Youth Programme

February 2009

On behalf of both the Irish Foster Care Association's Youth Committee and the International Foster Care Organization's Youth Committee, we would like to extend the warmest of Irish Welcomes  ’A Cead mile failte’   "a hundred thousand welcomes" to all those looking to attend the IFCO 2009 International Conference in Dublin, 2009!!

We have been working away behind the scenes to make this year's Youth Programme the best so far!!!  We are making a real effort to balance the programme content: activities, seriousness and fun, friendship and foster care!  

 That is all our news for now. We look forward to meeting everyone in a few months! Not far away now! Feel free to email us with any questions, queries or comments. This is YOUR YOUTH conference!! As the Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Alice Parkinson says "Let the learning and the Fun begin as we encourage Linking Global Foster Care"!!

If you want to contact any of the committee members with regard to any aspect of the programme please feel free to email Linda at linda.condon@o2.ie or Triona at triona.fitzpatrick@ifca.ie . We look forward to meeting you all in July this year, in Dublin.

Additional Information for Conference Youth Attendees: Please note the Youth Programme at the IFCO 2009 Conference in Dublin is an alcohol free zone. When youth present for Registration at the IFCO Conference in Dublin 2009, we would ask that the accompanying adult/guardian/parent would present with the young person at Youth Registration as well. There will be a 'code of acceptable behaviour and a 'code of responsibility' to be signed by both the young person and the accompanying adult. This will clarify the role and responsibility of the young person, the adult and the parameters surrounding programme provision, activities and acceptable behaviour.

Yours in Fostering,

Jean and Miko

IFCA and IFCO Youth Committees

Additional Information for Conference Youth Attendees:

Please note the Youth Programme at the IFCO 2009 Conference in Dublin is an alcohol free zone.

When youth present for Registration at the IFCO Conference in Dublin 2009, we would ask that the accompanying adult/guardian/parent would present with the young person at Youth Registration as well. There will be a 'code of acceptable behavior and a 'code of responsibility' to be signed by both the young person and the accompanying adult. This will clarify the role and responsibility of the young person, the adult and the parameters surrounding programme provision, activities and acceptable behavior.

YOUTH PROGRAME OF EVENTS

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON OUR WEB PAGE AS WE WILL BE UPDATING IT REGULARLY WITH ALL OUR NEWS AND INFORMATION. SOME PROGRAMMES MAY BE LIABLE TO CHANGE.

Tuesday: Artworks Café - 1/2 DAY TRIP  
Irelands’ only ceramic café located in Portmarnock. Children can drop in, select a unfinished piece of pottery, paint it and take it home once it has been glazed and fired. The pieces that the children can pick include kitchenware, delph, animal shapes, decorations or toys. Lunch will be provided for the children. Lunch will be provided.

To see more just click on the following link:
www.artworkscafe.ie/

The above tour is followed by:–

Tuesday: The Chocolate Warehouse - 1/2 DAY TRIP  
Situated in Dublin, the children will enter the world of the chocolate workshop. The chocolate warehouse is a unique venue where visitors can enjoy learning the story and mystique of chocolate making, with a working experience provided. The event lasts about 2 hours and includes a history about chocolate making; a film and then a demonstration were the children will see how chocolates and Easter eggs are made using different machinery and piping bags filled with chocolate. This is followed by a hands on session. Enrobing (coating chocolate sweets and adding toppings) and piping with white chocolate. The visitors then pack their own chocolate creations, add a bow and box off the goodies that they have made, which they take home with them. They will then be presented with a certificate.

To see more just click on the following link:
www.chocolatewarehouse.ie/?page=static.view_page.16

10 years and over

Tuesday: Sea Safari - 1/2 DAY TRIP  
Departing from Malahide Marina or the City Centre, the Sea Safari has become a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike. It’s a thrilling, high-speed sea tour around Dublin Bay which also shows spectacular sights and attractions. Sites regularly visited include Lambay Island, Dalkey Island and Killiney Bay. There is a possibility of seeing dolphins, seals, porpoises, kittiwakes, cormorants, puffins and many more wildlife besides. The children will be kitted out so they remain dry throughout the trip. Lunch will be provided.

