A SUMMER holiday club for children in Wellington re-started this week after the success of the inaugural event last year.

Primary school teacher Carly Payne, of Foxes Childcare, started the activities camp last summer after recognising the need for children to socialise more following the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “I wanted to create an opportunity for children to run around outdoors as well as participate in joint craft, sensory, and construction activities of their choosing.

“We immediately had lovely feedback from parents and very happy, tired children at the end of each day.

“Children from ages four to 10 learnt new skills and established new friendships, and I am really pleased that many children are returning this year so they will have the opportunity to meet again.”

Primary school teacher Carly Payne (WWN)

The holiday club runs until August 19, and on Monday (August 1) the children enjoyed an author/illustrator visit from Jason Chapman with his best-selling book ‘Stan and Mabel’ to inspire them to become budding authors and illustrators.

Author and illustrator Jason Chapman in action with children at the Foxes Childcare summer holiday club (WWN)

The youngsters had a go at illustrating the duck character Roady.

Next, using reference books, the children chose an animal which they used as inspiration for their own character.

Jason demonstrated how to use photographs of people to give their animals the personality and qualities of people.

He also demonstrated how to illustrate different expressions to reflect the character’s feelings and emotions.

Carly said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed creating their own character for which they can create numerous adventures in the future.”