Summer camps ideal for keeping children busy

With summer vacation around the corner, families staying in the Kingdom can enrol their children in camps to help them develop various life skills.
Schools, independent groups, and institutes organize camps for children of all ages in every conceivable category.
The options include swimming, water activities, Islamic and Qur'an storytelling, cooking, photography, art, problem solving and decision-making lessons, and English and other language classes.
“It is time to mix learning with a lot of fun at the summer camps,” said Ahmed Zahran, general manager of FasTracKids (FTK) School. The school has a one-week camp from June 22 to 26, where they can learn about the culture, language, food, architecture, and history of countries such as Italy, Egypt, the United States, and Brazil.
Another camp is organized for children interested in becoming astronauts from June 29 to July 3. This “Space Camp” will help children learn how astronauts train, live and work in space. Children will be able to create their own space helmet and "travel" to the specially designed FTK space station in its space shuttle.
“Our aim is to make students use their summer holidays and take time off from the school routine. Admissions have already started. These camps will give them an opportunity to hone certain life skills while having fun,” said Zahran.
Another school, Jeddah Campus Preschool (JCS), is organizing a special summer program for kids between 8 and 12 years of age. The camp offers various activities including casting for plays, architecture, arts and crafts, expressive drawing, French, adventure, and fitness.
The JCS will also have a creative writing workshop facilitated by an American teacher from New York who will help children become young publishers and writers.
Mohammed Yahiya, manager of a summer camp sports program, said: “The objective of this camp is to create awareness about fitness and to encourage children of all ages to participate in sports activities. Besides, it helps them cultivate some skills.”
“Summer programs are a good way to unplug children from technology and get them back to real life. It will help them make true friends and connect with more people,” said a local psychologist.