Summer Camp

Laughter & Learning - Westport House now offers Mayo’s newest Summer Camp in the stunning setting of Westport House.

Laughter & Learning - Westport House now offers Mayo’s newest Summer Camp in the stunning setting of Westport House.  

 

Already well known for its playful environment and intriguing background, Westport House now offers one of Mayo’s newest Summer Camps.   Westport House’s Summer Camp will run for the month of July and half of August. 

 

It offers access to child-focused facilities that are second to none as well as the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of Ireland’s most beautiful historic house.  With sessions taking place in a variety of locations throughout this stunning setting, children can enjoy the playful side of art, history and music inside Westport House, soccer and nature walks in the parkland grounds as well as a visit to the thrills ‘n’ chills rides in the Pirate Adventure Park that they all know and love!  Because of the educational focus of this Summer Camp, it is available only to children already in primary school.

In 2012, Westport House Summer Camp will run for the week commencing July 2, 9, 16 and 23.  

 

 

 

Developed and operated by qualified teachers, children will enjoy a mixture of fun, sports and outdoor activity in Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park as well as educational stimulation intended to extend what children learn all year at school.

 

Extensive research has shown that a complete break from educational activities during summer holidays is not advantageous for the child.  As a result, all of the sessions provided in the Summer Camp are based on the primary school curriculum and are an extension of what children learn all year at school.  

 

With regular breaks and a balanced mix of fun and learning, each day will involve a selection of activities– each lasting 60 minutes - including:

 

Traditional Irish Music lessons

Painting workshops – sketching, oils and pastels

Children’s historical adventure tours

Grainne Mhaol project

Soccer

Pirates Haven Rides

Tennis

Nature walks and trails

Train ride

Poetry recitation and poetry writing classes

Art appreciation – painting trail through art collection

Short story writing classes

Drama classes

 

Classes will take place in different venues throughout the estate so the children will move throughout the grounds and House all day –likewise sports and other outdoor pursuits will make the most out of the setting.  Within the week each child will have access to all classes.

 

Why choose the Summer Camp at Westport House?

 

Westport House offers access to amazing child-focused facilities that are second to none!  In addition, with classes taking place all over the facility, your children will have the opportunity to play and learn in a fabulous natural and heritage setting.  

 

A structured action learning programme – outside of term time - designed to continue the children’s use of skills acquired at school is proven to be beneficial.  As a result, all of the sessions provided in the Summer Camp are based on the primary school curriculum and an extension of what children learn all year at school.    And of course, we’ll balance them out with lots of fun too!

 

Your children are in great hands!  Each class will be led by a qualified teacher with appropriate support staff. 

 

About the Course Director, Noel Rowland

 

Noel Rowland (Summer Camp Course Director at Westport House) has 20 years experience in academia during which he has lectured and consulted in Applied Psychology and Individual Differences.  He is a primary school teacher and is currently coordinating a national review of primary school curriculum delivery for the exceptionally able children within the Irish Primary Education System.  His personal belief is that every child has a right to the highest standard of education and that it is the duty of every teacher to achieve this standard.

 

What do you need to bring?

 

All weather clothing – rain gear and shorts for the typical day in the West of Ireland.

Sun protection cream. 

Indoor and outdoor shoes.

Food and drinks for morning, lunch and mid-afternoon breaks - we would ask that lunches and snacks adhere to the healthy eating policy and where possible include fresh fruit and vegetables.

A knapsack to hold all belongings – provided by Westport House when you sign up for one week’s participation!

Own musical instruments for music sessions (we will advise the day before class).