Bring on the Summer!

For a school holiday that’s filled with action, excitement and adventure, then you’ve come to the right place. This year’s Primary Times Summer Camps Special has something for everyone. We have loads for you to choose from, so read on and plan your summer schedule…

Summer just wouldn’t be summer without the GAA camps - they have been around for over 25 years !!  The GAA have teamed up with the VHI again this year and have put together a comprehensive 32-county programme of hurling, football and camogie camps which will be run by fully qualified coaches including several current inter-county players.

The National Irish Bank FAI Summer Soccer Schools will take place this year at 270 venues in all 26 counties starting on June 30th and ending on August 22nd.

The camps are open to boys and girls between 7 and 15 of all levels of ability. For many these camps are a great way to get started in football. All the participants will have fun, make new friends and of course improve their skills.

Each participant will receive a full unique Umbro kit, a football, a waterbottle, a backpack, an eircom league of Ireland season pass (to their preferred or local eircom league of Ireland club), a certificate of participation and of course 22 hours coaching from FAI accredited and Garda vetted coaches. There will also be 24 National Irish Bank FAI Summer Soccer School Goalkeeper Camps where future Shay Given’s will gather to improve their goalkeeping technique.

Parents can book their children onto the programme online at www.fai.ie, by calling 1890 653 653 or by post using the application form. The fastest and easiest way to book is online and the FAI is urging interested parents to use this method if possible.

If your child can’t decide whether he/she wants to play Gaelic Football or soccer the the Galway Schools Soccer and Gaelic Football Academy camp might just be the solution. Both sports are very well catered for in a camp that runs over 3 separate weeks in two venues. Former Galway Football All-Star Sean Óg de Paor is one of the course directors and there will be special big-name guests in attendance throughout the week-long camps.

A much wetter but equally invigorating option is surfing and this is a pursuit that is becoming increasingly popular. Luckily the best surfing locations in Ireland are on the west coast. If water is what gets you excited then there is no better camp to join than John McCarthy’s Lahinch Surf School Surf Camp at any one of three venues in Clare. The school runs beginners classes in waist high water in the company of a highly qualified instructor. This is a highly addictive pursuit and there is no doubt that once you have tried it you will want to go back for more.

Combining unusual activities with beautiful, magical surroundings is a hard task but is one which Brigit’s Garden accomplishes with ease. The venue offers 5-day camps for 2 age groups - 5-10 and 9-13. For the younger group there is a ‘Fun with Nature’ camp where they will enjoy games, bug-hunts, arts and crafts and much more.

The ‘Survival Skills’ camps is a fun challenge for the older group. It includes making a hut, cooking outdoors, tracking games, nature crafts and more.

Looking for something different this summer? Then why not check out Mad Science Crazy Chemworks Summer Camp! Over the 4 days of the camp you will discover what it’s like to work in a real laboratory, perform your own experiments and build up your own kit of laboratory equipment that you can take home to continue your research! With our crazy chemical reactions you will make things fizz, pop, ooze, sticky, glow or change colour! We’ll use chemicals to make slime, fog and worms!

This is an educational and fun camp run over 4 days, each of two-and-a half hours duration. Camps are scheduled for the following locations: Castlebar, Claregalway, Ennis, Gort, Killanin, Knocknacarra, Loughrea, Oranmore and Tuam.

Another creative and interesting option to entertain your children is provided by the Galway Film Centre which is running a range of Film and Animation Camps this summer.

Based at Cluain Mhuire on the Monivea Road,  the Film Centre has been running workshops and training programmes for almost 20 years. With vast experience of working with community groups, schools and and other youth groups the centre’s tutors are now providing training over the summer months.

The camps will run from Monday to Friday and places are strictly limited. Participants can choose either film or animation for the week. During the Film Camp, those taking part will come up with a short drama and documentary and will have a hands on involvement at all stages. Tutors will teach about script, camera, sound, directing, continuity, right through to editing the final piece. They will work with cameras and sound recording equipment.

For those interested in animation, the artists work with clay, sand and line drawings, making still images move in sequence to tell a story. Participants design and build characters and sets and then film them. The end result is a short cartoon piece. At the end of the camp everyone will be sent a copy of the film they made.

Whizzkids Summercamps is a unique, hi-tech camp run in UL and NUIG. This very popular summer camp is a lot of fun and will also help children learn how to be creative with technology. It includes web design, movie making and a host of gadgets in the Whizzkids Spy Academy, where the “trainee spies” have to use digital cameras and other technologies such as PDA’s and MP4’s, to complete their “missions”.

All equipment is provided and Whizzkids also has a healthy mix of action, with a sports session every day. Girls and boys aged from 9-15 will have a week of designing, snapping, spying, surfing, mailing, acting, playing, gaming, and breaking (codes!). Day camps run from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, and cost €159 for one and €295 for 2 siblings.

Performing Arts School Galway presents its annual TOTS Turn Summer School In GMIT with choice of weeks - June 30th to July 4th or July 7th to 11th. The summer course has been running successfully for 14 years and many former participants have graduated to the big stage. Children from PASG regularly perform in annual musicals and more recently have gained the opportunity to star in a professional Panto. Places on the course are strictly limited so book early.

A further saltwater option is on offer from Nevsail Watersports which might well tick all the boxes. Operating at Kilkee Beach, Co. Clare Nevsail offers a range of activities including: kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, power boating, surfing, boogie boarding, fishing trips, orienteering, team challenges, beach games and more. The programme is flexible and is tailored to suit the needs of the group and also takes into account weather conditions.

For those who wish to experience the thrills and excitement of the traditional funfair then Perks Leisureland Funworld Is the perfect choice and top class entertainment is guaranteed.

Make sure to mention Primary Times when making a booking.