The programme of summer holiday activities has been launched by Shetland Islands Council’s Active Schools and Outdoor Education team.
There’s a range of free, fun activities for children to sign up to across the isles during the school summer holidays, which start at the end of term on Friday 28th June. Bookings open from 10am on Monday 24th June, through Islesburgh Community Centre.
Youngsters can try their hand at a range of sports including golf, basketball, fencing, netball, table tennis, cycling and duathlon. Also on offer this year are outdoor adventure activities – coasteering, rock scrambling and paddle boarding.
Family-friendly events include the popular ‘Picnic and Play in the Park’ on offer again this year at the King George V Playing Park in Lerwick on Wednesdays, from 11am-3pm. There is also a ‘Picnic & Play Roadshow’ with equipment and activities for older children set up in various locations throughout Shetland – Unst, Yell, Whalsay, Sandwick, Aith and Brae. These are drop-in events with no pre-registration needed.
‘Pedal Power’ sessions will take place on three Tuesdays in the school holidays at Gilbertson Park. These are also drop-in sessions – no bookings needed – and will offer the chance to learn to cycle, building confidence on the new path around the pitch, and to try the cycle skills obstacle course.
More details can be found in the information booklet available on the Council’s Sport and Leisure web page – www.shetland.gov.uk/sport-leisure There’s also information on free holiday activities offered by Shetland Family Centre, Shetland Library, Ability Shetland and RSPB Shetland. Contact Islesburgh Community Centre on 01595 745100 for bookings, where necessary.
Active Schools Manager, Louise Jamieson, said: “We are delighted to offer such a range of fun activities for children and young people this year, and to have new activities including paddle boarding, duathlon and golf. We hope that having no cost for activities will make them accessible for more families, and we look forward to seeing the bookings come in.”