We recently paid a visit to Dulwich College Beijing (Legend Garden Campus) to observe the Beijing Kickers‘ wold cup-themed summer camp. On the day of our visit, we meet the campers outside in the school’s grassy soccer pitch. I am greeted by Ralf Minow, Co-Founder of Beijing Kickers. I watch the kids play while Minow fills me in on the camp and a little about the soccer club.

Ralf says that while Beijing Kickers focuses on age-appropriate techniques and teamwork, the purpose of the camp is also to be social. “We teach kids to work together starting at a young age. But our main goal is for the kids to make new friends and play together.”

The camp is definitely a chance for children to stay physically active during the long summer months. The week-long camp’s daily schedule is broken down with lots of training and playing time in the morning, swimming just before lunch, and more pick-up games in the afternoon. At the end of the week, the group celebrates with a BBQ of hamburgers and sausages. When the AQI is above 220, campers will practice inside the Dulwich Dome, equipped with an air filtration system. The group takes a short walk The Dynasty Garden Club House or uses Dulwich’s indoor pool for swimming each day before lunch.

There is currently no deadline to sign-up. Parents are encouraged to register for the camp, though last-minute sign ups are also welcome. See below for information or to sign up your child for the Beijing Kickers’ last week of summer camp at Dulwich.

Who: Kids ages 5 and up are welcome to sign up for the summer camp. Kids are divided into three age groups; 5-7, 8-10, and 10 and up. Groups are subject to change based on numbers of campers and ability.

Where: Dulwich College Beijing Legend Garden Campus

When: The final camp of the summer will be next week, August 4-8. The daily camp is held Monday through Friday 9am-3pm.

Cost: 2,150 RMB (for one week). There is also a shuttle service available from downtown and back and for an extra RMB 300 per week.

Email coaching@beijingkickers.com

Photos: Courtesy of Beijing Kickers

Two Fridays ago, we headed to the British School of Beijing (Sanlitun Campus) for an exclusive look at Beijing Playhouse Academy of Performing Arts’ performance of “A Little Prince.” The cast, ages 6-14, shine in the heart warming interpretation of the popular play, all the while interjecting enough adult-friendly humor to entertain the grown-ups.

In Summary

The story of A Little Prince begins on Earth. We are first introduced to a character called the Pilot, a little girl who loves to draw, but the adults tell her to study something else. When her plane crashes in an African desert, she meets the Little Prince, his sister the Little Princess, and the pair’s cat and dog. They explain they come from a planet with only one flower and that they must return home to protect it. The five embark on a journey to several planets made up of different and rather accurate populations of adults.

A couple of the planets include the “Arrogant Peoples’ Planet” where the group meets a king and queen obsessed with being rich and admired, and the “Business Man Planet, where businessmen spend all their times counting and recounting stars. The final lesson from the course of their travels is, “What is important is invisible to the eye; it is with the heart that we can really see.”

Our Favorite Moments

During one planetary exploration, the travelers come across a few “ flowers” who are drinking out of large green beer bottles props. When asked why they’re drinking, their response is priceless. “We’re drinking to forget we’re ashamed of drinking!”

The kids perform YouTube hit, “What does the Fox Say,” which, of course, is led by a fox.

Several times during the play, the kids are at loss of understanding the adults on each planet. They simply say “The adults are special,” to which everyone responds in unison, “Really special!”

To get involved in Beijing Playhouse’s next summer camp or to catch the next performance of “A Little Prince,” see contact information below.

Email broadway@beijingplayhouse.com

Photos Courtesy of Beijing Playhouse

Yesterday was the opening ceremony of the NBA Yao School’s summer basketball camp, kicking off the first of three sessions that will be held in Beijing. Former NBA superstar, Yao Ming, was there in Wukesong Hi-Park for the event. All ages are welcome to join the camp which will be held in two Beijing locations, one at Wukesong Hi-Park (Haidian District) and another in the Chaoyang District at No. 3 Middle School in Balizhuang. More than 350 students have signed up so far.

