Not everyone tries to escape Beijing’s winter chill during the holiday season, so if you’re staying put and looking for activities to keep the kids busy, there are two winter camps taking place in Shunyi. A firm fixture on Beijing’s holiday calendar is the International Festival Chorus performance of G F Handel’s Messiah, this year the performance will be held at Harrow. If you’re considering a bilingual Chinese-English education for your child, take a visit to Daystar at their upcoming open house morning. If you’ve over-indulged a little on the gingerbread cookies and spiced wine, try dancing away some of those calories at a Salsation class. If you’re an educator, looking to improve your story telling ideas, a story telling workshop may be just the thing for you.
Christmas Camp
The House of Knowledge (HoK) Christmas Camp will run for five days, at both their Quanfa and Victoria Gardens campuses. Suitable for ages 3-6 years, the camp will take place the week of December 15-19, from 9am-3.30pm. The days will be themed and each day will include a range of exciting activities, including crafts, baking, songs, music, and movement. There will also be a surprise visit from Father Christmas himself.
Winter Camp
The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) will be holding their MIKids Winter Camp between December 15 and January 2. There will be three separate sessions: Dec 15-19, Dec 22-26, and Dec 29-Jan 2. All classes will run 9.30am-3.30pm Monday through Friday. Class themes include fun with science, Chinese classics, acting, art, and music, with different classes suitable for different age groups. Prices range from RMB 2,800-2,950 per session, with an additional charge for lunch and bus transport. The registration deadline is December 12, for more details contact Ms Wang (158 1026 3238, mikids88@yahoo.com.cn)
International Festival Chorus
Join the International Festival Chorus (IFC) for their 12th annual Messiah performance, held this year for the first time at Harrow International School Beijing on Saturday December 6 from 7.30pm. A fixture on Beijing’s holiday calendar, you won’t want to miss this wonderful performance of G F Handel’s Messiah. Performed by the IFC along with their sister orchestra Peking Sinfonietta, and with guest conductor Jin Ye. Tickets RMB 280/180 and includes a free return bus ride between downtown and the concert venue. Children must be at least seven years of age and in possession of a concert ticket to attend the performance. For more details email amandabarry185@gmail.com. Tickets can be booked online at www.yoopay.cn/event/16187540
Daystar Academy Open House
Daystar Academy is a 50/50 bilingual toddler through 6th Grade school, which prides itself in embracing Chinese and Western culture. To see what the school has to offer, and how their programs set them apart from other bilingual schools in Beijing, join their open house morning on Thursday December 11. From 9-11am, the morning will include an introduction to the school, curriculum overview, classroom observation, campus tour, and an introduction to Daystar’s culture. To book a place for the open morning, contact (5603 9446 / 6433 7366, admissions@daystarchina.cn) www.daystarchina.cn
Salsa Time
Human in Motion (HIM) welcomes Alejandro Angulo, the founder and creator of the high-energy cardio dance class called Salsation. You don’t need to know how to dance, you just have to be ready to move to the music, and enjoy an amazing workout with Alejandro. The more you move, and let yourself go, the more calories you will burn. Salsation classes are twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8.20-9.20am. As 2014 comes to a close, HIM is thanking all their clients by giving a RMB 100 gift token, to use towards a free group class with every 10 class card purchased. This offer is valid until December 10 and is limited to three per person. For HIM class schedules, visit their website www.humaninmotion.com.cn and to learn more about Salsation go to www.facebook.com/SalsationByAlejandroAngulo
Story Telling
If you are an educator, and would like to make your story telling more captivating for the children you teach, Yza de Burbure will be running a workshop at the International Montessori Teaching Institute (IMTI), as part of the IMTI creative teacher’s professional development program. Yza de Burbure is a Belgian mother of three, an actress, performer, traveler, and story teller. She is passionate about emerging children in an artistic environment, and has been telling stories to kids in pre-school and primary schools in Belgium, Vietnam, and China for more than 15 years. Story telling can enhance children’s language skills, and children love to be actively involved in the story. The workshop will be held on Saturday, December 6 from 9.30am-3pm at the IMTI Campus. The cost is RMB 400 with a certificate awarded after completion of the workshop. For more information contact (8949 6877, snowzhang@imti-china.com) www.imti-china.com
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: courtesy of HoK, Alejandro Angulo, brownpau
