Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines for parents & teachers of primary school children
Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines for parents & teachers of primary school children
Summer School
Holiday childcare can be a nightmare, especially the six long weeks over the summer holidays, as few parents can take such an extended leave from their jobs. For this reason many parents sign their children up for Summer Camps and Holiday Clubs which were intoduced and proved very popular some years ago.
Most traditional camps follow the American model from which they derived and focus on physical and outdoor activities. This is great for parents with children who are physically active and into sport but not all children are as physically adventurous or indeed as able as others. For kids that aren’t inclined towards physical achievement being stuck at a camp all day, every day, where the emphasis is on sports and competition can feel like a prison sentence.
Thankfully the traditional Summer Camp had not made it’s way across the Atlantic and luckily, for those children whose talents and interests don’t lie on the sporting field, there are now many alternatives to ‘traditional’ camps. And if you are the parent of two or more children who have very different needs and interests you’ll be glad to hear that many traditional camps have expanded to include other areas.
Alternatives to (and increasingly part of) ‘traditional’ summer camps include music, dancing, drama, singing, cookery, technology. ‘Drama’ in particular seems to get dismissed as sedentary ‘playacting’ with no real value. On the contrary, drama and dancing are very like sports in that they are group activities in which people have to work as part of a team and most drama, especially for the young, involves quite a bit of physical activity. Drama, singing and dancing all require a great deal of mental focus - learning lines, remembering steps and routines - it’s all quite demanding both physically and mentally.
If your child expresses an interest in cookery or technology classes, and you can afford them, then sign them up immediately. Both cookery and technology are life skills. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else take control of the kitchen? Wouldn’t it be even better to have someone to explain your computer to you!
The benefit of camp is that a child can pursue what they are good at in a far more intensive way than they can at school. Also, a camp may introduce children to areas that they wouldn’t encounter in their ordinary lives.
Bruce Muchnick, a psychologist who works extensively with day and residential camps in the US said on the American Camp Association Webpage: “Each summer at camp, a unique setting is created, a community is constructed that allows participants to get in touch with a sense of life that is larger than one’s self. The camp community seeks to satisfy children’s basic need for connectedness, affiliation, belonging, acceptance, safety and feelings of acceptance and appreciation.”
Going to any sort of Summer Camp also allows your child to step outside of their normal social circle and make new friends. And as so many camps now offer such a wide variety of experience it is a chance for your child not just to expand their friendship groups but to experience new things.
Thankfully, Dublin has pleny of top quality professional camps and workshops to choose from. You never know you might have the next Jamie Oliver or Saoirse Ronan in your family.
Let’s Go!
Let’s Go! Summer Camps are Ireland’s no.1 multi-activity summer camp.
Their unique formula of including the most diverse range of sporting activities for children aged 5 – 13 years along with a variety of novel inflatable games provide all the participants with a week that no other summer camp can emulate. These activities include the High Energy Assault Course, the ever popular Zorbee Ball Roll, the thrilling KMX Karts, Wrecking Ball, Wobbly Ladder and lots, lots more! New this year are Radio Flyer Cyclones, the first time they will ever be used in Ireland.
They guarantee that no other summer camp can compare to the fun-filled range of activities Let’s Go! offers throughout the week.
The Let’s Go! iPad Camps are also running in selected venues nationwide this year. The iPad Camps are aimed at introducing children into the world of technology while also enjoying the best of Let’s Go! sports and multi-activity camp…it’s technology on the move!!! Places are limited on these camps so make sure to check out their website at www.letsgo.ie for dates and venues. All Let’s Go! camps are expertly organised and supervised by fully-qualified and Garda-vetted teachers.
Camps run from Monday to Friday with an extra-long day of 9.30am-3.30pm.
Let’s Go! summer camps are filling up quickly this year so make sure to book your place soon!
For further information check out their website www.letsgo.ie or telephone Let’s Go! at 1890 538 746 for venues, dates and availability.
Compass Club
Compass Club Summer Camps by Coillte will get your kids outdoors in our wonderful woodlands and loving every minute of it! Running for one week – Monday to Friday from 10am until 2pm during the summer all over Ireland - see ad for locations near you.
