Morning radio has been awash the past few weeks with chat about the cost of summer day camps and childcare for parents over the summer.
Alive Outside Day Camp for Children
A cocktail of rising costs, including higher utility bills, food costs and insurance has meant camps and childcare providers have been forced to put up prices, while parents scramble around trying to make the summer ‘work.’
Add to this a sense of guilt about leaving kids in front of screens after an extended pandemic made that a reality for long enough, and parents are feeling stressed and frazzled.
One notable and glorious exception to the pricey camp option is Alive Outside Day-Camp, operating every Saturday and Sunday throughout July and August in Kilruddery Estate; only 30 minutes south of Dublin.
A Taste of Ireland’s Fittest Family
This is a camp which promises to entertain children between seven and thirteen for six full hours and ‘take them away from their screens’ – not only does it fulfil this promise, but the price of a ticket is just €35 for the first child and €31 for any child thereafter. Let me tell you, this is an absolute steal!
Alive Outside will already be familiar to many people as it facilitates the hugely popular TV show Ireland’s Fittest Family a fact which only adds to the fun and glamour of the camps.
The campers arrive ten minutes before the fun begins at 10am when they are swept off together, by reassuringly fit and organised leaders, for a day that packs a punch. There is more activity in this six-hour camp than in many full week camps.
There’s kayaking, followed by a water-slide and a daring jump into the lake, laser tag, an obstacle run and a hike through some of the 600 acres of Kilruddery Estate, beautifully flanked by the Little Sugar Loaf.
Each activity takes about two hours, so the day’s itinerary is perfectly balanced between activities. Each child’s ability is taken into consideration, so there is no need to worry if you are sending a kid who is more of a gamer than an Olympic hopeful.
Toasted Marshmallows to Finish
The afternoon culminates in a campfire, complete with toasted marshmallows. The stuff of childhood dreams.
The entire day is also dream-like for the parents who all look visibly recharged on arriving back to base to collect their intrepid adventurers at 4pm. With beautiful Kilruddery Estate to explore or Brittas Bay just a hop away for a long walk, this is a relaxing and guilt free treat for parents too.
For more information or to book a space, see here.
