Summer camp in Sharjah’s House of Wisdom: What you can expect

Looking for an edutaining opportunity over the summer break? Here’s a camp that has you covered, with themed activities drawn from 16 different countries. Sharjah’s House of Wisdom (pictured) will play host to kids aged 5 to 12 over four weeks (from July 4 to July 8 and August 1 to August 25). Here’s a look at what you can expect.

First of all, kids enrolled in the ‘2022 Summer Camp: A Trip Around the World’ will get a passport and boarding ticket. Each week, the class will cover four spots – and they’ll get a stamp on their passport each time the module is completed. At the end of their stint, not only will they get this document as a keepsake but also a certificate of completion. The camp is priced at Dh650 per week; it runs for four days in a week.

The camp, held in The Little Reader section – which is dedicated to reading and learning at the House of Wisdom – will see children dive into the customs, language, food, geography, flora and fauna, and landmarks of the chosen destinations. These spots include the UAE, Japan, Jordan, India, China, and the Philippines - representing Asia; Morocco, Botswana (Africa); France, Greece (Europe); the US, Canada, Costa Rica (North America); Brazil and Peru (South America); and Australia. Among the activities the kids will do, between 9am to 12pm or 3pm to 6pm, are:

Learning to make a ‘Dream catcher’: This woven piece has roots in ancient Native American culture. According to legend, hanging the talisman over a bed was thought to protect children from bad dreams.

Listening to music: Whether it is listening to artists play the Rababa, an ancient Jordanian musical instrument, or France’s popular musical accordion, children will learn about musical tools.

Creating mosaic patterns on Moroccan tiles: Talk about learning a colourful art form! In this workshop, pupils will learn how to use (purposefully) broken tiles to create patterns – a method used generously in Moroccan décor.

Indian rangoli designs in sand: Using coloured sand to create intricate artwork is a skill perfected over time; but the kids here will get a bit of a jump start thanks to this workshop.

Brazil’s Capoeira traditions: Beware the grace of a dancer who has deadly prowess on the battle ground. Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art, uses elements of dance, music and acrobatics to counter any attack. And it’s gorgeous to look at.