While children are rejoicing at the thought of a long vacation, their parents are busy deciding on which summer camp their children should go during the long break. A host of organisations in the city conduct summer camps with promises to develop their skills and provide them value for their money. Earlier, vacations were essentially about visiting one's village and spending quality time with grandparents.
Earlier, summer camps were about the usual drawing and painting. But inclusion of exciting activities like clay moulding, pot-making, mono acting, singing, dancing and much more has been attracting participation of a large number of children.
Spoorthi Creative Art School behind Pinnamaneni Care Hospital in the city is the first one to start such a camp. Children passionate about drawing and painting and other creative activities, have joined the art school to hone their skills. City-based Global Chess Academy (GSA), drifted from its usual exercise of imparting chess coaching, to offering classes in clay moulding, kung fu and keyboard classes.
With clay
The Academy has engaged a Guntur-based artiste Lanka Venkateswara Rao, to teach the children how to make images of birds, flowers and animals using forest clay.
“We want the children to make the best of their imaginary skills and come out with innovative ideas in the camp,” says Sk. Khasim, the Academy president.
While the idea is to keep children engaged in games, painting, singing dancing and other fun activities, these sessions also serve as a great learning experience for them.
“Last year, I went to a summer camp and I liked the experience. The best part is that you are not pushed into doing anything you don't want to.
You get the right kind of atmosphere to pursue your area of interest besides the advantage of making new friends,” says L.K. Karthik, a Std. VIII student from Ravindra Bharathi School.
Hanish misses his annual visits to the village where he climbed trees and ate mangoes, went for swimming in the village pond and played cricket with his cousins. “But summer camps are a great respite for city kids who would otherwise die of boredom,” says the Std. IX boy.
Summer camps are a hit with kids because they focus on non-competitive, team-based fun activities. They build self-confidence in a child without worrying about being judged by someone around.
