Irish Summer Camp
About
Irish Camp returns for its fifth year in 2025 providing the local Irish-American community with three unparalleled weeks of fun and active learning. With full counselor engagement and committed participation from the campers this will make for a creative, educational and ground-breaking experience!
Campers will experience a wide range of Irish cultural activities in a safe environment with professional teaching artists and support staff.
Irish Camp offers opportunities to discover and develop the performing arts in drama, music, song, hip-hop dance, storytelling and Irish language. These experiences will live on in campers’ memories for years to come. The 3-week camp culminates in a family orientated performance at the Irish Center when each young person gets their chance to shine.
Irish Camp 2025—Ireland’s Got Game
The 2025 Irish Summer camp made possible by the generous support from the Michael and Catherine Cremin Irish Cultural Fund.
As we enter our 50th year, the UICC is more committed than ever to providing top-notch cultural programming opportunities, with special attention to youth as we build for the next generation of Irish Americans. Through the support of the Michael and Catherine Cremin Irish Cultural Fund we are delighted to present our 5th year of summer youth programming. We are delighted to welcome back the international creative force, Máire Clerkin, as Irish Camp Director. She is eager to work with a talented and diverse team of artists in a variety of activities and experiences for our Campers ages 8-16 years and a Junior Camp for the wee folk of 6–7-year-olds. With such variety, every Camper will discover new passions and find their way to shine!
The theme for Irish Camp 2025 is “Ireland’s Got Game” celebrating the sporting life in Ireland. From classic Irish sports of Hurling and Gaelic football to more solo sports like golf and fishing, young boys and girls will learn about the origins of Ireland’s enthusiasm for sports and what sustains it.
Maire Clerkin will lead a team of dedicated staff members and organize an energetic and enthusiastic program that encompasses various aspects of Irish music, dance, song, art through the lens of a broad spectrum of Irish sport and game. The program culminates in a student-created performance on the final night, which has delighted a packed house of supporters year after year.
Children Ages 6 to 16
Monday June 9th to Friday June 27th, 2025 / 9am-3pm
- 3 One Week Sessions
- SPACE IS LIMITED
- Registration opens January 2025
9am - 3pm
- Extended Care service available 3 – 5pm
Music + Singing
Performance & Movement
Drama
Our Mission
The mission and goal of Irish Camp is to be a partner with parents in providing wholesome activities for children and offer a program that promotes growth and development of children’s personalities, along with positive moral paths.
Our attitude and approach to everything we do at camp focuses on creating a warm, welcoming environment in which kids can be themselves without fear of judgment and in which each child belongs. Our child-centered philosophy creates a supportive atmosphere where campers develop skills and values to last a lifetime.
Irish Camp respects the rights and dignity of all campers and staff, including individuals with varying abilities, cultures, genders, races and religions.
About the Director
Máire Clerkin - Director, Summer Camp
Steeped in Irish arts her entire life, Máire was born in London of Irish parents—her mother was a renowned Irish dance teacher, adjudicator, and feis musician. Màire has made a career in Irish arts, with her acclaimed dance theatre companies touring Britain and Ireland in the 1980-90s. Her award-winning show The Bad Arm – Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer toured North America, Dublin, Edinburgh Festival, and London’s West End, as well as an appearance at the Irish Dancing World Championships in North Carolina.
Máire Clerkin is a writer, director, choreographer, teacher, actor, storyteller, performance coach, and former Irish dance adjudicator. External examiner at University of Limerick and Master Teaching Artist with Los Angeles Music Center, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and LA Arts Group, Máire specializes in Irish dance and theatre, with a background in journalism.
Máire has created multiple dance drama productions, achieving regional, national & international success. Other credits: Telling LA, PBS TV; World City at Walt Disney Concert Hall; Music Makers Schools on BBC TV; Revolver on BBC World Service; Dancing on Dangerous Ground, Radio City NY and Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Unconnected Soundings, Royal Opera House; Centenary Knees Up, South Bank; Fennels, Flannels and Funnels with John Hegley, The Place; collaborations with DV8 and Peter Sheridan; co-founder The Hairy Marys and Clerkinworks. Once Upon a Time in Ireland (Irish storytelling for children), is performed in schools and libraries and online. Máire’s screenplay, The Jig is Up is currently in development.
Other teaching credits include Weekend Arts College, Lewisham Youth Camp, Loyola Marymount University, Cois Céim, Blás, UICC Summer Camp, The Players Conservatory, Aman Dance Educators, & Santa Monica College.
“There is a lot of scope for intrigue with comedy, disguise, songs of adventure, a mystery voyage, wild sailors, a sad pig, banshees, hurling games, and a magic horse,” says Máire. ”Every camper chooses their favorite activities, and our experienced camp leaders will show them how to gain new skills, laugh as they play, and prepare to perform on the final night!”.
Sign-Up Today!
2025 Youth Summer Program – Ireland’s Got Game
Campers will experience a wide range of Irish cultural activities in a safe environment with professional teaching artists and support staff. Irish Camp offers opportunities to discover and develop:
- Drama
- Music
- Song
- Hip-Hop Dance
- Storytelling
- Irish language
The 3-week camp culminates in a family orientated performance at the Irish Center when each young person gets their chance to shine.
CONTACT US with QUESTIONS
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
JOIN US - VOLUNTEER
The Center is a largely volunteer-run organization and we can always use some able hands and new ideas. Please consider signing onto our volunteer list and help when and where you can. This is YOUR Center!
Irish Camp Photo Gallery
