AS the long Summer holiday approaches, youngsters in and around Alcester can look forward to a whole host of summer sporting and artistic activities.

Stratford District Council’s Hi-5 programme is returning with something for every age group from toddlers to teenagers over five weeks of the summer holiday.

Hi-5 day camps for five to 11-year-olds will be up and running every week, combining sports, art and play from 9am-3pm. They will be a Bidford Primary School from July 21-25, and at Alcester Academy from July 7 to August 1 and again from August 11-15.

The Hi-5 Sport and Swim Camps, which are open to eight to 15-year-olds give youngsters a chance to try swimming, as well as other sporting activities including football, tennis, hockey, basketball, badminton and lots more.

They will be at Studley Leisure Centre from August 4-8 from 9am-3pm.

Hi-5 TUFFS (Turn Up For Free Sport) sessions are for any age, although under fives need to be accompanied by an adult. They’ll be popping up for different days in different places.

Head along to Jubliee Fields in Alcester on Tuesday, July 22, and on Monday, August 18 from 10am-1pm, or Bidford’s Big Meadow on Monday July 28 or Monday, August 11 from 2-5pm, or chance a session at Studley Recreation Ground on Monday, August 18 from 2-5pm.

The Hi-5 Sk8 mobile skate-park, which features a half-pipe, driveways, hips and jump boxes will also be visiting Alcester throughout the holidays.

Cllr Mike Brain, technical services portfolio said: “The district council’s Hi-5 booklet is packed full of exciting and interesting events and activities for young people of all ages and abilities. Keeping children active is important for the health and wellbeing of their future, doubling this with fun and interesting workshops and sessions can only help to encourage them to be active. The Hi-5 holiday activities have been running now for over 10 years and they have grown in popularity with the help of enthusiastic and well trained staff leading fun-packed activities throughout the summer holiday programme. So there’s no excuse to get bored.”

The TUFFS sessions and skate park are free of charge, but there is a charge of £12 per day for the other Hi-5 sessions, or £50 per week.

The Hi-5 booklet is available free of charge and has already been handed out in all primary schools, but it is also available from the district council office in Stratford, as well as libraries and leisure centres.

Book the Hi-5 day camps and Sport and Swim camps at stratford.gov.uk/holidayactivities or by calling 01789 260643.