Your essential guide to kids camps in Dubai

It’s the term break for most schools next week, and while Dubai commuters will enjoy the short-lived luxury of improved traffic conditions during the morning drive, working parents who have yet to zero in on a spring camp for their children are probably facing rising stress levels.

For working mothers such as Saskia Seveiken, the decision of finding a spring camp is hinged on a programme that her two children can enjoy, along with one that proves affordable and has transport.

She says: “I have a young boy and girl, both with very different tastes. So yes, I need something that fits both their development skills, along with one that provides independent transport considering both my husband and I will be unable to get away mid-day to collect them from camp.”

Seveiken’s requirement is one echoed by many working parents who are looking for a camp that offers the right mix of activities that hold interest for their child, along with provides the means to make the commute manageable.

Emirates 24|7 springs into action with a list of camps that will fit the right mix for children with varied tastes that range from cricket practice to head banging your way through a school of rock.

Sporting fun for siblings

For those looking for a bit of familiarity and a sibling discount to boot, then the E-Sports Holiday Camps across several Gems schools in Dubai may just be the ticket for some fun sporting activity for a location near you.

Kids can participate in five different sports and activities per day including swimming, tennis, football, basketball, arts and craft and more, with parents having the flexibility to register their students at the school closest to where they stay (regardless of whether they attend the school or not).

The students then get placed into a group according to age and gender and they follow the set programme of fun activities for that day. The programme is set up by the camp director according to amount of students and qualified coaches available for each activity.

From approximately 15-20 different activities that are rotated on a daily basis of five sessions of 45 minutes sessions each, the groups will comprise up to 17 students with a teacher and an assistant to handle each session.

What’s more, if you are still unsure if your child is the right fit for the session, you can pay for the first day and let them try out the camp before you commit for a week or longer.

Rates differ depending on the venue you pick, but will range between Dh550 and Dh825. Transportation, which is provided by STS, is an additional charge.

School of Rock – for girls only

It’s a Rock Camp for Girls UAE and the perfect start for your daughter to channel the inner diva in her.

Set to launch on April 11 th and catering to all girls aged from eight to 18, RCGF UAE is an in-depth, five-day course for wannabe female rockers - the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Back by popular demand, the camp premise is simple: pick up an instrument, form a band, write an original song and perform it in front of friends, family and fans on the final day.

With limited places, tuition is on a very personal level; girls are split into bands, each band guided by its own experienced mentor. UAE-based performers like Noush Like Sploosh, Fatiniza and Carla Saad, all well-known names on the Middle East music scene - will pay close attention to each girl’s musical development.

Alongside band rehearsals, girls attend a series of specialised workshops, with instruction on setting up PA systems, lyric writing, creating fanzines, as well as partaking in self-defence classes and band photo-shoots.

And the highlight of the week-long event is the camp finale, which will tie together everything the girls have learned with a headline performance.

“This is not just a music camp,” said Zahra Soar, Dubai Eye radio presenter and camp founder. “This is a not-for-profit mentoring programme that will empower girls and galvanise them into action. If a student graduates from RCFG UAE with greater confidence to perform, and wants to form her own band, then we have done our job.”

For the Math geeks

For parents looking for something other than just fun and games, Mathnasium may be just the right call for you.

Running from April 5th to 19th, the award-winning programme is touted to create a deep understanding and lifelong love of mathematics, while building confidence. ‘Your children don’t hate math but they just hate being confused and intimidated by it’ it states.

Catering to ages three and up, Mathnasium states students are not automatons, but thinking mathematicians, building Number Sense, and a passion for mathematics in a fun, nurturing environment that emphasises individual attention and self-esteem.

After a thorough written and oral math assessment, they tailor-make a personalised learning programme for your child since no student is alike. Filled with illustrations and puzzles, these exercises map the way towards a deeper understanding of math. Thus Problem Solving becomes second nature and unlocks a treasure of fun while learning math.

Classes are held across five venues across Dubai, with parents having the opportunity to sign up for the spring holiday programme for either one or two weeks. Prices start  at Dh690 depending on level and duration. A free assessment is offered upon registration.

Batting order

The International Cricket Council Academy is an important focal point for international cricketing excellence and education. Children in Dubai are among a minority of youngsters with the chance to spend their school holidays training among the best and hoping to carve out a career for themselves at the sport.

Situated in Dubai Sports City, the ICC Academy is holding spring camps for five days starting April 6 and April 13 consecutively for children aged 6-12. The programme is available for Dh900 for five days from 9am-12noon.

A few of your Favourite Things

Sometimes you need to simply do away with the serious stuff and allow your imagination to run wild like this spring camp at Favourite Things, Dubai Marina Mall/

With various different themes, and a variety of activities within each theme, your kids will be mentally and physically stimulated while learning and having a really good time.

Running on weekdays between March 30th and April 17th, Spring Camp this year will include daily themes such as Colors of Spring, Bugs and Butterflies, Tropical Rainforest, Earth Day, BEE-sy Spring, Meet Eggbert, Spring has Sprung, Love Bugs & Crazy Daisies, Hop into Spring, Spring and Easter Thing and Swing into Spring.

Kids will participate in activities that will correspond with the theme of the day which include: Arts & crafts, Dramatic Play, Baking, Fun & Games, Fit Kidz, Puppet Show, Fashion Show,  Kids Karaoke, Mad Science, Mascot Appearance, Planting Activity and Face Painting

Aimed at two to eight year olds (kids under four must be accompanied by an adult carer), rest assured there’ll be heaps of fun activities throughout the day, including gym time, crazy science, crafts and dramatic play. The camp runs from 9.30am to 1.30pm, with Dh125 per day or Dh520 for five days for members and Dh170 per day or Dh620 for five days for non members. 


Horsing around

If your child loves to be around animals and the great outdoors, then trot on to this spring camp at the Al Tamimi which runs from April 6-10.

Hosted at the recreational retreat in Sharjah, Al Tamimi is a 30-acre farm is home to over 500 domestic and exotic animals, a riding school, petting farm, sports facilities, creativity studios and much more.

Take part in their three or five-day camp inclusive of a snack, lunch and refreshments each day.

There is a 20 per cent sibling discount to help families. Children up to the age of 12 years will be able to take part in fun and interactive activities including riding, stable management, animal care, environmental appreciation workshops, crafts and more.

The  packages range from Dh495 for five days and Dh395 for three days.

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