On your marks...it’s Summer Holiday Programme launch time!

If you’re on the hunt for something to do “All Summer Long”, then look no further than the OIC Sport & Leisure Team and Pickaquoy Centre’s packed programme of activities for the holidays. 

The teams have been working with a range of partners, local groups and organisations to provide a host of sport and leisure fun during July and August and, in addition to the free activities, many others are included within ActiveLife memberships. 

Just to whet your appetite, the freebies include fencing taster sessions thanks to the Orkney Fencing Club, Bikeability level 1, and Active School days in Sanday, Stronsay and Westray. 

A host of activities come under the ActiveLife membership banner – such as the Picky arena inflatables, Water Walkerz, Stepping Stones and Floats, Pirate Aquarun and Generation Pound. 

Finally, there’s a host of activities that folk can opt to pay for including the ActiveLife ones already mentioned and Learn to Swim weeks, Bubble Football and climbing fun. 

Picky and Stromness Swimming Pool will be offering Learn to Swim sessions. Please ensure you book your child into the same level they attend in L2S. If your child does not attend swimming lessons, get in touch with stromness.pool@glow.orkneyschools.org.uk or courses@pickaquoy.com and they will assist. 

Bikeability Level 1 is for pupils going into P5/P6 in August 2024. This session will give them the opportunity to learn to control and master skills on their bike. The training takes place in an environment away from cars or traffic - usually in the playground. A helmet and bike are required. 

To find out more and sign up for the Netball Orkney Camp head to www.orkney.gov.uk/netball and for the Ross County Football Camp check out www.orkney.gov.uk/football 

Please note for sessions/camps select the primary class your child/children have just finished, not the primary class they are going into in August, unless otherwise stated. 

There’s lots more happening so please check out the full programme: www.orkney.gov.uk/Summer 

How to book: 

For Stromness Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre – please book by calling 01856 850552 during opening hours or email stromness.pool@glow.orkneyschools.org.uk 

For The Pickaquoy Centre – please book by calling 01856 879900 or email enquiries@pickaquoy.com 

 The quickest and easiest way to book is online, using your ActiveLife or Casual User login. 

 Go to orkney.gov.uk/booknow  

Login using your email and password (if you can’t remember your login details or haven’t 

booked a course through OIC before, select “forgotten password” and follow the steps) 

• Select your child’s name from the drop-down menu near the top of the page 

• Click “Courses and Holiday Activities (Enrol on a Course)” 

• Click on “Groups” filter, and select “Summer Holiday Programme 2024” 

• Select the activity you would like your child to attend 

• Fill in the medical and photo consent information box and remember to hit “save” 

• If you are only booking one activity, then click ‘Enrol and Pay Now’. This will take you to your basket where you can click ‘Check Out’ to confirm the booking. 

• If you have further days/activities to book, then click ‘Enrol and Continue Shopping’. You will then need to click ‘Home’ near the top left-hand side of the screen. Please repeat the steps above as necessary until you have enrolled on all activities. You can then click the basket icon near the top right-hand corner of the screen and then click ‘Check Out’ to confirm all bookings. 

• If you can’t book online, activities can also be booked by calling 01856 873535 ext 2461 or 2427, or by sending an e-mail to leisure.culture@orkney.gov.uk 

  To book activities at Orkney Library & Archive please contact them directly at library@orkney.gov.uk or call 01856 873166. 

The Council’s Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, added: “What a fantastic array of activities to keep families busy over the summer months and it’s great to see some are free and others included with the ActiveLife membership, so important in these times of challenge for many families.”