Volume 2: Issue 3 April 2009

Young
Theatre
Wizards
Reported by V. Akarsh,
Student Reporter

INSIDE
The annual theatre production at Bala Vidya Mandir brought
Summer camps
in Chennai 2
out the talents of the kids in acting and backstage management City Scan
The Dramatics Society of Bala Vidya Mandir Senior Photos by
V. P. Ishan
4
Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar, presented the 4th annual
production on Saturday, the March 7, 2009 at the Vidyapeet
Auditorium, which is a part of the school premises.
Student Reporter Hangout
of the month 5
This year, two short but wonderful plays were staged by more
than 50 students in their own creative contributions – the Wizard
of Oz and the Wise Men of Schilda directed by the well-known
theatre personality Krishnakumar (popularly called KK), of
Proud kids
of Chennai 7
Masquerade.
... contd. on page 6
Know your city
8
Summer Camps in Chennai
The summer in Chennai is hot. But this is the season
of camps and workshops for kids. Here are a few
summer camps you can check.
The details of all these camps can be found here -
www.yocee.in/summercamps.php. The list is updated
daily.
Adventure
Inme Adventure Camps at various locations in
Karnataka, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Contact :
Chennai : 044 - 4216 4663, Bangalore : 080 - 41554663
Aero-Modelling
The Hobby Club Summer Workshop. Contact:
1359/1, 11th Street, 18th Main Road, Vallalar Colony,
Anna Nagar West. Phone: 92831 98818
Arts and crafts
CREARTIVE Kids Summer Camp 09. Contact:
AD19, 5th Street, 5th Avenue, Annanagar, Chennai - 40.
Phone : 99520 99871, 4217 0810
Computer & Tech
Holiday Camp and Talent search. Contact: E-Kids,
'God's Mercy' Complex. 2nd Floor, E-135, 6th Avenue,
Besant Nagar, Chennai - 90. Ph; 2491 1351, 98402
00856
Robotix Summer Camp. Contact: Flat.No. 5,
Smruti Apartments, 2nd Floor, 1st Avenue, Indira
Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 20. Phone: 98402 22267
Journalism and writing
Summer Journalism Camp for senior school
students Contact: Mylapore Times, 77, C. P.
Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 18. Phone:
98410 49155.
Page 2
HEIWA Creative writing workshop Contact:
98408 75385
Language
Fun with Japanese Contact: 98408 75385
Science and Maths
Little Einstein Summer Programme Contact:
No.13, Shrinivasa Nilayam, 3rd Main Road,
Vijayanagar, Velachery, Chennai - 42. Phone: 94445
14733, 2259 2257
Sports
Summer Sailing Camp Contact: Tamil Nadu Sailing
Association, 83, East Mada Church Road, Royapuram,
Chennai - 600 013. Phone: 2538 2253, 98406 85058
YMCA coaching camp Contact: YMCA, 52, Halls
Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10. Phone: 2647 2231
St. Patrick's Cricket Academy camp Contact: St.
Patrick's Anglo Indian School, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar,
Chennai - 20. Phone: 94440 04638, 94443 00109
Cricket Camp at St. Mixhael's Academy Contact:
N. Ramesh, Cricket coach. Phone: 98402 33011, 2233
5625
Storytelling
Spring into Reading Storytelling Workshop
Contact : 99404 50495
Variety activities
Summer camps at Vanilla Children Place Contact:
No. 8/57, 1st Street, Luz Avenue, Mylapore, Chennai -
4. Phone: 4553 4145, 4553 4146
Enchanting Elves camp Contact: No.26,
Ranganathan Avenue, Sylvan Lodge Colony, Kilpauk,
Chennai - 10. Phone: 94440 85903
Summer Fun 2009 @ Hansel & Gretel Contact:
Hansel & Gretel Children’s Play Centre, 11, Jagadambal
Street, T.Nagar, Chennai - 17. Phone: 2815 2549
Schools out Bamboola is in... Contact : Bamboola,
73, Venkata Krishna Road, R. A. Puram, Chennai - 28.
Phone: 24611779, 9840872951, 9884156961
Kid's Cafe Camps Contact: 98409 55556, 97899
79996
Camp Yakaboo at Hippocampus Contact :
Hippocampus Children's Co. 1/E, Subbraya Avenue,
Behind Sony World, Abhirampuram. Ph: 24661544,
94440 49175.
www.yocee.in | The hub for young Chennai | Volume 2 Issue 3
 School Buzz . . .

