THIS SUMMER in Dublin will be fine for people of all ages - whether the sun comes out to shine on the Dubs, or not. Activities to suit everyone will be run throughout the months of June, July, August, September and October.
You can take your pick from a list that includes dancing, spirituality, basketball, barge cruising, gliding, walking, talking, camping and exploring. Dubliners and summer visitors will be spoilt for choice in 1997, for sure.
There will be a range of different activities taking place in different places at different times over the coming weeks, and information about over 300 of these is now available in a booklet, published by the Columba Press, which has been compiled by the Catholic Youth Council (CYC) for parents, youth groups, summer projects and young people throughout the city - A Guide to Summer Activities in Dublin.
The book includes a wide range of information on summer camps, language courses, art, music, sporting activities, places to visit and explore in Dublin and day trips outside Dublin. listings of voluntary work opportunities available to young people are also to be found.
The booklet contains information about some of the 120 summer projects which are affiliated to the CYC and organised each summer within communities and parishes around the city. Over 40,000 young people participate in these educational and recreational activities.
CYC is the Dublin diocesan youth service which supports local community groups and parishes in the organisation of summer projects. CYC also facilitates the organisation of inter-project events and competitions. It organises workshops and training for summer project committees and co-ordinators.
The CYC, which has a long history of involvement with parish and community-based summer projects, has held an annual summer activities fair each year since 1988, where it circulates a list of things to do and places to go to its youth groups. Since the beginning of this initiative, thousands of adult volunteers have worked together to build a spirit of community, especially in new areas of greater Dublin - and to have fun with their children.
The CYC hopes its guide will reach a wider audience of young people, parents and youth groups.
"We hope that our readers will have many enjoyable days indoors and outdoors prompted by the "information in this booklet," says Paul Duffy of the CYC.
