This week is the final week of the 2017 four week camp and 25 years on it’s proving more popular than ever.

Organiser Rita McKechnie has been there every summer to oversee the camp which regularly attracts 350-400 children every summer.

Over the 25 years Camp Erne has catered for over 8,750 children and they are still queuing up thick and fast.

Rita explained, ”We advertise registration for the camp in May and on registration day we regularly have people queuing for hours to make sure their children get a place.”

Now the camp has developed into a month long sharing weeks between the older age group (8-11 years) and the Kiddies Camp (5-7 years).

Indeed so popular is the Camp that there is always a waiting list for the four weeks.

“Everything is run by a team of staff here and four leaders who have been here almost as long as myself,” joked Rita.

“The team of coaches is very busy during the four weeks. They are people that work full time, but give up their weeks to coach and give us their skills in the Camp Erne programme,” explained Rita. “It’s wonderful to have their input and expertise.”

“To me it’s a very special time of the year because we’re working with children and giving them so much enjoyment. It’s all fun and laughter and they all love it. 

“The children meet new friends all the time. Just last week I watched two young girls meet up again after a year and the smiles on their faces were priceless,” said Rita.

SEE pictures from Camp Erne at the Lakeland Forum in today’s Herald.