Unlike many other camps, the groups are small and the space is big (!) which means that your child gets lots of attention while being free to explore – fun and freedom, what’s not to like?! Children spend their time doing, not queueing, and everyone is involved at a level that they are comfortable with.
Children will discover their inner adventurer as they build shelters, make swings and get stuck into scavenger hunts, games and a Compass Club favourite; toasting marshmallows at Base Camp! So go on, ‘discover the fun!’ with Compass Club Summer Camps by Coillte!
Bookings are on first come first served basis and places are strictly limited – www.compassclub.ie
Horizons Summer Camp 2016
Horizons Summer Camp is back! The camp will run weekly from 4th July to 12th August for ages 2 and a half to 10 years of age. There is MINI, MIDI and SENIOR CAMP with exciting themed weeks including HORIZONS GOT TALENT, THE BIG BANG, NINJA WARRIOR WEEK, MINI EXPLORERS, JUNIOR MASTERCHEF AND THE APPRENTICE. Trips include; The Chocolate Factory, Bowling, Giddy’s Studio and much more! * Trips are part of the Senior Camp only.
The camp also offers after-camp hours until 6.30pm each day.
Check out their new website for further information or to book now! www.horizonsmontessori.ie
Horizons Montessori School, 2 Cypress Park, Templeogue, Dublin 6w
Ph: 01 4905663, info@horizonsmontessori.ie
Owen Casey Tennis Camps
Top Irish tennis coach and 3 time Olympian Owen Casey is delighted to announce, that due to the sucess of last years camps, he is now taking bookings for his new summer programme of tennis at Mount Pleasant LTC Ranelagh. The camps, sponsored by Babolat will run weekly in June and July and will cover all aspects of the game from basic technique to match tactics in a fun and and friendly environment for children ages 5-16 years from 9.30- 12.30 Cost €120
End of camp party with goody bags for all.
For more information call Owen
on 087-2903161 or 01- 4999167 email owencasey@iol.ie
For more information call Owen on 087-2903161 or 01- 4999167 email owencasey@iol.ie
The King’s Hospital
The King’s Hospital Summer Camp includes the following activities: karate, swimming, athletics, soccer, tennis, basketball, archery, orienteering, hockey, tag rugby as well as some fun and games! All activities will take place on campus in their highly equipped facilities. The aim is to provide a fun filled camp while also encouraging the child’s competitive spirit in his/her own age group. Bring a packed lunch. www.kingshospital.ie
Park Academy Childcare
Park Academy Childcare is an award winning childcare and afterschool provider located in South Dublin and in Wicklow.
They are NOW enrolling for their Summer Camp programme, which runs for the full months of July and August. The camps cater for children aged 4 – 12 and there are both full and part-time options available. Each week will have a special camp theme and there will be a wide range of activities to suit every child’s interests. Children will also enjoy an exciting weekly trip courtesy of their ‘Adventure Bus’! Check out their website now to view this year’s themes! www.parkchildcare.ie
IMAGINOSITY SUMMER CAMPS
Imaginosity will be running fun filled camps throughout the summer holidays this year, catering for children aged 4-6 (9am-1pm), and 7-8 with a slightly extended day (9am-2.30pm). All camps will have their own theme, and be jam packed with arts & crafts, science, music, supervised museum exploration and much, much more! Imaginosity is an accredited DPSM (Discover Primary Science and Maths Centre) so all camps are designed to engage children in education outside the classroom in a fun and entertaining way. Themes this summer include; Star Wars, Elves & Fairies, Science, CSI, Magic and Engineering…to name a few. To book your child’s place call 01-2176130, or log onto www.imaginosity.ie for more camp information.
Pine Forest Art Centre
The Pine Forest Art Centre provides an opportunity for children and young people to have a happy and successful experience in creating and exploring art and craft while they are having fun. No special talent is required. The camps incorporate a lot of outdoor activities related to art and craft, weather permitting, allowing the children to take advantage of the fresh air and natural environment. Book now
Two week summer courses from June - August age 5 - 16 years
Thursday afternoon classes parallel to school term times
School Tours Art Activity Days March - June
For further information visit www.pineforestartcentre.com tel. 01 2941220 email: info@pineforestartcentre.com
Artzone
Join Artzone and unleash your creative side this summer!!! Artzone teachers have developed four new Art Portfolios: July Juniors – Trip to the Zoo; July Seniors – Dublin Zoo; August Juniors – Into the West; and August Seniors – The Wild Atlantic Way. Each portfolio includes a full range of art, crafts, stories & themed games. Prices cover all art equipment & an Artzone t-shirt. Venues all over Dublin, Kildare, Meath & Wicklow.
