Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add vanessajencks on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are cancelled or scheduled as planned.

Free
Beijing Organic Farmer’s Market, May 1 and May 6
All ages. The Beijing Organic Farmers Market (北京有机农业市集) has two organic collective stores in Beijing and hosts three markets per week, where you can buy produce directly from the farmers. All produce is certified organic through the Participatory Guarantee System. You can even meet members of the certification team at the various markets and pick up a simplified version of the their (doorstop sized) standards manual. Free. 10am-2pm. China Resources Dreamport Shopping Mall.

Food Festival in Daxing, May 1
All ages. The Lejia Shopping Centre hosts a food festival, featuring more than fifty vendors, with food from India, cheese scallops from Iceland, giant squid from Taiwan, as well as many other delicious modern and traditional interpretations of Chinese food. There will also be family-friendly musicians playing during the festival. Free. 10am-9pm. Lejia Shopping Centre.

Roundabout Weekly Bazaar, May 4
All ages. Food, clothing, jewelry, cards, and many more gift items will be at the Roundabout bazaar. Different vendors each week. Part of the profits will support the work of Roundabout. Refreshments available. Bring friends and let Roundabout know what sort of things you like to buy. Free. 10am-3pm. Roundabout. (roundaboutvolunteer@yahoo.co.uk, 137 1877 7761).

Hope International School Open House, May 5
Adults. Prospective parents are invited to Hope International School’s (HIS) Open House. Come take a campus tour, meet parents, teachers and students, and have a personal Q&A time. Free. 9am-11am. Hope International School. (kwan.sherry@hopeintlschool.org, 400-800-8781).

Roundabout Open Weekend, May 6
All ages. Come & learn more about the work of Roundabout. Meet some of the children and their families whose lives they have touched. Meet some of the charities Roundabout partners with. Enjoy some fantastic activities, shop, eat, laugh, and catch up with friends! Free. 9.30am-4pm. Roundabout. (chowlilyzhou@yahoo.com, 15010187653).

Spring in the City, May 6
All ages. The Beijing City International School (BCIS) is hosting its annual Spring in the City fair, which will be held on our Main Campus Soccer Field. Under the marvelous theme of “The Festival of Arts,” BCIS will be staging a wonderful day that will surely hypnotize and amaze! Many performers will take to the stage, while over 60 diverse booths will be set up. There will also be a raffle draw with amazing prizes. Free. 11am-3pm. Beijing City International School (BCIS). (bciscommunications@bcis.cn, (86)10 8771 7171).

Unique
KIDA English and Talent Competition, May 1
Ages 3-12. The competition will be divided to three groups according to age: kids group: 3-5 years; children group: 6-9 years old; youth group: 10-12 years old. The kids’ group will include a self introduction and talent show. The children’s group will feature a self introduction and talent show. The youth group will feature a self introduction, English recitation, and talent show. All players entering the final can participate in the “Little English Talents” special program recording which will broadcast by CETV. RMB 200. All day. KIDA Base. (linda_liu@kida-base.com, 010-67859599).

Yajishan Hike and Temple Fair, May 1
All ages. The temples at Yajishan are locally famous, and every year on the lunar calendar there’s a big temple fair. Beijing Hikers will be organizing a group to spend the day having a look at what’s going on – fortune telling, street food and snacks, fireworks and incense burning, and various performers – before climbing up to the temples on top. After a look about the temple right at the top, the group will take a walk through the hills behind the temples to complete the circuit. RMB 450, RMB 405 (members), RMB 200 (under 12’s). 8am-5.30pm. Yajishan Temples.

Longquanyu Great Wall to the Little West Lake Hike, May 1
All ages. The Great Wall at Longquanyu follows a ridge surrounded by taller mountains, with views of peaks in the distance and canyons far below. The group will hike a recently repaired stretch with some two very steep descents, and take a detour through chestnut orchards to find the last ‘wild’ stretch of wall in the area. The hike finishes with a walk out past the Little West Lake reservoir, a popular park with views of the Great Wall dipping down into the water. RMB 500, RMB 450 (members). 8am-6pm. The Great Wall.

