When summer vacation comes around this year, untold numbers of kids will celebrate the last day of school by grabbing a smart-phone, turning on a game console, or logging into a computer to play video games.

Like a scene from a science-fiction movie, the world’s children will sit in front of screens in air-conditioned rooms, sealed off from the outside world while they interact with fictional characters in a digital world. Entertainment options will include watching TV, movies, and cartoons. Social interactions will occur via keyboard, where kids will communicate with each other, not face-to-face, but avatar-to-avatar.

While minds will be excited and entertained by the virtual world on-screen, bodies that should be developing physically will remain inactive for hours, or even days at a time.

Parents have a great option to get kids unplugged and and into nature this summer, as iCamp Thailand launches its 2016 American-style summer camp on in Katchinburi, Thailand for kids 8-16 years old.

Sunscreen or Computer Screen?

iCamp has a “no-screens” policy, and is focused on improving kids’ social skills and self-confidence through physical activity in the great outdoors, along with learning new skills in arts and crafts, sports, and the performing arts. At the same time, an optional educational program employs teachers to help students catch up academically if they have problems with their grades, suffer learning problems such as dyslexia, or just want an extra boost to give them a head start in the new semester.

Students at iCamp Thailand enjoy activities such as archery, horse-riding, beach volleyball, an obstacle course, zip-lining, swimming, golf, basketball, tennis, soccer, and flag football, all hosted within iCamp’s 50 acre campground.

On-campus activities are supplemented by field trips to special attractions around Katchunburi. Places visited on field trips include Elephant World, Erawan Waterfalls, Jurassic Waterpark, Safari World, Kra Sae Cave, the Bridge on the River Kwai, Hell-fire Pass, and the JEATH War Museum. Activities include canoing, white-water rafting, banana boat, and bamboo rafting.

Education in a Fun Environment

Students who join the education program are taught by tutors including specialists who can help kids with dyslexia, children who speak English as a second language, or kids who are struggling with a specific subject such as math. The education program aims to help kids break out of a cycle of failure that can be created when they start the new academic year without having grasped the necessary skills taught in the previous year.

Each child in the program is given an assessment at the beginning of camp, and a personal lesson plan is tailored for each individual student. Lessons are taught one-on-one and integrated into a daily schedule that allows time to enjoy fun outdoor activities and free play.

No Camp Food

iCamp Thailand doesn’t do camp food, it serves camp cuisine. An executive chef, two full-time bakers, two sous chefs and three prep chefs deliver a healthy and delicious array of dishes to fuel a physically active summer adventure.

Specially dietary needs can be accommodated for campers, including vegetarian, halal, kosher, nut-free, and many more. Meals vary every day and there are always multiple options that include both western and asian style cuisine. Every Friday is BBQ day, with corn on the cob, burgers, and vegetarian options.

For more information see the iCamp Thailand website.