THERE were not too many cries of 'I'm bored Mum' in the school half-term holiday week in Okehampton and district thanks to the activity camps provided by Okehampton Community Recreation Association (OCRA).

On Monday OCRA was at Hatherleigh Primary School in the morning and Highampton Village Hall in the afternoon providing sport, free play and art sessions for children to enjoy.

The funding for these Monday sessions, which were free, came from grants provided by West Devon Borough Council and the Big Lottery Fund - for the third year running.

Sue Doidge, OCRA's activities co-ordinator, said: 'The idea is to try to encourage children to take part in these arts, play sessions and sports and just have a go and enjoy it. All the children can choose the activities they like to do.

'Not all children like sport or playing in team games and some like to make up their own games or take part in ones with no structure or formal rules and just enjoy the fun of participating and make new friends.'

After the success of OCRA's summer holiday schemes, of which more than 600 children took part, the new activity camps proved a great draw.

On Wednesday there was a day of rugby skills and games at Okehampton College aimed at 10-16 years. Working with the youngsters were players from Plymouth Albion along with local coach Sue Yelland.

For the 8-16 years there were gymnastics and trampolining with a top coach to develop their skills regardless of ability.

The popular Sport, Adventure and Arts Days allowed children the chance to try a wide range of activities such as the Woodland Adventure Day at Alder Lake on Friday.

In beautiful surroundings, youngsters could learn fire lighting techniques, cook lunch on a camp fire and build shelters from natural materials.

Football, netball, fencing, swimming, squash, archery, circus skills, basketball, table tennis, athletics, climbing, assault courses, painting, collage, making beads, sewing, mask making  and natural sculpting were just some of the activities on offer.

One new class by OCRA that will have them dancing in the streets is the freestyle dance hip-hop and musical theatre. This is new for years 7, 8, 9 and 10. It starts on Wednesday evening, November 3 at the dance studio Parklands between 3.30pm-4.30pm.

On Tuesday, November 2 there is also sessions for those aged 7-11, at the same venue between 4.30pm-5.30pm.

For more details and cost of the courses download the OCRA newsletter at http://www.ocrasport.org.uk">www.ocrasport.org.uk or call 01837 54546.