Season-long summer camps, science classes, and art workshops, as well as other fun-filled activities for different age groups are under way aimed at encouraging more people, especially the youth, to be active and live a healthy lifestyle.

Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and several organisations in the public and private sectors have joined forces to come up with an array of tourism offerings under the ‘Summer in Qatar’ (SiQ) programme 2019, which started on June 4 and runs until August 16.

The Paris Saint-Germain Academy summer camps at West Bay, Al Waab and Al Wakrah began on June 4 and will continue until August 16.

Mashal Shahbik from QNTC announced that various activities at Qatar Foundation (QF) will take place from June 23 to July 18 such as the Mukhayamna summer camps at Awsaj Academy and Qatar Academy in Al Wakrah and Al Khor; community summer camp at Recreation Centre in Education City; and the diabetes prevention camp at the Qatar Diabetes Association.

A girl from the audience takes part in a comedy act at Souq Waqif. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

“Summer camp conducted by QNTC, Ministry of Interior (Sports Police Federation) and QF will take place at Education City from June 30 to July 25. Free of charge for a total of 500 children,” she said.

Shahbik added that the police summer training by Police College is set on June 29 and will run until August 8 while cultural activities by the Ministry of Culture and Sports will be held at various malls throughout summer.

Aspire Zone Foundation’s summer camp for children will take place from July 7 to 31 while ‘Fusion Camps’ will be staged at different locations this summer. Those who want to participate can register at www.moleculardoha.com/fusion-camps/.

SiQ will also witness Qatar Museum’s calligraphy workshops, treasure hunt and Saturday colouring at the Museum of Islamic Art, as well as art lessons and educational summer camp at Mathaf from July to August, according to Shahbik.

Qatar Petroleum summer camps is scheduled from July 7 to August 8 while ‘Basketball Camp Qatar’ is expected to draw players and enthusiasts with the presence of LA Lakers Lonzo Ball at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University from July 18 to 20.

A ‘Campus kick off’ at Tawar Mall will be held from August 9 to 10 while the ‘Doha Workers Cricket Cup’ is expected to draw a large number of spectators at the Messaieed Sports Club from June 15 to July 30.

The Bayieat AlKaeak stage play and several exhibitions at Katara – the Cultural Village have been held from the first day of Eid al- Fitr on June 4 until June 9.

Shahbik said the SiQ programme this year is the biggest so far, with more than 30 partners, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, QM, Qatar Airways, Katara – the Cultural Village, QF, Private Engineering Office, Katara Hospitality, Al Rayyan Hospitality, Marriott International hotels, nine participating malls, and other event partners, including QSports, Social Studios, Alchemy and Radio ONE FM Qatar.

SiQ is part of QNTC’s focus on developing sustainable, year-round tourism, boosting a traditionally slower season in Qatar.