Published in Dawn on August 19, 2012, "Fun in the Summer" by Nagina Imtiaz highlighted The Citizens Foundation (TCF) Summer Camp and how programs like these create meaningful learning experiences for children beyond traditional classrooms.
The piece focused on creativity, confidence building, social interaction, and the importance of giving children positive spaces to grow during summer vacations.
In the article, Sobia Rahman, Co-Founder and Program Director of Dr. Sofia's Daycare and Learning Center, shared her experience as one of the senior volunteers and supervisors working with children during the camp.
What stood out to her most was how quickly children opened up when they were given encouragement, freedom to express themselves, and a safe environment to learn through play, art, music, and interaction.
For her, the camp was never just about activities or entertainment. It was about helping children build confidence, communication skills, and emotional connection in a healthy and supportive environment.
She also felt that The Citizens Foundation summer camp played an important role in bridging social and class gaps by bringing together children and volunteers from different backgrounds onto one shared platform.
It demonstrated how powerful community-based learning spaces can be in shaping confidence, empathy, and belonging in children.