The Sports Department at the Institute of Technology Carlow was a hive of activity this month as 108 7-12 years olds from Carlow and beyond enjoyed two weeks of fun-filled camps at the Institute, hosted by the staff and graduates of IT Carlow.
And the young attendees got more than they bargained for when Bronze Medallist at the World University Games Marcus Lawler and Molly Scott, recent 100m Finalist in the U23’s European Championships, turned up for the prize-giving to present the kids with their awards. Marcus even brought along his medal for the kids to admire and all the kids had the opportunity to ask questions and take photos.
Two separate camps of a week each offered a daily programme of indoor and outdoor activities. It includes: arts & crafts; athletics; badminton; basketball; computing; dance Gaelic football; orienteering; rounders; soccer; swimming; tag rugby; table tennis; peile; tag rugby; uni-hockey and many more fun games.
Guest dance instructor, Ciara Hogan, gave a splendid display of dance moves for the kids to create their own dance routines. The camp also included an IT Olympics event, where the children competed for gold medals in fun events such as the potato and spoon race, sack race, beanbag throw, shoe race and the extremely competitive obstacle course.
There was a day out also to Portlaoise Leisure Centre, including a splash and swim in the pool, followed by a picnic and lots of fun in the park.
Organiser Paula Hickey said, “We were delighted to host another successful year of Summer Activity Camps at IT Carlow. Our community outreach work is extremely important to us here in the sports department and it is really rewarding to see so many happy faces at the end of each day. The children get the opportunity to try new activities in a fun, safe environment, while meeting new people and making lifelong friends. We look forward to the same fun-filled action packed weeks at our camps in July 2020”.