the weekends or when everyone can be together. If you’re holidaying in Ireland this summer, check out the local arts festival. Many festivals have fantastic children’s programmes with international theatre shows, creative workshops, street performances and much more.
And, finally, don’t forget to enjoy what’s already around you – young children love fishing in shallow river waters, having picnics in the park or local forest and making massive sand castles on the beach.
ARTS FESTIVALS
Belfast Children’s Festival
May 21-30 Belfast 048-90334455 belfastchildrensfestival.com
Northern Ireland's largest children's arts festival. Back again is the popular Baby Rave, with a Bollywood twist this year. On May 29 and 30, the Waterfront Hall will be buzzing with free activities, from circus acts to art and music workshops, storytelling to BMX choreographed performances. There will also be high-quality theatre shows and for young children, the unmissable Charlie and Lola's Best Bestest Play.
Féile na Tuaithe
May 22-23 National Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo 094-9031773 museum.ie
The family festival that celebrates country life – past and present – with traditional craft demonstrations, a food market, a visual art trail and working dog trials. The museum itself and its beautiful gardens are always worth a visit.
Spréacha International Arts Festival for Children
June 8-13 Draíocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 01-8852622 draiocht.ie
One of Ireland's leading arts festivals for children, this year's line-up includes a play about a little queen who is determined to bring colour into the world ( The Queen of Colours), a show about the magic of bedtime ( Bedtime), a Danish adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood and a live music show about rain ( Rain).
Éigse Carlow Arts Festival
June 11-20 Carlow town 059-9140491 www.eigsecarlow.ie
Highlights in the family strand of the festival include Queen of Colours, The Tall Tale of Mr Punchand Cirque de Légume, billed as the greatest vegetable circus on earth.
Cork Midsummer Festival
June 12-27 Cork city 021-4271160 corkfestival.com The first leg of the Street Performance World Championship opens the festival on June 12 and 13 with performances in Fitzgerald Park and the Mardyke Sports Grounds. French company Arcosm bring their exuberant comic dance and percussion show, Echoa, to the Cork Opera House for the festival, and Firkin Crane will show the innovative dance show The Goldilocks Zonefrom Legitimate Bodies Dance Company.
Earagail Arts Festival
July 3-18 Co Donegal 074-9120777 www.eaf.ie
Explore the beautiful villages of Donegal while watching international circus performers from Chicago, France and Inisowen’s original Surreal Circus carnival parade.
Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures
July 23-25 Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin 01-2719555 festivalofworldcultures.com
Brought forward a month this year, this truly international and ethnically inclusive festival has a free children's carnival in People's Park on Sunday, July 25th. Global Blocowill bring music, food, dance, costume, drumming and circus performances from Brazil, Africa, India and the Caribbean to the park, and performers will join a carnival parade through the streets of Dún Laoghaire.
Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 10-19 Kilkenny City 056-7752175 kilkennyarts.ie
Always a nice place to visit during the arts festival, this year’s children’s programme includes Italian clowns, storytelling sessions and visits from children’s authors, puppetry, interactive music and dance sessions.
Summer Fun in the City
July/August Temple Bar, Dublin 01-6772255 templebar.ie
New this year is the culture club for children which features free weekly workshops in printing, dance, drama, sculpture and music-making in July and August. Also, Summer Sensational workshops July 8-11 include: Feast for the Sensesdrop-in visual art workshops in The Ark, Eustace Street for 3-12 year olds; Rattle 'n' Roll dance workshops at Smock Alley Theatre, Exchange Street Lower, for 3-8 year olds; puppet-making workshops for 4-6 year olds and drama classes for 7-14 year olds, both at the Culture Box, 12 East Essex Street.
Farmleigh Summer Programme
May-August Farmleigh, Phoenix Park 01-8155900 farmleigh.ie
While the main summer programme for July/August is not yet available, you can be sure that there will be lots of fun activities held in and around this magnificent house and gardens which provide a welcome retreat from urban living for families during the summer months.
SUMMER CAMPS:
ART & DRAMA
National Gallery Art Workshops
Month of July National Gallery, Merrion Street, Dublin 01-6615133 ngi.ie
Perfect for those who want just a short burst of activity in the city centre. The Little Masters club is for 4-6 year olds (Tues-Thurs, 11am-noon in July, €28) and the Discovery Club is for 7-12 year olds (Mon-Fri, 2.30-4pm, July 5-9 12-16 €55).
