Spraoi celebrates
summer camp success
28.08.23
AS children return to
school, Spraoi agus Spórt in Carndonagh is celebrating
its most successful summer programme yet. Almost 500
children attended 21 different activity camps that took
place from June to August this year.
The fully inclusive and accessible summer camps saw
almost 60 children with special needs participate, with
free one-to-one assistance. Spraoi agus Spórt CEO, Helen
Nolan says access to low cost, high-quality camps “took
pressure off working families during the long school
holidays. The camps catered for all age groups, from
toddlers to teenagers. They were led by a great team of
over 60 people including, facilitators, our own staff,
special needs assistants and students. We employed 15
college and secondary students over the summer, and we
couldn’t have delivered our camps without them”. |
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Second and third level
students who helped at the Spraoi agus Spórt Summer
Camps |
Most of Spraoi agus
Spórt’s camps ran for five days, covering everything
from adventure, forest exploration and pier jumping, to
film making, gaming, cooking, and sewing. Some
highlights this year included a Film School, Teens
Adventure Summer Camp, ReThread: Textile Upcycling camp,
and Gaming Adventure for Young Creators.
“We also ran our hugely popular July Provision programme
for those with special needs,” says Helen. “We would
like to thank Glentogher School and Scoil Treasa Naofa
Malin for use of their schools. We couldn’t deliver the
programme without their support.
The Multi-Activity Camp ran weekly over the full nine
weeks of the summer camp programme. It was a particular
hit with children and parents alike, says Helen Nolan.
“It offers great variety because each day is different.
It’s always jam packed with outdoor activities, games,
arts, crafts and more.”
“Parents have told us the camps provided great
entertainment and learning opportunities for their
children. Some families chose to holiday in Inishowen
especially so their children could access our inclusive
camps, which is a real plus for the region. Thank you to
St. Patricks Girls and Boys School for the use of their
facilities.”
Another feature of the Spraoi agus Spórt’s summer
programme was the Digital Creative Lab, which held its
own camps. At these camps, children access the tools and
knowledge to innovate and invent using technology and
digital fabrication. They work with trained facilitators
from concept to design to production, using computer
programmes, laser cutting and 3D printers.
The fabrication lab goes out and about too, so Digital
Creative Lab Camps also took place at several summer
events around the Inishowen peninsula. This was possible
due to the support of our sponsor Inishowen Co-op. These
events included the Greencastle Regatta and the Clonmany
Agricultural Show, the largest Agricultural Show in
Ireland after the National Ploughing Championship. |
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Children on a visit to
Carndonagh Library as part of the Multi-Activity Camp
and Corey Jennings and Molly Murphy testing their skills
with Bee-Bots in the Digital Creative Lab at Greencastle
Regatta. |
“Young people gain
valuable computer science and digital skills at our lab
camps. They can literally make almost anything they
want,” says Helen Nolan. “By bringing digital education
to our rural communities, it enhances future prospects
for young people and ultimately builds the skills base
for local employers too.”
“Spraoi agus Spórt would like to thank all those who
facilitated or helped our summer camp activities. We
also want to thank our funders and supporters. They make
it possible for us to offer such a wide-ranging
programme of activities.”
Spraoi agus Spórt are rolling out their new autumn /
winter schedule now. For details about the new schedule
of activities and to sign up, go to:
www.spraoiagussport.ie . |
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