Vedanta BALCO’s summer camps bring fun-filled learning to 500+ children

Balconagar; 29^th May 2023: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium, recently organized summer camps attended by hundreds of children across Korba. Featuring an array of experiential learning activities, the camps focused on providing the children with an enriching time and supplementing their academic learning. Together, they saw participation from over 500 children.

The camps were organized as part of BALCO’s Project Connect, which focuses on improving the learning environment in neighboring government schools and resource centers. This is achieved by creating an enabling environment with a focus on improving students’ grades, building teachers’ capacity, and providing access to career counselling on subjects such as Science, English, Maths & Accountancy (SEMA) subjects in Government schools for Classes 9^th to 12^th.

In partnership with Sarthak Jan Vikas Sansthan, an NGO working in the areas of Health & Education, BALCO organized a 15-day summer camp for less privileged children from its nearby communities. Its aim was to make a positive impact on their lives by offering them an enjoyable learning experience while also fostering their personal development. Hosted across two schools within the district, the camp saw enthusiastic participation from the students of Government Girls School, BALCO Nagar & Government Upper Primary School, Sonpuri.

The summer camp offered an array of engaging activities such as arts and crafts, dance, music, theatre, calligraphy, and drawing which allowed children to express themselves through colors, songs, acting, and creativity. To promote physical fitness among teens, activities such as Yoga, Zumba, and Sports were also conducted. The participating children also underwent safety and self-defense training, instilling a greater sense of personal confidence within themselves.

The camps also provided a meaningful opportunity for BALCO employees to engage with the children through employee volunteerism. Under a program called “Back to Basics”, the employees conducted academic tutorials that supported the smooth transition of the students entering senior secondary classes. Focusing on subjects such as Science, English, and Mathematics, these sessions provided a solid foundation and refreshed fundamental concepts. The employees also undertook sessions focusing on topics such as communication and public speaking for developing the overall personality of these children. Sessions on cyber security, environmental awareness, and documentary screenings were also incorporated to educate them about online safety and the importance of environmental conservation, ensuring that they stay informed about current trends.

In addition, the company also organized an exclusive summer camp for the children of employees residing in the BALCO township. This camp encompassed various activities and training sessions, promoting the holistic development of the employees’ children while fostering healthy habits in their daily routines. The camp also featured sessions on table manners and culinary skills. Further, the children not only learned essential hygiene and healthy sanitation practices, but also absorbed skills such as treating common injuries and applying basic bandages during the sessions on first aid management. The session on ‘Pottery’ was a major highlight. The kids were mesmerized by the spinning potter’s wheel while they learned the art of pottery from the members of BALCO’s self-help groups. The experience allowed them to immerse themselves in a rich rural landscape away from their computers, phones, desks and indoor games. Aged between 6 and 14 years, the children enjoyed a fun-filled two-week schedule, developing social skills and forging new friendships during the summer camp.

Delighted with the experience, Rishikesh Kaiwart, a participant in the summer camp said, “I had the incredible opportunity of participating in BALCO’s summer camp for the first time, and it was an absolute thrill. Being a part of this camp was an exhilarating experience that I will cherish forever. The drawing, calligraphy, and painting activities were my absolute favorites, and I enjoyed every moment of them. I wholeheartedly encourage others to join this camp next year and experience the same level of fun and enjoyment that I did.”

BALCO organizes summer camps in communities and at the township every year. These camps are designed to provide young minds with a platform crucial to their holistic development. Through them, BALCO demonstrates its dedication to fostering a positive impact on the lives of young individuals, creating a platform for learning, exploration, and building lifelong skills.