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16-08-2003

Action packed for Mountmellick Summer camp

The Mountmellick Youth Development Centre ran its very successful Summer Camp last week. The camp began at 10am on Monday morning amidst the euphoria of Laois’s win the previous day. There were football games played during the day and the group watched a video of the match during lunchtime.

A healthy breakfast was served each morning at 10am. As well as fuelling the bodies for the exertions ahead it allowed space for socialisation, discussion of the previous days’ events and planning of upcoming activities. The main aim of the planning group was to raise the level of awareness of nutrition and physical fitness and how we all should take care of ourselves, live healthily and thus be happier and get more out of life. There were lots of opportunities for personal development and team building throughout the week.

This summer camp is organised for the children in the SHAPES programme of the Mountmellick Youth Development Centre, Early Bird Clubs of Scoil Pádraig Naofa and Scoil Iosaif Naofa who earned enough stars to qualify them for a place and for the children of the volunteer Homework Club Helpers.

Monday saw the young people taking part in football, basketball, team building games, arts and crafts and cookery classes. On Tuesday the group were brought on a tour of Athlone Army Barracks where they were given demonstrations on the various weapons and an insight into army life and how army personnel survive while out on manoeuvres.

There was plenty of time allowed for questions and trying out all the paraphernalia and weapons. The group then went onto Glendeer where they were brought on a guided tour of the open farm and spent time cuddling baby goats, rabbits, pigs, and kittens. An hour in the playground tired out the group many of whom slept the whole way home.

Wednesday was again based in the excellent facilities of Mountmellick Community Sports Complex where the young people, assisted by Sharon McEvoy, prepared their costumes and practised their face-painting for the Mardi Gras Festival. There were lots more fun games which encouraged those who are not particularly interested in sport to become physically active and another cookery class which not only ensured that the children were well fed but also gave the children something to bring home with them.

Thursday saw the group on the banks of the Barrow in Clonterry where Simon O’Mara, Tommy Quigley and Ger Lynch demonstrated how to attach hooks properly, how to cast out and how to reel in a fish. The members of Mountmellick Angling Club also tried to inculcate in the young people a love and respect for the river. They outlined their conservation work, how the river changes according to the weather and seasons and the fish life present.

There was an emphasis placed on safety in relation to the water and the young people were encouraged to join the angling club. A treasure hunt, planned by Mairead O’Mara, brought the young people on a trek around Garryhinch woods and left everybody, tired, wet and happy.

For the final day of the camp the group descended on Lilliput Adventure Centre for a programme of kayaking, canoeing, obstacle courses, orienteering and team building exercises. The camp concluded with presentation of prizes and wrap-up in the Sports Complex on Friday evening.

The Mountmellick Youth Development Centre operates a healthy eating policy with healthy food being prepared on site for the entire week. This consisted of sandwiches, yoghurts and fruit with a barbecue on the final day. As most days didn’t end till 5.30pm this was a very action packed intensive week and it was a very tired bunch of leaders and young people who happy and content filed out of the Sports Complex on Friday evening.

Site co-ordinator for the week was Anne-Marie Hourigan assisted by staff members Jacinta Daly, Liz Stapleton, Doreen Conroy and Barbara Lalor. A special word of gratitude is also due to volunteer helpers Aishling McGuirk, Michael Farrell, Conor Dolan, Donnacha O’Mahony, Patrice Dalton, Jennifer Conroy, Denise Conroy, Emer O’Loughlin and Elaine Lambe. Evaluation sheets completed by the participants and leaders give the MYDC camp 110 per cent with everybody already looking forward to next year’s camp.

Silver for Mandy

Mountmellick athlete Mandy Bloomer claimed silver in the national championships of the 400m hurldes at the weekend in Santry.

She finished less then two seconds behind the winner, M. Carey from Dublin Striders.


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