THE Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown, was a hive of activity every day last week with a Bumper Fun Camp funded by the Education Authority for primary school boys and girls.

The Bumper Camp was organised in line with the current guidelines relating to the Covid-19 pandemic as issued by the Public Health Authority and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

All available 206 places were fully booked for weeks in advance of the five-day camp, from Monday to Friday, that was attended by children from across Fermanagh and West Tyrone as part of the George Elliott Brendan Keogh Youth League Academy.

The co-ordination of the camp would not have been possible without George Beacom (Manager of the Bawnacre) and his hard-working team, all of whom went above and beyond to ensure the camp ran as smoothly as possible.

Facilities

During the camp, which made extensive use of the excellent indoor and outdoor facilities at the Bawnacre Centre, the enthusiastic boys and girls fully participated in more than 24 different coached activities, including basketball, cricket, golf, table tennis, dance, strength and conditioning, tennis, trampolining, gymnastics, soccer, gaelic football, rounders and hockey, spikeball, archery, sports psychology, badminton, and mroe.

A team of 24 qualified coaches organised the activities, supported by the Bawnacre Centre staff.

In addition to the non-stop activities, the participants enjoyed a breakfast treat, hot midday meal, and fresh fruit and water at home time.

The project was entitled, ‘Open our Doors’, and offered 6-10 year olds from the area an opportunity to be children and experience, play and enjoy 24 different sports in a safe and inclusive environment.

Feedback

The feedback from parents was complimentary, many stating the experience was undoubtedly the highlight of the summer for many of the children.

The children and staff welcomed the fine weather all week plus the range of activities made possible by the funding from the Education Authority, which recognised the need for children to get active after a lengthy period of inactivity.

The behaviour of the children was great all week, and the novelty of so many different activities at a single venue in an action-packed week will hopefully invigorate them into an active lifestyle.