Summer Camps are the best way to keep your child busy over the summer holidays! Summer Camps are also an excellent way for your child to mingle with new people their own age and gain some well-needed people skills at a young age while having a great time! It also means that you also get to relax in a child-free environment for the duration of the camp .. So it’s pretty much a win-win scenario?
Here is a list of 7 camps & information on each that are happening in Ireland this summer:
Fota Island Wildlife Park
If you live in the Cork area and your child loves wildlife and being outdoors then this could be a great summer camp for them!
This summer camp is run over two weeks with the option to join the camp at week 1 or week 2.
If you want your child to do two full weeks then I think that the option is that you must sign them up for the two weeks separately!
Week 1 is carried out from the 24th to the 28th July
Week 2 is carried out from the 31st July to the 4th August
The camp lasts from 10am to 3pm every day!
The camp includes Safari Trails, Arts & Crafts, Animal-themed sports & outdoors activities and the Friday of each week is sponsored by Cork County Council as an ‘Environmental fun-day’ for an excellent fun-filled day to end the summer camp week!
Cost €115 per child per week.
Suitable for children aged 5 -12 years’ old
Location: Education Complex at Fota Wildlife Park
10% discount available for members or for 3 or more children
More details are available from the Education Dept.:
email: education@fotawildlife.ie or Call: (021) 481 2678 (ext. 206)
Website Information can be found here: Fota Island Summer Camp
Tralee Bay Wetlands
This is a really great wildlife experience summer camp for kids with an interest in the environment and animals!
If you are in the Kerry area this summer, then you’ve hit the jackpot with summer camps!
This camp is located directly across the road from the Aquadome and consists of 25 acres of natural habitats.
This summer camp is for children between ages 4 to 13 years old.
The camp includes using the centre as a ‘living laboratory‘ where the kids will learn all about wetlands, forests, wildlife and waterbodies!
In addition to the educational side of the summer camp, there will be a large range of wildlife-themed games and sports as well as creative activities such as Arts & Crafts!
Tralee Bay Wetlands states that “We promote each child’s personal development by providing fun, friendship and leadership in a supportive and non – competitive environment.”
For Ages 5 to 12 year olds
Dates:
WEEK 1: Monday 10th July to Friday 14th
WEEK 2: Monday 24th July to Friday 28th
WEEK 3: Monday 14th August to Friday 18th
(From 10am to 2pm)
Cost:
5 Day Camp: €90 per child
3 Day Camp: €55 per child
1 Day Camp: €20 per child
Sibling and or Buddy Discounts are also available when booking two or more children for full week camp.
Second child registered receives €5 OFF
Third child registered receives €10 OFF
Fourth child registered receives €15 OFF
(on full camp participation)
Group rates also apply so if any enquiry on groups please call the centre with details given below!
Contact Tel.: (066) 712 6700 or email info@traleebaywetlands.org for a booking form and brochure, or download one from www.traleebaywetlands.org
Click here to be brought directly to the online booking form: Booking form
Click here to see the online information on this summer camp: Summer Camp info
Dublin Zoo
This summer camp is great for anyone living in the Dublin area!
The camp is for any child age 6 to 12 years old.
The children will gain knowledge about the animals in the zoo, introduction to conservation and how it works, hands-on activities, Arts & Crafts activities and zoo tours!
Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm daily Monday to Friday
Age: 6 – 12 years (children will be assigned to age-related groups)
Cost: €130 (annual pass holders) or €140 (non-annual pass holders) per week!
**ONLINE BOOKING ONLY FROM MAY 22nd at 9.00am ** (https://dublinzoo.digitickets.co.uk/category/926)
Week 1: July 17th – 21st
Week 2: July 24th – 28th
Week 3: July 31st – August 4th
Week 4: August 7th – 11th (this includes the Bank Holiday Monday)
Week 5: August 14th – 18th
Dublin SPCA
DSPCA are based in Rathfarnham, South Dublin and are one of the best animal welfare centres in this region!
They are running a summer camp for kids this year and I have listed all the information below!
Personally, I think this is fantastic for children to be able to enjoy spending time with animals, especially for children that do not necessarily have animals at home!
One Week Camps
There is space for 20 people each session and the camp will cost €195 (10% discount for Junior Members/10% discount for siblings).
There will be camps for all different ages and these list are below.
The camp is from 9.30 – 4.00pm Monday – Friday and the first camp will start on Monday 12th June 2017.
