YMCA Norfolk sporting camp brought back to life

YMCA Norfolk, in association with Norwich Youth For Christ, is running two sports days for 8 to 14-year-olds over the Easter holiday in a YMCA tradition which has gone back over 60 years.

  Since the 1950s YMCA summer camps have been popular with young boys who had a taste for adventure.  This was developed further in 1962 when the first YMCA summer day camps were pioneered by Norwich YMCA (pictured right). Amongst the range of activities on offer were a treasure hunt, first aid, camping instruction, carpentry and athletics. One youngster at the time said: “This is the best thirty bob my father has ever spent on me.”   Since then more than 10,000 Norfolk youngsters have taken part in YMCA holiday schemes with an impressive growth in holiday provision during the 1980s. Activities on offer for young people across the county included: outdoor activities in Wales and the Lake District and closer to home was orienteering, assault courses, computing, sailing, film-making, football, rowing and art and crafts.   It has been over 10 years now since YMCA Norfolk have run the popular summer camps but this is about to change. Jess Tyson, the new Health and Well-being Development Worker for YMCA Norfolk, is resurrecting holiday camps in a fresh and exciting way.   “Run the Race!” is two fun packed days of sports and crafts for 8 – 14 year olds based on Christian principles and will kick start the YMCA Holiday Camp programme this Easter. Sports on offer are badminton, football, volleyball, Dodgeball and handball as well as fun crafts and messy team challenges!   Jess Tyson says “Run the Race will be great holiday fun for kids and is the start of bigger things to come. We hope to bring back to life the spirit of adventure in young people and provide opportunities during the school holiday for them to get active, have fun and learn new things!”   The days run on Mondays April 11 and April 18 from 10am to 3pm at the YMCA Sports Centre at Trowse near Norwich and cost is £15 per day.   Youngsters need to bring a packed lunch, plenty of drink and be dressed in suitable clothes and footwear to play sport.   Places are limited and can be booked by completing the registration form and returning it to YMCA Norfolk Health and Well-being Development Worker Jessica Tyson, along with payment (a cheque with the child’s name on the back).   You can contact Jessica for more information at email jessicatyson@ymca-norfolk.org.uk or call 01603 630049 ext 129. (Author: )