Children gear up for summer camps

School children in Riyadh can look forward to several summer camps during their long vacation period.
To provide students with a platform for interaction and learning, a varied group of institutions, schools, educational play groups and some residential compounds in Riyadh are organizing a blend of “edutainment” events.
“Summer camps are precious occasions for children to open up to the vast world outside regular schools and home,” said Samirah Jameel, a mother of two.
Many camps offer a variety in outdoor adventures and give learning a new challenge while the children make new friends at the camps. Kids that share a passion for a skill and wish to enhance their talent will opt for specific camps.
For sports jocks, the Summer Soccer Clubs are available almost everywhere in Riyadh. General Sports Arabia is a keen provider for such sporting grounds. The Spanish Football Training Camp, organized by the International Football Academy in Riyadh for aspiring soccer enthusiasts runs until June 20. Boys between 7 and 16 years of age receive personal training from renowned Spanish football coaches visiting Riyadh for the event.
“Such sports camps can trigger positive determination through enjoyable and rewarding trainings. In due process these help gain knowledge for the players at all levels.” said Marwah Malik, event manager for this international sports event. She hopes to introduce similar training camps for girls in Riyadh in the coming years.
Other camps focus on table tennis, swimming, football, art classes and competitions, drama and language classes. Tiny Bubbles Summer Fun Camp offers theme parties, workshops, art and crafts and competitions for kids between 2 and 6 years of age. The Crayons School’s summer camp activities include cooking, scavenger hunts, photography, picnics, splash playtime, nature science, library time and drama for boys and girls between 3 to 10 years.
The recently held Panorama Mall Kids Carnival 2013 was a roaring success with three days of exciting stage performances, games and competitions, parties, and arts and crafts. Many residential compounds in the city also organize community events for kids and families.
Amna Khan, a Montessori trainer at an international school, has been organizing summer camps for kids between 4 and 12 years old at a local compound. Activities included swimming, table tennis, football, arts and crafts, zumba, cooking, languages and more. Ranco Village Compound is organizing a Hawaiian camp for little girls that includes Luau food, Hawaiian cocktails, games, faces painting, gifts, music, and more for its residing members.
USERA Recreation Center is conducting developmental activities for kids from 6 to 14 years for its USERA Summer Camp Program.
A Native American Indian Camp is available at L’Art Pur Gallery, Takassusi, for five days a week for kids aged between 5 and 11 years.
SPLASH Summer Camp at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh has scheduled weekly evening camps for boys from 5 to 12 years and girls aged 5 to 14 years. Activities like swimming, bowling, journalism, tae kwondo and art are open for kids.
Super Kids summer camp aims to enhance Islamic education among participants through a dua and story telling competition, Qur’an memorization, writing and reading skill. The camp also focuses on the development of the intelligence, social and moral skills and other essentials.
“My 11-year-old son attended a similar camp last year and it hugely benefitted his personal growth. He returned more confident, happy and opened up to people around him. He is excited to join another camp again this year and can’t wait to make a few new friends during the summer break,” said Rawan Al-Essa, a housewife and mother of three boys.
Mary Teeling and Dana Qabbani are providing “Drawing Fundamentals for Kids” at Alaan Art Space, for 10 to 14 years old. Al-Manahil in the Diplomatic Quarter holds summer activities such as swimming, yoga, Pilates, tennis and exercise classes for all ages including member and non-members. Summer camps can be life-changing opportunities. They help build confidence, develop their personality, academic knowledge and skills. Children return more confident through engaging in activities that help develop varying capabilities in them.
“Last year I attended a summer camp in Riyadh and it was a great experience for me. My days at the camp were memorable.

I made new friends, exchanged contact numbers to share the cherished moments at the camp,” said Zoha, a third grader in an international school.