Start: 27/06 End: 26/08 Times: 10am to 2pm with Early Drop Off Club from 9am.
Or try our Academy Camps (Ages 10+) at Artzone Studios, Rathfarnham; Clontarf; Castleknock; Lucan - Fashion, Film, Animation, Comic Book Illustration, Photography, Drawing, Sewing, Make-up & Special Fx.
w: www.artzone.ie e: bookings@artzone.ie (Phone: 01 4990614)
Mezzo Music Academy
Summer Camps at Mezzo Music Academy, offer a unique opportunity for children to experience many different instruments over the course of the week. For ages 4 to 12, our students are grouped in accordance with age, and will learn keyboard, guitar, violin, recorder, ukulele, percussion and voice, each day. At the end of the week, students choose their favourite instrument and take part in a small performance for their parents. All instruments are taught by ear and with an emphasis on fun! At the end of each day, all groups come together for a sing-a-long, where teachers play instruments and students play percussion and sing. All camp teachers are fully qualified, garda vetted and experienced. Camp starts at 9.30am and finishes at 1.30pm. Bring a packed Lunch and a drink!
Contact Sonya on 087 8170666 or 01 6852590 for further details. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Dun Laoghaire School of Music
Dun Laoghaire School of Music are holding their very popular Summer Music Camps again this summer at the prestigious state-of-the-art Willow Park School, Blackrock. The camps cater for children from 4 to 14 years of age and children are grouped according to their age. The activities at camp are: Music Theatre, Drama, Dancing, Singing, Song Writing, and Band workshops. There is also an option for children who already play an instrument to take part in ensembles. It is not necessary to be able to play an instrument, but children are introduced and shown the fundamentals of instruments such as piano, guitar, keyboard, violin and drums. Camps are run on a weekly basis and children can participate in more than one camp. There is always a professional variety show at the end of camp where children display all they have learnt during their week at camp for parents and friends. The Summer Music Extravaganza is also very real as children perform and sing to real live music provided by the professional musicians/teachers of the Music Camp. There is a special offer of 10 euro off for current students of Dun Laoghaire School of Music. To book your place and avoid disappointment, email dlsofm@gmail.com or phone 01 2844178.
Stagecoach
EXCITING SUMMER CAMPS - Stagecoach Theatre Arts School Summer Camps for 4 to 18 year olds take place in St. Philip & St.James Centre, Cross Avenue, Blackrock & CBC Monkstown Park in July and in Killiney-Glenageary National School, Wyvern, Killiney (for 4 to 7 yrs)& Castleknock College Dublin 15 (4 to 12yrs) in August. The Summer Camp week has at least five fun filled days that include classes in drama, dance and singing, plus rehearsals for the live performance.
BRING IT ON! The Musical - for their Two Week Full Time ‘Pom Pom Shaking’ Teenager Camp (11th to 22nd July only €5.50 an hour) with performance on last day with live orchastra and Roald Dahl’s Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs - The Musical for their 8 to 12 yrs 5 Day, Full Time Camp (4th to 8th July less than €5.00 per hour). A variety of genres and styles are explored in the 4 to 7yrs camps (25th to 29th July Blackrock, 2nd to 5th August Castleknock (4 to 12 yrs Castleknock Camp) and 8th to 12th August Killiney). With small classes and extra teachers in this age group prices are approx €6.00 an hour. Places booking fast already - act now! Students have to learn lines, songs and dances quickly which takes both discipline and effort. They get plenty of encouragement to discover skills they may not realise they have and may get such a buzz from the Summer Camp that they decide to develop those skills at our weekend schools - Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Blackrock, Sunday in Killiney and Stagecoach Castleknock on Saturday mornings.
For more information contact Evan at Stagecoach Dublin south on 01 20438 14/086 891 92 40 and Emma for Stagecoach Castleknock on 01 2722276/086 081 6866dublinsouth@stagecoach.ie, dublinnorth@stagecoach.ie and visit www.stagecoach.ie for more information and exciting news. Find us on FACEBOOK. Act Now!
