AsiaLIFE

What to do with those looming summer months while the kids are out of school? Pack them off to summer camp. Kate Liana explores one new summer option.

Ok, maybe kids won ’t be sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows, but the Cambodian Country Club is bringing that summer rite-of-passage – sleepover camp – to Cambodia. Kicking off on Jun. 21, the CCC will offer a multi-activity camp for kids aged 5 to 15.

Tennis, badminton, volleyball, football, horseback riding, swimming, and arts and crafts will all be offered on the club’s grounds near the airport. With specialised instructors in tennis and horseback riding, these activities will offer more in the way of instruction and form.

Alexandre Vessella, the manager, says that programmes can be tailored to meet the interests of the kids in attendance, so if they fancy one particular activity over another they can spend more time there. Programmes will also be dictated by weather.

Since the pool, tennis and volleyball courts are not covered, rainy days will be spent indoors playing badminton, in the stables working with the horses, or in arts and crafts.

Most exciting is the sleepover option. The clean, spacious dorm is packed with bunk beds that can accommodate up to 20 children. It also has a small play area and large screen television. Boys and girls will stay in the room together, but they have separate changing areas and bathrooms, and will be supervised by two staff members at all times. Air conditioning is being installed to make the nights bearable, and a small water park is under construction outside the dorm, so kids will have ample opportunity for staying cool and having fun. Night time activities, for those sleeping over, will include games and movies.

As for food, the French establishment will not be serving hotdogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and bug juice (those summer camp stalwarts). Instead Alexandre promises it will be western food that’s appealing to young palates. Furthermore, parents will be able to review the menu at the start of each week and can request changes based on allergies or preferences of their children. The small but dedicated staff includes both Westerners and Khmers, two of whom have first aid training.

They’re all long term staff members at the club and are familiar with the needs and interests of children. There are first aid stations at the main office, at the pool and at the horse stables. They also contract with Naga Clinic, who can send staff to the club for more serious cases. Registration has many options. Kids can attend by the day or by the week, and opt for day time only (8.30am to 5pm) or sleep over.

Prices vary depending on which option you choose, and members receive a discount. There is also a 15 percent discount for families who sign up three or more children. Another cost-saving option, if you sign up for more than two weeks there are discounts for the third and fourth week. Lunch is included in the price for day-trippers, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for the overnighters. One day is US$39, while day with sleepover is US$46. One week (day only) will run you US$180, sleepover options runs US$215.

Camp starts Jun. 21 and runs through till Jul. 30. Pack your swimmers, trainers, sunnnies, mozzie repellent and go wild!

For more information contact: Alexandre Vessella at 017 847 802, or email cambodiancountryclub@ gmail.com. Cambodian Country Club, Street 2004 (off airport road). Tel. 023 885 591.