Scorching heat: send kids to summer camps or not?

Institutes charge between Rs10,000 and Rs25,000 for 10 to 30 days of activities

ISLAMABAD:

As temperatures have soared to unprecedented levels in the federal capital, parents are contemplating sending their kids to summer camps to engage them in healthy activities or keep them indoors to stay safe from the impacts of scorching heat.

With the start of summer vacation in most educational institutions in the federal capital, different institutions have started offering innovative summer camps to keep the students intact with the learning activities.

Different schools have disseminated information about the summer camp through social media to attract the parents with various fun-filled activities and skills like gymnastics, swimming, creative writing, phonics and comprehension, confidence-building exercises, music, sports, puppet play, baking, cooking and water games etc.

These schools are charging an amount between Rs10,000 and Rs25,000 for 10 to 30 days of summer camps. Some parents consider the summer camps as a futile exercise and a waste of time and money, however, others consider such activities highly useful for skill development and confidence building in the children.

“Summer camps are just another tactic for the private schools to earn money by engaging kids in ordinary activities contrary to what they advertise,” said Nosheen Fatima, a mother of two school-going children.

Talking to the media, she said “These summer schools are meant for a specific class which can afford to spend this much amount to keep their children busy during the summer break. Summer vacations are meant to keep the children indoors to save them from the intense heat.”

Kamran Ali, another parent said, “Summer camps are highly beneficial for the kids in terms of boosting their confidence outside of the classroom environment. Some schools are offering excellent activities which are good to engage the students in healthy activities instead of giving them electronic gadgets at home for long hours.”

“The kids usually finish their summer vacation homework in a week or two and then they find nothing constructive to do at home as the parents remain busy in their offices and house chores. So, it is better to send our children to such summer camps where they gain exposure and knowledge.”

Different studies have proved that summer camps play a great role in nurturing self-confidence in children, independence, environmental awareness and learning about different situations.

Areeba Khalid, a parent of an eight-year child said, “My son is studying in Grade II in one of the prestigious schools in the capital. After paying bi-monthly school fee of Rs42,000, the school administration is asking for submitting Rs12,000 for 15-day summer camp which I just cannot afford.”

Besides, it is not advisable to send kids to the schools during the hot weather conditions, she said.

Another parent Amina Farrukh said, “I have selected one of the best institutions in the F-10 sector for my five-year daughter to attend their summer camp offering a wide range of activities.” She added that summer vacations are the best time to help children learn swimming, creative writing, acting, music etc which ultimately determine their interest in specific fields in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2024.