To see more just click on the following link:
www.seasafari.ie/

The above tour is followed by:–

Thursday: Bray Sea life Aquarium - DAY LONG TRIP  
Come and enjoy a magical journey of underworld wildlife at the national sea life centre in Bray. With over 24 spectacular displays, it offers an unforgettable insight into the marvels of Ireland’s freshwater and marine worlds as well as creatures from all over the world. The exhibit includes “Rivers of the World”, “Kingdom of the Seahorse”, “Shark Nursery”, “Lair of the Octopus”, “Tropical Shark Lagoon” and “Nemo’s Kingdom” We will arrange the visit to coincide with the feeding times which take place throughout the day. This tour is  suitable for all ages. Lunch will be provided.

To see more just click on the following link:
www.sealifeeurope.com/local/index.php?loc=bray&lang=en

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:-

Pack a back-pack for your child/children with items such as sun protection cream, bottled water, any medication they may need i.e. inhalers etc, a sun hat, a light weight or water proof Jacket (in case it rains).

Should your child/children have any special dietary or physical needs the childcare team need to know this in advance. You can contact either linda.condon@o2.ie  or triona.fitzpatrick@ifca.ie with any relevant information.

The legal age to drink in Ireland is 18 years and all youth will be issued with a colour coded name badge which will indicate wither you are a youth or an adult. Any youth participant over the age of 18 will be asked to produce photo id in the form of a passport to prove their age. All staff have been instructed to look for id before serving alcohol.

We are providing an area for sole use by youth. This area is located close to a working area in the university, therefore we would request that noise levels be kept to a minimum during working hours 9am-5pm. This area is also available up to 10pm each evening. There are numerous areas on site where vending machines and café’s are suitated. We will include a site map in the information packs. Included also will be information on buses into and out of Dublin city and also the phone numbers of taxi cabs in the area. We will also provide information on places and areas of interest. You can visit the following link for tourist information  www.visitdublin.com/

We will be providing transport and entrance to a bowling night on Tuesday 14^th July 2009. This night will be available to all children, with parental/guardian consent for children/youth under 18 years of age.

Youth who pay the YOUTH rate will NOT be able to attend the State Reception nor the Adult Gala Dinner. Youth wishing to attend these functions will need to pay the adult rate. THERE WILL BE NO ALCOHOL AVAILABLE AT THE YOUTH/CHILD GALA DINNER.

The Cèile Night will be alcohol free from 8pm to 9.30pm and we would respectfully request everyone to observe this. This is an opportunity to learn an Irish dance or 2.

The currency in Ireland is the Euro and there are cash machines on site, which take all major credit cards.

The free day, Wednesday can be used to avail of the arranged tours or for sightseeing in Dublin city. Follow the web links which will provide you with plenty of suggestions

www.discoverireland.ie/

www.visitdublin.com/

www.dublintourist.com/

www.viator.com/dublin-tours/d503-ttd?pref=02&aid=g1818

www.dublinbus.ie/sightseeing/index.aspx

www.dublinuncovered.net/tourist.html

www.dublin.world-guides.com/

www.iol.ie/~discover/reg2.htm

If anyone has any concerns, suggestions or comments please feel free to contact either myself, Linda or Triona at the above email addresses. We welcome any feedback, good or bad.

GENERAL INFORMATION

There will be an opportunity to talk to the childcare team on registration day Sunday 12^th July 2009 from 11am to 4pm. We would also request parents/guardians to come to the Youth/child registration desk on Sunday 12^th July 2009 as we will need a form signed, this form will outline our code of acceptable behaviour and a code of responsibility which will be signed by both the child/youth and the accompanying adult/parent/guardian. These forms will clarify the roles and responsibility of the young person/child, the adult and the parameters surrounding programme provision, activities and acceptable behaviour. Any child/youth who does not behave in an acceptable behaviour will be removed from the programme and will not be included in any other activity for the duration of the conference.  

We aim to provide a safe, secure programme for all the youth/children and adults that are going to attend the IFCO International Conference in Dublin in July 2009. This programme is designed to cater for all children/youth from 0 years up to adult age. With this aim in mind we would respectfully request all participants to please observe one simple rule, respect. Please respect our country, our heritage, our people and those people who will be travelling to Ireland for this conference or who are simply just visiting our country. Please observe and respect our laws and make this trip and conference one to remember for a very long time.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Linda Condon,

Chairperson of the Childcare/Youth committee, also on behalf of the Childcare/Youth committee members, the organising committee and the people of Ireland.

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