Shaun Conaghan: Co- Founder of Activ8 Camp
Hello, I’m Shaun – a proud Donegal man from Killybegs. I co-founded Activ8 Camp in 2017 with my best friend and fellow teacher, Pauric, with one clear mission: to empower children with the tools they need to take charge of their own health and well-being. My passion in this space is deeply personal. I witnessed the decline of both my parents’ health due to diseases that were largely preventable – and it changed the course of my life. It gave me a powerful “why” that continues to drive everything I do.
With over 15 years of experience as a primary school teacher, I’ve always loved helping children discover their strengths and understand their unique value. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition and am currently completing doctorate-level research in Nutrition and Disease Prevention. My approach to teaching and health promotion is trauma-informed and compassionate – I don’t believe in “bold” children, only children who may be acting from a place of unmet needs and who deserve support in learning how to regulate and express their emotions.
Before Activ8, I served as Students’ Union President at St. Pat’s DCU and worked in large-scale event management with MCD, promoting major live music events – combining a love of logistics, people, and unforgettable experiences. Those skills have carried through to Activ8, where creating safe, fun, and enriching environments is at the heart of what we do.
Now in its 9th year, Activ8 has grown to support the well-being of families across Ireland through our school holiday camps. Our clients include one of the biggest global companies, who trust us to deliver this service as a key part of their employee well-being support. In 2024, this company was named the #1 company to work for in Ireland – and we’re proud that the staff benefit we provide played a meaningful role in supporting that recognition. The response from parents has been incredibly rewarding – in our 2024 survey, they rated their satisfaction at 9.4/10.
For employers, the benefits of Activ8 go far beyond childcare – they see improved productivity, stronger staff retention, and a meaningful demonstration of care for working parents.
But for us, the real reward is deeper. Our passion is helping children build healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Activ8 gives me the opportunity to put everything I’ve learned – from my studies in the science of nutrition and well-being to my vast experience working with children – into practice every single day. From daily morning check-ins and breathwork at camp assemblies to getting creative, moving our bodies, and heading out on epic adventures – whether it’s hiking a mountain, ziplining through the woods, or surfing – we pack each day with moments that support children’s growth and well-being. Throughout the day, children enjoy a colourful variety of healthy whole foods at breakfast, lunch, and snack time – and one of the highlights is watching them devour our tropical fruit platters before home time. We practice the pillars of health every day at Activ8 Camp – and it’s so rewarding to see the children thriving, having fun with their friends, and feeling their best.
Everything we do at Activ8 is built on the foundation of our five core ingredients for health and happiness:
- Eating a colourful variety of nutritious, real whole foods
- Promoting adequate sleep each night
- Daily exercise – moving your body lots in many ways in nature
- Developing stress-management tools
- Friendship and social connection
When I’m not in the classroom or leading a camp, you’ll find me at a live gig, exploring new places, watching sport, or – on occasion – up a tree surrounded by goats.
At the heart of it all, I’m passionate about empowering others to manage their health and well-being through simple, sustainable diet and lifestyle habits – all while having mighty fun.
Shaun
