Holiday camps a boon for working parents
Private tour operators design variety of camps for children to suit every budget
Every year, after the Diwali festivities are over and the guests have left, Juhu resident Swati Pawar is left with two energetic children, aged six and eight, who don't know what to do with their time.
With more than a week left for the school vacation to get over, the children are usually packed off to their grandmother's house in Pune.
But this year, the Pawars were in for a surprise when their mother Rajashree announced that she was taking a vacation. "I am going to Kolhapur with three of my friends," she said.
The Pawars had no choice but to look around for a suitable Diwali camp for their children. "We are finally sending them to a camp in Khandala, which is designed for children who are first time travellers," said Swati, who works at a bank.
Private tour operators seemed to have identified the demand for overnight and longer duration camps for children with working parents.
"I spent my school holidays running about my hometown, plucking fruits and playing outdoor games with my siblings and cousins. Today, my son spends his vacation rock climbing, rappelling or canoeing at a different camp with a different set of friends each year," said Sandra Pinto.
It seems to be a win-win situation for all parties involved. While the working parents don't have to give up office hours to engage their children during vacation, the young ones are happy to have fun away from home and the tour operators rake in the moolah.
But, these camps don't come cheap and parents have to pay anything between Rs10,000 and Rs25,000 per child for holidays in places within India. Trips to Asian countries or Europe cost significantly more.
"We cater to every budget and ensure that there is variety of cultural and fun activities, sports, adventure and games at our camps," said Sheetal Pasad, founder of the Thane-based company Sweet Memories that organises overnight camps to Khandala, Kolhapur, Goa and even Dubai.
"Some of our camps organise mother-children events where we encourage parents to spend time with their children in a fun atmosphere outdoors."
Private tour operators design variety of camps for children to suit every budget
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With more than a week left for the school vacation to get over, the children are usually packed off to their grandmother's house in Pune.
But this year, the Pawars were in for a surprise when their mother Rajashree announced that she was taking a vacation. "I am going to Kolhapur with three of my friends," she said.
The Pawars had no choice but to look around for a suitable Diwali camp for their children. "We are finally sending them to a camp in Khandala, which is designed for children who are first time travellers," said Swati, who works at a bank.
Private tour operators seemed to have identified the demand for overnight and longer duration camps for children with working parents.
"I spent my school holidays running about my hometown, plucking fruits and playing outdoor games with my siblings and cousins. Today, my son spends his vacation rock climbing, rappelling or canoeing at a different camp with a different set of friends each year," said Sandra Pinto.
It seems to be a win-win situation for all parties involved. While the working parents don't have to give up office hours to engage their children during vacation, the young ones are happy to have fun away from home and the tour operators rake in the moolah.
But, these camps don't come cheap and parents have to pay anything between Rs10,000 and Rs25,000 per child for holidays in places within India. Trips to Asian countries or Europe cost significantly more.
"We cater to every budget and ensure that there is variety of cultural and fun activities, sports, adventure and games at our camps," said Sheetal Pasad, founder of the Thane-based company Sweet Memories that organises overnight camps to Khandala, Kolhapur, Goa and even Dubai.
"Some of our camps organise mother-children events where we encourage parents to spend time with their children in a fun atmosphere outdoors."
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