STARCAMP
This leading summer camp experience will be in 170 towns this summer, with boys and girls aged 4-12 playing camp games, singing Disney classics, dancing to chart hits, acting out movie scenes, arts & crafts, making new friends, building self-esteem and confidence, having fun, and putting on a show. The crazy, fun world of STARCAMP caters for shy and confident alike, for all ages and genders, with over a third of the students now being boys, and with new programmes for older children. Camps are delivered by fully trained and Garda-vetted staff. Online bookings in 2016 go into a draw for a 5* Family Holiday to Martinhal, Portugal. To book your child’s place, call 021-4377900 and visit www.starcamp.ie
Alliance Francaise
Alliance Francaise provides a range of French language summer courses and activities for children from Tots to Teens.
Courses available for Tots and Children include: A Petits Pas (ages 1-4) Poussins (ages 5-6), Minimes (ages 7-9), Cadets (ages 10-12) and Bilingues (from ages 3 up to 12). 4 week courses with a choice of 5 hours for €50 or 8 hours for €80. Saturday 11th June to Saturday 2nd July.
Summer camps take place weekly during July and August, from 10 to 2.30 each day, including lunch à la française. Learn and play in French, Arts and Crafts, songs, outdoor games and much more. The classes are led by child-friendly native-French qualified teachers. Register for 2 camps or more and receive a 10% discount on the second camp. Available 4 - 8 July / 11 - 15 July / 18 - 22 July / 25 - 29 July €230 per week.
Summer courses for teenagers are designed to complement classes already attended at secondary school and to lay the groundwork for the school year ahead. They provide a diversification and broadening of the language in an interactive and fun way. 3 groups are available: Junior Teens (for students going into 2nd Year, 3rd Year and Transition Year), Senior Teens (for students going into 5th and 6th year) Preparation for Secondary School (for students going into 1st Year).
2 week programmes take place every 2 weeks from June , 30 hours in total at €300
Contact: www.alliance-francaise.ie Tel: 01 676 1732
Instituto Cervantes
The largest international Spanish teaching organisation in the world, is located in the heart of Dublin at Lincoln House, Dublin 2. Their highly qualified native teachers hold advanced degrees and are experienced professionals in child education.
In June, July, and August they are offering intensive courses full of fun for children aged 3 to 13 years. The students will achieve linguistic competence in Writing and Reading Spanish, Conversational Spanish, Oral and Aural skills, in a friendly atmosphere, while enjoying a new experience and enhancing their autonomy and personal development.
From September to June their weekly children’s courses take place on Saturday mornings and afternoons, with workshops and activities for children throughout the year. They specialise in Spanish courses for Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate and Spanish after Transition Year.
Why not go along to their special day for families: El Día E? The Fiesta of All Spanish Language Speakers on June 18th from 11am to 4pm takes place at their headquarters at Lincoln Place, Dublin 2. Storytelling, theatre and arts & crafts workshops are just some of the activities that you can enjoy while tasting delicious food from Spain and Latin America. www.dublin.cervantes.es
Tel: +353 (0)1 631 15 12. e-mail: cendub1@cervantes.es
Gaelcholáiste Cholumba
Gaelcholáiste Cholumba provides Irish Summer Courses for children ages (8-12) and (12-15) in U.C.D. from Monday, 13th June. These two week Irish courses greatly improve primary school childrens’ grasp of Gaeilge, with emphasis on speaking the language in everyday situations as well as work on proper sentence structure and grammar. Students are introduced to Aural work. Children begin to develop “an ear” for the language. The atmosphere on the Irish Courses is vibrant and engaging with the full emphasis on an interactive style of teaching and learning. It is a very encouraging atmosphere. Students gain real confidence in speaking “as Gaeilge”. The Course is staffed by a Principal(Príomhoide), a dedicated professional and highly skilled team of Irish teachers. The teaching staff are Gaeilge teachers from Gaelscoileanna and from the Galway Gaeltacht. They adopt strict adherence and enforcement of speaking “as Gaeilge” rule. The afternoons are spent on sporting activities, music, dance, arts & crafts, lego and art “as Gaeilge”.
