Pack the little tykes off to camp!
It is the end of the school year. As with every summer, parents face the dilemma of how to keep their children entertained over these hot months. And in the current financial climate, more families are opting to stay in the UAE instead of heading to cooler climates.
But that doesn't mean life should be a bore. There are plenty of activities to keep children – and adults – entertained over the next couple of months thanks to an endless variety of summer camps that offer a mix of both education and entertainment.
For less than the price of a flight ticket, there are plenty of children's camps for parents to choose from, including many cost-effective ones abroad.
So if you are yet to decide what to opt for, Emirates Business brings you a guide to the hottest camp deals around.
DUBAI
SUMMER DAYS AND NIGHTS
- Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah
Paris Hilton's new favourite hotel (judging by her Twitter pics anyway), Atlantis The Palm, is offering various summer camps. Choose to master Merlin's skills at the Magic Camp; be a star at the Hollywood Camp; or learn all about underwater beings at the Marine Camp. Teenagers also have their own hangout at Club Rush, a fully-supervised, no-adults private club.
HOW MUCH? From Dh500 to Dh2,250
CALL: 04 426 1387
MAD SCIENCE
- Various Schools In The Emirate
These science summer camps are aimed at children aged four to 12.
HOW MUCH? Available on request
CALL: 04 337 7403
ACTIVE SPORTS CAMP
- Pharaoh's Club, Wafi
Aimed at children aged four to 14, this sports camp is great for keeping kids active throughout the summer. Sports include swimming, football, tennis and cricket.
HOW MUCH? From Dh150
CALL: 050 559 7055
DUCTAC SUMMER CAMP
- Dubai Community Theatre And Arts Centre, Mall Of The Emirates
This creative camp allows budding artists aged six to 14 to enjoy a medley of activities from acrylic painting and pottery to drawing and card-making, as well as other fun projects.
HOW MUCH? From Dh900
CALL: 04 365 2711
MATHNASIUM
- Knowledge Village, Block 13
Frankly, this sounds like our idea of hell, but if your child is a mathematical genius, and more importantly, enjoys the art of numbers, sign them up to Mathnasium.
HOW MUCH? Available on request
CALL: 04 438 0377
FAVOURITE THINGS
- Dubai Marina Mall
Offers a variety of camps, including Kadomz Dance Camp, teaching hip-hop, jazz, contemporary and Nike Rockstar.
HOW MUCH? From Dh150
CALL: 04 434 1984
LITTLE ONES CAMP
- Blossom Children’s Nursery, Umm Al Sheif, Jumeirah
Blossom offers a range of activities such as sports, music and drama for three- to five-year olds.
HOW MUCH? Dh150 per day
CALL: 04 348 6275
KELLOGG’S SUMMER CAMP 2009
- Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills; And Children City, Creek Park
Activities on offer include football, basketball, netball, tennis, swimming, water polo, karate, cricket, cooking, music and art.
HOW MUCH? Prices range from Dh110 per day to Dh450 per week
CALL: 04 331 8704
SWIMMING CAMP
- Dubai Swim, Mirdiff
Five-day intensive swimming courses are available for children above the age of four.
HOW MUCH? Dh300 per course
CALL: 050 883 8091
F1 IN SCHOOLS
- Various Schools In The Emirate
For engineers-in-the-making, F1 In Schools offers the opportunity for children to team up and design, construct and market a mini Formula One car.
HOW MUCH? Dh700
CALL: 04 430 8400
ABU DHABI
KIDS SUMMER CAMP 2009
- Beach Rotana Hotel
Five- to 12-year olds can take part in sports and art, as well as learn about different topics, such as recycling and about different cultures.
HOW MUCH? Dh100 per day
CALL: 02 697 9302
E-SPORT SUMMER CAMP
- GEMS American Academy
Sporting activities on offer comprise tennis, football, swimming, basketball, dance and gymnastics.
HOW MUCH? Dh650 per week
CALL: 04 282 4540
SUMMER CAMP
- Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri
Plenty of things are available for children to keep busy with, such as music, and arts and crafts.
HOW MUCH? From Dh200 per day
CALL: 02 509 8910
MILLENNIUM CAMP
- Millennium Hotel, Khalifa Street
Open for children aged four to 10 years old. Prices include activities, breakfast, lunch and soft drinks throughout the day.
HOW MUCH? Dh600 per week
CALL: 02 697 9302
SHARJAH
SWITCHED ON SUMMER CAMP
- Sharjah Museum
Three types of workshops (each offering options in English or Arabic) run every week for 11-to-14-year olds throughout July.
HOW MUCH? Free of charge
CALL: 06 554 2202
INTERNATIONAL
SUMMER STUDY IN PARIS
- Paris, France
The Sorbonne offers three- and five-week camps, teaching French at all levels.
HOW MUCH? Available on request
CALL: +331 4558 8612
ADVENTURES CROSS-COUNTRY
- California, United States
Trips range from 15 to 36 days and focus on community service, leadership, language and water-based adventures.
HOW MUCH? Available on request
CALL: +1 800 767 2722
CAMP TURKUAZ
- Fethiye, Turkey
This summer camp is located in the heart of a pine forest overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Open for seven to 16-year olds.
HOW MUCH? Available on request
CALL: +90 443 254 8045
SAY YOU LOVE THIS WORLD! 2009
- Suginami-ku, Japan
Organised by Peace Child Tokyo, a peace group of Japan, Say You Love This World! offers children the opportunity to discuss peace building through educational topics such as nuclear disarmament, the media literacy and peace, globalisation and poverty.
HOW MUCH? Available on request
CALL: +81 03 6661 8845
FOOTBALL SUMMER CAMP
- Manchester, United Kingdom
This camp teams up with some of the best football schools in the country, including Manchester United and Arsenal, to teach both boys and girls. English classes are also available for those who need to brush up on their language skills.
HOW MUCH? Available on request
CALL: +44 650 324 9899
ADULT CLASSES
Why should children should have all the fun? Here are some options for you:
Learn A Language
- The Eton Institute in Dubai Knowledge Village is currently accepting applications for its summer courses in English, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, Turkish, Farsi or German. Call: 800 3866 or visit www.eton.ae
Aliens Invade Dubai
- This summer drama course for adults runs at the Dubai International Academy. Dh1,500 per person. Call: 04 210 8567
Become A Gemologist
- Applications are open for The International Gemological Institute's July courses. Visit www.igiworldwide.com
Get Dancing And Keep Fit
- Fitness First offers a range of fun classes, including hip-hop and salsa. Visit www.fitnessfirst.ae
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