Bizstartup.ie - NewsLimerick firm brings kids camps to colleges

Based in Limerick, Whizzkids Training run a range of technology courses aimed at young people which it delivers year round through in-school and after school programmes, but from now until the end of August it is all about the summer camps.

University of Limerick graduate Garry Lowe set up the company in 2002, and he runs it now with his wife Derval.

“With up to 1,000 children attending one of our programmes in Dublin, Cork, Limerick or Galway, the summer camps are a very large part of our business each year. The idea of a computer camp is very well established in the US, but it is a new concept to many in Ireland. Having said that, technology is extremely popular with young people and our camps blend education with entertainment in a way that satisfies both parents and children,” he said.

After he left college, Lowe worked in Aer Lingus for four years. There, by night, he gained his business diploma through the Marketing Institute of Ireland and after that his teaching qualification through Trinity College London.  He taught for four years in the Technical Studies Institute in Abu Dhabi. On his return to Ireland in 2001 he provided one-to-one tuition before establishing Whizzkids.

Camps in various universities

The summer camps are held in University College Dublin, Dublin City University, University College Cork, University of Limerick and National Union of Ireland Galway. Activities undertaken include web design, movie making, video editing, stop motion and a host of hi-tech challenges in the Whizzkids Spy Academy.

There are a range of camps from half-day camps through to residential camps for teenagers but the most popular camp is the five-day camp which runs from 9.30am-3.30pm. Prices start at €75 for a week. More information can be found here.

Photo: children doing Whizzkids training