ANZA Beijing Mother’s Day High Tea, May 4
Adults. The Australia and New Zealand Association hosts a high tea for Mothers Day at the Waldorf Astoria. Treat your mother to an elegant morning at the hotel and make her feel like a queen on Mother’s Day. Tickets are available by calling the Beijing Riviera at 156 5260 5013, or by emailing enquiries@anzabeijing to pick up downtown. Tickets must be purchased in advance. RMB 200. 10am-noon. Waldorf-Astoria Beijing.

Language Learning with That’s Mandarin, May 5
All ages. The weather is getting warmer, but also stormy. It’s time for people to play the fighting-eggs game (斗蛋游戏), and enjoy tasty broad beans 蚕豆. That’s why That’s Mandarin is inviting everyone to a cultural event named “蛋”文化. More event details will be revealed to participants on the day of the event. RMB 100. 7pm-9pm. That’s Mandarin.

Best of Next Week
Think and Paint Workshop, May 9
Adults. Examine the power of your thoughts while you paint through this enlightening workshop hosted by Relationship Life Coach Carnisa Berry. Ms. Berry will lead a unique reflection session, merging painting and thought awareness to help attendees discover how their thoughts are affecting their relationships. Sign up via WeChat – add Eike Westerholt (ID: pk_lin_best) directly to register today. Free. 9.30am-11.30am. YCIS Beijing.

Roundabout Volunteer Potluck, May 10
All ages. Bring a dish to share, Roundabout will provide all drinks, plates, cups & cutlery. Kindly invite those who might like to learn more about our work & volunteering opportunities. RSVP by Monday 8th May to roundaboutvolunteer@yahoo.co.uk. Free. 11am-2pm. Roundabout. (13718777761).

Musical: Annie Jr., May 12
All ages. The HIS Music Department presents “Annie, Jr.” a classic family musical. Watch the extraordinary story of a little orphan who finds herself in the lap of luxury, and sing along to favorite musical numbers like “Tomorrow”. Experience this wonderful family-friendly show at 7PM on May 12th at the HIS gymnasium. Buy tickets online to save your seat @ www.hopeintlschool.org. RMB 40, RMB 50, and RMB 100. 7pm-9pm. Hope International School.

Flux Film Festival Awards Ceremony, May 13
Adults. The Flux team will be hosting an exclusive awards gala to be held at the Early Childhood Center (ECC) Gym. RMB 100. 6pm-8.30pm. Beijing City International School (BCIS). (mark.ellison@bcis.cn, (86)10 8771 7171).

Global Community Day, May 13
All ages. Yew Chung International School will be hosting their Global Community Day. The event features delicious food, lovely performances, fun games, creative activities, art demonstrations, and much more, with all proceeds donated towards worthwhile charities! Free. 10am-3pm. YCIS Beijing.

Spend the May 1 holiday with Beijing’s brightest English language talents, at Kids Intelligence Development Academy’s (KIDA) first ever “Little English Talents” language competition. The competition is open to kids ages 3 to 12, broken down into three competitive groups based on age. Currently, there are over one hundred kids signed up to compete, and registration is still open to all kids so long as their native language is not English. Competition entry fees are RMB 80 for KIDA members and RMB 200 for non-members.

We connected with Linda Liu from KIDA who stated that in launching this competition, KIDA hoped that they could help to increase awareness of the importance of English speaking, and to allow kids a platform to practice and take that next step in perfecting their English skills.

Kids are welcome to engage in five types of talents – singing, singing with dance, poetry readings, public speaking, and chants. The three age categories will be: 3 to 5 (kids group), 6 to 9 (childrens group), and 10 to 12 (youth group). The youth group competitors will be asked to prepare a self-introduction, English recitation, and a talent portion, while the kids and childrens categories will only do self-introduction and a talent performance.

Prizes for the competition include several KIDA English RMB 1,000 scholarships to be allocated to students who make it to the final round. The grand prize winner will earn a $10,000 KDIA English scholarship and the title of “Perfect Little English Talent.” The competition will also be broadcast on CETV during the summer, likely in July or August.

Those interested in registering for the competition can do so online at this link https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=2063788298, by calling 010-67859599, or at the registration desk the day of the competition.

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add vanessajencks on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are cancelled or scheduled as planned.

Free
Food Festival in Daxing, April 24 to May 1
All ages. The Lejia Shopping Centre hosts a food festival that features more than fifty vendors and food from India, cheese scallops from Iceland, giant squid from Taiwan, as well as many other delicious modern and traditional interpretations of Chinese food. There will also be family-friendly musicians playing during the festival. Free. 10am-9pm. Lejia Shopping Centre.

