While many schools lie dormant during the summer months this was not the case for Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle this week. Over 60 campettes took part in Michaela Foundation’s summer camp for girls for the second year running. This camp being the second one the foundation hosted in county Antrim alone this summer. The first being St. Mary’s University College Belfast where Michaela herself attended university to become a teacher.
The camp focuses on five elements inspired from the lifestyle of Michaela which are Faith, Fáilte (Irish Language and Culture), Fashion, Fun and Well-Being. The girls take part in one activity based on these elements every day.
Antrim Rose Órlagh Mc Clinton (left), Anna McCann (centre) and Finvola McVeigh with Camp Co-ordinators Roisin Martin and Aileen McAllister at the Michaela Summer Camp at Cross & Passion College.
For Thursday in Fashion the girls enjoyed upstyling old clothes to create new ones, they even got to show them off in a fashion show. In well-being the girls completed an activity on “Attitude Vs. Gratitude” where they finished up writing a letter to someone they are thankful for who helps them with things in their daily life that they maybe don’t even realise. In Faith the girls took part in an activity where they looked into the difference treating situations with a negative attitude rather than a positive. They really put the fun into Faith by finishing with a UV rave which everyone enjoyed. In Fun the campettes made lanterns sticking to the theme of this year’s camps which revolves around light and letting their own light shine. Lastly, in Fáilte the campettes took part in G.A.A, we enjoyed special visits from county footballer Anna Mc Cann who helped coach in along with county camog Finvola Mc Veigh, former head girl and All-Ireland champion with our host school Cross and Passion. Anna also brought in her Ulster Championship cup which she won a few weeks ago with Antrim against Fermanagh.
Our camp brings leaders and campettes together from all corners of our county and we even had the Antrim Rose Órlagh Mc Clinton a former leader of Belfast camp into tell us all about her journey to Tralee. The girls loved having her and had plenty of questions and can’t wait to see her on T.V in August.
The camp has been an amazing success this year and we can only hope it continues to go from strength to strength. We hope that the girls take something away from this week and continue to promote the values in which they have gained at camp in their everyday lives. Unfortunately, in modern day society it is hard for young girls aged 11-13 to truly be themselves as they are under so much pressure. At camp we encourage them to realise it is okay to be different and to always try and make the best out of every situation.
Special thank you goes to all our lovely leaders who gave up this week to take this camp, without you it wouldn’t be possible. And of course we have to give a mention to our very own Orla Mc Intrye who started and promoted both camps in Antrim to make them both great successes. Although, our biggest thank you simply has to go to our campettes, these young girls inspire us every day with their enthusiasm and ability to take every challenge on that we give them. They are very much a credit to themselves and we wish them the very best and hope they continue to live a life without limits.
A special mention to the Ballycastle community when asked for sponsorship to raise funds for camp they couldn’t do enough for us. We we’re completely overwhelmed by the genorousity of local people. Thanks again to our host school Cross and Passion College Ballycastle for the use of their facilities. And especially school principal Paul Mc Clean who always goes above and beyond to help us.
Antrim goalkeeper Chrissy O’Connell