High praise for volunteers at Coalisland summer scheme

ORGANISERS of the Ógras summer camp have praised an army of young volunteers who have ensured that more than 250 children have enjoyed a wonderful fortnight of activities.

Finishing tomorrow (Friday) children aged from seven to 11 have attended the Coalisland summer scheme for the last two weeks and participated in an array of games as well as fabulous day trips.

Before the scheme began, 55 teenagers aged between 14 and 17, took part in a child safe guarding programme and dedicated themselves to making sure the younger children had a brilliant time. Next week the teenagers along with another 100 of their own peers will take part in a week of activities as part of the annual Ógras summer initiative.

The joy and noise from the local Parochial Centre has been vibrant as the young people have enjoyed an array of outdoor and indoor games, including football, tug-of-war, basketball, badminton, tennis, and tag-rugby as well as dancing, arts and crafts from Leon of Artfunkle of Dungannon.

Each day groups have also gone out on exciting fun-filled trips to a variety of centres such as Lisburn swimming pool, snow-tubing and Air Tastic trampolining in Craigavon and paint balling at Splat Attack in Portadown.

Shane McDonald, who is leader in charge at Ógras said, “There has been a fantastic response from the young people of the area. The volunteers are in every day helping and supervising and covering all the rooms with activities and games on, making sure everything runs smoothly. They are having a great time as well and next week will be participating in activities with their own age group. On Friday they will go to a local restaurant for a meal and there will be a presentation for the ‘best volunteer’ as voted for by the children”.

Next week around 250 teenagers will take part in many of the same activities. However they will go on different trips as they look forward to a day at M&D’s incredible theme park in Scotland and a trip to the lake at Kilrea waterpark. Their week will conclude with a celebration funday and barbecue next Friday.

Shane added, “The young people have been a joy to work with over the last few weeks. Only for the volunteers, we couldn’t have put on such a high quality programme. They have been fantastic.” The Ógras summer scheme was delivered in partnership with the Education Authority and the Department for Communities.