Parents lament high cost of winter camps in UAE

Top Stories

Several winter camps are offering their services to kids in the UAE.- Supplied photo
Several winter camps are offering their services to kids in the UAE.- Supplied photo

Dubai - Some winter camps are priced at nearly Dh1,000 a week and last only a few hours of the day.

By Sarwat Nasir

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Mon 17 Dec 2018, 7:00 PM

Last updated: Tue 18 Dec 2018, 8:34 AM

UAE parents have shared their frustration over the high prices of winter camps and are demanding more affordable ones.
Some winter camps are priced at nearly Dh1,000 a week and last only a few hours of the day.
Parents have said the experience and number of hours offered by camps do not match the price they are asking for. Khaleej Times had also reported the lack of "affordable summer camps" earlier this year.
A mother of two, Nabiha Mahmood, said winter holidays could be a challenge as she wanted to ensure her kids stay productive, though, hefty prices of winter camps make that difficult.
"Winter break is a blessing only if you are travelling. But if you choose to stay then it's challenging to keep your child busy in a productive way. So, we try to look for winter camps and unfortunately, they are way too expensive. The minimum price is Dh500, which is a very nominal one," Mahmood said. "In my case, I would never spend that huge amount of money for a camp. On the other hand, I didn't find them a learning spot for my child. It's more for killing time. In my opinion, it's a waste of money but there are parents who are working and for them it's a guilty pleasure."
Sadia Gul, a parent in Dubai, also said the camps in the country are "way too expensive and don't offer valuable skills" to kids.
"Firstly, they should consider that there are so many kids who need counselling and a good mentor. So, it should be available at a price that everyone can afford. Secondly, they should provide help to the kids so they can find their potential - what are they good at and what should they consider for their careers."
Madeha Tahir, another parent, said that she will "never" enroll her kids in camps that cost as much as what most are asking for now.
"Instead, I can get him admitted to any swimming class, music class or karate - that one session will be cheaper and can keep the kids busy," she said.
A parent in Dubai, Yusra Zarman, said: "Winter and summer camps used to be way affordable than they are not. It has turned into a business rather than a fun place for children. When we were kids, the camps cost us Dh250 a month which included different learning activities such as swimming, painting, karate etc.
"Today, camps have become big business. Each course costs Dh200 and that lasts only for a week. I can't be the only one who doesn't have an entire year's salary stashed away so I can send my kids to a sleepaway camp. They need to understand the fact that kids need a break from their gadget madness. But it's getting impossible for us to admit them in a camp which is costing us a fortune."
Several winter camps are offering their services to kids in the UAE, including camps that have fitness-related activities, STEM studies, art and music, dancing and space camps.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
 


More news from