The School Run Something for the kids Samantha Smerag a - Drama Club - Summer Taster Days -- (1 st, 2nd and 3rd September) Drama club sessions include games and time to create and perform in the afternoons. They are open to prospective and current drama club members, aged from eight to 14 years old. Each session runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm at £1 5 for the day. Taster Days will be held at the MKTOC Workshop, Clicker's Yard, Olney, MK46 5DX, just left off the Yardley Road junction. ContactAnnaWingerathonannamktoc@yahoo.co.ukorgoto mktoc.co.uk - Holiday Bible Club ----- (4th-8th August 2014, 9.30am-1 2pm) ThefreesessionsareputonbytheCombinedChurchesofOlneyand open to anyone aged from five to 12 years old. This year's theme is Shipwreck Survivors and places are allocated via a first-come, first served booking system. Application forms are available online at olneybaptist.org.uk/hbc.html Groovy Movers - Summer Dance Workshops-- (1 8th-22nd August, 1 -4pm) Creative dance and movement classes for children, aged 5-8 years, held at the St Johns Hall in Olney. £10 per day, each workshop will cover a theme through a taught street dance routine, choreographic tasks with tonnes of fun and games along the way. Each day will end with a performance (to collecting pare ts) of all that was achieved during the session. For questions.or a booking form, contact Georgina Guest on 07736-398536, groovymoversuk@gmail.com ---Mini Strikers - Summer Sports Afternoons-- (6th, 1 3th, 20th and 27th August, 2-5pm) Sports afternoons take place every Wednesday in August at the Olney Youth Centre. At £9 per session (siblings half-price), they are designed for children from Reception up to Year 4. Activities include football, hockey, cricket, golf and dodgeball, and there's even a bouncy castle. Call (01 525) 403981 o r email admin@ministrikers.co.uk - Mythical Maze - Summer Reading Challenge 201 4 - (18th July-14th September) The challenge is for children to read or have help reading six library books during the summer holidays. There are stickers and a bookmark to collect as they progress, plus a medal and certificate for completion. Childrens' reading skills can dip during the long summer holidays, so use this challenge to maintain their confidence. With thousands of great books waiting to be read at Olney and the Newport Pagnell libraries, thereisnoexcuseforboredomduringthe longsummerbreak. For more information on the challenge go to the website: milton-keynes.gov.uk/libraries/library-news-and-events/ summer-reading-challenge Phonebox Magazine 85 So there I am, bright and early on a Monday morning (actually grouchy and running late), risking life, limb and several children by driving my car out onto a busy street. Inside the car has turned very quiet and I wonder if I have gone temporarily deaf. In fact, the kids find it best to keep the volume low when Mum turns manic on the school morning rush. And that is when I see him . . . not so much divine intervention as karma. A Buddhist monk, in head to toe orange, was calmly walking alongside the Catholic Church in Olney. Stopping mid-shout, I realised the passenger window was open and he probably heard every screech. Was that the reason for his smile? Have I provided images of what a life with young children is like? I quickly summoned some inner peace and continued to drive, a picture of Zen-like family serenity. But it wasn't long until the summer holidays started, which can be bittersweet for families. Everyone is relieved that the school year is over, but it's bewildering to think how fast the children have grown. There has been all the excitement of finding out about September classes and meeting new teachers, but how do you keep the children entertained over the long summer holidays? There are holiday clubs, football and tennis camps, but here are some other suggestions based in the local area: