The sudden heatwave across the country this week is a reminder that summer is approaching, with weeks stretching ahead for kids who will finish school soon.
It can be tricky to keep children entertained all summer, so it’s no wonder parents look to summer camps to help break up the lazy months.
Thankfully, there is an abundance of camps to suit every taste and activity. So, whether your child is artistic, sporty, dramatic, or musical there’s an option available.
There’s also a wide range of science and STEM camps across the country, as well as camps that support children with additional needs.
Here we round up 5 different style camps for summer 2023.
Alive Outside
Camps for 7–13-year-olds
This is the ultimate outdoor camp held on the grounds of the beautiful Kilruddery Estate. The camp runs six hours a day and includes kayaking, a night line course, archery, and arts and crafts.
This is a back-to-basic for children, they’ll be in the fresh air and surrounded by nature all day.
All that’s required is a €30 deposit and the balance can be paid two weeks beforehand.
ChildVision
The National Education Centre for Blind Children runs a summer camp from July 3rd to 7th.
The five-day sports and recreation camp for children and young people with a vision impairment is designed to “empower each young person to be physically active, improve their health and independence and help them to continue to be involved in sport and physical activity in their communities and beyond after the summer programme”.
The programme is held in the ChildVision grounds in Drumcondra, Dublin 9 and is for ages 10-23 years.
Betty-Ann Norton Theatre School
This drama school has been around for a long time and is the best of its kind for acting lessons.
These camps comprise drama games, poetry speaking, mime, story performance, storytelling, arts and crafts, musical theatre (dancing and singing) puppetry, and creative play with costumes. Lunch break halfway through. In this camp, the focus is on lots of fun Summer themed games, and activities stories.
For younger children (aged 4-7, Montessori-Senior Infants) the course is a half-day course 9 am-1 pm. For older children (aged 7-12, 1st-6th Class) the course is full day 9 am-3 pm.
Camps take place in several venues throughout Dublin.
Betty-Ann Norton Theatre School
Junior Einstein Science Club
This award-winning group is a hands-on STEM experience for kids.
Its motto is ‘We teach children how to think, not what to think’.
From slime-making to forensics and bug hunts, this makes learning fun. Where else would you learn about physics by using a Nerf gun?!
Camps are available in various venues across Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny & Waterford all summer.
Art Zone
Artzone is running a range of art camps in Dundrum, Rathfarnham, Malahide & Glenageary this summer across a variety of dates.
The camps are run by qualified art teachers, with professional standards in art, design, stories, and games.
Students aged 5 to 12 yrs. will cover a range of art projects including painting, drawing, materials manipulation, and clay construction, with lots of unique design and creative input. Camps run from 10 am – 1 pm.
