Children weigh the pros and cons of summer camps in UAE

Students can use the skills they learned at school and apply them in various activities over the summer.

School is nearly over and students are getting ready for their much-awaited summer holiday. Though, for some students, their educational activities aren't over yet - they will be keeping busy at a summer camp. For many others, they'll be staying at home or travelling abroad to give their minds some rest after the long school year.
However, which one is more beneficial for students in the long run - joining a summer camp or relaxation after a school year?
Elena Aldridge, director of Positive Education at the GEMS World Academy in Dubai, said that the child or teenage brain is developing rapidly and must be engaged at all times. Students can use the skills they learned at school and apply them in various activities over the summer.
"Whether you're an advocate for or against summer camps as a parent, just remember these aspects when you make your decision. Firstly, schools sometimes prepare students for more school, the summer break should prepare them for life.  Secondly, real life experiences provide students with a deeper, longer lasting learning experience.  Finally, a 'free' and relaxed mind is a lot more receptive to learning skills such as creativity, team building, leadership, decision-making, solution finding and many more.  And who knows, maybe your child will uncover some hidden talents in the process too," Aldridge said.
A student at DPS Sharjah, Ashwin Daniel Mathew, said students should take a break from their gadgets during the summer and partake in activities in a summer camp.
"In the UAE, we get a long summer break in July-August. Since it is very hot to play outdoors, we have to think of indoor games and activities. It is good for children to join a summer camp instead of spending all their time on video games and smartphones. This will help them relieve boredom and learn something new," he said.
Mathew, however, believes the cost factor plays a big role in deciding whether to join a summer camp or not.
"But most camps are expensive and not affordable for all. In the past three summer breaks, I had attended camps run by Kerala arts institutes and they are quite reasonable at Dh500-600 a month plus transport. The three hours in the mornings or evenings on weekdays spent learning Carnatic music, guitar, cinematic dance and pencil sketching/ painting helped me to keep my holidays enjoyable and make new friends. But from teenage, these camps are less fun, so we need to think of a new set of activities like personality development or public speaking. These will be good to develop life skills provided the fees are kept affordable," Mathew said.
A student at the Our Own English School, Sharjah, Abhitha Rajesh, believes summer camps are not "worth it".
She said children and parents can create similar activities held in camps at home, which also helps save.
"In my opinion, summer camps are not necessary as fun and exciting as compared to the fun we can create at home. For instance, during my vacations, I make many kinds of ornaments from quilling paper and also spend some time working on sketches or paintings. Children can also spend time on their hobbies, have fun and exciting activities - like they do at summer camps - along with their beloved ones at home without having to spend money on it. Thus, summer camps are not worth it according to me," Rajesh said.
So, are summer camps worth it or should children give it a rest and relax at home over the summer? There seems to be mixed responses. Children can enjoy the social aspect in summer camps, but, at home, they can also do activities with the help of parents.

Get creative with activities that boost skills

Summer camps don't necessarily have to be the usual dance, singing and swimming ones. There are interesting and funky options out there that will teach kids new and offbeat stuff.  One that is offered in Dubai is a kids parkour summer camp. It has been designed for children aged 3 to 13-years old and is meant to help them with body movement and confidence.
A firm called Parkour Dubai is offering the camp and the price is Dh500 for 5 sessions and Dh120 for one session.
"Parkour is one of the fastest growing disciplines in the world - spanning countries, transcending boundaries, race and gender. This is the way it has been since the early days of parkour's creation. Born in France, parkour was always meant to make its way to a wider audience, across borders and reaching faraway lands around the globe," the firm said on its website.
Another skill a child can develop or practise over the summer is chess. There are chess classes being held over the summer and has been designed to help kids perfect their game. The company holding the classes is called Chess Classes and the tickets are being sold online on TickiKids.
"The main focus is on keeping the game fun for children while teaching them lessons that are important in life such as sportsmanship, problem solving, critical thinking, concentration, patience, attention span and other skills. Participation in chess has been shown to increase test scores in reading and math," the company said.
Children can also practise their science skills at the Mad Science Summer Camp. This camp is for kids aged from 5 to 12-year-olds and costs Dh998 for four days.
Kids will discover chemical reactions, build their own rockets, and look at spy equipment and real forensic equipment used in crime lab scenes. They will also build their own robots.

