The summer is here, and so parents in every county are wondering what they are going to do with the young people they usually wave goodbye to each morning during school term.
For many parents, choosing a summer camp, or two, or eight, is an annual and often expensive task, so here is a handy list to help you, and your children. This guide is particularly for those who love being outside and active during the summer holidays.
We have divided the in-person camps into two. If you are looking for non-sports related camps - including drama, art, coding, science and language - click here for our guide.
Below is the other one, which relates to camps which involve sports, or at least some level of physical activity. Hopefully, you find something that catches your interest for the summer months.
ALIVE OUTSIDE
The Alive Outside Camp experience is all about the outdoors, fresh air and nature – essentially it's back to basics for your children. Activities include kayaking, water jump, splashdown slide, obstacles, archery and bushcraft. Location Killruddery in Bray, Co Wicklow Dates and times Five days, six hours each day, June, July and August Ages 7-12 years. There is also a three-day Teenage Camp from June 6th-8th for 13-15 years Cost €165 per week Website aliveoutside.ie
ASTRO PARK
Astro Park is back open this summer with its multi-activity outdoor camps in Dublin. The emphasis is on ensuring children are provided with a fun-filled, safe and healthy environment. The camp offers more than football-based activities – the children will also get to try new games, such as Nerf AstroWars, Multi-Sport Target Zone and Speed Radar. Locations Tallaght and Coolock, Dublin Dates and times Five days, 9am-3pm. July and August Ages 5-12 years Cost €90 Website astropark.ie
ATHLETICS IRELAND
Does your child like running, jumping and throwing? This may be the camp for them. Used by clubs to attract new members, participants are given a chance to try out disciplines they may not have experienced before – activities that help children to develop the fundamental movement skills of agility, balance and co-ordination. Participants receive a spike bag, water bottle, T-shirt, medal and certificate of participation. Locations Not quite in every county, but close to nationwide Dates and times Five-day camps, 10am-2pm, through July and August Ages 6-12 years Cost €65 Website athleticsireland.ie
CONNEMARA MATHS ACADEMY
These camps are a mix of Steam (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) and adventure activities. Rockwell College is well known for its sporting and leisure facilities – so it's a paradise for those who enjoy field and water sports – including swimming and kayaking, as well as those interested in science and computer labs. The camps are popular with overseas students, so airport transfers are offered. Location Rockwell College, Co Tipperary Dates and times 4 weeks in July (each 6-night camps) Ages 8-17 years Cost €895 Website connemaramathsacademy.com
DEUCEPOINT TENNIS
Deucepoint Tennis and Multisport Camps return again in Dublin this summer, a chance for children to try their hand at tennis in a fun and laid-back environment. Locations Terenure College and Castleknock College Dates and times Five-day camps, with the first one starting Monday, July 4th Morning and afternoon camps available Ages 5+ years Cost €70 Website deucepoint.ie
FOTA ISLAND ADVENTURE
Archery, field games, survival skills, orienteering and ... a big obstacle course. It's an adventure camp that sounds like heaven for many boys and girls. Location Fota Island Resort, Tullagreen, Cork Times Five days, 9am/9.30am/10am-1pm/1.30pm/2pm Ages 7-15 years Cost €150 Website fotaadventure.com
GAELIC GAMES
The king of them all – by far the most popular camp every summer on the island. The week is about learning new skills in football, camogie and hurling. And having fun. The camps are not just for future intercounty stars – beginners are also welcome, and it's a good way to introduce children to the sports. Each child also receives a backpack, jersey and zip-top. Locations Camps will take place in all 32 counties. If you have a hurling, football or camogie club near you (and you definitely do), then you probably have a Cúl Camp near you Dates and times Five days, 10am-2pm Ages 6-13 years Cost €75 (£65) for first child; €60 (£50) for second; €50 (£45) for third Website kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie
KILLARY ADVENTURE COMPANY
Both residential and non-residential multi-activity camps are offered by this Co Galway-based company. With a mix of land and water-based adventure activities, the camps include a camping expedition summer camp, a Spanish-language camp (based around the normal activity schedule, but with a Spanish element) and a multi-activity summer camp. Location Leenane, Co Galway Dates and times Five-, seven- and 14-day camps, in June, July and August Ages 8-17 years Cost From €470 Website killaryadventure.com
LET’S GO!