Comprehensive training sessions will focus on basketball fundamentals covering both individual and team aspects while tailoring training to fit the needs of participants. The core values of the camp include fair play and team work. “It is our dream to positively impact the lives of youth through basketball participation,” says Ming. “We are happy to have this opportunity to continue teaching children the importance of communication and leadership while helping them enjoy sports.”

Each summer camp session lasts last for 12 days, Monday-Saturday, two hours per day, with game times scheduled Saturdays. Participants are welcome to sign up for more than one session. Campers are assigned to one of four time slots, based on the participants’ age and abilities.  All training will be led by coaches selected by the NBA and held in English and Chinese. See below for the next available sign up dates.

Since NBA China and Yao partnered in 2012, NBA China has provided support to the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season, which expanded to 79 Hope Schools and reached more than 60,000 children in 2013. The Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketbaball Season aims to help underprivileged children in China get involved with sports while building confidence and optimism.

Second summer camp session: July 28-August 9
Third summer camp session: August 11-August 23

For more information visit www.nbayaoschool.com/English/Info.aspx or see below for more contact information.

E-mail service@nbayaoschool.com
Tel 400 014 1113

For the coming weeks, beijingkids will bring you all (well almost) summer camps being offered in town because it’s never too early to start doing your homework. The summer camps blog series will focus on answering the who, where, when and how much.

AEA Summer Camp 2014
In operation since 1997, the American Employees Association (AEA) US Embassy Summer Camp is an annual American-style day camp offering games, songs, and activities around a different theme every week. Led by American staff, campers will participate in swimming, arts, sports, theater and field trips. Lunch and bus service are included. This year, AEA US Embassy Summer Camp will be offered at two locations.
Who? Ages 4-12
When? June 16 –July 4 and July 7–August 15
What time? Mon-Fri from 9am-4pm
How much? RMB 3,380/week, depending on how early you register and how many weeks you enroll your child for.
Other notes: The early bird discount is available until May 23 and there’s a 20 percent host school discount for students from BCIS. The 20 percent early bird discount is available to BSB students until June 13.
Where? Beijing City International School: 77 Baiziwan Nan Er Lu, Chaoyang District朝阳区百子湾南二路77号
The British School of Beijing (Shunyi campus): 9 Anhua Lu (south side), Shunyi District, 顺义区安华路9号南院 
Contact: 8531 3285/158 1080 297, email summer@aeabeijing.org or register online at www.aeabeijing.com

Positive Foundations School Summer Fun Camp
PFS will host four weeks of fun activities with a new theme each week.Activities include outdoor water play, games, field trips, picnics, science, music and art.  PFS uses Montessori teaching principles and Educo & Olifu materials for its programs. This will be a bilingual learning environment (Mandarin and English).
Who? Ages 18 months-6 years
When? June 16-July 11
What time? Mon-Fri 9am-3.30pm
How much? RMB 1,800/week (includes meals;Bus fee TBC
Other notes: There is a 10 percent discount for siblings.
Where? Positive Foundations School, 3006 Gadhood Villa, Houshayu, Xibaixinzhuang, Shunyi District顺义区北京市顺义区后沙峪西白幸庄嘉浩别墅城3006栋
Contact: Contact Rose or Caroline at 8046 6302 or pfsschool@126.com

Sports Beijing Summer Camps
This year, non-profit organization Sports Beijing partnered with Beijing Dragon Show Culture and Arts Exchange Co. Ltd. to offer Culture Club Camp in addition to their sports camp line-up. Activities will include basketball, soccer and a multi-sport camp that will offer games like ultimate frisbee, kickball, relays and more. Dragon Show Culture Club themes will vary by week and cover topics ranging from arts and drama to science and music. Campers will do science experiments, build model airplanes, create traditional Chinese kites and more.
Who? Ages 5-14
When? June 16-July 11
What time? Half day morning 9:30am-12pm. Half day afternoons 1pm-3pm. Full day 9:30am-3pm
How much? Half Day Basketball or Soccer: RMB 1,400/week
Half Day Multisport Camp: RMB 1,100RMB/ week
Half Day Dragon Show Culture Club Camp: RMB 2,400/week
Full day Sports Camp: RMB 2,400/ week
Full Day Sports and Dragon Show Culture Club Camp: RMB 3,400/week
Other notes: See Sports Beijing’s website to see the full program schedule and age range per camp.
Where? International School of Beijing (sports dome): 10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District, 顺义区安华街10号
Contact: 6430 1370/1176 or www.sportsbj.org