Exhibit Me
June/July The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 01-6707788 ark.ie
A series of art workshops in which children explore different media (clay, drawing, plaster, cloth, mixed-media) and exhibit their own work under the guidance of artist Terry O’Farrell. July 14-18, 21-25, July 28-August 1, August 11-15, 18-22. Suitable for 2-14 year olds. Various times, €10 per workshop or €50 for six. Also family workshops on Sundays.
Dublin City Gallery Art Workshops
July/August Dublin City Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 01-8741903 hughlane.ie
A variety of short workshops for various age groups from three upwards, held over three or four days. Themes this year include theatre and art (6-10 year olds, July 13-16), military fashion (6-10 year olds, August 10-13) and primary colours (3-6 year olds and parents, June 30-July 2). €45- €60.
Pine Forest Arts Camps
July/August Pine Forest Arts Centre, Glencullen, Kilternan, Dublin 18 01-2941220
Some of the most popular art camps in Dublin partly due to the spectacular setting in the Dublin mountains, these two-week-long camps introduce 5-12 year olds to a variety of art and craft activities in groups of their own age. July 5-16, July 19-30, August 2-13 and August 16-27. 10am-4pm €250.
Wexford Arts Centre Art and Drama Camps
July Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford 053-9123764 wexfordartscentre.ie Red Mood Theatre Company incorporates painting, clay sculpture, collage and storytelling through drama into this camp July 13-16, 2-4.30pm, €85.
MUSIC, DANCE & MOVIE-MAKING
National Concert Hall Chamber Music Camp
July 5-9, 10am-1.30pm €150 National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 01-4170000 nch.ie
Triona O’Hanlon will lead this stringed instrument workshop for 9-12 year olds.
Gaiety School of Acting Courses
July/August Gaiety School of Acting, Sycamore St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 01-6799277/1890-258358; South Parish Community Centre, Cork city gaietyschool.com
There are four courses to choose from this year. Star Performersaims to develop acting, singing and dancing skills, July 5-9, 12-16 19-23 10am -4pm (Dublin only, 7-10 and 11-13 year olds) €175. Make a Moviefocuses on writing, acting, lighting and sound skills for movie-making, July 12-16, 10am-4pm (Cork, for 11- 16 year olds) and August 9-13, 10am-4pm (Dublin, for 7-10 and 11-14 year olds) €200. Musical theatre course, August 16-20 10am-1pm (Dublin only, for 7-11 year olds) and 2-5pm (Dublin only for 12-16 year olds) €150. Also weekend masterclasses in acting for film and TV in July/August.
CentreStage Summer School
July University of Limerick centrestageireland.com 085-1940926
Junior musical theatre summer camps. July 12-25, 10am – 4pm for 6-11 year olds €150 per week and July 12-16, 19-23, 9.30am- 12.30pm for 4-6 year olds €100
Gimme Gimme Gimme Performing Arts Camp
Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford 053-9123764 wexfordartscentre.ie
August
The songs from Mamma Miaare the inspiration for this singing, dancing and acting camp for 5-14 year olds presented by Starlight Productions, August 9-13, 10am-4pm €70
Ballet Ireland Summer Workshops
July/August ballet-ireland.com 046-9557585
Children aged six and upwards will explore all the elements that go into creating a ballet of The Emperor of Chinaor The Nightingalefor these week-long workshops with professional ballet dancers. This year's venues are Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co Laois (July 5-9, 057-8663355); Glor Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co Clare (July 12-16, 065-6843103); Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin (July 19-23, 01-4627477); An Grianán, Letterkenny, Co Donegal (July 26-30, 07491-20777); Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown, Co Tyrone (August 2-6, 048-86769949); Excel Theatre, Tipperary (August 9-13 062-80520); Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare (August 16-20, 045-883030).
Wexford Arts Centre Movie-Making
July Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford. 053 9123764 wexfordartscentre.ie
Red Mood Theatre Group bring 9-15 year olds through the movie-making process from scratch. July 13-16, 10.30am-1pm €85.
SPORTS
Summer Soccer Schools
July 5- August 28 fai.ie 1890-653653
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Summer Soccer camps cater for boys and girls from 6 to 14. Coaching by FAI accredited and Garda-vetted coaches. Over 270 camps throughout the country and 27 goalkeeper camps.
