Carlow Stepping Stones Camps 2026

What to Expect

Stepping Stones is a series of three-day camps run by Carlow Parent Hub for children in the gap between sixth class and starting first year, aimed at building confidence and friendships before the move to secondary school rather than teaching any particular subject. Each camp mixes arts and crafts, sports and team activities, and day trips, run over three consecutive afternoons at a local venue. Rather than one single camp, the programme moves around the county through the summer, with earlier sessions already held in Tullow and at The Vault in Carlow town in July. The Carlow town leg returns to John Sweeney Park off the Tullow Road in early August, followed later in the month by sessions in Hacketstown and Bagenalstown, so families across the county get a chance to take part close to home rather than having to travel to one central location.

Good to Know

• Carlow town session: Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 August 2026, 11:00am to 3:00pm, at John Sweeney Park, Tullow Road, Carlow.
• Further sessions run Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 August 2026 at the Scouts Den in Hacketstown and at Gleann na Bearu Community Building in Bagenalstown, same 11am to 3pm hours.
• Aimed at children moving from sixth class to first year of secondary school.
• Activities include arts and crafts, sports and team games, and day trips; children should bring a packed lunch.
• Contact Carlow Parent Hub on 086 138 0801 or carlowparenthub@catherines.ie to book a place or ask which session has space.

Getting There

John Sweeney Park is just off the Tullow Road on the edge of Carlow town, with on-street parking nearby. The Hacketstown and Bagenalstown sessions run from the Scouts Den and Gleann na Bearu Community Building respectively, both in the centre of their towns.