YCIS Beijing Open Day, April 26
Adults. Join the Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS) Open Day on their campus to meet the school’s Senior Academic Team and to learn more about our school’s unique education model. Parents will have the opportunity to see the exciting changes that are happening all across the campus and visit the newly renovated Learning Communities. Free. 9-11.30am. YCIS Beijing.

Multilingualism in Child Development: What You Need to Know, April 28
For adults. 3e International School’s Tea Talk for April explores how children learn in bilingual and multilingual settings, as well as speech and language development. Presented by Mr Milind Sonawane, Speech-Language Pathologist and Beijing Therapy Director, LIH Olivia’s Place. Free. 9-10:30am. 3e International School. (email community@3einternationalschool.org to register)

Dig Deeper: Setting Boundaries for our Kids, April 24
Adults. This coming Monday Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) will be having a Dig Deeper discussion titled “Setting Boundaries for our Kids.” The talk is a follow to Patty Durbin’s insightful discussion at MOPS earlier in April. MOPS is a place for mothers of young children to connect with other moms, share ideas, be inspired by speakers, and get equipped with resources to help them in their mothering journey. Please RSVP to mops@bicf.org. Free. 10am-noon. Beijing International Christian Fellowship.

INN Gathering on Repatriation, April 24
Adults. INN’s General Gathering is all about repatriation. For some couples, one spouse’s company may cover most of the essentials of the move, but there are always little things that pop up that require their own special management. Others who are looking to repatriate may have to handle the movie themselves. Either way, guest speakers will be there to help assist with any questions attendees may have about repatriating. Free. 10am-noon. The Capital Sports Clubs Centre.

Unique
Taoist Life-Nourishing Exercise and Kungfu, April 24
Adults. The course will cover life nourishing exercise from Taoist system of martial arts called Wujiquan. This exercise is beneficial for muscles, sinews, joints, and internal organs. Through continuous exercise one can balance the yin and yang in body and will one master the coordination between different body parts, preserve health, joyful mood and calm down the mind. RMB 30. 6-7pm. Ritan Park. (WeChat: Breznan).

Dad’s Time Machine, April 24 to May 1
Adults. This non-traditional work of theatre combines visual artist, installation art, and live music and further blurs the line between genres by having puppets appear on stage with live actors. Described as a “fairy tale for adults,” it looks at the relationship between a father and son as they pass through the different stages of life. The language of the performance is Chinese. RMB 128-328. 7.30-9pm. Tianqiao Theatre. (https://www.douban.com/event/28175475/).

Jinshanling to Gubeikou Great Wall Camping, April 24 to April 25
All ages. Chinahiking will take a group on an intense 15km hike from the renovated staircases of Jinshanling Great Wall to the authentic fortresses of the Gubeikou Great Wall. The scenery is stunning and the photo opportunities are endless. Hikers will need to be in good physical condition to hike this trail. All camping gear will be delivered to the campsite, so hikers will not need to carry anything during the hike. RMB 1,200 (RMB 1,080 for kids 7-17, RMB 960 for membership, RMB 600 for kids younger than 7). 8.30am-12.30pm. The Great Wall.

Secretaries Week at Kerry’s Kitchen, April 24 to April 28
Adults. This Kerry Kitchen buffet is a great way to thank all the secretaries that help make Beijing run smoothly. Must present business card. RMB 153 (lunch), RMB 169 (dinner). Noon-10.30pm. Kerry’s Kitchen.

Roundabout Music Class for Little People, April 25
All ages. Roundabout is putting on a great music class for young kids and babies! RMB 60/child. 10.30-11.30am. Roundabout. (135 6492 4034).

A Walk and Discussion at Tiananmen Square, April 26
Ages 9+. The Hutong will take a group to visit the Beijing Urban Planning Hall and explore Tiananmen Square. The group will conclude the stroll by taking in two of Beijing’s most beautiful parks, both former imperial spaces that were part of the Forbidden City. Along the way, the group will also discuss the political significance of Tiananmen, and the ongoing evolution of Beijing from imperial capital to modern megalopolis. RMB 300, RMB 260 for The Hutong members includes all entrance tickets. 10am-1pm. Tiananmen Square.

