Earlier today, celebrity MasterChef contestant, Yvonne Connolly, was joined by renowned chef, Edward Hayden, to judge the cooking skills of four GAA stars; Mayo footballer, Lee Keegan; Tipperary Hurler, Seamus Callanan; Wexford Camogie player, Kate Kelly and Ladies Gaelic footballer, Caoimhe Mohan.
Not only did the cook-off encourage children and parents to eat a healthy and balanced breakfast every morning, but it celebrated the GAA player's involvement in the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps this Summer.
The Summer Camps are aimed at children between the ages of 6-13 and take place in July and August with attendees receiving training in hurling, camogie, football, ladies football. One camp in each province will receive a surprise visit and an opportunity train with one of the four ambassadors.
We caught up with Yvonne Connolly to find out how she keeps her kids happy and healthy in Summer.
You have three children now of various ages/stages - did or do you sign them up for kids camps?
I only have one that's in the age group for Cúl Camps but my older ones have done it before and loved it. It's just great to have your kids out there and be active, that's probably the most important thing.
For me what's really important is getting them to separate from their safe group of friends. I think it's very character building to have to go into a new camp, forge new relationships and friendships and it's just about making memories then.
L.A with these guys. Perfect first day. #family #holiday #happiness pic.twitter.com/Aet8r9JaHt
— Yvonne Connolly (@ConnollyYvonne) August 11, 2016
What's your advice for mums and dads to keep their kids busy and healthy throughout the summer?
I think Cúl Camps are fantastic because it's brilliant for the kids but also, you know, parents need a break too. And the camps are affordable, the kids are being kept busy, you send them off with a healthy lunch and give them a healthy breakfast before they go.
I think parents need a little bit of time to themselves because the Summer can be a long Summer if they're sitting around doing nothing.
My other advice for keeping them active and keeping them off their phones - that's the biggest problem these days - is to write a list. Get them to sit down with you and write a list of things to do and when the time comes and they're sitting there saying "I'm bored, I have nothing to do", get the list out.
When those opportunities come up and they're like "What will I do?", you're put on the spot and they can't think of anything and you can't think of anything so if you come up with an interesting list of things to do that they can either tick off or default to, otherwise they literally will just sit on phones.
Did you go to camps when you were younger or how did you spend your summers?
I had ponies - I was either at home looking after ponies or I would go to pony camp so some of my favourite memories are at pony camp. It always seemed...the weather always seems so much better, I don't know, all my memories are of sunshine.
I remember the first morning of pony camp, and I think the first morning of any camp for anyone, is full of excitement but also the kind of fear of 'Do I know anyone?' or whatever, but then literally by the first break you have a best friend and by the end of that week you feel like you've known them forever.
As I said, it's as important from that aspect as it is for fitness and activity too.
