Holiday plan to keep kids off the streets

THE school holidays are a relaxing season for children, but can be stressful for parents who aim to keep the little ones creatively occupied.

A holiday programme for children in the Bonteheuwel area and run by Scripture Union, has been doing so for 26 years.

“Bonteheuwel is one of the main crime places on the Cape Flats and an event like this in a place like ours is very important,” said Rory Crowster, programme co-ordinator.

A team of trained volunteers runs the free programme for children and teenagers during the first week of the mid-year school holiday, from July 3 to 7. Children can join in every day for the week for a morning programme which includes games, singing, crafts, dramas, sports, Bible stories, small group activities and refreshments.

Crowster said it was a struggle to source what the programme needed year after year because of financial constraints and any donations from stationery to food were welcome. Call Crowster at 073 8245784. The Cape Town Science Centre also has a holiday programme of workshops and activities that challenge young scientists to explore, discover and learn about phobias and be “edutained”.

A review of the programme from Daisy Ions said: “I had to bribe my six-year-old to leave with the promise of an annual pass.

The centre in Observatory is open 9am to 4.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and 10am to 4.30pm on Sundays. Cost is R50.