Science
Project day
at P. S. Senior
Reported by S. Sruti, Student Reporter

On the occasion of the International Year

of Astronomy and National Science Day the
P.S.Senior Secondary School organised
science project day on Feb. 27.
The function was held at the Seminar Hall
of the School.
The students were found busy preparing
projects for the whole month of Febraury.
Finally the D-day arrived when students
of classes 6, 7 and 8 put forth projects on
topic titled ' Exploring Space -- Expanding
Future'.
The project was inaugurated by R. V.
Perumal, associate director, Vikram Sarabhai
Space Researach Centre (VSSC)
Thiruvananthapuram who also headed the
Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle, ISRO
earlier.
An eminent and popular aeronautic
scientist, R. V. Perumal has pioneered various
space programmes and is a recipient of the
Padma Bhushan award in 2002 for his
outstanding contribution in the field of space
research for flight integration and launch
operations.
He interacted with the students and made
a power point presentation about space
research and the technical improvements
made in space after a decade.
The students came up with interesting
projects regarding space science and
dispalyed many attractive models and charts.
Students of class 8 spoke on the importance
of the Science day and one of the students
presented a brief history of C.V.Raman.
Read the full story on
www.yocee.in/schoolbuzz.php
www.yocee.in | The hub for young Chennai | Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 3
 Ci T y
scan
Increase in spotted deer and Former TN Cop in
blackbucks at the Guindy Commenwealth Games!
National Park Walter I. Davaram, President, Tamil Nadu Athletics
Association and former Director General of Police, has
According to the annual census conducted recently at
been nonimated as member of the Security Committee for
The Guindy National Park, the population of spotted deer
the Commenwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from
and blackbuck inside the Guindy National Park has
October 3-14, 2010.
increased marginally. The latest count says that there are
1,280 spotted deer (1,200 last year) and 382 blackbuck
(325 last year) now. Digital mapping of Chennai
The Geo Spatial Data wing of the Survey of India, the
India's first student - made sole mapping agency in the country, has completed digital
satellite mapping of the city to the minute details. The map
includes even your house, if it is within the city. This map
Anusat, the micro-student satellite will be launched by
would form the foundation of Geographic Information
the four-stage PSLVwill take off from Sriharikota on April
System (GIS) - enabled services to help government
5 or 6. It has been designed and developed by 37
agencies plan and execute civic and development work
aerospace engineering students with the help of 10 of their
better.
teachers from the Madras Institute Of Technology. The
satellite will mainly be used for amateur communication
purposes, providing students with a hands-on experience White tigress delivers three cubs
about space sciences and technology.
at the Vandalur zoo
For the first time in the history of Arignar Anna
Lok Sabha Elections in Chennai Zoological Park, Vandalur, a white tigress has given birth
on May 13 to three cubs recently. Anu. the mother white tigress was
brought to Chennai from the National Zoo, New Delhi
The general elections to the 15th Lok Sabha will be
four years ago. India has nearly 100 white tigers (Panthera
held in five phases, on April 16, 23 and 30, and May 7 and
Tigris) and it is an endangered species.
13. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 16 and the
results would be announced the same day. The entire poll
process would be completed by May 28. Chennai and
other parts of Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on May 13.

Page 4 www.yocee.in | The hub for young Chennai | Volume 2 Issue 3

 HANGOUTof the month...
Where is it:
Planetarium Campus, Gandhi Manadapam
Road, Kotturpuram Science City
When to visit:
Working days, between 10 am and 5 pm
Is parking space available:
Yes. Should go through security check
What to do there:
Watch displays on space and astronomy,
participate in workshops, lectures and educative
programmes.
What are the attractions:
The campus has many displays, science maze,
games and the planetarium.
What are the timings of the cosmic shows at
the planetarium:
There are shows from 10.45 a.m., 1.15 p.m. and
3.45 p.m. Tamil show timings - 12 noon and 2.30
p.m.
Any special occasions to check:
Guidance during the solar and lunar eclipses.
Experts guide the public to view the celestial
events.
How to contact:
Contact the Scientific officer
on phone no. 2445 4034

www.yocee.in | The hub for young Chennai | Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 5

 Young Theatre Wizards

Contd. from page 1

Both the plays were for an hour each and the
show went on from 6.30 pm through 8.45pm, with
an intermission for 15 minutes, during which the
audience grabbed some snacks from the school
canteen.
Both the plays were totally exhilarating and the
audience enjoyed them thoroughly, appreciating the
actors with heavy and spirited applause. The show
was fully executed by the students, so much so that
even the lights and sounds were managed by the
students themselves.
The show had attracted the students in the last
three years that Mr. Krishnakumar had to conduct
auditions to select a few from the numerous
students who had signed up for the plays this year.
Some students applied for acting on-stage, while some wanted to help back-stage.
Read the full story on www.yocee.in/schoolbuzz.php
YOCee

