Andover may be the centre of the world for many local children but they will be whisked away on a globetrotting tour over half term at a popular holiday club held at Andover Leisure Centre.
The youngsters on the Camp Valley Holiday Club will be taking part in activities next week [16 to 20 February) connected to many other parts of the world.
This includes teaching children about countries, such as Australia, Italy, China, America and Africa, through a range of games and crafts.
The holiday club is a valuable resource for local working parents. Last year more than 1,000 children, aged from five to 11, joined the holiday club.
But, despite this, the adults aren’t the main focus for the organisers: the children are.
“Although the holiday club is really important to adults, especially to working parents, we mainly focus on making it an enjoyable activity for the children,” said Linda Arnold from Valley Leisure, the charitable trust that runs Andover Leisure Centre on behalf of Test Valley Borough Council.
“If the children are safe and secure and go away exhausted and happy, the parents are happier still. It’s great because the children are active for a week and it supports the community by helping local working parents,” Linda added.
During the holiday, the children can take part in swimming, cooking, go-karting and will use the climbing wall. They can also join in the popular roller disco.
For more information see the Valley Leisure web site or call Andover Leisure Centre at 01264 347100.
This is indeed a valuable resource for parents that work, but let’s not forget that those children that are fortunate enough to enroll here, also gain friendship, and gain knowledge through play, I believe they will probably return to their respective school enriched by the experience.