Summer Camp Taruwara—Weeks of Endless Creativity and Unforgettable Moment

Ask any child who has been to one of our holiday camps what they remember most, and you’ll get a different answer every time. One will tell you about the moment their clay bowl actually held water. Another will describe the exact shade of orange they mixed themselves. Someone else will say it was the campfire — the songs, the smell of smoke, the stars. And a few might just say, “I made a really good friend.”

That variety is exactly the point. At Taruwara, our holiday camp runs every term break and semester break throughout the year, and no two camps are ever the same. Each one comes with a fresh theme, a new set of activities, and a whole lot of room for something unexpected and wonderful to happen.

A little bit of everything—on purpose

Our holiday camp is open to children from toddler age all the way through primary school, so when we plan each camp, we think carefully about what makes a week truly worthwhile for a child — not just fun in the moment, but something they carry with them. Every activity is designed to be engaging and hands-on, but there’s always something quietly being learnt: patience, creativity, curiosity, confidence, the ability to try something new without being afraid to get it wrong. Over the years, we’ve covered a wide range of themes. Here’s a little taste of what camp life at Taruwara can look like:

Art & craft

Painting, clay, collage, origami, and fashion design — getting creative with whatever materials the theme calls for.

Science experiments

Mixing, measuring, watching things bubble and change — science that feels more like magic than a lesson.

Cooking class

Little hands in the kitchen, learning to follow a recipe, and the joy of eating something you made yourself.

Coding & tech

For primary students, fun introductions to coding through games, puzzles, and creative digital challenges.

Give back, get out!

Getting out into the community, caring for the environment, and understanding why it matters.

Active & outdoors

Fun PE activities and games out in our school yard — exploring nature, moving together, and burning off some energy along the way.

We also love tying camp activities to special days on the calendar. Camps that fall around Nyepi celebrated with an ogoh-ogoh parade and other activities that also explored the meaning of stillness and gratitude. Christmas camps fill up with festive crafts, giving, and a generous dose of silly fun. Every cultural moment is an opportunity for children to learn something about the world they live in.

The yard, the friendships, the freedom

One thing that makes camp at Taruwara a little different is the space itself. Our large outdoor yard becomes the heart of camp life — a place where children run, play, breathe, and simply be kids. There’s something about open space that loosens children up. Walls come down. A child who’s shy in the classroom suddenly finds themselves in the middle of a game, laughing with someone they just met.

And that happens a lot. Camp brings together children from different backgrounds, different ages, different everything — and somehow, within a day or two, they’re inseparable. We’ve seen toddlers shadow older students like little shadows. We’ve seen primary kids take younger ones under their wing without being asked. Friendships form here that sometimes last well beyond the school year.

“Every camp, the memorable moment is different. But there’s always one. There’s always a moment you didn’t plan for that ends up being the best part of the week.”

March 2026: when the camp became an art gallery

Our most recent camp, held on 23–27 March, was themed around art and craft, and it was every bit as colorful as it sounds. Students spent the week mixing paints, drawing the school landscape, hunting for natural materials, sculpting clay, folding origami, and on Thursday, designing and parading their own paper costumes in a full Fashion Show that had everyone cheering.

By Friday afternoon, the school looked like a proper gallery. Every surface had something on it: clay pieces with careful painted details, nature collages, landscape paintings, origami figures. The children didn’t want to leave — which is always a good sign.

Whether it’s a week of cooking, a day out in the community, an afternoon of outdoor games in our yard, or five days of paint and clay, what stays the same every single camp is the intention behind it. We want children to arrive curious and leave with something new: a skill, a memory, a friend, or simply the knowledge that trying new things is always worth it.

Coming up next

Summer Holiday Camp 2026

Starting on 23 June 2026

A new theme, new activities, and the same great energy. We’ll be sharing more details soon — keep an on the school newsletter or ask at the front office. If your child has been asking about camp, this is the one not to miss.

More To Read

Green Class Community Service: Caring for Street Dogs
Project Student 04 Dec 2024

Green Class Community Service: Caring for Street Dogs

At Taruwara Primary, our Green Class focuses on sustainability and environmental awareness, aligned with our school’s holistic approach to nurturing responsible global citizens. Recently, the students took on a heartwarming community service project, extending their learning beyond the classroom to make a meaningful difference in their local surroundings. The project aimed to care for the street dogs in the neighborhood surrounding our school. Together, the students created water filters using recycled gallon bottles, an innovative way to ensure clean water for the animals. They also prepared dog food, learning about proper nutrition for animals. Armed with their supplies and a lot of enthusiasm, the children ventured out to meet the street dogs along the school streets, offering them food and fresh water. This hands-on activity not only demonstrated compassion but also connected the children with the environment and living beings around them. This initiative reflects the spirit of Green Class, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and social responsibility. By taking part in such meaningful activities, our students are encouraged to develop empathy and awareness of their surroundings. We hope this project inspires ongoing efforts and fosters a lasting commitment to caring for the community and the environment. With continued dedication and consistency, we believe these small but impactful actions can create ripples of positive change—both within our school and beyond.

