FREE is the key to great holiday fun for families.

This year there is plenty of free fun to be had during the upcoming summer school holidays, with sport and recreation camps, dance parties and hundreds of summer skills sessions being held across rural and regional NSW.

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Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Government’s Holiday Break program will provide young people with the opportunity to reconnect with their friends, meet new people and learn new skills.

“Unfortunately, our spring Holiday Break activities were unable to go ahead because of COVID, but with life returning to normal I am thrilled to confirm the summer program will be bigger and better than ever,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Whether it is an adventure at a three-night camp, hanging out with your friends at a BBQ and Beats session, enjoying free entry and activities at your local pool or learning practical and professional beautician skills, there’s something for everyone.

“After being cooped up at home during lockdown, I’m sure our young people will be ready and raring to make the most of all of the free activities on offer during the holidays, so jump onto the website, find something you want to be a part of and book your spot.”

Free summer Holiday Break activities include 25 multi-sport days, BBQ and Beats events at 24 locations, 17 sport and recreation camps at nine regional centres, the Active Pools Youth Pilot Program at 16 locations and six creative workshops.

Mrs Taylor said funding of up to $10,000 is available to each of the state’s 93 regional councils, as well as not-for-profit organisations, to help cover the cost of staging extra youth events or extending services during the upcoming summer holidays.

“This funding could be used to support a wide range of activities, including extending local swimming pool hours, staging local concerts and shows, hosting craft workshops or skateboarding skills clinics,” Mrs Taylor said.

“If there’s an activity that you’d like to see happen in your area during the school holidays, I encourage you to reach out to your local council or eligible community group and work with them to turn your idea into reality.”

Funding applications for events to be run from 20 December 2021 to 3 February 2022 are now open.

For information about activities near you, or funding guidelines, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/HolidayBreak.

Of course families can also enjoy plenty of free fun accessing our National Parks, waterways and beaches.

By Marian SAMPSON