Killarney Advertiser, Kids Activities and Summer Camps Special Feature, Fri 24th May 2019

Killarney National Park Education Centre

Get up-close and personal with wildlife in the National Park Why not come to the Education Centre in the magnificent Killarney National Park for the best summer camp ever!

Killarney National Park Education Centre is ideally located amongst the beautiful woodlands and grasslands of the Knockreer Demesne. We meet the children at the main gates opposite St Mary’s Cathedral, so it is easy for parents to “drop-off and run”!

During the camps the children get a chance to meet new friends and get “up-close and personal” with some of the wildlife of the Park. We see mice and voles, red and sika deer, squirrels, badgers, lots of birds and many beautiful plants. We use microscopes to inspect insects, use nets and traps, build dens, play games, and do bush craft, scavenger hunts, pond dipping, eco arts and crafts, and much, much more!

We have been running camps at the Education Centre for nearly 20 years now and many children return year af-

ter year. All of the staff working on the camps are fully garda vetted and are very experienced at working with children and wildlife.

The day camps are for seven to 12-yearolds and run from 9.30am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday.

The Junior Ranger Camps for 10 to 14-year-olds are residential and run Tuesday to Thursday, with two overnights in our hostel on the Muckross Peninsula.

On this camp we do badger sett watching, boat trips, hikes, bushcraft, bat walks, campfires, and many other ecologically themed activities.

If you would like to book a place or find out more information, please email us on knpeducationcentre@eircom.net or phone 064 6635960.

Killarney Sports and Leisure

Splash around this summer Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre, located on the Bypass Road in Killarney includes a 25m swimming pool, learner and baby pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

There are a number of swimming lessons available for all ages. Parent and baby/toddler swimming, Duckling classes for our three-year-olds and then our main stream lessons we cater for eight different levels of ability from age four plus. Also available are adult lessons twice a week.

During the summer months we run summer camps for seven weeks. This is an action-packed week that includes activities such as swimming, games, sports, bouncy castles and obstacle courses.

We take children from ages four – 12 years. All activities are age-appropriate.

This year we introduced an Early Morning Club where busy parents can drop off their kids at 9am (Monday – Friday) for 90 minutes before camp starts. The Early Morning Club can also be used by parents who need to run errands around town and want to keep their kids entertained for 90 minutes while

they get their jobs done.

Looking for your kids to keep up their swimming during the summer?

Intensive Swimming Lessons may be for you. Enjoy intense learning Monday – Friday for 45 minutes each day for one week and see your child’s swimming improve before your eyes. There are a number of levels available each week. A pleasant discount is applied to any child who attends camp and intensives in the same week.

A Duckling Swimming course will take place this summer. A five-week course will be carried out by our experienced instructors to help your three-yearold child build confidence in the water while developing their skills.

Going on holidays this summer? Why not join our adult lessons once a week.

We give lessons on a Wednesday morning or Thursday evening.

For any information email info@killarneyleisure.com or call 064-6636554

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Star Camp

“Believe in yourself and you can achieve anything!”

As Starcamp kicks off their biggest and best summer camp line up to date, they have teamed up with the renowned mind magician Keith Barry, to send out a national reminder to parents everywhere that the use of the imagination, courage and self-esteem are incredibly positive tools for children for life.

“Children simply need to play, pretend, dream and be happy in a safe environment, where they are encouraged and praised,” Aideen O’Grady, Starcamp Director, said.

“Starcamp is for everyone, not just the born performers,” Keith Barry says.

With over 40 percent of boys now in attendance, it truly is a camp with broad appeal and its benefits are reaching boys and girls everywhere. Parents who had concerns about their child enjoying it have been mesmerised by the impact.

The growth and number of return children annually proves this, along with the thousands of testimonials received over the past 12 years.

