Summer camps in rural Mysuru libraries engage children with creative activities

Mysuru: Parents find it challenging to keep their children engaged, and away from gadgets during summers. In urban areas, summer camps come to their rescue, however, in rural areas, children lack this opportunity.
Now, with the aim to help children learn new skills and involve them in various activities, rural development and panchayat raj department launched summer camps in all gram panchayat level libraries across the state.
In Mysuru district, the camps started in many libraries with various activities including bird watching, reading, painting, singing, excursions to local sites, playing various games, etc. The camp timings are fixed to convenience the children.
According to HS Suresha, a library supervisor from Haginavalu, Nanjangud taluk, students are involved in various activities every day, for three hours between 10am and 1pm. "We started the camp five days ago. Students are involved in various activities from reading books loudly to various native games, local visits, etc. Students are also enjoying the camp," he said.
Another library supervisor said the timings are fixed as per the convenience of children to ensure that they attend activities. "The camp in our library is organised in the evenings as it is the time that children prefer. We organise activities that are helpful to children and help them understand their surroundings better," he explained.
"Compared to the cities, organising free summer camps in rural areas is more challenging. Children prefer visiting their relatives or attending car festivals during the vacation. We try to keep the activities very creative to ensure students' engagement high and curiosity up," he said.
Mysuru ZP CEO S Ukesh Kumar said the summer camps were a privilege. "Now, children from rural areas are also able to enhance their skills and learn new subjects," he said.