Let Learning continue – Learning during Summer Holidays at a Summer Camp, May 15 – June 1, 2022
Most of us are well-versed with summer camps and the excitement among kids. However, for some kids, summer camp is an alien concept. This is the story of Urala village of Durg district in Chhattisgarh, where the Language and Learning Foundation (LLF), a project partner of Vibha manages a project to improve foundational learning capabilities among primary class government school children. While summer camps are common among private schools, government schools do not have enough support or encouragement to host such events.
Mr. Roshan, who is posted by LLF as a point teacher at government primary school in Urala, worried that the summer break would slow down the learning practice among students. These students had already suffered a huge learning gap due to school closures of 18 months during the Covid-19 pandemic. While LLF ensured to maintain and sustain the already learned skills of the students, developing new skills was almost at a standstill during this time. The schools had just regularized since March 2022 and then the summer break came up. Such events adversely impact the continuity in a child’s learning, a long gap of practice leaves students at high risk of learning loss or regressing in what they already knew. LLF proposed an idea of conducting summer camp where students can have fun while learning, and Mr. Roshan jumped on the idea and could not find a better way to give the students a break from regular learning and yet continue their remedials.
A few school volunteers and teachers joined along, and a detailed plan was made to organize a fun-filled, game-based learning experience during the camp. In addition to the students, community members, parents and volunteers were invited to this summer camp with the idea to involve as many participants as possible, so the learnings can be practiced at home. This inclusive approach towards learning was very well received by the participants.
A gala learning camp with 150 students and 23 parents witnessed high-octane participation in activities like poem recitation, storytelling, drawing, toys making, clay art, role play and other activities.
Here are some testimonials from participants:
“समर मेले में आयोजित गतिविधियों से मेरे बच्चों में उत्साह देखने को मिला, मैंने खुद जाकर समर मेले को देखा है। जहां बच्चों के रचनात्मक कार्यो का विकास हुआ है। बच्चे नए नए चीजों को सीख रहे थे, और सभी मजेदारी के साथ सीख रहे थे। ऐसे गतिविधियों को स्कूल में भी लगातार करने से बच्चों का सर्वांगीण विकास होगा। — लयनी साहू (पालक-खुशी की माँ), कक्षा 4।“
Translation: I saw a lot of enthusiasm in my children during the activities organised in the summer camp, I’ve myself witnessed this (enthusiasm). Students were learning new things with a lot of fun and developing their creativity. Conducting such activities regularly in school enables holistic development of students. – Layani Sahu (Mother of Palak and Khushi), Grade 4 parent.
15 मई से 1 जून तक संचालित समर मेले के आयोजन में सभी शिक्षक साथियों, समुदाय के सदस्यों खासकर स्वयंसेवक साथियों का लगातार सहयोग मिला, जिससे बच्चों के सीखने में नवाचार गतिविधियों से जुड़ने का मौका मिला– लखन लाल देवांगन, प्रधान अध्यापक उरला
Translation: Summer camp organized between 15th May to 1st June received great support from teachers, teacher educators, academic support and volunteers who made it possible for the students to participate in innovative learning activities. – Lakhan Lal Devangan, Head Teacher, Urla
