
Fostering Creativity & Resilience: Inside AF School's Summer Camp ' 24
The AF School Summer Camp was conducted in full swing with our collaborators: AdCom, Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture (IVS), First Response Initiative Of Pakistan (FRIP), and House of Pebbles (HOP) over the course of three weeks from 25th June to 11th July 2024.
We envisioned this year’s Summer Camp to enhance the hands-on learning experience of our students beyond their classes and for this purpose we designed the timetable to cater to building professional & personal skills in our students.
During the first week, we focused on personal development skills such as teamwork, time management, public speaking, debating, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution. Our AF Interns meticulously planned the agenda, incorporating creative skill-building activities like a group drawing challenge, timed Pictionary, and constructing the tallest stable tower. Additionally, there were public speaking debates, persuasive arguments, and role-playing that taught students how to demonstrate concepts. These activities equipped students with soft skills essential for collaboration and self-confidence throughout the school year.
In the second week, in collaboration with IVS & AdCom, our students embarked on an entrepreneurship journey called “Trash to Treasure.” This initiative focused on transforming waste into valuable products. Students engaged in various activities, including product creation from waste, storytelling to highlight the unique aspects of their products, product photography to capture appealing images, and designing effective product packaging. These activities aimed to develop their creativity, sustainability awareness, and business skills, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial process.
In the final week, we collaborated with a programming instructor Umme Sauda who taught students the different programming languages, understanding basic coding concepts, and students gained insight into the underlying mechanics of digital tools and platforms, enhancing their ability to use technology effectively and responsibly. Instructors from FRIP demonstrated the importance of first aid, responding to emergencies such as fire, earthquake, choking hazard, and how they can protect themselves from such dangerous situations. Lastly, instructors from HOP used art as a means of self-expression and emotional regulation, they focused on teaching students different coping skills that can support them in stressful situations, and the importance of asking for help.
A huge shout out to our Summer Interns, under the Rehnuma (Internship) Program, who not only organised the summer camp but also oversaw the coordination and execution of the workshops conducted by our collaborators. The interns fulfilled their responsibilities wholeheartedly and with great enthusiasm and with their support the Summer Camp was a huge success.
Overall, we are ecstatic that the students thoroughly enjoyed the summer camp, and we hope it contributed deeply to their personal & professional development, something they will benefit from when their academic year begins.