Parents inside the UAE Raise Concerns Over High Costs of Spring Break Camps

With spring break approaching, many parents inside the UAE are expressing worries over the high charges of enrolling their children in seasonal camps. Some programmes fee as a whole lot as Dh1,500 per week, notwithstanding offering only a few hours of activities per day. While many households see these camps as a valuable way to maintain their children engaged, others are choosing to explore alternative options because of the economic burden.

Rising Costs of Spring Camps

The spring break for more international schools within the UAE runs from March 24 to April 14, 2025, coinciding with the Eid Al-Fitr excursion from March 29 to April 1. This extended break has led many working parents to are searching for structured activities for their kids. However, the high prices of those programmes have left some families suffering to stability engagement and affordability.

Bhavya Rao, a mother of two, shared her angle . She enrolled her seven-year-old daughter in an Eco Arts and Crafts camp, which incorporates activities including gardening, fireless cooking, group studying, and sustainability projects. The camp expenses Dh850 according to week, which she considers affordable given its instructional cost. However, for her more youthful children, a almost 4-year-old attending a dance camp from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, the fee is Dh900 for 5 days.

Additionally, transportation prices similarly add to the fees. “My husband and I work until the nighttime, so we organized transport, which prices between Dh500 and Dh600. That brings the whole to Dh2,500, that is a significant amount. But at least my children will be spending their time productively instead of staying idle at home,” Rao defined.

The Appeal of Diverse Camp Options

Despite the monetary strain, many parents appreciate the sort of spring camps to be had in Dubai. From arts and crafts to coding and sports, the huge variety of options lets in children to discover their hobbies whilst being guided by skilled specialists.

Moldovan expat Ion Rusu, as an instance, highlighted how those camps cater to unique abilities and passions. “My spouse and I each work until round 6 or 6:30 PM, so we need a structured programme for our sons, elderly 7 and 11. They are interested in coding, so we looked into AI and Technology camps.” One such programme, which offers a two-hour morning session focused on design and hybrid cellular app development, costs Dh1,200 per child.

“Although it’s far high priced, costing us Dh2,400 for both children, we’re fine with it as it keeps them engaged in a positive manner. Since they’re actually inquisitive about the subject, we see it as a worthwhile funding,” Rusu introduced.

Some Parents Opting Out

While many parents see spring camps as an crucial pastime for their children, others have selected not to participate this year, in particular people with children fasting throughout Ramadan.

Palestinian expat Mariam Kahlil has commonly enrolled her children in camps, but this year, she is reconsidering. “Since my older child is fasting, I’ve determined against it. I additionally find these camps pretty expensive and now not necessarily imparting long-term benefits,” she explained. Managing transportation logistics in the time of Ramadan additionally played a role in her choice.

Instead, Kahlil plans to offer her eleven-year-old with engaging academic worksheets and buy DIY kits and craft substances for her six-year-old daughter. “This way, they live entertained and busy with out the delivered expense,” she stated.

Balancing Affordability and Engagement

For working mother and father, locating the proper stability between affordability and engagement remains a assignment. Many sense that whilst structured camps provide valuable learning opportunities, the charges may be prohibitive, specifically for families with a couple of youngsters.

The debate over the affordability of children’s sports inside the UAE is ongoing, with some families prioritizing based mastering and ability development at the same time as others are searching for fee-powerful alternatives. As the demand for spring camps maintains to develop, it remains to be visible whether or not organisers will alter pricing structures to make these programmes greater available to a wider variety of households.