2012 Kellogg

84 per cent of Irish parents surveyed, plan to send their children to a summer camp this summer, according to research announced at the launch of the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps at Croke Park today. 41 per cent of parents who said that they will send their child to a summer camp claim that they will opt for a Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp this year.

Almost half a million children between 6 and 12 years of age, have participated in GAA Cúl Camps in the last six years and speaking at the launch of a new three year sponsorship between the Kellogg Company of Ireland and GAA, Ard Stiúrthóir, Páraic Ó Dufaigh, said that the GAA is optimistic that these numbers can continue to grow, now that Kellogg has come on board, as a major new sponsor.

"We are delighted to be embarking on a new three year deal with Kellogg. We expect that the numbers participating in Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps can now grow further in 2012, with the support we will be putting behind the initiative this year. We know that children participating in Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps develop excellent skills and lasting friendships and that is why almost 80,000 children sign up to our camps, every year."

Most parents say that they choose to send their children to summer camps so that they can have fun (84 per cent), while 54 per cent send their children to summer camps to enhance their skills or meet new friends (55 per cent).

The research published today, reveals that Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps are the most popular summer camps selected annually by Irish parents. 41 per cent of parents who plan to send their children to a summer camp say that they will opt for a Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp this year, while 27 per cent of parents will opt for a soccer camp, with swimming (23 per cent) and rugby (10 per cent), selected as other popular options.

Speaking at the launch in Croke Park today, Jim Mc Neill, Managing Director, Kellogg Company of Ireland said: "We are delighted to be launching the first major partnership between the Kellogg Company of Ireland and the GAA. We know that our cereals are in 75 per cent of Irish homes and we believe that this partnership between Kellogg and the GAA will have a positive impact, by helping even more Irish children to develop sporting and personal skills which will help them grow, be their best and have some fun along the way!"

According to statistics released by the GAA today, the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps are most popular in Counties Kerry, Tipperary, Leitrim, Clare and Offaly. 30 per cent of children participating are girls - a steady increase in recent years, while 70 per cent of attendees are boys.

16% of Irish parents surveyed said they will not be sending their children to a summer camp this year. The main reason given by more than half of this group was financial pressures (54%).

Two thirds of Irish parents (67%) admitted that financial constraints have forced them to cut back on extracurricular activities for their kids. Almost half of Irish parents surveyed (49%) say that they are willing to pay between EUR50 to EUR80 for children to attend a summer camp, 25% are willing to pay less than EUR50, 21% are prepared to pay between EUR80 and EUR100, while only a small minority (5%) would pay over EUR100 for a camp.

In celebration of the new partnership, promotional packs of Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Kellogg's Rice Krispies will feature a unique code, which can be used online by parents to receive a EUR5 discount off the fee of EUR55 for the 2012 Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps. The unique codes will be printed on the inside of promotional packs, available in stores from mid-April to August 2012 and one code can be used per child, per registration, to avail of the EUR5 discount. Parents, simply log on to www.gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps to avail of this discount. Further discounts are available to families that register more than one child for a 2012 Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp, making them one of the most affordable national summer camps.

Kellogg's Cúl Camp Champions, Seamus Moynihan, Benny Coulter, Justin McNulty, Ursula Jacob, Bríd Stack and Ryan O'Dwyer attended the launch in Croke Park today.

Photo: In attendance at the national launch of the 2012 Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps are, front row from left, Daniel Ryan, Faughs GAA Club, Templeogue; Caoimhe McGarry, Allen Gaels, Drumshanbo; Niamh Morahan, Allen Gaels, Drumshanbo; Eabha Last, Kilanerin GAA Club, Wexford; Conor Sullivan, Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin; Jack Sullivan, from Howth; Rhiannon Campbell, Dublin 7, Educate Together N.S.; Matthew Ryan, Faughs GAA Club, Templeogue, with Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp Champions, back row from left, Dublin hurler Ryan O'Dwyer, Wexford camogie player Ursula Jacob, Down footballer Benny Coulter, Cork footballer Bríd Stack, and Laois manager Justin McNulty.