By Lê Hương

Summer is a time for children to relax, but many parents see it as an opportunity to educate their children in life skills, bonding with friends, enhancing physical health, and more. Various forms of summer camps cater to the diverse needs of children and their parents.

One of the most prestigious camps of this kind is EcoCamp, founded by educational specialist Nguyễn Thụy Anh, president of the Reading Books with Your Kids Club.

Established in 2013 as an extension of the Reading with Your Kids Club, EcoCamp has hosted nearly 30 camps, attracting thousands of children from both within the country and abroad.

This 10-day boarding camp, held in the coastal city of Hải Phòng, offers a range of activities for participants aged 6 to 15, including drawing, reading, cooking, conducting scientific experiments, and meeting various professionals to learn about different careers.

"Whatever is good for children, we choose to do, not to make money," Anh said.

FOOD FOCUS: Children in a cooking class at EcoCamp. Photo courtesy of EcoCamp

Anh said that the camp's organisers see themselves as companions to the children, not just educators, and have learned much from the children in the process.

"The key is to select passionate people who truly love their work," she said. "They inspire the children to love working. I want to teach the children that everyone has a duty to labour and contribute to their community."

Anh has even invited hearing-impaired children to interact with the campers. Coordinators and participants have spent significant time learning sign language to communicate with these children.

Many children are so fond of EcoCamp that they return year after year. "This is my first time at EcoCamp," said 9-year-old Nguyễn Nguyên Hạo. "I feel very happy. I remember making flowers by myself."

Vũ Ngọc Cát Vi, 10, confessed that she loved EcoCamp so much that she had attended twice and planned to come back for many more years.

STEM CLASS: Children practise a scientific experiment at EcoCamp.

Seven-year-old Vũ Ngọc Yến Di said: "I have attended EcoCamp twice, where I met hearing-impaired sisters and brothers,"

"I communicated with them using sign language. Sometimes I felt sad because I missed my mum, but I tried to overcome it. I enjoyed the games, and when the camp ended I was very sad. I almost cried."

Another camp named "Làng Háo Hức" (Village of Excitements) focuses on giving urban children a taste of rural life and a chance to relax in nature.

Nguyễn Minh Trang, the founder of Làng Háo Hức Camp, explained that as a mother, she noticed that most summer camps in Việt Nam focus on academic content or skill-building.

"I cherish my childhood memories of spending three months with my grandparents, cousins and relatives," she said.

Trang has designed her camp in rural settings, with activities centred on nature, survival skills, sports, culture, and the arts.

Village of Excitements operates in the northern province of Thái Nguyên and the southern province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu.

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HEATING UP: Children learn various living skills at Làng Háo Hức Camp. Photo courtesy of Làng Háo Hức

"I was most impressed by the smell of smoke from the kitchen and swimming in the sea," said 11-year-old Nguyễn Linh Đan. "I also enjoyed searching for leaves in the garden."

Hồ Hoàng Phúc Hưng, 12, admitted that he had learned many things at the camp and made many new friends. "The tap water runs weak here, so I learned to conserve clean water," he said. "I also enjoyed a game where we disguised ourselves as someone else."

Parent Vũ Thị Yến said: "Now I realise that sending my children to summer camps gives them special memories."

When summer ends and the children return to school, they can proudly share their experiences with friends, recounting the activities they participated in and the interesting people they met.

"They will carry with them the beautiful memories of a summer filled with meaningful and exciting activities," Yến added.

PLAY TIME: Children play a folk game at Làng Háo Hức

Choosing the right summer camp is a crucial decision for parents, as it shapes their children's experiences. Camp founder An advised parents not to have overly high expectations.

"No matter how attractive the PR words are, the important thing is not what the camps teach the children but how they explore themselves through fresh activities, independently and actively, in a team where they can express themselves, bond, and cooperate with friends," she said. VNS

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Children collect leaves in a garden to learn about biodiversity.