Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter
BACKPACK, CHECK. Water bottle, check. Pen and notebook, check. Children are getting ready for summer camps and summer school.
However, this summer some parents are also packing musical instruments, dancing gear, chess pieces, paints and paintbrushes, or even computer diskettes.
This is because specialty summer schools and camps are on the rise in Jamaica, and there are as many different kinds as there are types of campers.
The list range from mathematics, chess, music, computer to drama, dance, even golf and hi-tech designing. There's something for everyone and, because they are shorter in duration than traditional camps, most children are attending one or another.
Music camp
The music camp at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) is in its second year, and accommodates children over age four (and adults).
Maestra Betty Patterson-Spalding of the music department told Outlook that the camp is an offshoot of after-school classes offered during the year, as "the summer programme allows students more time to practise."
During the five-week programme, participants are taught various instruments and read music along with music appreciation.
While registration is down from last year, Mrs. Spalding still expects "great times" with participants. She offers traditional lessons for persons over age seven, and uses a variety of games and lessons to hold the interest of younger students. The emphasis will be on stringed instruments such as the cello, violin and viola. Novice campers (with no previous training or knowledge) are "very welcomed".
The camp will run until August 5, and fees have been lowered to $7,200 to attract more participants.
Golf camp
For the first time in Jamaica, a camp focusing on the rudiments of golf is being offered by the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy in New Kingston (beside the mini-golf park). From seven to 14 years, participants are registered and welcomed on a weekly basis into an exciting world at the academy.
"The camp is designed to encourage young ones to play the game and demystify the notion of it being a 'elite' sport," marketing manager, Patricia Gilling. told Outlook. "And participants are taught the rules and rudiments of the game by a professional who also trains the national teams."
While registration fee of $10,000 might seem daunting, the price includes the provision of food and liquids for participants, as well as a weekly junior tournament at the exclusive Caymanas Golf and Country Club, St. Catherine, each Friday.
The camp began on July 12, and will run through to July 30, but could be extended, depending on demand, Ms. Gillings said. Vacancies still exist for all ages in this camp.
Arts camp
The arts are the focus of summer activities at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA), where the four schools (drama, dance, music and visual arts) have a combined programme to attract young children, teenagers and adults alike.
The camp began on July 5, and EMCVPA public relations officer, Janice Gore, told Outlook that the dance camp is very popular this year, having more than 300 participants. There are over 30 foreign students from the Caribbean, United Kingdom and the United States participating in the programme. T
In the adult section, over 110 persons have signed up for activities which include dance techniques to be taught by visiting tutor, Harold George from Sierra Leone. Another visiting tutor, Tania Ramos-Oton from the United States, is assigned to the programme.
Meanwhile, the School of Drama has over 83 students enrolled, and the popular activities are miming, puppetry, clowning and acting. Guest tutors are Amina Blackwood Meeks for storytelling, Donald Anderson of the very popular 'Tings a Gwaan' production for acting, renowned jeweller Garth Sanguinetti for costume/accessories, and Derrick McCarty for line and folk dance.
Drama camp ends with two productions - the 14-18 year-olds will stage their production on August 29, and the younger students will stage their production on August 28. Two trophies for Girl and Boy Camper of the Year will be presented.
At the School of Visual Arts children can work pm photo-graphy, interior design, and computer graphics and receive a certificate of participation at the end. They will also stage an exhibition open to the public on July 30. To date, there are over 144 participants, including local and foreign students accompanied by lecturers from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Designer camps
Tech-Designers Camp, offered by Quick step Learning Centre, is designed to take children's minds off the "monotony of regular academic learning, while offering something new and challenging," says spokesman Deanna Campbell.
Running from July 5-23, over 15 participants have signed up to create their own designs using computers. Not all are computer-savvy, Ms. Campbell says, but they are ready to tackle the challenges of designing their own clothes, cars and buildings on computers.
Other attractions offered from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily include Spanish classes, art and craft, kung-fu, music and drama, field trips and a bonfire night at the end of camp.
Chess camps
Chess is all the rage at camps operated by the Liguanea Chess Club in two locations The Queen's School and Priory School. Participants are divided into two groups (five to 12 years and 13 -19 years), and are exposed to the intricacies of the game at beginner and advanced levels.
Chess Master and club president Jeffrey Byfield told Outlook that participants were attracted to the camp primarily because of the benefits to be derived from chess-playing.
"Chess is a fun game, and participants play for the fun of it," he said. "But the game also develops other qualities of the minds, including concentration, memory, logical thinking. It encourages creativity and teaches independence and patience, and enhances one's ability to interact with other people."
He said that parents were particularly interested in improving students' performance: "Studies have shown that children obtain a higher reading level, math level and a greater learning ability overall as a result of playing chess."
But personal development classes with counsellors, field trips, sports, fun days and parties are also on the schedule.
Mr. Byfield told Outlook that registration was down this year (60 compared to over 200 last year), as the club moved from its regular location at the University of Technology. Additionally, fees were increased but interested participants can still register for any week or multiple of weeks as the schedule is very flexible. The club itself has also moved its administrative offices to location on the Priory School compound on Hope Road in St Andrew, with website at www.chesswave.com.
Marine Science camp
Outdoors near the shore, on the dock or in a boat in and around Palisadoes, Port Royal, provide the ideal location for the marine science camp being organised by the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club. This unique camp is now in its second year.
Scheduled for July 19-23 and August 9-13, the two sessions are designed to increase youngster's environmental awareness through hands-on experience. There will be a swamp tour through the wet mangroves, geology lessons about rocks in and around Palisadoes, exploring marine life at the U.W.I. Port Royal Marine Laboratory, training sessions on marine safety and navigation safety, swimming, and boating trips.
"Every day, the campers will have some time in a boat, including rowing in an inflatable rubber dinghy, when the weather is moderate," camp director Fiona Black told Outlook.
A large chunk of the $7,000 registration fee will go towards providing transport to the club. A bus leaves Sovereign Centre in St. Andrew at 8:00 a.m. daily and returns at 4:30 p.m.
Interested persons from 9-15 years can also register for specific sailing courses being offered in sessions scheduled for July 26-30 and August 16-20. Basic dinghy sailing will be offered to groups of no more than six persons, with the only qualification being an ability to swim 20 yards.
Math camp
Mathematics in preparation for CXC and GCE, and remedial clinics for high school students are among the packaged offerings from Maths Unlimited for this summer, scheduled for July 5-23.
The camp offers a combination of four subjects from mathematics, English, biology, chemistry, accounts, principles of business, integrated science, and social studies. Fundamental weaknesses of students in grades seven to nine are addressed in the remedial courses.
