Students have the option of indulging in a range of activities such as splash pool, dance, music, drama, painting, clay modelling, jewellery designing, filmmaking, and indoor and outdoor sports at these summer camps. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, April 10: Summer vacations are no longer about packing your bags and escaping to a hill station with your parents.

These days many children actually look forward to this time of the year to acquire a new skill or pursue a hobby.

Though the state government is yet to announce the vacation dates, the kids have their “to-do” list ready to make the best out of their one-and-half-month break from the humdrum of school life.

“I want to spend my vacation in a constructive way. I plan to take up a crash course in music as well as art and crafts while my elder sister wishes to join cookery classes,” said Ritika Parija, a Class VIII student of a city-based school.

Most schools in the capital conduct summer camps, generally spanning over a fortnight or so, which have opened up age and activity-specific dos for children.

They are taught diverse activities such as dance, music, drama, painting, science projects, clay modelling, jewellery designing, fun games, splash pool, filmmaking, and indoor and outdoor sports.

Parents, too, are gladly sending off their wards to these camps where they learn new and different things under one roof rather than lazing around the house and staying glued to the television or computer.

“My daughter has a penchant for the guitar and dance, especially hip-hop, and wants to learn the basics of both. And what better time than the holidays? As parents, we have to go for work and cannot spend much time with our children. We just have to shell out Rs 1,000 to 1,500 to enrol them in a camp. That way it works out for everyone,” said Anirban Saha, a bank employee.

Some others are chanting the fitness mantra.

They are making plans to enrol in swimming, yoga or dance classes or even hitting the gym.

“Though children keep themselves engaged in various activities during vacations, they also tend to binge on junk food and end up putting on weight. It is important that they do some physical activity and stay in shape. My son Sushant is a bit overweight and wants to join the gym to get those washboard abs,” said Shailaja Mohanty, a parent.

There are also quite a few youngsters who are looking for unconventional, short-term courses that generally are not offered by any camp.

“I love adventure sports and wanted to go for camping, trekking or scuba diving. I want to do something different. However, since such options are not available here, I have asked my cousin, an engineering student, to help me learn the basics of robotics. Hopefully, by the end of the summer break, I will have a flying copter or a robot tailing me,” said Sambhav Mishra, a Class XII student.