Gaelcholáiste Cholumba also provides one week Irish Summer Camps for children ages (4-5),(6-8) and (9-13) every week from Monday, 4th July – Friday, 12th July with different themes each week.
Students begin each activity with a short lesson where they are taught words and vocabulary that they will use in that activity. Students have lots of opportunities each day to practice their new vocabulary and phrases. The wide range of activities include:, Art, Drama, Film, Singing, Lego, Science Experiments, Soccer, Dodgeball, Tag Rugby, Basketball, Badminton, GAA, Badminton, Tennis. and Irish Dancing. They also provide the option of an extra hour from 3.00pm -4.00pm each day for Irish writing classes. Students learn how to write and structure sentences using the vocabulary and phrases they have learned that day.
Teileafón: Áine 087-2361869. Ríomhphost/Email: info@gaelcholaistecholumba.com
Columbus Club
Columbus Club takes place from Tuesday, 7th June – Friday, 12th August providing children aged (3-12) with twelve Summer Camps to choose from every week. Children are grouped according to age.
Columbus Club has three centres: (1) Wesley House, Leeson Park, D6 (2) St. Andrew’s Centre, Mt. Merrion Ave. Blackrock . Their third centre based in U.C.D. provides Summer Camps “as Gaeilge”
Columbus Club provides: Arts & Sports Camp, Animation & Art Camp, Film & Cinematography Camp, Drama Workshop, Multi-Sports & Fitness Camp, Creative Writing Camp, Baking Camp, Junior Engineering/Lego Camp, Computer Coding Camp, Chess Camp, Science Camp, Sewing,Knitting, Embroidery & Crochet Camp. All twelve camps take place each week in each centre.
All camps are taught by tutors qualified in their own discipline at degree and masters level and all staff are Garda Vetted. Columbus Club attaches great importance to safety measures and has implemented a “sign-in and sign-out” policy by parents for years as well as security measures with regard to student entry and exit.
The atmosphere at Columbus Club is vibrant and energetic. Each child is given personal attention and time. Children are encouraged to explore and develop their potential in a variety of activities such as Coding, Junior Engineering, Film, Animation, Baking, Sewing, Crochet, Knitting and Embroidery, just to mention a few.
The teenage programme includes Irish Summer Courses held in U.C.D. Columbus also provides teenage “Create an App” Course as well as Baking & Cookery Courses and Photography Courses.
For full information please see. www.columbusclub.ie or call Anne on 087-4167740.
Idea Camp
All great advances in the world come from powerful ideas!
Idea Camp in the Dublin Institute of Technology is Ireland’s first ever Academy of Creative Play. The aim of the camp is to nurture lifelong creativity as an essential skill in a well-rounded education. The summer camp for 8-12 year olds runs for two separate weeks, 4th-8th and the 11th-15th of July 2016. Teaching staff from DIT will help children to learn how to unlock their creativity in five distinct areas; music, food, art & design, digital and drama.All of the subjects covered in Idea Camp will be presented through the unique learning method of creative play. This will give the children an input into the process of creativity while shaping the outcome themselves. It will equip them to use creativity in everyday situations to solve problems. DIT academics will also be working with Idea Camp to strengthen their knowledge and know-how of creative play techniques. Creativity is as important and natural to children as their need and desire to engage in play! By exposing children to creative experiences, they are offered a rich and memorable childhood, laying the foundation for a lifetime of creative expression, while at the same time developing important learning skills.
Idea Camp is built on the philosophy that we are all born with an innate ability to create based on nurturing ideas. For more information see www.ideacamp.ie
Junior Einsteins Science Camps
Junior Einsteins Science Camps bring the WOW factor to the science facts!
4 different venues in Malahide, Dunboyne, Ballybrack/Killiney & Greystones.
Junior Einsteins bring their AMAZING science experiments to your child’s week. Children are enthralled by - 2 types of SLIME; electrocuting a Barbie doll on a Van Der Graff generator; lighting light bulbs by just touching a plasma ball; shooting giant smoke rings at each other with fabulous giant Smoke Cannons; watching the bubbling, foaming Elephant Toothpaste reaction as well as simple, but mesmerising Walking Water, and hand boilers, and to top off the fun their FAMOUS mentos and Coke Geysers shooting 20 feet into the air and much, much more......!
