Trendy summer camps to tap creativity in children

Chennai: As visits to native places during summer vacations is on the decline, the emerging summer camps in the city replicate similar ideas to tap creativity in younger minds. As the themes of summer camps keep changing every year, DC takes a look at this year’s trends.

Restoring the bucolic touch seems to be the priority for some parents who joined their kids at day camp centres, which teaches games such as Pallanguzhi, Adu puli (goat and tiger game), Chauka Bara, Rolling tires and Chaupar.

A private summer camp organiser, Kumaravelu H. said there has been a 15 per cent increase in enrollments. “As children became completely unaccustomed with traditional games, parents want them to uphold the roots.”

Sharp cry over environmental education has indeed impacted parents, who joined their students in such centres. “Minute aspects like turning off water tap and saving electricity seem to be uninstalled in my ten-year-old son. I hope that the camp would bring out a change,” said T. Reshma, a working mother.

Freelance counsellor Princy Solomon said her camp focused on gardening and recycling methods. “Kids learnt many life-oriented skills, including soil composition for potting and paper bag making,” she added.

In a more innovative way, Princy conducted tent camps, which brought a perfect outdoor experience for kids. Speaking on the trend, she said, “What started off with value education classes has spiraled up to arts and crafts and folk games. Children need to be appreciated and their values should be highlighted in a conducive atmosphere.”