Art and culture summer camps popular among Chinese students

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Summer vacation is perhaps one of the most anticipated times for students. And there is a growing trend among Chinese children to spend that time creatively. We take a look at a summer camp held by the China National Theatre that is helping kids broaden their artistic horizons.

The first destination for the 3-day summer camp is the Palace Museum.

Children participate in the 3-day summer camp is the Palace Museum. /Photo via China National Theatre for Children

Six hundred years ago, it was known as the untouched Forbidden City, and now it's one of the five largest museums in the world.

During the activities here, children can enjoy and practice traditional Chinese painting, explore different art forms and study China's art history and architecture.

"We hope by this experience, children can gain happiness, enrich their knowledge and build friendships with other children in the summer camp and learn to care for each other," said Shan Zenghong, the vice director of the China National Theatre for Children.

Apart from walking through the Palace Museum, the children also get the chance to experience the culture.

Children listen to the history class. /Photo via China National Theatre for Children

Students were told the history of Baqi, or eight banner system, during the Qing Dynasty, and made their own Baqi dolls. They also learned a traditional technique of "rubbing" which is a reproduction of the texture of a surface created by placing a piece of paper over the subject, then rubbing the paper with ink.

"It's interesting. I feel happy to join the summer camp, and I can also learn more about traditional Chinese culture," said one student.

There are many activities during the three-day summer camp. Besides visiting the Palace Museum, students can also watch child dramas, and spend a day at a TV station learning to be little hosts.

A kid learns the traditional technique of "rubbing." /‍Photo via China National Theatre for Children

"I pay great attention to my child's artistic development. The content of this summer camp is very rich, involving all kinds of activities. So I'm very happy to let my kid participate in this summer camp," said one parent.

Another parent adds, "This is my child's first time to be in a summer camp. I want to give her a chance to experience this type of activity. I want her to have more cultural experiences during the summer vacation."

Instead of just focusing on school subjects, more parents are now concerned about their child's development in other aspects. And this is why a growing amount of themed camps are offering young students a fun, and sometimes artistic, way to spend their summer vacation.