To make summer activities in the neighborhoods more vibrant.

In recent years, attracting young people to participate in summer activities has become increasingly difficult, especially in urban areas. Therefore, the Thanh Hoa City Youth Union branches have focused on innovating the content and format of summer activities. This has created a vibrant atmosphere and attracted a large number of young people in the area to participate.

Summer activities in Dong Linh ward (Thanh Hoa City) are vibrant and attract a large number of young people.

Dong Linh Ward is considered one of the leading units in organizing summer activities in Thanh Hoa City. From the beginning of June, the ward's youth union coordinated the reception of children and teenagers to participate in summer activities in the locality. Along with that, they mobilized youth union members, young people, and student volunteers to take charge of and organize summer activities for children. This summer, the ward has over 500 children and teenagers participating in regular summer activities across 12 residential areas. Every day, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, all the community cultural centers attract a large number of children and teenagers to practice performing arts, participate in Scout rituals, and attend life skills awareness sessions.

According to Le Chi Diep, Secretary of the Dong Linh Ward Youth Union: “One of our advantages in gathering and attracting young people to participate in summer activities is the strong and sustained development of the Youth Union and Children's Union movements over the years. However, we are also aware of the difficulties in attracting young people to participate in summer activities, so the ward's Youth Union and its branches always focus on innovating the content and form of organizing activities. This year, the flag-raising ceremony at the summer activity summary meeting was innovated, performed in front of a map of the country, creating excitement and connection among the young people of the 12 residential areas. Accordingly, a map of Vietnam with the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos was assembled by 500 young people representing the younger generation of Dong Linh ward. After the map was positioned, a solemn flag-raising ceremony took place, filled with pride and emotion. In addition, we also organize themed activities every month, guiding the children towards group activities.” Therefore, we believe that innovating and improving the quality of summer activities is the foundation for attracting the participation of young people in subsequent summers.”

In reality, compared to rural areas, urban areas face many difficulties in gathering and attracting young people to participate in summer activities. Several reasons have been cited, including the availability of many beneficial and interesting playgrounds for young people in urban areas; the fact that most students take advantage of summer break to attend extra classes; the lack of genuine interest from many families in guiding their children to participate in summer activities; and the lack of diverse content and formats in these activities.

Having clearly identified the shortcomings and limitations in organizing summer activities, this year the Thanh Hoa City Youth Union is focusing on strengthening coordination with the summer activity steering committees in all wards and communes to effectively implement activities. Along with that, it is directing local youth union branches to innovate the content and format of activities, organizing summer activities linked to the themes and events of each month.

According to Le Ngoc Anh, Secretary of the Thanh Hoa City Youth Union: “This summer, Thanh Hoa City has more than 10,000 young people participating in summer activities. One of the new highlights of this year's summer program is that all 311/311 youth union branches in the streets and villages of Thanh Hoa City have integrated life skills development activities. These summer activities are not just limited to practicing performing arts or Scout rituals; they are also beneficial playgrounds with skill-building sessions such as fire escape techniques; drowning prevention skills for children; and child abuse prevention… In addition, the summer activity steering committees of the wards and communes have been flexible and creative in organizing summer activities with diverse themes such as: “Safe and beneficial summer fun,” “Practical action - Prioritizing resources for children”… Furthermore, the youth union at all levels has also utilized the power of social media to disseminate information, guide, and supervise summer activities, creating a positive atmosphere.” "The emulation movement is going on vigorously in all localities."

During summer activities, youth organizations play a crucial role in guiding and supporting young people throughout the training and participation process. However, according to the Provincial Youth Union's assessment, in some neighborhoods in Thanh Hoa City in particular, and urban areas in the province in general, the number of grassroots youth union officials is too small or too old to handle all the work. In addition, the facilities at many summer activity centers are limited; the content of the activities is not diverse or practical enough; and the models of summer activities lack innovation... To make summer activities truly vibrant and beneficial playgrounds for young people, it requires not only the active involvement of youth union branches at all levels, but more importantly, the appropriate attention of families, localities, and relevant levels and sectors.

Text and photos: Hoai Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/de-sinh-hoat-he-o-cac-khu-pho-nbsp-tro-nen-soi-noi-221905.htm