- www.yocee.in Advertise your Summer Camps

To reach YOC

on YOCee
- editor@yocee.in

- 4205 4377 / 98405 44629 Reach parents

with all the details about the camp
- YOCee View the featured advertisements on
New No.15B, www.yocee.in/summercamps.php
Karpagam Garden
First Main Road, Contact: editor@yocee.in
Adyar, Chennai - 600 020. or call 98405 44629
Page 6 www.yocee.in | The hub for young Chennai | Volume 2 Issue 3
Proud
Who iskids
the of
Hero this time?
From the
Chennai ... editorial desk
Trot, trot, trot to Pondy!
Namrata Kishore, a student of class 7 of Lady Andal
Venkata Subbarao School, Chetpet, won two gold medals
in show jumping and a bronze in dressage event at the
Auroville Horse Tournament in Puducherry recently. She
handled not one but three horses, winning the dressage on
Dance Melody and Star of Ring and the jumping event
with Dance Melody and Awesome Mover. Namrata trains
at the Madras Riding School, Guindy.
Skilled lots
A V K Srikant and A Sai Mali of DAV Boys Senior
Secondary School, Gopalapuram, V Nithin and Vineet
Kumar of Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk won the
Global Scholar - Education World Young Achievers Award
2008 in recognition of their skills and for showcasing their
ability to the world.
US-based software concern Global Scholar and
'Education World', a magazine on education honours kids
with annual awards. Srikant recievd it for Art and Music
while Sai Mali got it under the Science, Maths and
Technology' category. Nitin got it under the Sports
category and Vinnet got it for social work.
Racing Rider
L. B. Ajay Kumar, a student of class 7 of SBOA
School, Mogappair is the youngest motorcyclist on the
Irungattukottai race track in Sriperambudur. Ajay races on
his customised Yamaha RX 135 like professional racers.
He plans to leave for Malaysia for a race track training
session during his vacations.
HOME TUITION
English Grammar
&
News beyond Chennai!
Written English
(School syllabus and Working professionals
- also through Tamil)
Ph: 9791191850
www.yocee.in | The hub for young Chennai | Volume 2 Issue 3
Hi young friends!
Does your mom tell you stories?
Chat with you narrating events at home and outside?
Does she teach you to stitch buttons for your shirts or
skirts?
Then you have a job this summer vacation!
Wondering what this 'job' is all about? Read on, I am
sure you would love to do it.
The job is to make your mom share the ideas and
know-how with other kids or even other moms. How? It
will be online!
Here is something you can show to your mom - http://
spinastory.blogspot.com. A mom who loves to write shares
her stories online.
Here is another - http://rhymesandmore.blogspot.com.
This mom loves to sing along.
Another mom says she wants to share ideas of 'fireless
cooking' with kids so that they don't stay hungry when
they return from school and wait long hours to get fed by
mom. Her son is now on to teaching the mom host the
ideas online.
Yes. Your job is to make your mom Net-savvy and
make her ideas known to the world!
Your mom has introduced you to the fun way learning
when you were in nursery. Now it is your turn to do it for
her!
Hey, do share what you have taught your mom this
vacation with YOCee!
May be the best 'teacher' would get an award!
Revathi
Editor
Do share this newsletter with your friends.
They too would love to read as you do!
YOCee

Links to online articles for kids!

Fun ideas and suggestions
from the world of kids!
Visit - www.yocee.in/blog
Page 7

Know your city
Jail in news...
Newspapers have reported that
as many as 108 prisoners, mostly
life convicts, wrote the class 10
(SSLC) examination in the prisons
in Tamil Nadu. Do you know where
the new premises of the Central
Prison is located in Chennai? It is
in Puzhal in the north Chennai area.
The old prison near the Govt. General hospital is
clsoed now and will be demoloshed to make way for
expansion of the general hospital, as well as a station for
the proposed Metro rail project.
The old prison complex is now open for public visit
from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm untill further orders of
demolition is issued by the Govt.
Thermo monitors
of Chennai ...
The Regional Meteorological
Centre in Nungambakkam and the
Meteorological Observatory in
Meenambakkam monitor the
city's climate meticulously. These
centres observe and store climatological data throughout
the year. The Cyclone Detection Radar Station at the Port
Trust Building is another observation centre that helps in
monitoring cyclones.
These centres are occasionally open to the public and
students. Recently they were thrown open for the public
and students on the occasion of the National Science Day.
Page 8 www.yocee.in
For Private Circulation
Fascinating rails...
How about a joy-train ride this
summer vacation?
Then head to the Regional Rail
Museum situated near ICF,
Perambur. It is close to ICF Furnishing Division and can
be reached from the New Avadi Road, Anna Nagar Round
Tana, ICF Bus Terminus and Villivakkam.
The Fowler Ploughing Engine, the running models of
trains and scale models of coaches are the main
attractions. There are also many indoor displays in the
museum. It is open from 10 am to 5.00 pm and functions
six days in a week. Monday is weekly holiday.
Want to write
for YOCee?
Then, become a Student Reporter!
www. yocee.in , the only one of its kind website
for Chennai kids is launching the Student Reporter
Programme for the year 2009 - 2010.
Students studying in class 6 to 12 in any school in
Chennai city are eligible to apply. The website is
selecting 20 reporters across the city schools for the
academic year.
The student reporters will get an opportunity to
report events from their school campuses and from
their residential locality, interview authors /
storytellers / artists and achiever kids.
Apply now and enjoy doing reports during the
vacation. More details on
www.yocee.in/studentreporters.php
| The hub for young Chennai | Volume 2 Issue 3