JEDDAH, 6 July 2007 — For parents who cannot afford to take their children on holiday abroad, summer camps are competing to offer the best to youngsters and have become annual summer venues that help children make the most of their school vacation.
The various summer camps held across the Kingdom are unique and hold different activities. Some of them hold games and workshops for young children, while others conduct field trips.
Arabian Explorer’s summer club focuses on the technique of learning through entertainment in a way that differs from learning at school. “We aim to bring up a cultured generation that is skilled in different activities. We want to enrich their interests and hobbies, and reform the negative aspects of their attitudes,” said Fahd Al-Safh, general director of Arabian Explorer.
The camp is open to boys between the ages of three to eight, and girls between three and 12. In order to participate, children undergo an interview with a sociologist to determine the positive and negative aspects of their personalities.
“Some children are not accepted because of their parents’ inappropriate behavior toward them. Some parents call their children names in front of other children, something that is totally unacceptable,” said Al-Safh, adding that autistic children are also sometimes accepted and given appropriate care.
Trips held by the camp take place during the mornings, while workshops take place during the evenings. Youngsters are able to participate in a host of workshops including how to extract perfumes from flowers, cook fast food and how to turn coal into diamonds. The camp also holds activities relating to plastic arts, decorating, jewelry designing, horse riding and swimming.
Jeddah Gifted Center, where gifted students get extra education on creative thinking throughout the academic year, last week began its annual summer program, which is being held until July 25.
Students from the 5th Grade until the 8th Grade have been divided into three groups according to their ages. The first group teaches children how to think logically. “For example, the trainer asked the 5th Graders what they felt about being given the chance to be policemen for one week. What are the advantages and disadvantages? What would be their plans and what are the students’ conclusions about the idea. They get the chance to discuss these types of issues,” said Anwar Balto, director of the summer program at the Jeddah Gifted Center.
The second program focuses on enriching students’ creativity. For example, students are handed paperboard and scotch tape and asked to build houses that can fit one person. “Some of the students ran out of material before completing the house, while others constructed it and had some material left over,” he said.
In the third program, participants go on field trips and write about their observations.
Other centers offering summer activities focus on building children’s confidence and improving their physical fitness. Future Experts Group started their summer with a “Let Us Think” camp that holds martial arts and self-defense courses, including karate, taekwondo and fencing.
Meanwhile, under the slogan “Innovative Youths for a Bright Tomorrow,” the Jeddah Science and Innovation Club launched a four-week “Summer Innovators” program recently.
The multifaceted program focuses on developing students’ scientific, mental and physical skills through specialized scientific training courses and a variety of cultural, recreational and interesting sport programs. Abdullah Al-Sewyed, general supervisor of JSIC, said: “The program aims to train students on scientific skills through training workshops... It also aims to develop students’ thinking capabilities and develop their methods of learning.”
The program consists of several subprograms. The first is for elementary students, which is being held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., four days a week, for three weeks. The subprogram includes training courses for beginners in electronics, computing and invention skills. The scientific festival for this course will be held on Wednesday evening.
The second subprogram, which is being held for 36 training hours, is for students at preparatory and secondary schools and consists of training courses relating to electronics, robots, the environment, fun chemistry, computing and the maintenance of cell phones. The program also includes courses in developing thinking skills, photography, first aid and the art of innovation.
Along with cultural and recreational activities, a variety of sports programs have been integrated into the events. These programs include open festivals, community service programs, visits and trips, competitions and scientific research.
Ahmed Al-Kuhlani, Tide brand manager at the Modern Products Company, noted that all programs adopted by JSIC have proven successful in achieving the goals for which the JSIC was founded.
“Officials of JSIC are very keen to develop and implement special programs that benefit students in the maximum way, helping them to develop their skills and raising their scientific and practical levels. The summer slogan for this year is a true expression of the objectives that the JSIC seeks to achieve. We do wish the JSIC every success,” said Al-Kuhlani.
