Summer is fast approaching and the government’s youth service is launching its holiday venture schemes for the school holidays.
Organisers say prices have been kept low and there are breakfast and after-scheme sessions for a small extra fee to assist working parents.
Cronk-y-Berry School is the venue for schemes running during the first four weeks of the holidays – weeks commencing July 21 and 28 and August 4 and 11.
There are separate schemes for those in school years 4 to 7 (aged eight to 11) and years 7 to 9 (aged 11 to 14).
Pupils in Year 7, the first year at secondary school, can opt for either scheme, to allow them to join up with younger or older siblings.
Outings, crafts and activities will keep young people occupied whatever the weather, said Dave Hattersley, youth officer with the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service.
The schemes cost £70 a week or £18 a day, a reduction on last year, and there is a discount when siblings attend.
Dave said: ‘All these schemes are run and organised by qualified DEC youth workers who are, of course, police checked.
‘Activities vary from scheme to scheme but include arts and crafts, sports and visits to locations around the island.’
An arts and drama week takes place at the Youth Arts Centre in Kensington Road, Douglas, from July 28 to August 1 and will see children acting and singing in and creating props, costumes and backdrops for an end-of-week production of Shakespeare Rocks. The scheme costs £100 and is suitable for ages eight to 11. Shakespeare Rocks is a fresh, funny musical about the life and times of William Shakespeare.
The youth service project Soundcheck offers a week of music activities for Years 7, 8 and 9 at the same venue in the week starting August 11. Participants will be able to perform at the Deep South Music Festival later in the summer. Taking part costs £100.
For more information, contact the youth office on 686057.