IT'S that time of year again, where six weeks of freedom stretches ahead for school children all over the country.
Imagine what fun we adults could have if we all had six weeks off in the middle of each year... yoga retreats in Bali, cycling through China or roping cattle on a ranch in Texas.
Sadly, however, it is the children, not the parents who get the big holiday and each year the matter of time of work and extra childcare funds is a predicament in almost every family.
One of the main problems is that children get bored so quickly these days and if you reject the idea of leaving them to sit in front of an iPads or similar device all day, they need multiple activities planned in advance.
Some families may be looking forward to a summer holiday somewhere warm but for people who are at home in the Lake District, the possibilities are still endless.
One of the best ways to keep children entertained over the holidays is with summer camps and luckily, here in Cumbria we have plenty to choose from:
Furness Gymnastics Club, based at Greater Kings Hall, Hartington St, Barrow and Millom Gymnastics Club, based at Millom Recreation Centre, Lancashire Road, Millom will both hold camps this summer.
Lindsey Dickings, 32, is the summer camp coordinator for the gymnastics camps in Barrow. She said: "We are welcoming girls between the ages of six and 15 of any ability. There will be beginners classes and advanced classes. Gymnastics is a great way for kids to stay active during the holidays, it takes a lot of energy and endurance and teaches the children not to give up on things. We will also be doing arts and crafts and holding a show case at the end of every camps for parents to come and watch."
For more information on gymnastics camps visit: www.furnessgymnastics.co.uk for Barrow and call 01229 774985 for Millom.
For more active ways for the children to keep busy there are intensive tennis camps at Ulverston Tennis Centre on Priory Road, Ulverston in the second and third week of the holiday. Call 01229 584110 to book a place.
Ulverston Tennis Centre will also run a street dance course from July 28 to 29 for aspiring Cheryls or Drakes to learn a few moves.
We now live in an age where geeks date supermodels and tech wizards sell their apps for billions of dollars.
This might explain the surge in popularity of Fire Tech Camp, the UK’s leading provider of tech camps for kids who have sold out consistently in the last couple of years.
They will be running the following camps in Coding with Python, Games building and Web Development from Sedbergh School on July 25 to 28.
Jill Hodges, who founded Fire Tech Camp in 2012, said: "We offer something really, really special. The kids who come to the camps absolutely love the opportunity to try something new and embrace the technology skills we give them, while for parents, we’re providing their children with stimulating activities that will continue to benefit them long after their course is finished."
To book a place, click here .
If your child is pony mad then we have plenty of riding on the beautiful beaches of Walney and Seaview Riding School offers day-long or week-long courses taking part in lessons, treks, grooming and caring for a pony as if it was the child's own. For more information, call 01229 474251.
For children who want to get outdoor exploring the lakes and countryside then parents really must look no further than Lakeside YMCA, who provide exhilarating camps for groups of children from the ages of 8-16. For more information click here or call 015395 39000.
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How to entertain your kids for free in the summer holidays in Barrow
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