In the summertime

In the summertime

 

SUMMER CAMPS NOWADAYS IMPART LIFESKILLS TO STUDENTS THAN MERELY ENGAGING THEM IN FUN-FILLED ACTIVITIES.

 

   It is summer once again and the holidays stretch out in front of you. So what do you do with the time? If the idea of 'summer-camps' doesn't appeal to you owing to factors like 'distance' or 'feasibility,' then think again. These camps are not confined to trekking or adventure sports, but increasingly focusing on imparting life-skills to students like table etiquette, public-speaking, personality development, firstaid lessons, and so on.
   So be it working on students' handwriting, grooming their personality, introducing them to the world of theatre, sports and adventure to even helping them with their holiday homework, summer camps are doing this and more. Parents don't mind paying for the activities, as they prefer their children spending the holidays doing something more constructive than just being glued to the television.

LEARNING THE SCIENCE

Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE), for instance, is organising 'Star Parties' for schools. This party is organised in the adventurous environs of Jim Corbett National Park and Aries observatory. It is a funfilled educational excursion wherein participants experience the nature and at the same time learn new concepts of science and astronomy.
   Informs Amit Verma, deputy CEO, Space Technology and Education Pvt. Ltd: "It's important that students understand the science around them and this is what we aim at" adding, "the main attractions of the camp include night sky observations, treasure hunt, solar walk, day trip to Aries (a Nainital observatory working on a 40 inch telescope), a jungle safari, group activities and team-building games among others."
   Similarly, 'Bagicha,' an adventure camp at Ramgarh, near Nainital, Uttrakhand, of four to six-day duration, is more than climbing, panoramic views and wilderness experience. During the camp, one is prepared for the totality of nature - from storms and soft breezes to biting insects as well as singing birds.
   Rajiv Khare, head (business development) and an avid trekker, Altitudes Adventure, points out: "Our education system is such that we teach students to compete whereas at our camps, we teach them on ways to succeed."
   He adds: "The essence of our course is that members of the team, work together either as a group from the outset or simply complement each other as individuals wherein they learn the process of team-building and leadership skills."
   Gurmeet Malhotra, on the other hand, runs hobby classes in west Delhi. She says: "Besides helping children with their homework, we also work on improving students' handwriting and grammar, for which they don't get time otherwise."

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Likewise, 'Hunar,' a four-week camp, organised by Gurukul Pre-School, offers activities like instrumental music, fine arts, dance, skating, theatre, personality development, English conversation, judo, besides others.
   Elaborates, Priti Narayan, its founder-director: "The most popular course has been the personality development one which is a capsule of fine arts, English conversation, table manners, dance, etiquettes and confidence-building activities. In this programme, through personal attention, the children are allowed to overcome their inhibitions and given finer tips for holistic development."

MARKETABLE SKILLS

The Family India has been organising camps for underprivileged children in the NCR for the last six years that includes street children, children from broken homes and orphaned children who normally won't get to take part in such activities.
   At these five-day long camps, their volunteers teach children on ways to make beautiful decorative items such as paper carry bags, artificial bonsai trees, picture frames, jewellery boxes among others. The children are also taught theatre, music and sports activities.
   Says Rohit Kumar, its co-ordinator: "Through our various activities, we teach them to make things of marketable value, so in the process, we help them 'pick a skill' so that they can earn their livelihood, in future."

SOCIAL AWARENESS

Similarly 'Yuva-Ekta' is an opportunity for young people from different socio-economic backgrounds to interact with one another and ideate on a number of socially relevant issues ranging from the Right to Information to appreciating what one already has, to human rights issues and environmental concerns. Students from various schools, colleges and nonprofit organisations come together for a month to work together and learn from each other.
   Informs Shivani, programme co-ordinator: "The programme includes three days of self empowerment workshop and a city walk organised by Salaam Baalak Trust, an NGO that works with street and working children. Students will also spend time at a children's shelter home in Paharhganj and engage with them in fun learning, games, music, art and craft and so on."