Summer fun for Highland children
The eagerly awaited Highland Council summer activities programme for children in the Highlands is now online for parents, carers and children to make their choices from the wide range of events running throughout July and August.
Organised by the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service, the summer events programme offers a diverse range of holiday leisure opportunities across the Highlands and is available for viewing at www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com.
From Thurso to Ardnamurchan and Portree to Nairn there is something for everyone, from art and wildlife to swimming and trampolining there is an activity to suit every interest. Pupils attending Gaelic medium education can also attend events that will be delivered by Gaelic-speaking group leaders.
In Caithness, there’s an array of events to name but a few for youngsters to get involved in including swimming, archery, boxercise, fashion or graphic design, build a go-kart in a scrap heap challenge, lasertag, bushcraft and abseiling.
Aquarun, film-making, music workshops, paintball, kite making and horse-riding are all on offer for children in Sutherland.
New to the programme this year for P1 – P7 children is the Highland Libraries circus stars summer reading challenge. Happening in every local library, the challenge involves reading 6 books in 6 weeks with stickers, puzzles, and certificates as rewards all on a circus theme.
Also new in Inverness will be Active Schools Summer Camps at Millburn Academy and Charleston Community Campus; a climbing wall at Falcon Square; and interactive story sessions at the Floral Hall for younger children on bugs, beasties, books and bubbles theme.
At Nairn Academy P4-P7 children can join the excitement of the Scottish Golf Open. First Club Golf will offer a week of tuition with a round of golf to play on the last day. Nairn youngsters can also join in the wacky races, kwik cricket or jump in at the deep end with sea scooters at Nairn swimming pool.
Multi-activity days at Glenmore in Badenoch and Strathspey will provide some indoor and outdoor fun for P2 –S1 aged children including climbing, treasure hunt, archery, den building, team challenges, and canoeing.
For seriously adventurous S1 pupils, white water rafting at the Great Glen Water Park will fit the bill, or even walking on water in a giant inflatable sphere for P5’s and over.
For those with a love of the outdoors P2- P7 ages can have fun in Glen Affric with Forestry Commission rangers on a walk with environmental activities to discover some of the fascinating world of woodland wildlife.
In the Skye and Lochalsh programme, mountain boarding (like snowboarding but on grass), power boat trips, speed karting and sailing will provide much excitement for outdoor lovers. Children in Lochaber can try out an introduction to weight training, kayaking or take a trip to the cinema in Glasgow.
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “If you want your kids to ditch the telly and computer games and have some real fun during the holidays - book some summer activities for them. There’s no reason to hear the words ‘I’m bored’ this summer, as they can have fun and enjoyment by taking part in any of the hundreds of activities on offer.”
The Summer Activities Programme can be viewed now at www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com - bookings will be accepted from 6 June onwards. Public access to the internet is available in all Highland Libraries. Once a choice has been made booking forms downloaded and returned by hand or by post to one of the booking venues detailed on the website.
Advance bookings are recommended as some activities are expected to fill up fast.