On the downside of increasing screen time among children, Kudumbashree, on the behest of the health department, has started 10-day summer camps in Pathanamthitta district to get children to switch off their devices and engage in physical and creative activities.
Named ‘Delulu’, the camps are being run for Balasabha children of Kudumbashree in its 58 Community Development Societies (CDS) across Pathanamthitta in two phases – five days in April and five days in May. The camps, inaugurated by Pathanamthitta Collector S. Prem Krishnan, will end on May 10.
Children up to class VII participate in the camps, a new program taken up by Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission in collaboration with 10 wards.
The Area Mission pooled Balasabha resources to organize the camp. Training was provided to resource persons and their views to prepare the module.
The camps include a number of activities aimed at involving students in physical and creative activities so that they are able to reduce the time spent on mobile phones and computers during the holidays and during the academic year.
Ice breaker session
Camps begin with icebreakers that include playing music, folk songs, and games that promote cooperation and confidence.
Farming activities follow. Guided by agriculture officials, the children visit a farm in the respective panchayat and are introduced to the plants and other vegetation. Children will learn to prepare a potting mix, fill a few grow bags with it and sow seeds to improve the garden. Plant care along with proper watering and harvesting are other activities they will attend to. They will record the development of the plant during the holidays.
Children use mango leaves and coconut leaves to make a variety of products and even weave them. The camp also includes a visit to a farm where you will learn more about animal husbandry.
Activities emphasizing the importance of healthy diet, exercise and yoga, personal hygiene, sanitation, waste management and immunization; interactions between children and parents for better communication and enabling parents to support their children and practice responsible parenting; anti-war activities (such as posters and rallies) against the backdrop of war clouds gathering around the world; road safety awareness; activities will be organized to promote the reading habit through language games, visits to the library, writing and presenting prose and poetry. Teaching life skills is another important component of the camp, says Pathanamthitta mission coordinator Adhila S.
Published – 06 May 2026 22:08 IST
