Summer's here, and now's the time to pick from our ultimate guide to the happiest, coolest and most adventurous camps in and around Mumbai
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Indoors
For the creative child
take to the stage
Give wings to your child's performing skills at Summertime@Prithvi, with workshops and plays especially created for young minds. While theatre veterans Makarand Deshpande, Neeraj Kabi and Puja Sarup, among others will conduct an array of classes on the various facets of theatre for kids aged four to 16 years, there will also be plays staged for children every day.
FROM: April 23 to June 13 (forms already available; submission begins on April 9)
AT: Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Tara Road.
CALL: 26149546
COST: Rs 4,000 onwards
Stimulate, relate
Spoil your child for choice at the NCPA's five-week long Summer Fiesta with its range of engaging and creativity-enhancing workshops in theatre, photography, dance and magic conducted by masters in their fields. Together with 15 plays by some of the finest theatre groups in Mumbai, there is something here for every child.
FROM: May 1, 12 pm to 3 pm
AT: NCPA, Nariman Point.
LOG ON TO: bookmyshow.com
For the science buff
Be a robot guru
If your child is more interested in how the television works than catching his favourite cartoon show, this camp in STEM and robotics by iROBOKID may just be for her. With a complete immersive experience in robotics, electronics, game design, 3D animation and 3D printing, this five-day camp promises to be a stimulating one.
FROM: April 10 to June 2
AT: Various locations across Mumbai.
CALL: 25115533
COST: Rs 2,000 onwards
Have fun with medicine
Learn about blood cells and vessels, blood pressure and groups as well as observing slides under the microscope at this three-day workshop conducted by Dr Shonali Rathi, an MD in internal medicine. Meant for children in classes 7, 8 and 9, it also includes model-making and a visit to a blood bank on the final day.
FROM: April 18 to 20 and May 23 to 25, 4 pm to 7 pm
AT: Fun Science Club, Ghamat Lodge, B wing, Dr Ambedkar Road, Dadar TT.
CALL 9819580259
For the fighting fit kid
faster, stronger
Give gaming consoles a miss and enroll your child for some real fun at the Powerhouse Gym's fitness camp. With workouts that help prepare kids to be well-rounded athletes, the sessions also promise to enhance their discipline, problem-solving and team-building skills.
FROM: April 17 to May 26 AT 101-102, Concorde Society, Gulmohar Colony, Vile Parle (W).
CALL: 26711699
COST: Rs 3,000
Yogic health
Attend a trial yoga class for children that makes traditional yoga fun in a creative and interactive setting. For age groups four to eight and nine to 13, the focus of the class, conducted in association with Dhara Vachhrarajani, is on building body awareness, focus and calm, strengthening immunity and improving fitness.
ON: April 9, 11.15 am to 12.30 pm
AT: Cat Cafe Studio, Versova, Andheri (W).
CALL: 65188883
COST: Rs 100
For the junior Picasso
Go colour crazy on canvas
At this art playground by The Travel of Art with art innovator Kaizin Pooniwala, kids can paint with anything but brushes - think rags, bubblewrap, toothbrush, comb, cotton swab or plain fingers. All you need to take with you is tissues and a change of clothes, and you take away your child's masterpiece on a framed canvas.
ON: April 9, 4 pm to 6 pm
AT: The Lil Flea, MMRDA Grounds, BKC
CALL: 9820170948
COST: Rs 1,200 (inclusive of the materials)
Parents, join in too
Attend this three-day, intensive workshop on art techniques by Made to Create, which includes watercolours on paper, acrylics on canvas and charcoal on paper (for kids between eight and 12 years). Parents can sign up for a joint session with children (between five and seven years), too.
FROM: April 18 to 20, 10 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm
AT: Hiranandani Estate, Thane.
CALL; 9820561769
COST: Rs 2,000 onwards (inclusive of the materials)
Outdoors
Be a nature buff
Relive your childhood at this outing with your kid, where you can get down and dirty making seed balls, take part in seed and mulch collecting competitions, eat berries fresh off the bushes, splash about in the lake and harvest veggies to make your own salads. Organised by Native Place, there will be bonfires and cookouts in the evening and some star gazing, too.
ON: April 29 to May 1
AT: Native Place, Kamshet.
CALL: 26053724
COST: Rs 2,500 per adult and Rs 1300 per child (four to eight years) for the one night-two day package (excludes transport)
Find your Tiger tale
Teach your child all about the majestic member of the feline family at the two night-three day DCP Kids Tiger Camp at the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. The camp has also been specially crafted to impart knowledge about forests, natural history and biodiversity.
ON: May 25 to 27 AT Sawai Madhopur-Ranthambhore.
CALL: 61818464
COST: Rs 15,900 per head
Lakeside thrills
Here's a chance for your child to lead a rustic life for four days, amidst nature, minus technology. The campsite is a 50-acre farm on the banks of the Upper Vaitarna lake, where kids will be treated to fresh cow milk, curd and ghee produced at the in-house dairy. Organised by Add-Venture, camp activities include rafting, archery, nature trails and learning to use maps and compass.
ON: May 4 to 7
AT: Upper Vaitarna.
CALL: 27718845
COST: Rs 7,500 per head
Head to the hills
Give your child some respite from the soaring temperatures at a six-day long summer camp in the neighbouring hill station of Panchgani organised by Kshitij World. With a mix of adventure (obstacle course, treks, cave exploration) as well as fun (organic farming, bonfire, cooking out, treasure hunt), this camp seems like the perfect summer getaway.
ON: May 15 to 20
AT: Berry Land, Panchgani.
CALL: 9322181849
COST: Rs 9,800 per head
Look for the stars
Apart from the regular activities that come with camping, which include stargazing and tent pitching, this three-day trip to Badlapur by Small Steps Adventures also includes a visit to a nearby village, brick furnace and an ancient well. The kids will come away having made new friends and lots of memories.
ON: April 18 to 20
AT: Badlapur, Vishnubaug.
CALL: 7738073691
COST: Rs 4,000 per heads