GAA Cúl Camps
July/August vhiculcamps.gaa.ie
With over 1,000 camp venues throughout the 32 counties, these game-based camps for 7-13 year olds focus on learning and practising different skills each day. Mon-Fri 10am-2.30pm
Parks Tennis
July/August 01-8338711 parkstennis.com
Daily tennis lessons for 6-17 year olds at courts in public parks, schools, tennis clubs and community centres throughout the country. Registration for all venues on June 30, 2-4pm
Let’s Go Multi-Activity Camps
021-4877111/1890-538746
With venues throughout the country, these multi-activity camps are very popular for boys and girls. Classes run from 9.30am-3.30pm Monday to Friday. Cost €90-€100 per week.
COOKERY AND SCIENCE
Junior Chef
June/July/August Junior Chef, 131 Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin 01-2780382 juniorchef.ie
Children’s week-long courses are held from 9.30am-2pm each day. The children work in pairs in their specific age group (4-8 or 9-12 year olds) €175 for five-day camp, €160 for four-day camp, €45 per day.
Wexford Arts Centre Chocolate Course
Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford. 053-9123764 wexfordartscentre.ie
Only open to chocolate lovers, these two courses teach the art of chocolate-making. July 6-9 10am-11.30am (for ages 4+) €45 with accompanying adult; August 10-13, 10am-11.30am (for ages 8+) €45
Whizz Kids Discover IT
whizzkids.ie 061-339178
Aimed at 9-15 year olds, these camps are a mix of web design, movie-making, sports and a spy academy. Day camps, 9.30am-3pm, are held in University College Dublin, Dublin City University, University College Cork, University of Limerick and National University of Ireland at Galway. €159.
Anyone4science
July/August 0404-40563 www.anyone4science.com
An exploration of biology, chemistry and physics through clever, age-appropriate games. Camps for 5-7 and 7-12 year olds in Rathgar, Dundrum and Rathmichael in Dublin, Leixlip, Co Kildare, Ashford, Co Wicklow and the Lifetime Lab in Cork city.
INTERNATIONAL ACTS ON TOUR
The Wiggles
Back again this year, this all-singing, all-dancing ethnically diverse gang of four Australian men and their chums continue to charm young children around the world. Waterfront Hall, Belfast Friday, June 18th, 1pm 4.30pm, £16.50 (babies up to 12 months free) 048- 90334455; The Helix, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin, Saturday, June 19th 11am 2pm €20 01-7007000.
MY SUMMER CAMP
“It’s my first time here and I loved it. Other years, I’ve done basketball and multisports camps, which are more tiring. I liked this one better than another art camp I did before where we just sat around a table all day long and were told what to do. Here, things are explained and then you’re left at it yourself.”
– Chloe (11), who lives in France did an art camp at Pine Forest Arts Centre
“I like the way they aren’t too protective of us when we’re doing the cooking. We have to handle knives and stuff and they don’t fuss too much over us.”
– Malachi (11), who particularly enjoyed making the Swedish apple pie at a cookery camp
Summer's here and the time is right...
Hip-Hop and Breakdancing in the City
A group of dance teachers from the Underground Dance School, at 149 North Strand Road, Dublin, are planning to run free dance classes for the children in the area.
“The idea is to teach dance to children who often just spend their time on the streets during the summer,” says Adam Chytri, one of the teachers. The Summer in the City project aims to hold drop-in hip-hop and break-dancing classes for children aged six and over, 1-3pm, Monday to Friday throughout July and August. The dance teachers are currently seeking sponsorship to cover their expenses. underground-ds.com, 085–1043361
Go Wild With Nature Camps
The aim of the summer camps at Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork is to encourage children to learn about and respect the natural world. All the activities – sports, arts and crafts and environmental games are nature-
themed. Aimed at 5-12 year olds, the weekly camps run from July 12 to August 20 (€95, 021-4812678, fotawildlife.ie).
Exploring the natural world – whether through sports or arts and crafts – is also the approach at Airfield Urban Farm, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, Dublin (airfield.ie 01-2984301). Camps run July 26-30 for 5-7 and 8-12 year olds (€120). A Sport and Adventure camp for 5-11 year olds runs July 12-16 and 19-23 (€110).
The Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare host a Go Wild With Nature camp for 7-13 year olds again this year, August 9-13 (€50 ipcc.ie 045-860133).
And this year’s summer camps at Dublin Zoo are tiger-themed to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Campers will learn how the zookeepers take care of the animals as well as doing animal-inspired art activities. Camps run weekly July 12-August 13 but you probably need to act quickly – they are booking up fast. dublinzoo.ie 01-4748932.
