Far away from home, kids turn happy campers

Every year just before the summer vacation begins, Rekha Sinha pores over the classifieds in the hope of finding a suitable summer activity for her two children. “Time hangs heavily on your hands during summer as it becomes hard to keep up with bored or hyperactive kids with nothing to do all day,” she says.

The scramble ensues every year, as parents try to find more wholesome activities that their kids can engage in, apart from staying glued to the computer or television at home. And with children interested in a million things these days, there’s only a million activities that kids can choose from to escape the summer ennui.

Outdoor camps are becoming increasingly popular and with professionals entering the field, jittery parents are getting more confident about sending their kids away for days, sometimes weeks at a time.

Trying something new
“Summer vacation is a great time to not only unwind but also explore new ideas and concepts,” says Sheetal Pasad, founder of the Thane-based Sweet Memories which organises overnight camps for children. “The popularity of our activities has grown tremendously in the past six years and we now organise camps for children living outside Mumbai too,” Pasad adds.

Industry watchers claim that the fairly new industry has been growing rapidly due to the heavy demand which will only get bigger in the coming years.

“Gone are the days when summer vacations meant visiting your grandparents and relatives at the native place,” says Ramona Lobo, 39. Today, she packs off her eight-year-old to week-long summer camps. “We don’t have an option. Now, families are smaller and with both parents working, there is no question of us taking a summer break along with our son,” she says.

Safety comes first
There is a general consensus among parents that great care should be taken about the children’s safety and security while they’re off at a camp. “Most parents are reluctant to send their kids on overnight trips,” says Andre Morris, director of Southbound Adventures.

He adds that the group size is kept small and manageable and even parents are welcome to join the camps.

“It is a good concept that helps children grow as individuals. They learn to live independently and also learn team work,” says Dr Nilesh Shah, head of psychiatry, Sion hospital.

However, child care experts and psychiatrists point out that there may be downfalls to this trend. “Most working couples in nuclear families send their children to camps instead of taking time out for the family. Vacations are a time when the entire family should spend time bonding with each other,” says Dr Alka Subramanyam, child psychiatrist and assistant professor, department of psychiatry at Nair hospital. Experts also feel that parents should check the organisers’ credibility before sending their children to overnight camps.

And how does one decide what camp is best suited for their child? Psychiatrists point out that there are several things to be kept in mind. “It is important to choose the activity keeping in mind the likes and dislikes of your child,” says psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty. Subramanyam adds, “Also, parents and children both should not take summer camps too seriously and just enjoy the time they spend there.”