Flight of fancy for kids at Vacation Camps

From robot-making to rock climbing, city kids are spoilt for choice this summer. There are camps and workshops galore to keep kids busy during their vacation. They could try their hands at acting, professional photography, making puppets et al. And if they are imaginative enough, they can even take a flight of fancy. Believe it or not, they go around the world in 80 days - all in their imagination.

Whether the kid chooses theatre or an adventure camp, it's all about personality development and boosting confidence. Theatre will of course take care of speech and body language, say organisers. Registration for these camps and workshops will begin early May and the first round will start with the vacations that begin on May 16. The National School of Drama has begun distributing forms (Rs 50 each) and this will continue till April 29. Not everyone who applies can get through. Applicants have to go through a screening process.

Kids have already joined Shiamak Davar's dance classes and they will perform on May 27 and 28. Oogles 'n' Googles will take care of the general development of kids in the age group of 3 and 6. "The tiny tots will travel in their imagination to different continents and learn about their music and dance. We'll also touch on themes like health, nutrition and hygiene as part of the music and imagination enrichment programme," says Shilpi Jain, owner, Oogles 'n' Googles.

Typically, craft workshops, including art and painting, carpentry, bookmaking and puppetry will last a few days to a week with kids spending a couple of hours in a day there.

The National Science Centre's workshops, including projects on environment, astronomy and physics, will last at least five days. But there will be longer sessions such as the photography and theatre workshops as well as Rang Tarang Nehru Summer School at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. These will continue for a month.
The more adventurous kids can opt for adventure camps organised by Youreka. This programme is for kids in the age-group of 9 to 16. They can choose from four camps and activities, including backpacking, rafting and climbing.

Summer Workshops

1. Theatre workshop, National School of Drama
   Age: 8-16
   Fee: Forms for 50, 500 for the course ( 125 for SC/ST/OBC candidates)
   Duration: One month
   Students per group: 30

2. Adventure camps, Youreka
   Age: 9-16
   Fee: 12,000-15,000
   Duration: One week
   Students per group: 60-120

3. Science workshops, National Science Centre
   Age: 6-10
   Fee: 1,000
   Duration: Five days
   Students per group: 35-40

4. Music and imagination enrichment programme, Oogles n Googles
   Age: 3-6
   Fee: 2,000
   Duration: One week
   Students per group: 20-25

5. Hobby course in photography, Institute of Photography
   Age: 8 & above
   Fee: 10,000 (with discounts for special candidates)
   Duration: One month
   Students per group: 5

6. Puppetry workshop, Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust
   Age: 4-12 Fee: 2,000
   Duration: Five days
   Students per group: 20

7. Variety of art and craft workshops, Katha
   Age: 8 & above (minimum age for Madhubani workshop is 10)
   Fee: 500-2,500
   Duration: 1 to 10 days
   Students per group: 25

8. Mars mission robot design, Building Blocks
   Age: 7-15
   Fee: 2,500-3,000
   Duration: 5 days
   Students/group: 20

9. Rang Tarang Nehru Summer School, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
   Age: 4-18
   Fee: None
   Duration: One month
   Students per group: 25-30

Robot-making, Rock Climbing, City Kids, Camps and Workshops for Kids, Professional Photography, Making Puppets, Theatre, National School of Drama, Shilpi Jain, National Science Centre, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Mars Mission Robot Design, Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust, Summer Workshops