Building boats and a giant water slide are just some of the exciting activities and challenges lined up in a new activity scheme devised by The Children’s Centre. The Quest scheme for 11 to 13-year-olds will run during the summer holidays and involve a range of outdoor adventures including building a boat to race against other teams, constructing dens, and making a giant water slide. Chris Gregory, Play Development Officer at The Children’s Centre, said the Quest scheme promised an exciting summer of adventure. He added:
“We have five full days of activities with all of the sessions being run by highly experienced and qualified adventure activity staff. Participants will get the chance to take part in a whole range of activities, all adding to an adventure filled summer. With space to design, build, and create as well as experience, days will be exciting and memorable, as well as giving participants a chance to learn new skills or develop existing skills.”
The focal point for Quest will be The Community Farm based at Wallberry Farm just off the Old Castletown Road in Douglas. The first two days - Monday 30th July and Tuesday 31st July - will be at the Community Farm and involve two groups managing a small budget to resource and build a boat, and then racing the boats against each other. On Monday 13th August and Tuesday 14th August - also at the Community Farm - children will be given the tools and resources to build dens and construct a giant water slide. The fifth and final day of the Quest scheme is on Tuesday 28th August and will be a day of activities run by The Children’s Centre’s Mobex outdoor adventure team. In order to gain the maximum benefit from the Quest scheme, Chris recommends that participants should sign up for both 30th and 31st July as one challenge will take the two days to complete. Similarly, he advises that children should sign up for both 13th and 14th August sessions rather than just opt for one of the two days.
The Quest scheme was devised after a focus group consulted by The Children’s Centre identified a lack of summer holiday activities for the 11 to 13 age group. All of the sessions run from 9am to 5pm and each day costs £30, with a 5% discount if all five sessions are booked. Children will need to bring lunch with them but organisers will provide a snack and drink on the day. Due to the physical nature of the activities participants are advised to wear clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty. Spaces are limited, so to be sure of a place email chrisgregory@thechildrenscentre.org.im as soon as possible.