West to East Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Camping, April 26
All ages. The 18km Jiankou to Mutianyu Great wall camping offers an in-depth exploration of the Wild Jiankou with a finish on the restored Mutianyu Great Wall. The first day, the group will hike the eastern section of the wild Jiankou Great Wall and camp overnight on top of the Great wall. On day 2, the trek will continue on Jiankou from the famous Zhengbeilou Watchtower and hike east all the way to Mutianyu Great Wall. RMB 1,600 (RMB 1,440 for kids 7-17, RMB 1280 for membership, RMB 800 for kids younger than 7). 9am-6pm. Lama Station.

Chinese Landscape Painting Class, April 26
Ages 10+. Join the Chinese Culture Center’s (CCC) Chinese painting class. Previous knowledge of Chinese painting is not necessary – participants just have to be enthusiastic and be willing to hold a brush. The supplies, or the Four Treasures of the Study (ink brush, ink, paper (made of rice & bamboo), and ink stone) are provided by CCC. RMB 200. All day starting at 10am. Chinese Culture Center.

Kids Reading Corner, April 24, 26, and 28 (Mon, Wed, and Fri)
Ages 1-4. Three times a week at the Galaxy SOHO, R3 Discovery hosts a kids reading corner. Offered to kids ages 1-4. Follow the motto that “a child who reads will be an adult who thinks!” RMB 288/1.5 hours (can also sign up for 10-15 sessions). 9-11am. Galaxy SOHO. (r3discovery@sina.com, 185 1133 4363 (Chinese), 151 0160 5808 (English).

5 days Wild Great Wall Trekking Camping, April 26 to April 29
All ages. China Hikers will take a group of hikers along parts of the Great Wall that are often forgotten and rarely seen. Apart from the group’s starting point, hikers will most likely not meet other people outside of the group. The trip includes the highest Great Wall watchtower of Beijing, 1000-year-old villages and of course miles and miles of Great Wall. Every day hikers will camp on or right next to the Great Wall, fall asleep next to the campfire and wake up to beautiful scenery. RMB 5,000 (RMB 4,500 for kids 7-17, RMB 4,000 for membership, RMB 2,500 for kids younger than 7). 9.30am-1pm. Lama Temple.

ChinaHiking Founders’ Favorite Sunset Great Wall Camping, April 26 to 27 and April 29 to 30
All ages. A 10km of the beaten path Great Wall camping trip where we pitch our tents on top of the Great Wall. You need a good physical condition and some balance for this trip as it is a 1.5-hour uphill hike. The camping spot is magical, having a view on the highest Great Wall in the north, miles and miles of Great Wall in the south and the Chen Castle General Tower in the East. RMB 1,000 (RMB 900 for kids 7-17, RMB 800 for membership, RMB 500 for kids younger than 7). 9.30am-12.30pm. The Great Wall.

Take Control of Your Career, April 27
Adults. Do you find it hard to have your ideas or opinions heard? Does the idea of a job interview, negotiating payments, or asking for help make you nervous? Do you struggle with coming across as confident or demanding respect? If the answer to any of the above is yes, join the next Beijing Women’s Network and JingJobs Professional Development Series event to learn practical skills and techniques for building your Professional Confidence in an international and diverse environment. RMB 60 – RMB 90. 6.30-10pm. InnCube.

How Do I Become Successful in China, April 27
Adults. Author Sven Agten will appear at the Refter for a Belgians In Beijing talk on his book How Do I Become Successful In China? In this English-language talk, he’ll discuss changing trends in China, how the society is moving from ‘Made In China’ to ‘Designed in China’ and what this means for you. Free. 7-9pm. De Refter. (contact@belgiansinbeijing.com).

Glo Workshop: Faith and Fitness, April 27
Adults. Glo combines faith and fitness in this discussion series talking about the intersections of belief and fitness in a person’s journey. Avid crossfitter James will speak on how his faith has impacted his fitness goals, followed by a special trial crossfit class. RMB 128 (members), RMB 238 (non-members). 7-10pm. Glo + Kitchen and Fitness.

Stop-Motion Workshop for May Holiday, April 29 to May 1
Ages 8+. The stop-motion is used by a lot of movie makers and artists, this is an animation technique to bring static objects to life on screen. Understand the principle of animation in this three-day workshop through watching examples and making a flip book with photographs, then learn how to tell a story, to invent characters, write a scenario, prepare a storyboard, create your 3D characters and the set. For more information, you can visit Atelier’s website here. RMB 2600, RMB 2200 (Atelier students). 10am-4pm. Atelier.

