The summer holidays offer children a good opportunity to better themselves and hone their skills, with institutions offering classes in different disciplines.
The Regional Sports Centre, Kadavanthra, offers coaching in 24 activities up to May 22, for those aged between seven and 14 years. This year, a new session has been introduced — hobbies, with special focus on painting, photography, dance and music. For details call: 2204068, 2205071.
Get sporty
Among the innovative activities on offer from the Ernakulam District Sports Council (2367580) is training in horse riding. The Council has opened 100 centres across the district, where 125 trainers will impart training in 23 disciplines. Football will also be taught in 25 centres. The other sports include volleyball, basketball, shuttle, badminton, karate, judo, athletics, chess, handball, baseball, swimming, kalaripayattu, weight lifting, wrestling, boxing, fencing and archery.
The Bolghatty Footballers (94466 12813) has arranged free training in football for youth at the Bolghatty Island. The trainees would be given milk and eggs each day, while those from financially-poor background would be given football boots, said Joseph Thampy, secretary.
The Swadeshi Science Movement's (2393242) programme titled ‘Face to face with frontiers in science' is for students from Stds IX to XII. Subjects, including emerging fields like nanotechnology and photonics are taught.
The Santhwana Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Chitoor Road, offers training to create realistic self-image, improve self awareness, develop confidence, inculcate moral values, self-discipline, time-management, coping with emotional issues, inter-personal and communication skills, involvement in family chores, leadership, study/listening/writing skills, concentration and memory technoqiues, preparing for exams, public speaking, music and laughter therapy. Call 2352961, 2381497.
Art it is
The Snehasena (2340659), Ponoth Road, Kaloor has a painting and sculpture camp where natural materials are used, for children aged 10 to 12 years. Art in Art (93886 07795), Thammanam trains students in painting, free hand drawing and glass/fabric painting. A summer camp is on at Chaitanya English School (2305554), Vytilla, where training is given in chess, craft, drawing, painting, key board, folk dance and light music.
The Cochin Kalabhavan (2354522) too has classes on different classes, which are high in demand among children from the district and its neighbourhood. The District Council for Child Welfare has organised classes in magic and skating at the Ernakulam Children's Park. Call 2361050. Skating classes are on at the Government Polytechnic, Kalamassery. The Metro Roller Skating Club has also organized classes at Aluva and at Don Bosco, near the Ernakulam Medical Centre Hospital. Call 92498 25757.
Rajagiri Outreach (94460 02503 or 2550785) has programmes to sensitise children aged 5 to 16 years about environmental issues. It has day camps at different places in the district for which the total fee is Rs. 25. The focus is on preserving the earth and trees so that there is bountiful rain.
