HOLIDAY venture schemes will again be run by the Department of Education and Children during the summer holidays.
A scheme for pupils in school years 4 to 7 will take place at Cronk-y-Berry Primary School in the weeks starting July 25, August 1 and August 8.
It will offer a wide range of activities - from crabbing to crafts - said youth officer Gráinne Burns.
She said: "In response to requests from working parents we are offering a breakfast club from 8.30-9.30am and an after-scheme session from 4-5pm.
"These sessions are charged separately at £5 as we know not all families will require them."
Feedback from young people has led to a new scheme running over the same dates for pupils in school years 7 to 9.
Gráinne said: "Young people who were regulars on the Cronk-y-Berry scheme asked for something different when they reached secondary school age.
"Senior weeks will involve activities out and about around the Island, utilising a minibus. Participants will meet at Cronk-y-Berry School at 9am and be returned at 4pm."
Another first this year is Possan Souree, a Manx-speaking scheme run in partnership with the Manx Heritage Foundation. For school years 4 to 8, it will be held at St John's Primary School from July 28.
There are adventure weeks based at Ardwhallan, West Baldwin, from August 1 and August 8 for those in school years 7 to 10.
These offer kayaking, sailing, orienteering, mountain biking, climbing, archery and walking.
An arts week for school years 4 to 8, being held at the Youth Arts Centre in Douglas from August 8, will see participants start from scratch on a production of What a Knight! and perform it for parents on the last afternoon.
The holiday venture schemes have been running since the mid-1980s.
Gráinne said: "This year, in spite of the financial situation, we are offering more weeks for a wider age range and we are maintaining the 2009 and 2010 prices for the basic schemes.
"Giving us feedback last year, most parents felt that we should charge more for the schemes but we want to make them accessible to as many families as possible and we recognise that a lot of households have not had increases in income."
For details of the prices contact the youth office on 01624 686057, visit www.iomyouth.com or ask at schools.