A very popular summer camp, with locations around the country. The camps offer children the opportunity to play, try new sports and just have fun with friends new and old in a safe, fun environment. It's a fun-filled week, with a range of outdoor activities including KMX karting, human table football, inflatable games, hockey, flingsock games, lacrosse, field games, team challenges, wrecking ball, pony cycles, roller racers and lots more. Locations Nationwide. Dates and times Five days, 9.30am-3.30pm, in July and August Ages 5-12 years Cost Starting from €115 Website letsgo.ie
OLYMPIAN GYMNASTICS
Olympian Gymnastics will be running a wide range of gymnastics camps across Dublin this summer. The inclusive camps suit everyone from regular gym stars to children looking to try something new during the holidays. Camps focus on non-competitive gymnastics-based movement, fun activities, and teamwork to develop key social skills. They are also offering a Gym Tots camp, Advanced Gymnastics camp, Parkour camp, Boys-only camp and a Gym Fit camp. Locations Five venues: Greenhills (Olympian HQ), Knocklyon (St Colmcille's Community School), Templeogue (Templeogue College), Milltown (Alexandra College), and Ballinteer (Wesley College) Dates and times July 4th-August 26th. Traditional Gym Kidz camp: 9.30am-1.30pm and 2pm-6pm. Gym Tots, Advanced Gymnastics, Parkour, Boys' Class, Gym Fit: 2pm-6pm Ages 3-16 years Cost €75-€120 Website olympiangymnastics.com
PSA RUGBY ACADEMIES
Co-founded by a team including French rugby legend Philippe Saint-Andre and ex-Munster player John Murphy, the academies offer a high-performance rugby academy programme. The development camps see coaches from the pro-rugby game deliver a high-level skills and physical development programme during the day, including rugby testing analysis videos, and a full post-camp development report for each player, with interactive sports science webinars each evening. Locations Four camps in Ireland: in July at Midleton College and Cistercian College, Roscrea; and in August in Kilkenny College and Newbridge College. There are also two week-long camps at La Base, Le Temple-sur-Lot in France during July Dates and times For Irish academies, Sunday to Friday, 5pm-5pm, residential, July and August. 8.30am-3pm, non-residential Ages 10-16 years, boys and girls Cost From €270 Website psaacademies.com
REBELLE SURF
An opportunity for children to learn to navigate and surf the ocean waves and shores safely, with confidence, excitement and respect. The camps teach beginner, intermediate and advanced surfing techniques, with all levels of confidence and fitness welcome. Water safety, reading the waves, currents and tides are all weaved throughout the week. All equipment is provided. Location Strandhill Beach, Co Sligo Dates and times Every week, Monday to Friday, from June 13th to August 25th Ages 7-17 years Price €135 Website rebellesurf.com
ROSSNOWLAGH SURF SCHOOL
Live the dream and learn to surf with ex-Irish surf team members and passionate ocean lovers at this fabulous Co Donegal surf school. This award-winning kids' camp teaches each surfer the fundamentals of surfing and ocean safety in a fun and relaxed environment, under the watchful eye of instructors. Parents can book in for lessons, or join their child in one of the group sessions run every day throughout the summer. Location Rossnowlagh Surf School, Rossnowlagh Beach, Co Donegal Dates and times June, July and August, Monday-Friday, two hours each day Ages 8-16 years Cost From €120 Website rossnowlaghsurfschool.com
RUGBY
The popular camps return this summer and are for those who have never held a rugby ball before, as well as those already envisioning themselves playing for their province in a Champions Cup final. For some, the camps will be about improving their rugby skills – for others, it's an enjoyable introduction to the sport, and the children often end up playing in school and joining a local club. Locations Island wide – most rugby clubs will host a camp this summer, which leaves only a few counties without one. For example, Leinster rugby are running camps in 29 venues during July and August Dates and times Five days, 9am/9.30am-1pm/1.30pm (some locations are also running one-day and three-day camps) Ages 6-12 years Cost €70-€90 Website The provinces run the camps in their areas – connachtrugby.ie, leinsterrugby.ie, munsterrugby.ie, ulsterrugby.com
TRINITY SPORT
Trinity Sport Brave Heart Camp activities are delivered through the 7 Strands of Physical Education – games; athletic development and fundamentals of movement; aquatics; health-related activity; dance; gymnastics; and outdoor and adventure activities. Location Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Dates and times Five days, 9am to 4pm, July 4th to August 26th Ages 4-13 years Cost €175-€185 Website tcd.ie/Sport/children
SOCCER
Summer camps have proven a useful way for clubs to attract new members, and parents to allow their children to try a new activity before deciding whether to commit. All participants at the FAI Summer Schools get some kit, including a football and backpack. Location Nationwide. In Northern Ireland, the IFA organises the summer camps Dates and times Five days, 10am-1pm Ages 6-14 years. (In Northern Ireland, it is 5-13 years) Cost €70 for first child Website summersoccerschools.ie (in Northern Ireland, see irishfa.com)
SPORT IRELAND
There are some great camps on offer at the home of Irish sport - including multi-sport camp, Gymnastics camp, Teen camp, Inclusive camp, Junior Preschool camp, Trampoline camp and Diving camp. Location National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin Times Five-day camps. Camps run from 9am to 3pm, but Breakfast Camp (7.45am) and After Camp (3pm-5pm) are available at an additional charge. Junior Preschool Camp and Inclusive Camps finish at 12.30pm Ages 5-14 years. (Kids camps are for 5-12 years, with teen camps for 13-15 years). Cost €70-€150 Website sportirelandcampus.ie
TENNIS CAMP
Want your budding tennis star to be coached by a former Davis Cup and Federation Cup captain, who has represented Ireland at three Olympic Games? Owen Casey's camps are for all ages and abilities. Location Mount Pleasant LTC, Ranelagh, Dublin Dates and times Four and five-day camps, from June 7th to August 12th, 9.30am-12.30pm Ages 4-16 years Cost €120-€150 Book Email owencasey@iol.ie
TROJAN GYMNASTIC CLUB
With more than 13,000sq ft in a new gymnastic centre, your child will learn new skills and gain confidence stretching, jumping, swinging, rolling, balancing and turning upside-down. They have junior equipment (including smaller versions of the bars and beams) so younger gymnasts feel safe and confident. Location Holly Avenue, Stillorgan Business Park, Co Dublin Dates and times Five-day camps, 9am-1pm, June 20th-August 26th. Junior Camp (3-4-year-olds) is 9am-noon Ages 3-12 years Cost €150-€200 Website trojangymnasticclub.com/summer-camps
