A bored child can be a parent’s worst nightmare over the summer, so it’s worth researching and finding the right camp to suit your child’s needs and your own location.
Across Dublin there are camps in sports such as GAA, soccer, rugby and tennis and with qualified coaches at the ready, it is a relatively cheap and effective babysitting service for a week or two over the summer.
Don’t let your kids sit in all day playing computer games. Even if it is a sport they haven’t tried before, get them out there to experience different games and encourage them to be active. Most camps are geared towards fun and participation and are not about competing.
Soccer
If your child is interested in soccer, the official FAI summer schools sponsored by An Post are the best service providers for children between the ages of 7-15.
The standard cost of the camp is €99 but there are discounts in place if you book before June 15th, while there are also further discounts for a family rate. They are also hosting specialised goalkeeper camps throughout the county as well as special camps that cater for girls only to help encourage female participation at a young age.
On the first day of each camp all participants receive special Umbro FAI gear, including a football and a jersey for no extra charge.
More information can be found on www.summerschools.ie
GAA
VHI GAA Cúl Camps provide boys and girls – between the ages of 7 and 13 – with an action-packed week of activity during the summer holidays which revolves around maximising enjoyment in Gaelic games.
The camps are structured so that a different aspect of the game is worked on each day and there is a huge emphasis on improving skill levels, no matter what level your child is at. On the last day of the camp a “blitz” will be organised to provide each child with an introduction to competitive games. Each child also receives their own unique kit after paying the €65 fee and there are discounts in place for extra family members.
Camps begin on the 5 July and to find a GAA camp near you with contact information log onto www.vhiculcamps.gaa.ie
Rugby
With rugby’s popularity forever growing in the country Leinster Rugby will be staging 22 venues throughout the whole province. Camp places are available for boys and girls from 6-12.
To help facilitate each child’s needs, participants will be divided by their age into groups and the Camps will be managed and run by fully accredited I.R.F.U. coaches. The standard cost is €99 and see www.leinsterrugby.ie for any queries.
Tennis
Shreddies Parks Tennis is a low cost subsidised tennis coaching programme for boys and girls from 6 to 17 years. The camp caters for beginners and improvers during our summer programme. All equipment is provided for a small fee. See www.parkstennis.com for more information.