More than a 100 children beat the holiday blues at a five-day summer camp in Mount Roskill that offered a range of activities and provided a communal space for participants to get away from boredom at home.
The workshop from January 8-12 was aimed at providing children with an enjoyable and educational experience, featuring an array of workshops, arts and crafts, outdoor and indoor sports, dance, team-building exercises, zumba sessions and also a trip to Kiwi Valley Farm.
As many as 106 participants would turn up for the summer camp at Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall every day from 8am to 5pm, says Jeet Suchdev, Founder and Chairperson of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, which organised the 20th edition of the annual camp.
“One of the highlights was the energetic dance lessons led by the talented Simran ji from ‘ASoulthatdances’. The children enthusiastically learned new dance moves, expressing themselves through the joy of movement and rhythm.
“Music lessons, art and crafts workshops, and sessions on yoga and meditation further enriched the participants' experience, promoting personal growth and creativity.”
The camp also addressed crucial aspects of modern life, including cyber security and digital literacy, fostering a sense of responsibility in the children regarding their use of technology.
Workshops on active listening and maintaining a healthy balance in screen time provided valuable lessons for navigating the digital landscape safely.
The team behind the successful summer camp included Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust Co-founder and Educational Chairperson Roopa Suchdev, Trustee Roshni Chadha, Executive Board members Simran Chadha, Ansh Chadha, Jaspreet Singh Kandhari, and Ghouse Majeed, as well as staff of Roopa Aur Aap and volunteers.
The workshop ended in five days but the children were left asking for more, says Reshma Kumbhar Birwatkar. “What a lovely summer camp it was…kids were asking for more and more days.
“Thank you so much for these arrangements and well organised summer camp for kids. My son has already planned for his next camp.”
Jeet Suchdev expressed his deep gratitude to parents, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters for their unwavering belief in the community's vision. He acknowledged the long-standing support of sponsors, some of whom have been supporting the trust for over a decade.