WeChat Webinar for Wellness and Happiness, April 29
Adults. JoinTheBookClub.com is an online book club focused on personal and professional success. JoinTheBookClub.com holds monthly webinars on WeChat on the last Saturday of every month about the book we read that month. This webinar is on the book “7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness” by Jim Rohn. The webinar will take place on WeChat. Click here to see the post and join the WeChat group. RMB 10. 10-10.45am. On WeChat.

Yellow Flower Ming Dynasty Great Wall Camping, April 29
All ages. On the first day, hikers will hike the West Huanghuacheng and Zhuangdaokou Great Wall and East Huanghuacheng Great Wall and end by sleeping on the Great Wall. On day two, campers will pack up their gear and climb down the wall. After a breakfast in the guest house the group will be back Beijing at about noon. RMB 1000. 9am-noon. The Great Wall.

Dance Class, April 29
Adults. Part ballet, part salsa, this ladies-only dance class will help you get in shape, improve your posture and get in touch with your inner rhythm. Taught in Chinese by professional dancer Na Yi, the class incorporates aerobics, barre and strength elements. Participants need to reserve in advance and should bring socks. RMB 20. 7-9pm. World Starlight Dance Studio.

English Corner and Culture Exchange, April 30
Adults. English Corner/Culture exchange event, to help people make friends, connections and to practice English and discuss various topics related to English language and different cultures. The host of the event is an American who has lived in China for more than 12 years, and who owns an education consulting company, based out of the U.S. He studied Humanities at Northern Arizona University, Chinese at Tsinghua University and University of Int. Relations and a BBA in International Business at BFSU. He also holds a TEFL teaching certificate from the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs, China (SAFEA). RMB 150, RMB 100 (advance). 11am-1pm. Element Fresh (Chaoyang Joy City).

Beijing Contact Improv Workshop at UCCA, April 30 and May 1
Adults. UCCA teams up with the Beijing Contact Improv group for a workshop for adults on contact improvisation, a form of movement which combines elements of modern dance, aikido, and other body arts. Both free dance and a dialogue of physical contact, it allows participants to experience new physical self-awareness. For more information on the workshop, click here. RMB 300 (UCCA package), RMB 200 (UCCA member package and single ticket) RMB 150 (UCCA members). 2-6.30pm. Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, 798 Art District.

Sunday Morning Yoga at the Great Wall, April 30
Adults. The Brickyard Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall will be hosting their Sunday morning yoga at the Great Wall. Get stretched and relaxed with guidance from a professional instructor. Yoga mats and fresh towels supplied. Water and herbal teas offered. No charge to Brickyard and Brickyard Homes guests. RMB 288. Starts at 10am. The Brickyard Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall.

Visit the Great Wall, April 30
All ages. Gresscup will be organizing a trip to the Great Wall this upcoming May holiday, if you haven’t made plans, you are welcomed to join the group in visiting Badaling Great Wall. RMB 100. 7am-2pm. The Great Wall.

Ballet: Xishi, April 30 and May 1
Ages 9+. The epic ballet Xi Shi integrates symphonic orchestration, elegant ballet and the War between Wu State and Yue State into this work. Differing from traditional narration, this ballet adapts from history and legend, combines war and love, and tells the story of Xishi, Goujian, Fuchai and Fan Li, exploring the essence of human nature. This ballet revives XI Shi with dreamy stagecraft, poetic dance and a twisting plot, forming a dance drama of yarn and sword, blood and fire, and love and enmity. RMB 100-500. 7.30-9.30pm. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).

Best of Next Week
KIDA English and Talent Competition, May 1
Ages 3-12. The competition will be divided to three groups according to age: kids group: 3-5 years; children group: 6-9 years old; youth group: 10-12 years old. The kid’s group will include a self introduction and talent show. The children’s group will feature a self introduction and talent show. The youth group will feature a self introduction, English recitation, and talent show. All players entering the final can participate in the “Little English Talents” special program recording which will broadcast by the CETV. RMB 200. All day. KIDA Base. (linda_liu@kida-base.com, 6785 9599).