Summer break not a time to sit idle, keep the kids engaged

Elena Aldridge (Director of Positive Education at GEMS World Academy in Dubai)
The end of the academic year often means that parents are asking counsellors and social-emotional specialists the same question: "Shall I send my child to a summer camp, or shall I just let them relax at home, which one is better for my child?"
All parents want the same thing for their children: to be happy, and also to do well academically.  With that in mind, the recommendation we give at GEMS World Academy Dubai is always the same.  The child or teenage brain is developing rapidly, and therefore needs to be engaged at all times.
Does that mean that it needs to be engaged academically? Not at all, in fact the summer break is a wonderful opportunity for students to take all the academic knowledge acquired over the year, apply it and turn it into long-lasting life skills. They can do that either by attending a summer camp, or by remaining at home, provided there are opportunities for the brain to be engaged, but also to relax and to enjoy activities.
Summer camps are a concept that have existed for around 150 years, originally designed as an outlet for students to have fun, whilst flourishing and developing much needed life skills, that were not necessarily taught in traditional schools. The 1960s saw the creation of a new educational system, the International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people, who help to create a better and more peaceful world, through intercultural understanding and respect. Students are encouraged to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
With that in mind, we always say that the decision whether to send a child to summer camp or not lies entirely with the parents.  If the opportunities to continue the IB focused life skills education can be provided at home - via attending local events or organising groups where students interact with others at home - then that's an option. If summer camps are preferred, each school in the GEMS Education network can provide details about various programmes that focus on different skills, either local or abroad. These camps often have special offers for GEMS students too.
Whether you're an advocate for or against summer camps as a parent, just remember these aspects, when you make your decision. Firstly, schools sometimes prepare students for more school, the summer break should prepare them for life.  Secondly, real life experiences provide students with a deeper, longer lasting learning experience.  Finally, a 'free' and relaxed mind is a lot more receptive to learning skills such as creativity, team building, leadership, decision-making, solution finding and many more.  And who knows. maybe your child will uncover some hidden talents in the process too!  Enjoy the summer break!

Are summer camps worth it?

Summer camps have both positive and negative sides. Although summer camps cost a bit, they provide concrete outcomes in young children's development. Children develop a special sense of independence as they try new adventures. Summer camps boost a safe environment for the kids during the holidays, when their parents are away. The child gains self-confidence and tries to get along with other students. For shy students, summer camps may help develop their skills so they are more comfortable in their social environment.
(Arun Sinnamari, Our Own English High School, Fujairah)
The UAE has a great variety of summer camps. These educational summer camps are very helpful for the child to develop different soft skills and hard skills, but the high fees put the parents in a quandary, whether to send their kids to such overpriced camps. Usually, the camps last around 5 to 7 hours a day and have an average price of around Dh1,300 for just a one-week period. But these camps are effective and supportive for children, as they can develop many important talents needed for their growth and in the real world.
(Ishan Anand Pujari, GEMS New Millennium school, Al Khail)
Every year, I go to summer camp and have a great time there. Every child deserves to go to summer camps, because kids learn new activities and have fun in the process. Some of these are: Machine Tinkering, Paddle Boarding, Art Attack, Drones Programming, Creative Wonders, Junior Master Chef and many other such recreational pursuits. Furthermore, summer camps develop the overall personality of a child and makes them smarter, knowledgeable, confident and social. Summer camps are so worth it!
(Syed M. Shayan Hasnain, Bloomington Academy Ajman)
Summers in the UAE are much awaited breaks. We either find some recreation to pass our time, laze around or plan a vacation. But do we use our holidays productively? Schools in the UAE promote summer fiestas that instill vocational skills and help utilise our time. Everything from handicrafts, and cooking to public speaking and photography is offered. It's a fun-filled, learning experience beneficial to all. Thus, summer camps are worth it.
(Hurairah F. Muzammil, Gems Our Own English High School Dubai)

KT NANO EDIT

Focus on family time

Children are burdened while at school. So, avoid loading them with tonnes of boring exercises during holidays. Let this be a time for them to pursue their favourite hobbies. Relationship-enhancing activities should be given priority especially in these times when youngsters choose gadgets over people to spend time with. Stress should be on making family time interesting which will also help enhance their thought process.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com