Despite the boost they give in confidence, social skills, and general well-being, the annual holiday camp-outs organised by different establishments have been an overlooked aspect in children’s development. Needless to mention, children today have limited contact with the nature, and this is said to have a huge impact on their health and development. “In a grooming era of cable TV and social media, short periods (camp-outs) spent in truly happy and relaxed communities can do wonders for young people’s personal development,” says Alex Odagui, former head teacher at Kigali City School. “There has never been a time in a year when students breaking off from school needed it more,” he adds. “By giving children back some ‘real childhood’, like spending more time playing in green fields, listening to stories from their camp teachers and exercising their imagination, this will in most cases limit their time on social media, and most importantly, relieve them of the heavy school work-load,” Odagui points out. For Rosette Mutesi, a parent, holiday camp outs offer children the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and become more independent. More importantly, ‘they offer parents a much needed break’. She is also of the view that children from school going out into the natural world to play can positively affect not just their development as individuals, but society as a whole. Camps offer educational games and activities. “Free and unstructured play in the outdoors boosts problem solving skills, focus and self-discipline among children. And socially, it improves co-operation, flexibility, and self-awareness,” Mutesi says. “Emotional benefits include reduced aggression and increased happiness. Children will be smarter, and better suited to get along with others even without a guardian’s support,” she adds. There is no timetable, or anything of the sort, and this can stir fear into the heart of a ‘helicopter’ parent. “We (students) actually decide what we are going to do that morning, depending on the mood, how the squad’s feeling and what’s happened before,” says Clive Cyusa, a student at Wellspring Academy who has attended three holiday camp outs so far. That’s not to say holiday camp-outs are not organised. “There is just a lot of flexibility, which is important for us,” he adds. “Personally, I believe that from the little experience I got from camp-outs, it has helped me face my own challenges, take necessary risks, respond to my responsibilities, it has also enabled me have my own adventure. Basically what I learnt from there can’t be taught in school. You should see how interesting the camps are,” Cyusa says about his experience. 14-year-old Melissa Nzabamwita, a student, says, “A week or so in a well-run camping site — away from phones, laptops and the pressure of the outside world — with the opportunity to play and share a laugh with our age-mates and colleagues from all over the country is ideal. This gives you a taste of what life in a happy community can be, in fact it feels like home away from home.” The students enjoy boat rides on the lake. She adds that if you take time and ask anyone over 40 years of age to recount their most treasured memories of childhood, few of them will mention something indoors. Diana Daisy Uwonkunda, a nursery teacher who has also served as a camp teacher in many national kindergarten camp-outs, says, “We aim for children to experience true free play. One that is not set up according to adult agenda. For instance, in forests and open spaces, not designated play areas. In most cases there are no specific activities, no fixed equipment, rather, all that is there are tree branches, muddy slops, and tents, among others.” Independence Usually, the camps take about a week to three, and students from various schools come together and participate in several activities that do not just help them develop interpersonal, leadership or communication skills, but also gives them the platform to be independent which is important for a child’s development, Uwonkunda adds. “Some of the appeals such as goal setting, decision making and building self-esteem at an early age are among the perks. Young people should strive to build this in order for them to become responsible citizens who attach a lot of value to their future, and are mindful of the things that are detrimental to their lives.” Uwonkunda also highlights that, as the country continues to modernise local communities, ‘there is need to devise ways of protecting young children from the dangers that come with modernisation’. Parents should always expose them to activities that keep them busy in a meaningful way during the holidays so as to guide them better. Maurice Kayijamahe, a varsity student, says that students in higher learning institutions volunteer as facilitators in the camps, where they share a lot of information with high school holiday makers regarding ambition. “If you learn certain things from young people, the information may be more appealing than being passed on by an adult,” Kayijamahe says. And in most cases, this enables them to influence their peers as well. It is rare for them to go back to their previous undesirable ways, Kayijamahe concludes.