Courses will run:
- 12th – 16th June – 13 to 16 year olds
- 19th – 23rd June – 13 to 16 year olds
- 26th – 30th June – 13 to 16 year olds
- 3rd – 7th July – 10 to 12 year olds FULL
- 10th – 14th July – 13 to 16 year olds
- 17th – 21st July – 10 to 12 year olds
- 24th – 28th July – Sibling Camp 10 to 16 year olds book here
- 31st July – 4th August – 10 to 12 year olds
- 8th – 11th August (this is a 4 day camp for 6-11 year olds)Book Here
- 14th – 18th August – 13 to 16 year olds
Course participants will learn:
- Care and handling of “small fluffy animals” (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, etc.)
- The importance of environmental enrichment for farmyard animals
- Care and handling of reptiles and other exotics
- Care and handling of horses and equines
- Care and handling of cats
- Care and handling of dogs
- Dog training/Dog agility
- Basic Pet First Aid
- Work of the DSPCA and a history of Irish Animal Welfare
- How to Run an Animal Charity and the importance of Fundraising
- Day Trip to Dublin Zoo to talk with the animal care and Education Staff
Requirements
- All camp participants must have an up to date anti tetanus vaccine.
- Suitable clothing for outdoor activities should be warn (no hoodies please). Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring sun cream.
- Unfortunately we cannot take on people with animal allergies.
- Please notify us of any medical conditions or special requirements before applying.
- Mobile phones may be brought but we would ask that people refrain from using them during course times.
- Please bring a suitable pack lunch. Tea, Coffee and microwave facilities will be provided.
To find out more information on this summer camp I have linked the website page for this summer camp here: DPSCA Summer Camp
OWLS: The Children’s Nature Charity Kids Camp
OWLS is a fantastic group so when it comes to summer camps I would definitely say that there is no other like it! OWLS are brilliant with kids and experts in the outdoors!
This summer camp runs for three weeks:
July 10th to 14th
August 7th to 11th
August 14th to 18th
Inspector Gadget Camp
Where: Herbert Park
When: Monday, July 10th to Friday 14th
Times: 1pm to 4pm
Harry Potter Camp
Where: Fitzsimons Wood, Dundrum
When: Monday, August 7th to Friday 11th
Times: 9.30 to 2.30
Fees: OWL members €125 for the week, €28 if just attending the odd day. Non OWLS members €150 for the week, €33 per day
Clash of the Clans Camp
Where: Turvey Park, Donabate
When: Monday, August 14th to Friday 18th
Times: 9.30 to 2.30
Fees: OWL members €125 for the week, €28 if just attending the odd day. Non owls members €150 for the week, €33 per day
If you are interested and would like to hear more or to book a place please contact Mouse at info@owls.ie or Turtle at education@owls.ie. Please note that camp books up early!
Marine Dimensions Kids Camp
Marine Dimensions are hosting a series of Kids camps this summer depending on age range for different camp types!
These camps will be full on hands-on activities with the Marine world of Ireland! The children at the camp will be introduced to sea creatures such as baby sharks, rays, starfish, crabs and loads more!
The camp includes a large range of outdoor activities hosted by the marine biologists at the centre! These activities include rockpooling, sand castle competitions, shark eggcase hunts and marine mammal watching (seals, porpoises, dolphins, etc.)
I have provided a link to the webpage that listed all the different age group camps, as the Marine Dimensions have too many for me to detail in this blog post alone!
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Throughout the year, the IPCC run day and week long nature camps for kids aged between 7 and 13 years at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. The camps are fully supervised by experienced tutors.
Children can connect with nature and experience the great outdoors by engaging in activities such as pond dipping, nature crafts, frog hunts, woodland creepy crawlie searches, story telling outside, picnics and much more.
Fees:
- Day Camps €15 per child.
- Week Camps €50 per child.
- Special Offer – 10% reduction for the second or third child attending from the same family or group of friends.
Booking is essential. Please contact the Environmental Education Officer on Telephone (045) 860 133 if you wish to participate in a Go Wild Camp and to obtain further details.
Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare. Email: bogs@ipcc.ie; Tel: +353-45-860133.
Other Camps that do not yet have set 2017 dates established are as follows:
- Secret Valley Wildlife Park – See Website Here
- Kildare Steiner School of Bushcraft & Tracking Summer Camp – See Website Here
The Little Owl 