Summer vacations bring such a thrill to a
student’s life. In fact, wouldn’t we all love a good amount of free time to
indulge in some fun activities! But coming back to the students, the ones with
the summer vacations, there are various organisations conducting summer camps
across the state for children to get involved in co-curricular activities that
don’t just keep them busy but also help them develop their hidden talents
through creative ways.
For the sporty ones, Yuva in association
with Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) is organising its 3rd annual free
summer football camp for children below the age of 12 years from April 25 to
May 16, 2015. Held at the PDA Grounds, near Hegdewar School, Mala, the
organisation gets the best coach from the GFDC to train the young talent. “We
have applied to the Government to set up a proper football turf at the PDA
Grounds. Once that is done, the workshops will continue throughout the year,”
says Raghuvir Mahale, Founder and Vice-President of Yuva. The current football
camp, which has children from seven schools participating in it, will have
sessions inculcating football skills such as holding the ball for longer,
passing and dribbling. The workshops are so engaging that almost 40 per cent of
the children come back for the next summer camp. Boys and girls are given equal
opportunity to learn the sport at the camp.
With most channels featuring reality
cookery shows, children start taking a keen interest in cooking from an early
age. Encouraging this is Melissa Martins, who has been conducting Renees
Goodies summer cookery classes for the past ten years. Noticing a change in the
mindset of children, Melissa says, “Today, children are more aware and curious
to learn. They watch shows and ask me how that dish was prepared. It is always
more fun when the children are interactive. They spread the word around and
come with their friends.” Melissa is all set for her bakery workshop on April
25 and 26, 2015 at Bindya Apartments, Vasco.
For those who love clicking away, they can
explore the beauty of photography by learning the theory and practicality of
the camera. Studio7 Goa will be organising a photography workshop for kids
above the age of 11 from April 29 to May 13, 2015 at Goa for Giving Mansion,
Campal. “It’s impressive to see children interested in details such as
background, blurring, etc. During this course, children will be given cameras
and the necessary equipment to learn the art of photography. They will have
five classes of theory followed by practicals,” informs Antonio Pacheco.
If you have a penchant for singing, choir
classes may be the thing for you. Held every summer, the choral singing classes
for children are conducted by Vinita Freitas Fernandes and will commence from
April 23, 2015,. “The summer classes are held twice a week and if the students
want to continue, they can come every week after school starts,” says Venita,
who trains children right from the age of four but insists that discipline is
of utmost importance for being a part of a choir. Students of the previous
batch were even given the opportunity to sing at the Eucharistic celebration
for the Christmas Mass at Don Bosco Church, Panjim.