Food Festival in Daxing, May 1
All ages. The Lejia Shopping Centre hosts a food festival that features more than fifty vendors and food from India, cheese scallops from Iceland, giant squid from Taiwan, as well as many other delicious modern and traditional interpretations of Chinese food. There will also be family-friendly musicians playing during the festival. Free. 10am-9pm. Lejia Shopping Centre.

Yajishan Hike and Temple Fair, May 1
All ages. The temples at Yajishan are locally famous, and every year on the lunar calendar there’s a big temple fair. Beijing Hikers will be organizing a group to spend the day having a look at what’s going on – fortune telling, street food and snacks, fireworks and incense burning, various performers – before climbing up to the temples on top. After a look about the temple right at the top, the group will take a walk through the hills behind the temples to complete the circuit. RMB 450, RMB 405 (members), RMB 200 (under 12’s). 8am-5.30pm. Yajishan Temples.

Longquanyu Great Wall to the Little West Lake Hike, May 1
All ages. The Great Wall at Longquanyu follows a ridge surrounded by taller mountains, with views of peaks in the distance and canyons far below. We’ll hike a recently repaired stretch with some two very steep descents, and take a detour through chestnut orchards to find the last ‘wild’ stretch of wall in the area. The hike finishes with a walk out past the Little West Lake reservoir, a popular park with views of Great Wall dipping down into the water. RMB 500, RMB 450 (members). 8am-6pm. The Great Wall.

Beijing Organic Farmer’s Market, May 1 and May 6
All ages. The Beijing Organic Farmers Market (北京有机农业市集) has two organic collective stores in Beijing and hosts three markets per week, where you can buy produce directly from the farmers. All produce is organic certified through Participatory Guarantee System. You can even meet members of the certification team at the various markets and pick up a simplified version of the their (doorstop sized) standards manual. Free. 10am-2pm. China Resources Dreamport Shopping Mall.

ANZA Beijing Mother’s Day High Tea, May 4
The Australia and New Zealand Association hosts a high tea for Mothers Day at the Waldorf Astoria. Treat your mother to an elegant morning at the hotel and make her feel like a queen on Mother’s Day. Tickets are available by calling the Beijing Riviera at 156 5260 5013, or by emailing enquiries@anzabeijing to pick up downtown. Tickets must be purchased in advance. RMB 200. 10am-noon. Waldorf-Astoria Beijing.

Hope International School Open House, May 5
Adults. Prospective parents are invited to Hope International School’s (HIS) Open House. Come take a campus tour, meet parents, teachers and students, and have a personal Q&A time. HIS is the only K3-G12 international school in Beijing that provides quality education with a total faith-based perspective. Free. 9-11am. Hope International School. (400 800 8781, kwan.sherry@hopeintlschool.org).

Language Learning with That’s Mandarin, May 5
The weather is getting warmer, but also stormy. It’s time for people to play fighting-eggs game (斗蛋游戏), and enjoy the tasty broad beans 蚕豆. That’s why we are inviting you to a cultural event named under “蛋”文化. More event details will be revealed to participants the day of the event. RMB 100. 7-9pm. That’s Mandarin.

Roundabout Open Weekend, May 6
All ages. Come & learn more about the work of Roundabout. Meet some of the children & their families whose lives you have touched. Meet some of the charities we partner with. Come & enjoy some fantastic activities, shop, eat, laugh & catch up with friends! Free. 9.30am-4pm. Roundabout. (150 1018 7653, chowlilyzhou@yahoo.com).

Spring in the City, May 6
All ages. We are very pleased to announce our annual Spring in the City fair, which will be held on our Main Campus Soccer Field. Under the marvelous theme of “The Festival of Arts,” we will be staging a wonderful day that will surely hypnotize and amaze! Many performers will take to the stage, while over 60 diverse booths will be set up. There will also be a raffle draw with amazing prizes. Free. 11am-3pm. Beijing City International School (BCIS). (8771 7171, bciscommunications@bcis.cn).

Parents might wonder what the difference is between camps, usual classes and after-school activities. We’ve explained why camps are a great way to boost children’s social skills, and we have a story straight from Beijing-based kid campers who went to the US last summer. Whether Western-style or patterned on Chinese culture and academics, we’ve got you covered with a list of interesting camps!

How often have you and your family gone camping and enjoyed the great outdoors? The fresh air, the clear night sky, tents, barbecues and s’mores, endless stories, and surprising discoveries – all of these are truly memorable experiences that we do not get every day. For children and adolescents, camping is a defining moment that enhances their personalities. These days though, going to camp often means something more than tents and s’mores.

