Philippine summer is almost here. It’s weird because mornings still feel like the January cold spell but by lunch time it’s so hot again. I am so scared about how hot it could be this summer considering the strange weather we’ve all been having – Polar Vortex there, sweater weather here. Good luck to all of us.
Since classes are almost over for traditional Filipino schools, I made a list of 10 awesome summer activities your kids may enjoy by the end of this month. I didn’t include swimming and theatre since those are pretty much standard.
My criteria for awesomeness includes one of all of the following — a) I’ve tried them for my kids and they loved them, b) my friends kids have done them and loved them, c) My friend own and run the activities/camps and I trust them.
1. Soccer with the Younghusband brothers
The pool of coaches that will handle the summer clinics is spearheaded by James and Phil Younghusband of the Philippine Azkals, together with Technical Director Nate Burkey.
Chelsea FC Summer Camp 2014 organized by the Younghusband Football Academy (TYFA) through their training arm, the Chelsea FC Soccer School Philippines (CFCSSPh) will begin on April 1, 2-14.
Anyone can participate in this Summer Camp. Kids as young as three (3) years old and even adults are welcome to join the training sessions at the Gatorade Chelsea FC Blue Pitch at Circuit Makati (the latest artificial football field and the first FIFA-sized blue football field in the country) and at Ayala Alabang Country Club.
Blue Pitch, BGC: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5-8PM and Saturdays 2-5PM
Alabang Country Club: Wednesdays 4-6PM and Saturdays 8-10AM
For registration and inquiries, please call: 807-0278, or 0918-837-8019 or 0917-538-7589. Or email info@chelseafcssph.com or info@tyfa.ph For more information, www.chelseafcssph.com
2. Fashion courses at SOFA
This summer the School of Fashion and Arts Design Institute has a number of programs for kids of all ages. For younger kids aged 4-7 there are arts and craft classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Fashion Design for Kids aged 8-12 . For teens there are short capsule series in Interior Styling, Fashion Design, Fashion Film Making, Fashion Immersion, Packaging Design and others.
Lily and Sophia did a one-day fashion camp at SoFA a couple of years ago. They still remember how much fun they had.
She “designed” this skirt and put embellishments on it.
To reserve a slot, contact 478-4611 or 478-4622 loc. 115. SoFA Design Institute is located at the Ground Floor of Enzo Building, 399 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave, Makati City.
Check out www.sofa.edu.ph for a full listing of courses.
3. Modern Dance

If modern dancing is something your kids would like to try there’s Movement Dance Studio. They have two locations listed below. Also check out their programs for adults. This is a place that mixes dance with fitness.
Register before March 15th and you get 20% off.
Makati: 2nd Floor, Three Salcedo Place, Tordesillas St. Salcedo Village 392-6220 / 0922-886-8343
Podium Mall: 4th Floor, inside Kidsville Play and Party Center 788-6527 / 0933-360-5344
4. Sewing Classes


Last year, I made a big leap and enrolled myself in sewing classes. I had owned an electric sewing machine for years and never knew how to operate it. On the first session, I successfully made a pouch bag. And on the second day, a sling bag.
This school is located in BF Homes Paranaque. It is actually a very cute sewing school for kids and I found out about it through one of my readers. The owner and instructor, Anne del Rosario, had some slots for adults when I enrolled last year. This summer, she has organized a number of sewing camps for kids.
This is the bag I made on the second day. It was a bit tricky because it had a lining inside. But I did it in a couple of hours!
For more information of kids’ sewing camp this summer, check out Sew Easy for Kids or call 0919-999-4009. Tell Anne I sent you.
5. A real summer camp… away from home

