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Learn for fun

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

WHIZZ AWAY Children enjoying a skating class

A year filled with books, revisions, exams and marks has come to a close. And, for children it is two months of freedom from school and home work. But, summer vacation means a lot more than just free time. This is when you have fun, but do something constructive too. Making use of the long break, many children have started thronging summer camps in Puducherry. Here, they can get creative, tune into their musical side or learn things such as swimming or skating.

Along with the soaring mercury levels, there is also a rise in the number of summer camps and the activities they offer. Kids can now say goodbye to the indoors and the idiot box (much to parents’ relief) and indulge in extra-curricular activities that are fun yet educative.

The “Kodai Kondattam” (Summer Festival) of Jawahar Bal Bhavan of the Directorate of School Education has received an overwhelming response from children. It is being organised since 2002-2003, and the camp offers an array of options, ranging from music, dance and crafts to sports.

So far, nearly 2,500 children have joined these camps, held at nine centres. Children keen on learning music can train in instruments such as drums, guitar, keyboard, violin and veena. Those interested in dance can learn classical or folk dance. For the creative ones , there is drawing, tailoring, embroidery and crafts, while sports lovers can try their hand at table tennis, carrom, chess and more.

According to the Directorate, these camps help children spend vacations usefully and also help them return to the next academic year with a spring in their step. Interestingly, drawing and dance have attracted more children and the Directorate expects to see more children enrolling as the days go on. The camps are on till May 31.

Swimming is in in a big way too. Says R. Vasanthan, Secretary of the Pondicherry State Swimming Association: “We have an annual summer camp. Several children opt for swimming as it is useful and essential. The children are trained in swimming for an hour every day for 40 days.” Ask him about the benefits of summer camps and he says: “Children will stay healthy by learning such activities.” Skating is also gaining popularity among the young crowd. “Apart from regular skating, we have separate coaching for artistic skating,” notes G. Sriram Prasad, Senior Vice President of the Pondicherry Roller Skating Association. At least 300 students have enrolled this season, he says.

Joining the bandwagon is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Puducherry. A line of camps has been planned, including computer classes, training in terracotta handicrafts and a motivation camp.

So, get ready to make this summer vacation memorable!

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