Time :9am- 2pm Monday to Friday
Cost: €140 pw 10% sibling discount
Also Science Parties, After-School Science Clubs, Science Workshops & Demonstrations, Super Science Show and Science Corporate Events.
Junior Einsteins Science Club
Phone us in the Lab : 085 8641959
www.junioreinsteinsscienceclub.com
WhizzKids
Listed No. 1 Tech Camp in The Sunday Times 2016 ‘Top 20 Summer Camps in Ireland’– WHIZZKIDS SUMMER CAMPS have seen a meteoric rise in popularity since they first started in 2003. Children like it because they teach subjects such as Web Design, Video Game Programming, Animation, 3D Design, App Development and a host of other IT skills close to their hearts. Parents like it because these are educational camps developing valuable skills for children to have, they only use experienced teachers and they only operate out of third level venues ensuring the highest standard of facilities. It’s not just sitting at a PC all day either. They mix in a sports activity every day and their unique Spy Academy has the kids solving puzzles and catching baddies. Camps are run in UCD, DCU, NUIM, CIT, UL, NUIG, LIT, IT Tralee & Clonmel, in July and August. Be warned they are full every year so book early to avoid disappointment. For further information visit www.whizzkids.ie
FOOD ACTIVE
Food Active’s two-week summer course has been designed to maximise children’s exposure to different foods and culinary techniques in a safe, fun environment.
But ‘Food Activism’ is not just about cooking, which is why their specially-tailored programme gives young people the opportunity to participate in a variety of sporting and outdoor activities, as well as exciting and educational field trips.
The Food Active camp offers: Cookery demonstrations by qualified chefs, supervised hands - on cookery classes and lunches cooked by the chefs, sporting activities every day and excursions to places of culinary interest as well as an end of camp BBQ. Their pupil teacher ratio is 8:1 and classes are limited to 24. The course fee covers all tuition and excursion fees as well as lunches and food ingredients.
www.foodactive.ie Tel: 086 8232358
Supersonic Trampoline Club
Trampolining has become a fun pastime loved by so many kids in Ireland. And should they want to take their skills to a higher (and safer) level, there is only one place to go... SuperSonic!
For the past 14 years, top level coaches at SuperSonic Trampoline Club have been offering kids the chance to take both the fun factor and their skills, to the next level. Their unique camps offer one-on-one instruction to all levels and abilities in a safe and extremely welcoming environment. Each member of the camp will learn new and impressive skills in a controlled, enjoyable manner while also making new friends. SuperSonic’s coaches are passionate about trampolining, tailoring their instruction to suit each individual child, from the shyest beginner, to the most fearless enthusiast.
The camps are always filled with both happy children and happy parents, as can be seen from Helen’s feedback below.
‘My kids recently attended your trampoline camp and really enjoyed it.
Firstly, I’d like to thank you and your team for providing such a great camp. I have to say, your coaches are the nicest group I have ever come across. Each one obviously enjoys what they are doing and enjoy teaching kids. Helen’.
For more details go to
www.SuperSonicTC.com
Pembroke Fencing
Pembroke Fencing at St.Conleth`s College, Clyde Road, Ballsbridge
These camps are suitable for children and teens, boys and girls who have never experienced fencing before as well as for those who have some basic fencing knowledge.
Each class is taught using plenty of games to improve speed and co-ordination, develop specific fencing skills and tactical thinking. Kids learn fencing blade and footwork, rules of courtesy during a fencing bout and refereeing skills – all of that of course while doing plenty of sword fighting!
Cost €120 per week
For Registration Tel 0862160646 info@pembrokefencing.ie www.pembrokefencing.ie
Kidspace
KIDSPACE RATHFARNHAM has been designed with both parents and children in mind and their passion for excellence and high standards ensure both a relaxing and enjoyable visit for all the family. With their separate activity area for babies & toddlers which is known as ‘toddler village’, a variety of fun and educational classes (arts & crafts, dance ), together with the main playcentre area for older children to amazing birthday parties, there is something for everyone. They have the Nest Café for parents to enjoy a coffee. Watch their facebook page for special summer events and check out their great membership deals for great summer value.
www.kidsspaceplaycentre.ie
01- 5552103
