Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., July 01, 2008 Sivan 28, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:50 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:49 01/07/2008 Dog training or fashion design? Kids choose their day camp By Tamar Rotem, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Children, Education The only memory I have from summer camp is dragging chairs down some stairs at the age of 10 with another girl. Before joining camp we used to knock on our neighbors' doors, offering help in looking after their small children. We encouraged them to draw, and we read them stories. We didn't even think of asking for money. Summer-holiday activities organized by girls for neighbors' children are still the most popular pastime in religious and ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. For my children, the world is open and the possibilities for summer activities are becoming ever more elaborate, as are the expenses. Summer camp has not only become synonymous with gimmicks and attractions, it has become the hub of everything trendy among children. Advertisement My daughter and her friends can choose this year among Survivor-style day camps that popped up like mushrooms after the Channel 10 program, or enroll in a modeling workshop for teenage girls. Judging by the advertising brochure, at this age they are "filled with curiosity about the changes they are experiencing and the link between their developing inner personality and their external appearance." Fortunately they are already cynical enough to mock this pompous wording. Nature lovers were invited to let loose their inner green. A former nature day camp, for example, has become "the circle of life." Computer and sports summer camps have been pushed aside by dozens of surfing courses offered on Tel Aviv's beaches. Dog lovers can stay at a dog pound on Kibbutz Afikim in the North for a week and learn how to train dogs. Preferably with their private mutt. Not a cheap endeavor, but not as expensive as the American summer school. Tom Freudental and Neta Nahtomi of Tel Aviv, both 12, chose a fashion design camp, as they did last year. "I like designing clothes, but the fashion show is the most fun," says Nahtomi. "They taught us how to walk in an X, like models. They told us to change clothes in a jiffy." "We're too old for sports day camp," says Freudental. Yuval Nahmias, 7, of Ramat Hasharon chose the Florentin Circus camp in Hakfar Hayarok Youth Village. "I studied hard, now I deserve a bit of a holiday, don't I? Sixty days  not so little after all. I'm looking forward to day camp. After three weeks maybe I'll go to another one," he says. "I think day camp is fun. The best thing is not having any homework. And nothing to do with a pencil. But I'd like one day off a week. Just to sit at home doing nothing. There is no way that I'll miss school." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Death penalty Iran hands down death sentence to man who spied for Israel. Robot hospital The place where IDF treats droids wounded in the line of fire.

Read & React Iran hands down death sentence to 'spy for Israel' Responses: 145 ANALYSIS / Prisoner swap is capitulation to blackmail by terrorists Responses: 89 Olmert: I voted for swap to prevent another Ron Arad Responses: 86 Gaza reporter: Israeli security officials broke my ribs Responses: 57 Hamas worried about rise in support for religious sects Responses: 66 Rosner's Domain Israel's image still under renovation How "respectful" will the 2008 election be? (WTR) Poll: Hezbollah swap - good or bad? Can Israel legally strike Iran with nukes? Is Time's Joe Klein being honest when he criticizes Joe Lieberman? More Headlines 02:34 Despite Hezbollah report, this is not the end of the Ron Arad story 21:16 New law stipulates: Territorial withdrawal only by referendum 01:08 Israel closes Gaza border crossings once again in wake of Qassam 21:06 It's official: MKs banned by law from visiting enemy states 22:40 Human remains discovered in Golan, possibly of missing soldier 00:51 Poll: 76% of Israelis feel safer living as Jews in Israel than in Diaspora 00:26 Police: Officer who shot himself during Sarkozy farewell definitely committed suicide 01:27 German officials defend their hunt for most-wanted Nazi, 94 02:01 Reputed Indian newspapers taken in by Nazi war criminal hoax 22:37 Israeli tennis duo Ram, Erlich advance to Wimbledon quarterfinals; Peer ousted 18:03 Gaza reporter: Israeli security officials broke my ribs 16:08 Syrian FM: I wish Syria had Israel's nuclear arsenal 15:31 Iran hands down death sentence to 'Israeli spy' 17:38 Hamas: Kuntar deal sets precedent for release of Palestinian terrorists Previous Editions Select Day 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun

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