Starcamp 2019 as always will include singing, hip-hop, acting, arts and crafts, confidence building, news-reporting, camp games, superheroes, star Olympics, surprises galore – but there will be a special focus this year on magic, the use of the imagination and…. comedy! Staff at Starcamp HQ work all year round to ensure the most wondrous experience possible for all who attend. A little in-

sight into this year’s line-up shows ‘Toy Story 4’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘David Walliams’ Gangsta’ Granny’ for the older kids.

Starcamp was a memorable winner on Dragon’s Den, has won numerous awards and is widely recognised for leading the way in what it does. With a number of camps already booked out, don’t delay in securing your place. Every child receives a Starcamp t-shirt, cert and lots more! Starcamp will run in over 220 towns nationwide for a week at a time. The camp runs for five days from 9.30 to 2.30pm and children aged four to 12 will be sub-divided into their own age groups for advancing programs. For a limited time, they offer an instalment option whereby €20 will secure your place.

Camps take place in Kerry this year in Killarney from July 8-12, Kenmare July 29 – August 2, Listowel August 6-10, Tralee July 1-5 and Castleisland from August 12-16.

Book your limited place now at www.

Starcamp.ie or call 021-4377900.

Techkidz

Learning is fun at Techkidz camps Techkidz are Ireland’s longest established and biggest providers of summer tech camps for primary school children throughout Munster.

This is their 10th year running their multi activity tech camps in Killarney and Tralee for children aged between seven – 13 years.

All children will learn and improve basic computer skills and there is a big emphasis on fun and creativity. Most chil-

dren will get to design and make their own t-shirts and rulers - which are two of the most popular activities.

All children will be introduced to Coding, Programming and Game Development. They will also learn to design and create their own computer games

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Children will have fun learning animation and robotics, while the older ones will get to experience 3D design as well as Coding - using a Raspberry Pi. Some children will get to design their own website and programme with Python.

And everybody will get to do lots of activities in Minecraft and Roblox.

Techkidz use the very latest equipment and software and are fully insured. All

their camp leaders are experienced teachers and fully garda vetted.

There is a limited amount of places left in Killarney in St Brendan’s College from August 19 to 23, from 10am – 12.30pm, and Tralee in the ITT from August 19 to 23 from 2.30pm – 5pm.

They can be booked online; www.techkidz.ie or by phoning 022 51318.

Cappanalea

Spend some time outdoors this summer in Cappanalea Have fun in the sun this summer by taking some time out and spending it at Cappanalea. There’s plenty for everyone of all ages, including non-residential camps, residential camps and adult activities.

NON-RESIDENTIAL CAMPS:

During July and August, camps run weekly for children aged seven to 13 years.

Camps run daily from 9am – 5pm with children participating in three outdoor

activities each day. The price is €165 which includes transport each day to and from Killorglin or Caragh Lake, use of all necessary equipment and qualified instruction given with all activities.

Summer Camps- non residential for children Summer Camps - residential for teenagers Family Day Out Adult day & Evening Session Canoe/Kayaking on Caragh Lake Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Sailing, Windsurfing, Rockclimbing & Abseiling, Hillwalking & Orienteering

Bring Outdoor Adventure into your Holiday this summer Contact Cappanalea OETC. Oulagh West, Caragh Lake, Killorglin, Co. Kerry Phone: 066 9769244 info@cappanalea.ie www.cappanalea.ie

RESIDENTIAL CAMPS

An action-packed week of fun and adventure. The price is €280 which includes pick up from Killarney Railway Station, accommodation and full catering for the week, use of all necessary equipment and qualified instruction given with all activities.

ADULT ACTIVITIES

Whether it is a day/half day or evening activity, there is lots to choose from for

adults. Starting from June onwards, give us a call to check what’s happening.

Courses include kayaking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP), rock-climbing and abseiling, as well as hillwalking.

Cappanalea OETC, Oulagh West, Caragh Lake, Killorglin, Co. Kerry Phone: 066 9769244 info@cappanalea.ie, www.cappanalea.ie