I’m sure many of you have heard of CISV or Children’s International Summer Village. It is an international organization that’s been around since the 1950’s. After World War II ended, many peace initiatives were created through the UN. CISV is unique for it believes that the ultimate source for lasting peace is in the hands of children.
The first CISV Village was held in 1951. It continues on to this day. CISV Villages are international camps that inspire 11-year-old children to imagine a more just and peaceful world. Children come together from 10-12 different countries to take part in a variety of educational, cultural and fun activities. There are local mini camps as well.
Click here to see activities of the Philippine chapter of CISV.
6. Art classes
These were the works created by children who were going through trauma. They had undergone art therapy with art educator, Bambi Mañosa of Creative Kids Studio. It was shown at the Ayala Museum during the 25th Anniversary of Consuelo Foundation.
Bambi and Creative Kids regular classes.
Creative Kids Studio runs beautiful art programs for kids in the Alabang area. I describe their activities as very “Art Attack” or “Hi-5” but in a more original way, and sometimes inspired by Filipino culture. Lots of bright colours, textures and shapes. Art therapy is something Bambi does as a special program in addition to running the regular art school. Creative Kids Studio caters to children of all ages.

This summer Creative Kids Studio’s theme is all about Filipino Fiestas! They have arts and crafts classes for kids as young as 2 years old up to 12 years old. There are two new classes this year that look interesting- Interior Design and Paper Theater.
To reserve a slot for your kids contact 917-872-5307 or email admin@creativekidsstudio.com
7. Ice Skating
If you want to raise the next Filipino winter olympian like Michael Christian Martinez, you better start sending your kids to your nearest mall ice skating rinks. We’ve personally used the one in SM Mall of Asia and at the old SM Megamall. They have guides (some real athletic coaches, some just people who know how to skate) on a first come first served basis. Or you can buy a set of classes and reserve the coach of your choice.
The fee for use of the ice skating rink already includes use of skates and helmets. If you have your own skates (like we do), you still have to pay the same amount of the use of ice-skates-helmet package. There were some stressful rules like each kid can only bring one companion inside the rink area. But if you have two kids you can’t have two adults come in, only just one. Strange, but manageable. Just check in separately in two batches. Sigh.
Anyway, Sophia did lessons for a few years. Lily did one season. But I have to admit, we weren’t as dedicated as the mother of Michael Martinez. And school got in the way. Haha. Doing regular morning weekend mall sessions were tough – and you wouldn’t want to do it in the afternoon either because the rink is just so full of people. So the girls hung up their skates last year. Now we have skates in all sizes which Stella will eventually inherit. But I’m glad Soph and Lily know the basics of ice skating.
8. Ballet with Danspace Manila

My two older daughters have both done ballet over a few summers, but poor little Stella hasn’t had her turn yet. We hope to find time this year between swimming lessons.
If you’re in the Makati area, try your kids at classical or modern ballet in Danspace Manila under the direction of Maritoni Rufino-Tordesillas, the Principal Dancer for the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT). Danspace trains children from 4 years old and above. The school uses the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (ACB) syllabus which adapted the 8-year Russian Vaganova method into a 12-year training and examination program. The program emphasizes correct placement, dynamics and performance quality.
For more information, www.danspacemanila.com or check them out in Facebook.
9. Archery
Young archers at Aim Right Archery Range.
For something new and different, have your kids try archery. It can give your child enlightenment, help her develop discipline and self-confidence, and give her some exercise. It can encourage your child to focus, set goals, be respectful of others, and even be a better student.
The Aim Right Archery Range is at Longos, Malolos at The Garden Pavilion, The Cabanas. Price for the range is only P150 per hour. Rental of bow and arrows another P150 per hour. Coaching 200 per hour. A beginner can use the range and rent with coaching for 500 per hour. Summer classes are for 5 sessions discounted at 10% off. At Aim Right, they can teach Olympic recurve and barebow.
Contact Doods Tanabe at 0932 654 9221 or check out Aim Right Archery Range in Facebook for more information.
10. Crafting
Watercolour sessions with Alessandra Lanot
I stumbled upon Alessandra Lanot’s world while planning for Sophia’s birthday last month. My niece Bea recommended her. Soph didn’t want a party. She just wanted a hangout day with her school friends. So I asked Alessandra to host a little crafting party. Alessandra prepared a wonderful morning filled with activities that the tweens really enjoyed making – plush toys, greeting cards, tote bags. I promise to blog about that event.
In real life Alessandra does graphic design and runs a vegetarian restaurant. Crafting is her thing and she does it so well. Check out a the listing of Alessandra Lanot’s “crafternoons” in her blog Life After Breakfast.
So what are your awesome plans for the summer?