Camping
Project Student 03 Apr 2023

Camping

Finally, the time that we have been waiting for is here, CAMPING at SCHOOL! The students have been preparing themselves for camping at school for months. They learned about water purifying and earth rotation (day and night) in Science class, about scouts and campfires in Thematic class, about 3D shapes and tents in Math class, and procedure text (for recipes) in English class. Students arrive at 2 PM with all their stuff and they have to check in by writing what they bring for camping, after that they get their new uniform! After everyone arrived and changed into the new uniform, we sat down and had circle time to start our camping. In circle time, we talked about the camp rules and the schedule, all students did very well and some students asked a couple of questions to clarify some things. The first activity they have to do is to set up their own tent. Students were divided into groups of 3 and 4, they got one tent and a couple of futons. We were going to set all the tents outside, but the weather was not on our side, it was drizzling and not promising. So, in plan B, we decided to set up the tent inside the building. The girls did very well setting up their own tent, teachers helped them a little bit. The boys also did well, only one team felt demotivated during setting up their tent. With encouragement, they finally set up their tent successfully! After that, they prepared their dinner. Students were divided into 3 different groups, which were the main course, drinks, and snacks. They happily worked together to make their own dinner! Due to the bad weather, we had to come up with a plan B, because a campfire was not going to happen. Before dinner, they had a treasure hunt, which was really interesting and entertaining. Kids were working in groups with the help of one teacher. The winner got a present from the treasure chest! We also needed to fill the gap in the schedule, where we were supposed to do a campfire, so we decided to watch some movies. Lastly, we said farewell to our Korean friends and we gave out the badges as well. Some kids didn't manage to get all four badges and were quite understanding after hearing the explanation. We see some students overcome some challenges, some make good friends, some get demotivated and get back up, and some work together happily. Overall, it was a great experience for students and teachers, and for parents as well. Until next time! Documentation: On the camping day, the children received their new school uniforms and took photos together Children still need help from their teacher to build their tent Primary girls's tent They were hungry after build a tent Treasure Hunt In the evening, they enjoyed the snacks they brought from home They enjoyed snack after finish building tent Girl team prepared onigiri for their dinner Took turn for delicious onigiri A brief but memorable campfire We decided to build the tent inside the room due to rain all day long Our morning breakfast prepared by teachers Boys group prepared for dinner Preparing for dinner

Building Independence: Life Skills Classes at Taruwara Primary
UncategorisedGeneral News 20 Aug 2025

Building Independence: Life Skills Classes at Taruwara Primary

"Life Skills Classes at Taruwara Primary are not about chores—they are about growth. They prepare children to face real-life situations with resilience, creativity, and confidence." At Taruwara Primary, we believe education should prepare children not only for academic success but also for everyday life. That’s why we introduced Life Skills Classes for our upper primary students—a special program where children learn practical, hands-on lessons that will help them grow into responsible, independent, and confident individuals. Many parents may remember the first time they washed a car, ironed their clothes, or managed their own shopping. These seemingly simple experiences actually stay with us, teaching discipline, care, and responsibility. Through Life Skills, we want our students to have the same opportunities, guided carefully in a supportive and fun learning environment. Ironing Clothes with Confidence Ironing is often considered an adult responsibility, but our students are excited to give it a try. With guidance from teachers, they learn how to handle the iron safely, smooth out wrinkles, and take their time to do the job well. The sense of satisfaction on their faces when they see neatly pressed clothes is priceless. Beyond the technical skill, ironing teaches patience, precision, and the importance of presentation. Washing Vehicles with Care Another day, the students head outside to wash vehicles. Buckets, sponges, and soap turn into tools of teamwork. Children quickly learn that washing a vehicle is more than just splashing water—it requires attention to detail and patience. This activity also sparks conversations about taking care of belongings and the effort that goes into maintaining things we use every day. It’s a fun, physical task that leaves students smiling at their shiny finished work. Shopping at the Bookstore Life Skills aren’t limited to chores at home or school. Our students also experience the real-world practice of shopping, such as visiting a bookstore with a budget in hand. For many, this is the first time they’ve had to make choices on what to buy while considering both needs and wants. They learn how to interact politely with shopkeepers, calculate costs, and make responsible decisions. The joy of leaving the store with a book they’ve chosen themselves is a bonus that strengthens both confidence and independence. Learning to Clean the Sink and Kitchen One of the first lessons takes place in the kitchen, where students practice cleaning the sink and keeping the area tidy. At first, some students giggle as they put on gloves and get ready to scrub, but soon they realize it’s not just about cleaning. It’s about taking pride in maintaining a space where everyone can work and feel comfortable. By learning this, children develop habits of hygiene, orderliness, and respect for shared environments. The Bigger Picture: Why Life Skills Matter Through these experiences, we want our students to realize that life is full of small responsibilities that matter. Cleaning, washing, ironing, and shopping might look simple, but they are stepping stones toward independence. More importantly, these activities teach values: caring for shared spaces, respecting belongings, managing money wisely, and feeling proud of a job well done. Life Skills Classes at Taruwara Primary are not about chores—they are about growth. They prepare children to face real-life situations with resilience, creativity, and confidence. Our hope is that, through these lessons, students not only gain practical knowledge but also carry with them the deeper understanding that independence and responsibility are keys to shaping a meaningful life. A Shared Journey with Parents We believe these lessons become even more powerful when reinforced at home. Parents can encourage their children to practice simple daily tasks, celebrate their efforts, and give them opportunities to take on small responsibilities. Together, school and family can nurture children who are not only academically capable, but also independent, caring, and ready for the future.