Bhubaneswar, April 30: Schools are closing for a month-long summer vacation. Both students and parents have started their hunt for the right summer camp for the child to suit their interests.
For the past few days, people are distributing handouts on different summer camps in the city outside my school campus. I have collected all and will zero down on one that meets my requirements," said Prapti, a Class-VIII student, who wants to take guitar lessons this summer.
More and more students are looking forward to summer camps, as they provide them with the opportunity to do something out of the routine. "During normal days, despite our interest in such activities, we don't get the energy to make time for such fun. I think everyone should try and make the most out of the vacation," said Sujit, another school student.
With a number of options in every area, choosing the right camp has become difficult for the students. They have become more cautious about getting the right value for their money. "Last year, I went for an expensive camp that had a number of events in its list. However, as there were too many participants and the organisers could not attend to us individually. This time, I am looking for a place with less crowd under an average banner," said Som, a student.
Parents put stress on the proximity factor so that it's easier to pick and drop their kids. "I have been discussing with parents of other students to decide where to send my child," said Vikas Jena, father of a seven-year-old.
Suvendhu Sahoo, whose child is in Class I, is looking for a camp that has more outdoor activities.
"My child is introvert and doesn't gel well with people. Drawing and art lessons will not help much. I hope she opens up after taking activities such as swimming," said Sahoo.
For students of higher classes, there are camps that teach only one activity such as baking, jewellery making, swimming, robotics and etc.
The Modern Art Gallery is organising its annual summer camp - Fine Hearts - where children can choose from various activities such as painting, pottery, terracotta art, sand art, glass painting, pattachitra, tribal painting, paper mache crafts, and calligraphy.
"We organise the event every year. The response has been very encouraging. While the number of students are going up, new activities are finding their way into our list," said Tarakant Parida, one of the camp organisers.
Apart from individuals and organisations, almost all public schools here are organising summer camps.
Most schools are hosting outdoor and sports activities such as yoga, aerobics and games. Kabbadi, kho-kho, cricket, basketball, football and volleyball are included in the list. Classes are also being organised on dance, art and craft, and digital art such as photo editing, animation and graphic designing. Field trips to museums and zoos are also conducted at some camps.
Delhi Public School, Kalinga, has also planned to hold several interesting activities such as bird watching, yoga, taekwondo, adventure sports and etc. "We have tried to do something different from other schools by hosting bird watching that will encourage the children to be more sensitive towards animals and nature," said a teacher of the school.
Fun way to beat the heat