Art Bug Summer Camp
Art Bug is offering a variety of workshops in Beijing at both their CBD and Lido Center. Students will explore the arts by creating their own worlds based on famous landmarks and mythical themes. Older artists can choose among four camps with a specialization on visual arts.  
Who? Ages 4-18
When? July7-August 22
What time? Beijing: Full day camp 8:30am-3:30pm Half day camp 1-5pm (Only in CBD center)
How much? RMB 5,760 Full day two weeks ( includes lunch and snacks)
Other notes:. Art Bug members get a five percent discount if registered on or before May 31. Check Art Bug’s website for location specific summer camps and the full list of camp descriptions and prices.
Where? Art Bug Art Bug (Lido Center): Rm 102, Unit 4, Bldg 3, Upper East Side, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区阳光上东3号楼4单元102
Art Bug (CBD center) Rm 753, Tower A, Chaowai SOHO (north of Central Park), 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区朝阳区朝外大街乙6号朝外SOHO写字楼A座753 （新城国际北侧）
Contact: Chaowai SOHO Center5900 0270/ Lido Center 5947 2275, www.artbug.com.cn

International Bilingual All-Around Summer Camp
Organized by Neighborhood Talent Learning Center and Fast Sports Club, International Bilingual All-Around Summer Camp will be held in five different locations in Beijing this summer. The center has been running winter and summer camps for eight years with focus on building Chinese/English language skills. This year, in addition to the traditional English/Chinese reading and writing training camp, an science camp, a karting summer camp and several sports camps will be offered including tennis, soccer, swimming, golf and basketball. An SAT and SSAT camp will also be available to middle and high school students.
Who? Ages 6-18
When? June 30-August 22 (two weeks per term)
What time? Full day 9:30-4.00pm (Cathay View Clubhouse 9am-3:30pm)
How much?

• One person: RMB 4,800/term, RMB 2,600/week
• Two people: RMB 4,700/term, RMB 2,550/week
• Three people: RMB 4,600/term, RMB 2,500/week
• Bus fee: RMB 400/week (10 kilometers away)

Other notes: Returning campers, students who go to the Neighborhood Talent Learning Center, members of Lido Country Club and new customers are eligible for a RMB 100 discount. For dates of specific camps by age, contact Neighborhood Talent Learning Center.

Where?

• International Bilingual Tennis Camp, Soccer Camp, and Swimming Camp: Lido Country Club, 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区将台路6号丽都饭店
• Middle and High School SAT and SSAT English and Math Training Camp: Cathay View Clubhouse, 1 Guangtang Donglu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区观唐东路1号院
• International Bilingual Karting Military Development Camp: Xinglong Park, 8A Xinglong Zhuang, Chaoyang District 朝阳区高碑店乡兴隆庄甲8号兴隆公园
• Neighborhood Talent Learning Center Traditional Chinese Camp /English Reading and Writing Training Camp: Dulwich College Beijing, Legend Garden Campus and Legend Early Years Campus: Legend Garden Villas, 89 Capital Airport Road, Shunyi District顺义区机场路89号丽京花园
• Science, Basketball and Golf Camp: Beijing Li Mai Foreign School, No.2 Yangshan Road Chaoyang District 地址:北京市朝阳区仰山路2
  

Contact: 8450 1789, 130 3103 8833, info@chineseneighbor.com, www.fstsports.com.cn, www.chineseneighbor.com

Photos courtesy of AEA, PFS, SportsBeijing and Art Bug