Free Easter camps provide sport, food, and fun for local children

Hundreds of young people across Renfrewshire took part in free activity camps over the Easter holidays.  

The camps run during school holidays to help ensure children have access to sports and nutritious meals while school is out.  

The activities were delivered by Street Stuff, a partnership between the Community Learning and Development team at Renfrewshire Council and St Mirren Football Club. They offered a range of multi-sport and dance sessions in communities including Ferguslie, Foxbar, Gallowhill, Johnstone, Linwood, and Renfrew. 

The programme was open to local children aged 5 to 14, with 700 spaces available over the fortnight. Activities included football, basketball, handball, hockey, tennis, badminton, and dance.  

A free, healthy lunch was provided to all children each day. 

Most sessions took place outdoors and benefited from sunny spring weather for much of the fortnight. 

Holiday camps are part of the Fairer Renfrewshire initiative—funded by the council—which aims to improve lives across Renfrewshire through advice, support, and wellbeing activities. 

In February, the council allocated £100,000 of funding to support the return of Summer of Fun—an annual programme packed with activities designed to give children, young people, and families in Renfrewshire access to social opportunities, sports, and healthy meals throughout the summer holidays.  

Throughout the year, Street Stuff also puts on a range of free sport, social and educational activities six days a week. 

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board, said: 

“Street Stuff delivered a strong Easter programme that offered children and young people the opportunity to stay active and engaged during the school holidays, while also continuing access to free, healthy meals. 

“By providing a wide range of sports and activities, the programme supports young people’s physical and mental wellbeing. It also reflects the council’s ongoing commitment to helping young people access positive opportunities outside of traditional learning that help them get into future employment or volunteering opportunities.”