What have you planned for Summer 2021?
How to make summer 2021 one to remember
It’s hard to know how summer 2021 will fair for all of us here in Northern Ireland. On one hand, we are at a loss as the chances of getting away on that sunny family holiday are very slim. However, on the other, we are all looking to our own beautiful island to see what beaches, resorts, summer camps and things to do for the kids are available nearby.
And while this will feel disappointing for some of us, (the sunshine is most definitely calling me too), I also remember my own childhood and what stays in my memory most. My sisters and I were fortunate enough to be taken to amazing countries for holidays in new cultures and while these trips have a clear place in my mind, the strongest memory is actually the years that we decided to holiday in our own wee country. This still baffles me to this day! Surely the air conditioned, gleaming white apartment in Spain with the kid’s club and the day at the waterpark trying not to get burnt, trumps anything Ireland has to offer? Yet my sisters and I talk more vividly about the year we went to Killarney and got lost in the maze of Muckross house and gardens, ran down to the wild beach in the wind and the evenings of listening to the of the most lyrical Irish music whilst playing hide and seek round the hotel, stopping off only to grab a sip of our bottle of coke. Pure bliss.
In 2021, our children have lost a year of basic developmental needs. When you are in your 30s or 40s, you do not change as a person that significantly from one year to the next. However, when you are 5 or 15, you are still going through the process of child development, you are a completely different person from one year to the next. You grow physically, mentally and emotionally every day through social interactions, play, school, after school activities, family life and days out with the kids. Yet in 2020 so much of that stopped. Most teenager activities were also lost over the last year and when you are an adolescent trying to navigate that tricky transition from child to adult, time with friends is key.
So it is time to get the kids out to summer schemes, carve out precious time for them just with their peers and pack up the car for family days out around Northern Ireland and beyond and I have a sneaky suspicion that, just like the childhood memories of my sisters and I , Summer 2021 will be one of the best summers ever for you and your family, exploring home ground!
Here are a few recommendations from me.
Bright Young Things Summer Camps
Well given I have carefully planned the perfect summer programme full of social interaction, indoor and outdoor play, drama, confidence building and emotional intelligence for children and teens age 3- 18 year olds in Belfast, Magherafelt and Holywood, it would be a bit silly not to mention it!
3 different age ranges, 3 different locations and a jam packed programme that will suit those that are shyer and could do with a boast in confidence and communication skills at the same time as catering for children who are full of curiosity and creativity, the BYT Summer camps are always hailed as the best week of the summer for the last 7 years!
https://www.bytdrama.com/summer-camps-2021
Holistic Kids
This sounds so much fun, I want to go!
Northern Irelands first ever Forest School Adventure Camp!
Ready! Steady! Explore the great outdoors with Holistic Kidz. Some of our daily activities include Forest Trekking, Stream Trailing, Muddy Adventures, Tree Swinging and Climbing, Teepee Building, Bug Hotels, Friday Campfire Pizza Party, Weekly Prize Giving and much more!
https://www.holistickidz.com/forest-school-camps
Wheelworks TBUC Teach and adventure Summer camps
This is an incredible opportunity for 11-18 and as a TBUC camp it is heavy subsidised at only £10 registration fee.
These camps are designed to help young people have fun and make new friends through shared interests and experience. Join us for two weeks of adventure while getting creative with digital technologies. Participants will work with professional artists to learn new skills in Virtual and Augmented Reality, Filmmaking, Animation, Audio Recording and more. In between workshops there will be trips out to venues such as Todds Leap and Let’s Go Hydro.
No experience or qualifications needed, just great energy!
https://www.wheelworksarts.com/community-transformation/summer-camp
Mid and East Antrim Council Summer camps
Back this year with a wealth of sports and arts activities, these camps will fill up fast as capacity is reduced. Taking place in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena, you can find a full timetable here
https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/resident/sport-and-leisure/meactive-summer-2021
Miniversity
A firm favourite with our bright young things, Miniversity will open up your children to the world of ICT and future careers. Each day is run as a new 1-day course that's based on a particular career, for example 'Architect for a day'. With demonstrations and a variety of tasks Children tasks covered throughout the session, children will produce a piece of work which is then presented to the class during the afternoon 'show'. Finally, there will be a prize giving with the opportunity for children to win stickers, mini-pops, USB's, t-shirts and CAPS.
With camps all over, you are spoilt for choice!
https://www.miniversity.com/index
Have an amazing summer of fun with lots of summer activities and days out with the kids and we hope to see you at Bright Young Things.