Mid-term break camps. I’m not joking, it’s already time to think about them. It felt a bit like Groundhog Day when the second class WhatsApp pinged on September 22 asking if anyone’s son is doing Lil Olympians camp in St. Annes Park, Raheny over Halloween.
So in spite of a strong whiplash-type feeling, I’m back in the midst of camp recce for October Midterm 2022!
Lil Olympians
As this was the first camp I was alerted to it seems a good starting place.
The ethos behind this group is that nobody should be priced out of soccer. It’s been built by a bunch of people who love the sport and want to share that enjoyment and experience with everyone.
All of their coaches are fully qualified, garda vetted and come from an extensive background in sports with professional playing and coaching experience. But most importantly they are genuine and nice people to leave your children with.
The price for a week-long ‘Football Mad’ camp in St. Annes Park is €75. A steal. They cater for kids between six and 14.
Info here: https://lil-olympian-sports.class4kids.ie/camp/16
Growing Gourmets
Dublin Cookery School is running this delicious little camp for teenagers.
Students aged 12-17 have the run of the kitchen for the day (with expert and humorous guidance from a dynamic team of tutors); they spend every day creating delectable menus that they then sit down to enjoy themselves.
Parents will be pinching themselves when they come home to the comforting smell of a warm loaf of brown bread emerging from the oven, beautiful pasta, or a terrifically tender lemon and poppy seed cake.
Cooking is a great essential skill for teens to learn and this camp promises to impart knowledge while the students bond and have fun. It starts at 10 am, so not too early for the notoriously sleepy teen market!
Info here: https://www.dublincookeryschool.ie/courses/growing-gourmets-4-day-course
Hocus Pocus- Make a Movie
The Gaiety School of Acting do a ton of drama and musical camps and lessons but this one puts the student behind the camera which is pretty cool. This camp is equally popular with boys and girls alike, which is terrific. Just at the same time that female director Olivia Wilde receives plaudits and box-office success for her film ‘Don’t Worry Darling’.
Led by experts in the film industry using hi-spec equipment, campers are taught character development, screenwriting, storyboarding and camera styles. All campers will also be involved in costume workshops and have their make-up done by a Special FX Make-up Artist. At the end of the camp, they will receive a link to the completed movie to show friends and family.
More info here: https://gaietyschool.com/mid-term-camps/lion-king-3/
ArtZone- Halloween Camps
If you have a young artist in your home, you are likely already familiar with ArtZone. It is a fantastic collaboration of artists who produce workshops and camps all over Dublin.
Halloween is a fantastic time for Art, full of spooky, bright and colourful imagery, stories and games.
According to Artzone, each 2022 Halloween portfolio is researched and designed based on the Primary Schools Visual Arts Curriculum to maximise creativity, learning & fun.
More info here:https://www.artzone.ie/camps/halloween-art-camps-dublin/
Pony Camp at The Paddocks Riding Centre
This is a lovely family-run riding centre tucked up in the mountains near Kilternan, covering an area of approximately 3,000 acres overlooking Dublin City.
The equestrian centre will run two pony camps Monday to Friday during the mid-term break. The camp day is split into two options, a half day and a full day. The half-day is from 10 am-1:00 pm and includes one hour of riding, two hours of stable management and lots of fun, including pony grooming which I can attest is a big hit with the tween girl crowd!
This camp covers a multitude of ages from little kiddies to teenagers. No experience is necessary and The Paddocks provide hats and riding boots.
More info here: https://www.paddocks.ie/full_and_half_day_pony_camp
