Summer Escapes 2019 by Cinnamon concludes with sold out camps and once-in-a-lifetime experiences

by Suman Gupta

Summer Escapes 2019 by Cinnamon, a combination of three unique edutainment camps including West End Theatre Camp, Culinary Camp and Summer Camp was completed successfully last month!

Facilitated by leading local and international experts, each camp not only helped children identify their talents but also encouraged them to take on new challenges whilst having fun, exploring their surroundings and developing important life skills. From receiving a boost of confidence to becoming more independent, each child was driven to think out of the box and work together with fellow team members during the many activities, games, excursions and lessons, that were conducted at the camps.

The programmes kick-started with West End Theatre Camp by Cinnamon at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo which ran for five days from the 4th of August. This camp mainly focused on two different aspects of theatre and performance. A ‘Beginner’s Guide to Theatre’ was conducted to children aged between 6 to 18 years on 4th August, while a session on ‘The Learning Curve to Theatre’ was conducted for children between 6 to 12 years and 13 to 18 years separately for the remaining four days.

Under the expertise of highly acclaimed international Director and Choreographer, Jonny Bowles, together with two distinguished experts in the field of drama, Associate Director, Choreographer and Acting Coach Jon-Scott Clark and Musical Director and Vocal Coach, David Roper, children were able to practice the art of stage management, singing, theatrics, music, language and diction, thereby giving each child proper training and experience in the field. From igniting a passion for the arts to moulding young theatre buffs, the West End Theatre Camp was full of character building sessions and gave kids the chance to learn from international stars.

Cinnamon Culinary Camp kicked off on the 9th of August also at Cinnamon Lakeside and was open to children between 7 to 13 years of age. The camp focused on teaching children the basics of table etiquette such as crockery placement, table manners and the importance of balanced meals. Additionally, they were also able to learn a wide range of additional skills from the latest chopping techniques, and fun cooking styles, to preparation tips and methods. The camp helped to unleash each child’s creativity and prowess in the kitchen. In the course of the three days, the kids learnt about four types of international cuisine and Sri Lankan dishes. With the help of a professional chef at Cinnamon,  they also learnt everything from top tips on making delicate, sweet macaroons and a variety of other dishes. They ended the camp with a competitive black box challenge and a cupcake decorating challenge, instilling a lifelong passion for the culinary arts in youngsters.

Summer Camp by Cinnamon was conducted from 10th to 12th of August at Habarana Village by Cinnamon. Embracing camping for what it truly is, not only were families and groups involved in a series of action-packed activities but also experienced sleeping in tents in the great outdoors, sitting around a bonfire and roasting marshmallows. Children also got the chance to embark on an unforgettable excursion to Kaudulla National Park to witness the gathering of elephants with Nature Trails. The kids had an early starts while parents has relaxing yoga sessions to begin the day. Children were taken on nature walks with Vimukthi Weeratunga (Wildlife Biologist and Manager Nature Trails) while Chitral Jayatilake (Wildlife Photographer and Head of Nature Trails) held a workshop themed ‘Circle of Life’, sharing the importance of conservation.

The camp took its entertainment to a different height with the star musicians Bathiya and Santhush training children in groups foran evening performance and the duo themselves performing at the Gala camp party. The evening celebrations had a surprise visit by former Miss Sri Lanka and Bollywood actress, Jacqueline Fernandez, to whom the camp kids sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to wish her on her special day.

Commenting on the completion of Summer Escapes 2019 by Cinnamon, Dileep Mudadeniya, Vice President John Keells Holdings, Head of Brand Marketing Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and CEO Cinnamon Life Mall stated, ‘We are extremely pleased that all three Summer Escapes programmes, came to a successful end. These interactive sessions engaged and inspired children and youth of all ages, and allowed them to embark on an unforgettable summer adventure. This is the first time that tailor-made edutainment programmes of this calibre have been hosted in Sri Lanka with the mentoring and guidance of local and international experts in their field. All of the camps were sold out and we hope that the children and families that participated in them enjoyed action-packed days filled with learning, fun and inspiring moments.”

The Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts chain comprises 14 distinct hotels and resorts located in key areas across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The brand embodies a passion for inspired living and promises holistic and enhanced experiences that are tailor-made to suit the specific interests of travellers. The Cinnamon brand focuses on delivering memorable holidays and getaways that deliver exceptional standards of service whilst showcasing the warmth and vibrancy of contemporary Sri Lankan hospitality.

Presented by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts in association with HSBC Premier, Powered partner by SriLankan Airlines, Conceptualized by Cinnamon Nature Trails, Media partners YES FM and Legends 96.6, Dialog as the Television partner, Inbound travel partner Malkey Rent A Car, Outdoor Partner TGO-The Great Outdoors, Cinema partner Scope Cinemas and Outdoor Media Partner Emerging Media.