School is out for the summer. Words that send children into fits of happiness and parents into quandaries. Goodbye bookbag, hello long, lazy days of fun in the summer sun.

As income levels rise in the Republic of China, parents have begun to view the annual summer vacation as more than a period for children to while away the hours playing, watching television or sleeping. Parents hope to find something that will allow the child a chance to relax and forget the regimentation of formal school, yet still allow them to learn a little.

Blossoming in numbers due to the overwhelming favorable public response, summer camps are the ideal answer to the problem of summer vacations. Catering to all interest groups and presenting a host of different activities for children to enjoy, there are camps to meet the need and interest of any group. There are camps that stress knowledge, ones that are geared to educating children in the wonders of nature and there are camps that mix the ideals of education and the outdoors, such as art camps. Camps vary in length of duration and costs. Some run for as little as two days, while the longer ones may run over a week in length. Prices run from US$25 for the two-day outings to upwards of $75 for the longer sessions.

Choosing which camp to attend is a problem that presents many difficulties to a parent. Besides the economic considerations, the parent should respect the child's personal preference.

Other considerations the parent should ponder over include: the reputation of the camp, is it well known and is it respected? The organizing group of the camp is also an important factor, as is the location--is it safe, what are the facilities like? Finally, a parent should examine just what activities and instruction classes does the camp offer the child.

The history of summer camps in the Republic of China begins with outdoor camps offered by the YWCA. During the late 1950's, small-scale camps sponsored by the Y had good public response. Other interest groups, especially those connected with education, followed the Y's example and organized camps of their own. The growing public interest resulted in the gradual, steady growth that has in the last few years really begun to mushroom.

Camps are divided into two groups: day camp and the overnight camp. Day camps tend to be geared towards knowledge instruction. Children participating in these camps are transported to and from the campsite each day.

One outstanding example of the day camp type is the Astronomy Camp sponsored by the Taipei City Observatory. In its fourth year of successful operation, the camp runs three summer sessions. Each session is three days in length and up to 100 children can participate per session. The camp is free of charge as it is designed to promote an interest in astronomy.

Children at the camp get an introduction to the science of astronomy (which is not emphasized in the public school system), and a basic idea of the equipment used. It is hoped that they will get a conceptual base that will help them in the future. The Astronomy Observatory offers the best in equipment and instruction.

The computer camp is currently the most popular of the instruction camps. While most of the computer camps are day--camp operations, there are some that use an overnight camp format. Organizers feel that the overnight camp offers some advantages that cannot be had in a day-camp setting. An overnight camp can provide participating children with more entertainment activities that are not constricted by time and also educate the child. These camps help to cultivate group cooperation and interaction. They are initial steps in teaching the child independence and help to give him some experience in being away from the home environment.

The Time Computer Camp, sponsored through Tamkang University is a wonderful opportunity for children to get some ideas about the computer. The six day, five night camp offers five sessions and each session can accommodate 200 participants. The university's computer center is top-notch and contains some of the latest in computer innovations. Children are especially intrigued by computers which draw, compose music and design. Besides the regular computer classes, the camp offers leisure-time activities such as games, folk dancing, movies and singing. The aim of the camp is to cultivate an interest in the computer, and help the child to overcome any apprehension he may have about the computer. It also gives the child some basic operational skills as well.

The majority of camps use the overnight format. Among the more famous are the Consumer Camp, sponsored by the Consumers' Foundation of the Republic of China, the Chung Hwa Camp which promotes interaction between local children and the children of overseas Chinese parents, the Nature Camp and the Chin Shan Art Camp.

Offered for the first time this year the three day, two night Consumer camp hopes to awaken the child's sense of buying and the marketplace. A host of class and activity sessions teach children to be aware of the quality of things when buying. An effective game has the children go out and purchase a gift--the aim being that the child will use both a sense of economy and quality in making his purchase.

Hong's Foundation for Education and Culture are the sponsors for the innovative Chung Hwa Camp. This ambitious project brings together Chinese children of different backgrounds together. The children from the overseas group get a rare chance to learn, in a first-hand setting a little about their cultural heritage, while the local Chinese children have the chance to interact with children from a different environment. Activities are carefully planned; the morning is devoted to language instruction--Chinese for the overseas children, English for the local children. During the afternoon the groups are brought together for a host of fun-filled games and activities. Among the more interesting of the activities include: puppetry, Chinese opera appreciation, opera movements and the ever-popular kungfu. While the children are often beset with the problems of language, they demonstrate a great willingness to make these new friends with the promise to learn the other's language and meet again next year.

The Nature and Art Camps give the child a chance to get away from the city environment and learn more about the natural environment. The Chin Shan Art Camp also allows parental participation as well. Organizers feel mothers can get an idea of how children perceive the world when they paint or sculpt.

While the camp time is usually short, children never fail to return home with stories and adventures to relate to the family. Camp has given them a new awareness and independence of spirit that the children will take with them and pass on to their homes and schools.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. One of the outdoor survival training activities of a summer camp is crossing a steel wire. 2. At the Astronomy Camp, observatory employees instruct the children on the use of the telescope.

1. Children participating in a summer computer camp enthusiastically practice operating skills. 2.3.4. The Chung Hwa Summer Camp attracts many overseas Chinese children as participants. Most of the activities are geared towards the promotion of Chinese culture. Included are brush painting, dance, and opera appreciation. 5. The Nature Camp uses a natural camp setting to conduct activities.

1.2. At the Nature Camp children use bamboo to fashion hand-made ornaments. 3.4. Children participating in the summer Art Camp collect natural materials for projects. 5. Tug-of-war in the river is a popular Nature Camp activity.

Outdoor summer camps give youngsters the chance to relax and get an appreciation for their natural environment.

2. At the Astronomy Camp, observatory employees instruct the children on the use of the telescope.

1. Children participating in a summer computer camp enthusiastically practice operating skills.

2.3.4. The Chung Hwa Summer Camp attracts many overseas Chinese children as participants. Most of the activities are geared towards the promotion of Chinese culture. Included are brush painting, dance, and opera appreciation.

2.3.4. The Chung Hwa Summer Camp attracts many overseas Chinese children as participants. Most of the activities are geared towards the promotion of Chinese culture. Included are brush painting, dance, and opera appreciation.

2.3.4. The Chung Hwa Summer Camp attracts many overseas Chinese children as participants. Most of the activities are geared towards the promotion of Chinese culture. Included are brush painting, dance, and opera appreciation.

5. The Nature Camp uses a natural camp setting to conduct activities.

1.2. At the Nature Camp children use bamboo to fashion hand-made ornaments.

1.2. At the Nature Camp children use bamboo to fashion hand-made ornaments.

3.4. Children participating in the summer Art Camp collect natural materials for projects.

3.4. Children participating in the summer Art Camp collect natural materials for projects.

5. Tug-of-war in the river is a popular Nature Camp activity.