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Idle indoors to active camps
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Bid adieu to crazy and lazy holidays, writes S.S.KAVITHA
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PHOTO: G. MOORTHY
THEY JUST LOVE IT Kids having a ball- a scene at Mahatma Montessori Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Baba Building.
Until a decade ago, most kids on vacation had little to do except whiling away the time in front of the telly, playing under the sun or eating ice creams . Not any longer; because summer camps are here. Working couples can now heave a sigh of relief, enrolling their kids in summer camps hoping that their little ones will pick up a new skill or a hobby. Besides learning a new skill or two, the cosy environs of the summer camp shield their skin from a burning sun.
Hear what a working mother, Adeline Jeyakumar, says: "Summer vacations are tension-filled. It is difficult to leave the children alone at home for long hours. Summer camps have come as a blessing."
It is the time of the year when many families pack their bags and go out of town. But there is a catch. Besides being heavy on the wallet, outstation travel to hometown these days is becoming few and far between, due to more and more families settling down in cities.
"We are not worried about what they are up to at the summer camp, but we are happy that there is a place that can accommodate our kids and teach them some useful things that would have a bearing on their personality," says A. Mythili, who owns a small textile shop. "In this competitive world, it is necessary to equip ourselves with various skills. Summer camps help children learn extra skills at leisure," feels S. Dhanalakshmi, a housewife.
The very first camp
"Summer camps in Madurai are more than a decade old," says N. Sulaiman, former Regional Assistant Director of Department of Art and Culture. The Department of Art of Culture introduced free summer camps in 1982. Later, it joined hands with Gandhi Museum and Government Museum to teach various skills to schoolchildren aged between 5 and 16 years.
This year the department will offer drawing, painting, craft, vocal, Bharathanatyam, violin, veena, flute, mridangam, yoga, karate, silambam, varmakalai and folk art classes on thappattam, karagattam, kavadyattam and mayilattam.
"Children will have a chance to unearth their latent talents at these camps." Whether the motive is to make money or just teach skills, camps in summer months keep the young ones in a happy frame of mind, he says.
Necessary
Are summer camps necessary? Yes they are, says A. Sudhakaran, Principal, Vikaasa School. The academic curriculum is heavy and children do not have time for conceptual understanding, reading, thinking, creativity boosting arts, sports and relaxation. So vacation is the ideal time for parents to see that these needs are fulfilled. Parents need to find out their children's areas of interest and where they need development and encouragement and plan a suitable mix of holiday activities, he says.
The camps help children not to indulge in `wasteful pleasures' such as watching TV. They also provide a rare opportunity of pooling resource persons from various places on the same venue whereas it is expensive and not practicable during the regular schooling days, Mr. Sudhakaran says and adds that these camps not only enable the children spend their vacation usefully but also prepare them for the future.
Line of activities
The Vikaasa School has four different activities such as coaching session for X and Plus-two students (other school students can avail the training only by reference), orientation programme for new comers, spoken English classes for employed people and students and a holiday camp. Besides, they also organise Montessori crash course for teachers and want-to-be teachers.
TVS Lakshmi Matriculation Higher Secondary School, which has been conducting summer camps for the past ten years, has divided its activities into four levels based on age group. It offers two activities for students of UKG to IV standard and three activities for students of fifth to Plus-Two. Besides, the school teaches animation, graphics, DTP, database spreadsheet, word processing, multimedia and applied technology for students along with other skill-based activities. Parents who accompany their wards can also learn new skills at the adult camp. As a bonus, the school offers free transport, snacks and materials.
The Mahatma Matriculation Higher Secondary School has already began its summer camp that is divided into five groups. It offers in-door and out-door activities for children. There is also a camp for adults in textile printing, doll making, embroidery, baking, painting, computer applications etc.
The SDH Jain Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School's summer sizzler has 39 courses to offer including kalaripayattu and magic. Nanban, a city-based NGO working for street children, has a series of courses and activities for enhancement of the child's resilience capacity. It offers a variety of activities including interdependence of rights and responsibilities, debating contests on child-centered themes, street plays and songs and learning about the living conditions of an average slum-dwelling family.
Total Orientation Programme Kindling Ideal Development in Students (TopKids) has also planned to offer a unique 10-day camp with fun and traditional games to children between 7 and 11 years. The objective of the camp is to give new life to traditional activities. The programmes are designed for fun, friendship, fulfilment and fine-tuning skills for a fabulous future and rediscovering the joys of childhood, says Dr. Dheep, the founder of TopKids.
Drama workshop
Helen O'Grady Drama Academy will conduct a three-week summer workshop on drama.
The academy plans to develop children's enthusiasm and positive approach to life, instil confidence, raise self-esteem, develop skill in verbal communication and effective social interaction with sessions on speech, movement, script writing etc.
Invariably all the summer programmes have spoken English and grammar as an integral part. The fee structure depends on the nature of the course, duration, facilities and infrastructure and institution's reputation and experience in organising camps.
This summer offers a variety of camps to choose from:
TVS Lakshmi
Matriculation Higher Secondary School
From April 17 to 29.
Offers half-a-day, and full-day programmes and adult camps.
Fees: Rs.550 to 1500.
Venue: TVS Nagar.
Mahatma Montessori Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Batch I: April 4 - 21
Batch II: April 24 - May 10.
Offers half-a-day and full-day programmes and adult camps.
Fees: Rs.300 to Rs.1500.
Venue: Baba Building.
SDH Jain Vidyalaya
Matriculation Higher Secondary School
From April 8 to May 7.
Course certificate will be issued.
Open to all.
Fees: Rs.350 to Rs.1,800
Venue: Tiruppalai.
Vikaasa School
April 10 to April 20
Open to all.
Fees: Rs.900 for three activities and Rs. 600 for two activities.
Venue: School premises.
Nanban
May 1 to 21.
Venue: Nanban Sneha Farm, Thuvariman.
TopKids
April 10 to 19 (9 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
For children between 7 and 11.
Fee: Rs.500.
Venue: TopKids,
Alagarkovil Main Road,
K. Pudur.
Dolphin Matriculation Higher Secondary School
From April 20 to May 10.
Yoga and Chess classes.
Fee: Rs.50.
Venue: Dolphin School,
Bypass Road.
Helen O' Grady,
Children's Drama Academy
From April 8 to May 30
Age Group: 5 to 7.
Fee: Rs.500
Venue: 394 K.K. Nagar
and TVS Nagar.
Pamban Academy
From April 8 to May 1.
Fees: Rs.200 to 500
Venue: 395 KK Nagar.
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