WHEN I was a child (many, many, many years ago), summer vacations had a very different meaning for kids. For me it meant spending time with my cousins in the province, trying to stay out of trouble with my aunts and grandparents, and basically doing nothing but play, read or watch TV.
Sending me to the province was my mom’s idea of a summer workshop. (I can imagine it was a kind of vacation for her, too.)
In this purpose-driven world, however, slacking off during vacation has become totally unheard of. Nowadays, kids are sent off to summer camp/class/workshop as soon as school lets out. I guess this is not only to keep them preoccupied (ergo out of trouble), but also to direct their interests toward more productive ways. (Why let them play with mud pies, when they can join a culinary workshop and try their hand at actual cooking? Why let them sing along to videos on MTV, when they can have voice training at a Center for Pop Music?)
At the very least, it weans them away from their video games for an hour or two. And that’s always a good thing.
With the plethora of summer offerings at hand, it’s hard to determine which ones would pique your child’s interest (no need to waste good money on a dance workshop when your child prefers to do carpentry, right?), so this week we’ve decided to highlight some of the options parents have out there.
Hopefully, you’d find something before the summer’s over.
SUMMER TRAINING FOR FUTURE MANAGERS
It’s never too early for kids to develop a work ethic and learning the value of productivity. With this in mind, Jollibee has set up the Mini Managers Camp for members of its Jolly Kiddie Club.
The weeklong seminar gives kids the opportunity to learn the ropes of being a Jollibee restaurant manager through a variety of creative activities, storytelling, and other fun opportunities for kids to learn while meeting and bonding with new friends. Participants are also given hands on training and role-playing activities to expose them to the restaurant’s best practices.
Participants are asked to serve orders, clean up spills, help man the cash register, and basically experience the training real managers go through (under adult supervision, of course.) For those of you who think you have a budding manager on your hands, the workshop is one way of teaching your kid the value of honesty and integrity, respect for customers and, most important, pride in one’s work. These are the core values of a Jollibee restaurant manager; coincidentally these are valuable life lessons, as well.
The camp is open to JKC members aged 4 to 5. Camp sessions, which started on April 4, will be held every week, beginning Mondays, until May.
SO YOU WANT TO BE IN THEATER…
IF your child has the tendency to break into “Let It Go” at the drop of a hat, or reenacts various scenarios from Wicked, The Lion King, or even Rock of Aegis, point him or her in the direction of the Philippines Educational Theater Association (Peta).
The Peta recently began its annual Summer Program, a series of workshops geared toward kids, teens and even adults (so parents can join in the fun).
The Peta offers eight courses, including two Children’s Theater Workshop courses (for those aged 6 to 8 and those aged 9 to 12), as well as a Teen Theater Workshop (for 13- to 16-year-olds). The children’s workshop is good training ground for kids, who are encouraged to indulge their creativity and imagination. On the other hand, the teen workshop not only exposes kids to the different disciplines of theater—whether it’s music, dancing, visual arts or writing—but it also provides an excellent vehicle for self expression (in parental lingo, teen angst).
For adults, including young professionals, there are courses like Theater Arts for Beginners, Basic Acting and Creative Musical Theater. All the classes are scheduled during work-friendly hours.
This year the theater company has added two courses: Visual Arts and the Theater Arts for Seniors for those aged 60 and above (because you’re never too old to start acting). Enrollment for the Peta Summer Program is ongoing. Those interested may contact Peta at 725-6244, 0905-3696003. For more information, visit www.petatheater.com.
IF NOTHING ELSE, DO SOME GOOD
Encourage your child to do community work. Despite its unfavorable rep, community service is not always a form of punishment. Sometimes doing good is a reward in itself.
For example, this Sunday, April 10, has been designated as International Good Deeds Day, and a group headed by the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement will be participating in several events to highlight the day.
Among the activities include the painting of a Peace Mural on the walls of the AFP Medical Center along V. Luna and Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City (all you need to do is bring your own brushes and paint); a harana or serenade for the soldiers confined at the Heroes Ward; distribution of peace notes, flowers, cookies and cupcakes for peace (we certainly need more of this); and a donation drive for the group’s adopted schools in Pampanga and Mamasapano in Maguindanao. If you want to join these activities, just head for the AFP Medical Center this Sunday.
But you don’t have to be at the medical center to celebrate the day, says Bernadette Fernandez of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement Inc. “Everyone can celebrate Good Deeds Day wherever they are. All they have to do is do acts of kindness. They can take a photo and post it in their social-media account using #gooddeedsday or #gooddeedsdayph.”
This is apparently the 10th year that this day is celebrated. “Teach Peace Build Peace Movement was invited by one of our partner organizations, Giving Way, to participate in this global movement,” she explains. To know more about the movement, check out the Good Deeds Day Facebook page or visit www.gooddeed.net.
There are other volunteer projects listed on the group’s web site (www.teachpeacebuildpeace.org) for those interested.