It’s that time of year again – the days are getting longer, the birds are chirping in their nests, the buzz of busy lawn mowers can be heard throughout the land …. and parent’s thoughts turn to the upcoming school holidays. Depending on your plans, you can have days upon days of having the kids around the house looking for things to do to keep them busy and occupied. The familiar refrain of “I’m bored” will ring out in family homes across the length and breath of Ireland.
The solution could be to pack the nippers off to a few weeks of Summer Camp. Over the last few years the variety and range of camps available has increased hugely. So to offer some help in finding the right Summer camp for your kids, I have compiled a list of some of the camps available and also linked to sites giving more detailed listings.
Please note I haven’t tried any of the camps myself (!) so can’t vouch for them. This is more of an introduction and is not an exhaustive list. And if anyone would like to let me know about any camps that they would recommend I’ll gladly add the details to the list.
And lastly, if you’re sending your kids to an outdoor camp in Ireland this Summer, don’t forget to Pack your PuddleDucks!
General Listings
Schooldays.ie – listings here
RollerCoaster.ie – listings here
MyKidsTime – listings here
KidsCamps – listings here
Sports Camps:
Irish Rugby Summer Camps – details here
VHI GAA Cúl Camps – details here
FAI Soccer Summer Camps – details here
Educational Camps
Whizz Kids IT Summer Camps – details here
Anyone for Science Summer Camps – details here
Outdoor Activity Camps
An Oige Eco Adventure Summer Camps – details here
Horizon Summer Summer Camps – details here
Let’s Go Summer Camps – details here
Update (12th June) ————-
Irish Language Camps (Campaí Samhraidh)
Ogras.ie – eolas anseo
Coláistí Samhradh – eolas anseo
PuddleDucks Blog 
Roseanne said
Hi Aedan,
And of course don’t forget that there are loads of Irish Language camps (Campaí Samhraidh) too. Check out http://www.ogras.ie/campaisamhraidh.php and http://www.concos.ie. Failing that give http://www.gaeilge.ie a call for info in your own locality. They do plenty of outdoor activities too and the Irish Language has a TRUCK load of words for your favourite weather 😉
And that’s it from your friendly Irish Language fanatic,
Roseanne
puddleducks said
Hi Roseanne – Go raibh maith agat. Thanks for the reminder. I have added up update above for the Irish camps/courses. I hope it’s OK. I like the sound of Irish having load of words for our favourite weather. I must look into that – can see a new blog post coming on!
All the best — Aedan
Roseanne said
Tá fáilte romhat! I thought you might like that alright. I remember writing about it a few years ago for Cogar.ie. I’ll send on some phrases which you will definitely get in time for Seachtain na Gaeilge next March! 🙂
R
Helen Creedon said
Please add this summer ecology course to your listings. One week only, residential summer camp in East Cork. Secondary school students do fieldwork sea-shore ecology. All activities on junior cert and leaving cert biology course, and fun too!
Many Thanks, Helen Creedon
Nigel Dugdale said
Hi Aedan,
Just came across your blog –
I am currently working on preparations for Limerick’s forthcoming CentreStage Performing Arts Summer Camps. The Camps are recognised as the first of their kind in Ireland and have proved to be very popular among young people with an interest in the performing arts from the Mid West and further afield.
I came across the Puddleducks website today and would be keen to get our camp featured on your site.
Would it be possible for you to get back to me on what we would have to do to get a listing on your summer camps section.
Many thanks and kind regards,
Nigel Dugdale
PR Co-ordinator
Centre Stage Summer Camp 2010
Hilton said
Hi Aedan
Another camp to add to your listing if you wouldn’t mind. Galway City Cougars are hosting a sports summer camp with a difference this July.
The Galway City Cougars Cheerleading and Dance summer camp includes 5 days of cheerleading jumps and stunts, gymnastic tumbling, cheering and motions, as well as hip hop dance routines. The camps are for 7 – 15 year olds and are coached by fully qualified and insured fitness trainers and cheerleading coaches who are all First Aid trained.
To find out more about the camps which run in Galway from July 5th – July 30th log on to http://www.galwaycitycougars.com
Thanks and regards
Hilton
Head Coach
Galway City Cougars
jimmy g said
Thanks Aedan, yours has been the most useful portal so far
jimmy g
Jenny said
Hi,
Please would you add the following details for Summer Camps at Brigit’s Garden;
FUN WITH NATURE
Our Fun with Nature Summer camp is a great week of fun activities for 5-8 year olds in the unique Celtic gardens. Activities include Nature games, arts and crafts, bug hunts, Celtic games and lots of natural fun, with a special musical parade on the last morning. Indoor options if wet.
Excellent experienced leaders
Time:10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday
Starting: July 4th, 11th,18th and August 8th and 15th
Cost: €55 for Brigit’s Garden members, €62 for non-members
What parents say: ‘I found it brilliant for the kids’ ‘This is his third time here and he is already asking me to book for next year!’
SURVIVAL SKILLS
The camp with a difference for 9-12 year old girls and boys.
There’s lots of fun in the woodland den: making huts, cooking food outdoors, tracking games, using a compass, nature crafts and lots more…
Excellent experienced leaders
Time: 2-5pm Monday to Friday
Starting: July 18th and August 8th & 15th
Cost: €55 for Brigit’s Garden members, €62 for non-members
What parents say: ‘They had a ball!’ ‘They enjoyed everything – I think you have a great formula’
INTO THE WILD… for 13-15 year olds
Fun, games and exploration in the hidden world of wilderness!
Excellent experienced leaders.
Activities will include sensory games, wild food foraging, fire-making, earth art, nature awareness, survival skills and lots more!
Time: 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Friday
Starting: August 2nd for 4 full days
Cost: €90 for Brigit’s Garden members, €100 for non-members
THE NATIVE WAY… for 16-18 year olds
Celebrating a sense of wonder with wilderness adventures, challenges and fun!
Excellent experienced leaders.
Activities will include fire technique, life skills, silent movement, earthern shelters, bushcraft, native plant knowledge and more!
Time: 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
Starting: August 22nd for 5 full days
Cost: €110 for Brigit’s Garden members, €125 for non-members
For more information contact 091550905 or see http://www.brigitsgarden.ie
Thank you