A guide to the best and most popular online camps – The Irish Times

During the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual summer camps have enjoyed dramatic popularity – for obvious reasons. While face-to-face camps are back at the top of the summer list these days, online camps for kids and teens will undoubtedly catch on.

It can be the convenience of being able to learn a new skill from home, whether because of a disability, for work-related reasons, or simply because the child prefers it. Whatever the reason, virtual summer camps are now firmly anchored in the annual calendar for many parents and children.

[ ‘Who works 10am-1pm?’ Parents share their frustrations with finding the right summer camps ]

If you’re looking for in-person camps, we’ve put together a guide to both sports-related and non-sports-related camps. We have also selected some of the best camps for special needs children.

Otherwise, here are some of the best options for summer camps during the school holidays that are offered virtually and can be of interest to parents, children and young people.

ACADEMY OF CODE

The Academy of Code offers online coding and creative technology courses year-round. The curriculum spans years, taking students from absolute beginners to university-level programming. Depending on the age group, the summer camps last 60-90 minutes per day, can be booked for one or more weeks and are aimed at beginners and those who are already on the “path to computer science”.

• Format: zoom
• Events: June to August, various dates available
• Age: 7-18 years
• Costs: From €59
• Website: theacademyofcode.com

ARTZONE

Artzone is hosting two online art camps this summer with qualified art teachers on painting, drawing and collage

• Format: zoom. Lessons are live for one hour each day. A recording will then be sent so you can watch or watch the recording again for seven days
• Events: 10th-14th July and 14-18 August
• Age: 5-12 years
• Costs: €50
• Website: www.artzone.ie

CIARA’S KITCHEN

This is a great way to get teenagers cooking and proudly feeding the whole family while expanding their culinary horizons and learning lifelong skills. The recording is sent daily. So if your teen is unable to attend live time, they can complete the course at a time that suits them.

• Format: zoom
• Dates and times: 13-15 June, 5-6.30 p.m
• Age: teenager
• Costs: €59 per screen
• Website: ciarakitchen.ie

COOKING FRIENDLY

Let your teens and tweens take over the kitchen this summer and cook together with Cepta. Cepta accompanies you to prepare a full-bodied taste feast for the whole family. You will learn to prepare healthy, homemade food while having fun.

• Format: zoom
• Events: 4th-6th July, 18-20 and 8th-10th August
• Age: 11-15 years
• Costs: €50
• Website: Cookalicious.ie

INSPIRELAND

Inspireland Boutique’s Creative Arts Camps bring together talented artists to encourage and nurture the creativity of children and young people. The camps are held at Dún Laoghaire, Tallaght and Clontarf in Dublin and at the Limerick School of Art and Design and offer students the opportunity to learn the basics of animation and comic art, claymation, video game concept art, craft book making, character design, illustration etc more to learn.

• Format: All tutorials will be filmed and streamed so those who are unable to attend the day can join from home via video link.
• Dates and times: July and August
• Age: 9-18 years
• Costs: €160
• Website: inspireland.ie

CHILDREN IN THE KITCHEN

Jolene Cox’s online cooking club makes a point of getting kids in the kitchen to teach them lifelong cooking skills. The courses are designed to bring families of all ages together to interact and be part of an inclusive cooking community. Jolene promises easy-to-follow, delicious recipes that go from press to plate in minutes with accessible ingredients.

• Format: Weekly live cook-along zoom classes with new video and recipe content weekly
• Dates and times: Cooking classes every Tuesday at 5 p.m
• Costs: €10 per month or €100 annually
• Website: oneyummymummy.com