During summer, many schools in different countries conduct camps, retreats, jamborees, or even give internship opportunities for kids in a way to boost their experience and awareness of many things without sacrificing vacation vibes.

Some of the best childhood discoveries happen at camps. (Photo by pooch_eire via Pixabay)

I took advantage of two such experiences as a boy: a retreat back in Grade 8, and a Grade 12 internship. The retreat involved a visit to a nearby town where we partook in prayer groups and fellowships. It gave me a new perspective on life, and helped me become more independent. My internship was in the same school where I worked as a student assistant for our Personality Development teacher, which was a big plus considering she taught me proper decorum and social graces.

Camps are fun activity that lets kids collaborate. (Photo courtesy of CISB)

Years of research by various child development professionals suggest that these activities are beneficial to the well-being of children, especially in their foundation years. In an article posted on the American Camp Association, Peter Scales said that camps provide experience and satisfy young people’s need for “physical activity, creative expression and true participation in a community environment.” Academic and camp owner Stephen Fine said in his 2005 doctorate thesis that personal, social, and physical learning obtained through camps are carried over into school studies. His research is reported on www.ourkids.net, along with viewpoints of other professionals toward summer camps.

On the Internet, countless resources highlight the value of camping. In this age of ubiquitous technologies, camps provide an indispensable view of the real and the physical as opposed to the virtual. Rook Brook, a girl’s camp in the US, says children campers “unplug from technology,” which in turn lets them “rediscover” their creative potential.

Camping can be viewed as a microcosm of how different social groups interact with each other. It is also seen as an institution where children can learn definitive social and life skills such as communication, collaboration, and leadership. On top of that, camping fosters a social environment different from school or home. As a result, children “reinvent” themselves and break out of usual habits, which in turn boosts their confidence.

Bringing out kids’ inner thespians. (Photo courtesy of Beijing Playhouse)

A Fun Breather
While the concept of summer camps in Western countries is mostly a fun breather from children’s academic responsibilities, in China it’s strongly linked to academic achievement. Chinese parents who can afford to bring their children to a camp say it is an opportunity to boost their English language training or a preparation for their future study abroad. Various foreign educational institutions based in China also believe overseas camps are a great way to introduce the world to students, with one firm saying camps are an “educational portfolio [for children to become]world citizens.”

Some international parents in Beijing, meanwhile, have gone back to their home country with their kids whom they sent to summer camps or to their grandparents’ home. AJ Warner, an educational consultant, had his two sons join a camp in Pennsylvania last summer.

Are Camps Worth It?
Of course, camps are an expense added on top of yearly school tuition fees. Does that deter parents from sending their kids to these institutions? It depends on a variety of factors. But there are still parents, like Lucia Su, who are prepared to shell out money to bring their kids abroad for camps. Her five-year-old son Lucas, an avid hockey fan, is about to start school. Su said she wants to bring him first to Singapore to play, and then in the future to an overseas camp where Lucas can hone his hockey skills.

Another issue is the glut of choices in a city as big as Beijing. The huge market of international schools, educational firms, and institutions all claiming to offer the best children’s camp leads parents to ask, “Which one is really the best?”

Keystone Academy, which offers two distinct academic camps this summer, explains that school-run camps are motivated by school vision and mostly give what is not readily available in the general education market. Jay Lin, director of Keystone’s summer program, said the topics at school-run academic camps are enriching and help children realize their roles in the natural world.

Camping inside the Beijing Aquarium. (Photo courtesy of Keystone Academy)

Parents might wonder what the difference is between camps, usual classes and after-school activities. The Learning Center explains that camps such as theirs are “specifically designed to assist children in areas where they may need a little extra help” by offering a more-focused approach to enhance their skill sets and strategic thinking.

On the other hand, institutions and companies that offer seasonal camps often employ foreign experts and qualified professionals to ensure optimum learning in a fun environment.

Whether Western-style or patterned on Chinese culture and academics, we’ve got you covered with a list of interesting camps in Beijing.

Featured photo courtesy of House of Knowledge.

This article originally appeared on p. 32-35 of beijingkids March Issue. Download a copy here.

Do you have summer camps you want to be included in our listing? Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below. You can also email us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com or follow us on WeChat (scan the QR code)