On target

At Insight Rifle Club on Avinashi Road, summer is not just about play; it is about poise, precision, and personal growth. Their shooting summer camp, running from May 3 to 9, welcomes children aged nine and above into the world of air rifle shooting with a clear focus on safety, discipline, and individual development.

“When we first started, we had just four or five enrolments,” recalls Sindhu Parthasarathy, Chairperson of the club. “Today, we receive about 30 to 40 kids each summer, and most of our batches are definitely occupied.”

The camp is led by experienced professionals, including Sindhu herself — a multiple-time national shooter — and a senior coach who also trains the Indian junior team. Under their guidance, children begin with open sight air rifles, practising over 10 metres with large paper targets designed for beginners.

Safety, Sindhu emphasises, is paramount: “We teach safety measures from day one, both theoretical and practical. The rifles we use also have built-in child locks. Only when they’re ready do we switch them to firing mode.”

The benefits go beyond the target. “Shooting improves focus, composure, and bodily coordination,” she explains. “Children learn to synchronise their breathing, maintain balance, and handle the weapon with care and maturity. It helps them understand the importance of a routine — what they eat, how they sleep — all starts to matter.”

Parents often arrive with questions shaped by film or media, but the camp offers clarity. “We had a parent ask if we train with snipers,” she laughs. “They meant the peep-sight rifle, which is advanced but used in sports.”

Many young shooters from these camps go on to join regular classes and even compete nationally. “The camp helps gauge interest and commitment. At least 30% of our regulars started with summer camps.”

From May 3 to 9 at Insight Rifle Club, Avinashi Road. Fees: ₹5000. Contact: 8015598029 or 9043011116.

Making sci-fi real

At Big Bodhi Academy’s robotics summer workshop in Coimbatore, children build, code, and innovate. Designed for ages 7 to 16, this two-week, STEM-powered camp blends robotics, drones, and 3D printing into a hands-on, exploratory experience.

“Our summer workshop focuses on integrating robotics into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),” says Santha Kumar, Director of Marketing. “We achieve this through robotics, drones, and 3D printing, employing a completely enhanced, hands-on learning methodology.”

Big Bodhi Academy
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Special Arrangement

Each day begins with a quick concept briefing, after which children get building; whether it is robots that detect obstacles or high-tech catapults. “Once the mechanical design is complete, they add electronic components, then move to coding. If the robot doesn’t solve the mission, they identify the issues — be it speed, design or sensor feedback — and try again,” explains Santha Kumar..

Even coding is made fun and accessible. Young children begin with flashcards instead of screens. “They arrange a forward block, a right turn block and scan it. If something’s off, they tweak the flashcards. This builds confidence before they transition to Scratch or Python.”

One standout project involves a braking system. “The robot uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect obstacles. If one is too close, it stops. When the path clears, it moves again,” says Santha Kumar. Children also learn how 45-degree angles create ideal parabolic arcs while launching objects with catapults.

But it is not just about tech. “We don’t have note-taking sessions. It’s all action. Parents tell us their kids are engaged for two and a half hours without screens. That’s the real win.”

Workshops run April to May in Nehru Nagar, Ramanathapuram, and Gandhipuram. Fees: ₹6000. Contact: 8300230194 (Nehru Nagar), 9080715825 (Ramanathapuram), 9095415393 (Gandhipuram).

Science and Nature, the fun way

Aatrral Learning Centre’s summer camp brings together children, parents and grandparents. The centre, that has been around since 2014, has been working towards encouraging social entrepreneurship and impact among individuals and families. Their Kalam summer camp, spread across seven weeks, has at its core art, philosophy, science, and organic farming.

At Aatrral’s summer camp
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Special arrangement

“Children, their parents and grandparents can stay at our farm and learn firsthand about agriculture and organic farming,” says ‘Aatrral’ Bala, the founder. “Learning is play-based and the whole family is in it together.” Each week of the summer camp is based on diverse themes. There will be outdoor adventures, fun challenges, and hands-on experiments, games that make one move, think, and laugh and more within a sprawling farm with home-cooked meals.

Themes include ‘Bio-sketch’ through which participants can understand how even the smallest things around us are driven by a life-force. They can sketch animals and vehicles, understand their character traits, and discover how human innovations happen through solutions in Nature.

In the ‘Creation’ themed-week, parents and children will learn about building, plumbing, electricals, and mechanics. They will also be taught how electrical circuits work, the nuts and bolts of wiring, automobile basics and maintenance. ‘Play Farming’ will inculcate a love for the natural world by teaching participants about seeds, nutrients, the soil ecosystem and more. Aatral is also involved in organic farming consulting and has helped create 200 acres of farmlands across Tamil Nadu.

Kalam is on at Iyal Farms, Sethumadai, till June 1. For details, visit aatrral_edu on Instagram, call 9597379545.

Be body aware

Join P V Harikrishnan, an expert in Krav Maga, a martial art form that has its origins in Israel, to learn a few kicks and punches. “What sets apart Krav Maga from traditional martial arts is that, here, you can do anything for your safety,” says Harikrishnan. “You can use everyday objects around you to defend yourself. This can be a keychain, a chair… Anything goes in order to escape from a dangerous situation and go home safe.”

Harikrishnan, who has completed instructor courses from Delhi, Chennai, Australia and Germany for civilians and children, will tailor the martial art for children such that there is no violence involved. “I will teach them how to protect themselves, how to escape harm and prevent someone from hitting them,” he says, “The focus will be on defending, rather than striking.” For adults, however, trainers will ensure they are prepared to protect themselves and people around them at any cost.

Harikrishnan explains that the summer bootcamp will introduce children to the basics of Krav Maga. “If they are interested in taking it forward, they can enroll for further classes,” he adds. Harikrishnan has been associated with Krav Maga for more than a decade. He trained with the International Krav Maga Federation and has been conducting workshops for adults and children for over ten years in Chennai.

The Krav Maga summer bootcamp is open for children aged nine to 14 years. It is on from April 28 to May 2, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, at Ananda, Race Course Scheme Road. Call 9790919600 for details.

At the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, under the shade of blooming mango trees, a group of senior citizens are gathered to practise the age-old Tamil martial art form, Silambam. They cautiously learn footwork and combine it with the circular movement of the bamboo staff while the instructor, also a senior citizen, walks around the group often correcting his students’ form. For these few hours, age is not a point of discussion here.

Chitra Subramani, a 60-year-old former dance teacher, was among the senior citizens who signed up for the course. “I have always been interested in learning different kinds of art forms, not just dance. The Tamil Nadu Government Music College opened up the Silambam course while I was still working, and I applied to join just for fun,” she says of this one-year course with certification. The Music College also has other folk art form courses like Oyilattam and Thappattam in their curriculum which are open for senior citizens now, thanks to a recent revision of age restriction for students.

Whether through structured classes or personal exploration, an increasing number of older adults are choosing to stay engaged. While previously, elders often took up hobbies like knitting, weaving and indulging in daily soaps, the retired generation of the 21st Century are deciding to spend their time with martial arts, water sports, visual art or educating themselves about finance.

Some of these hobbies offer physical benefits, but their emotional and social impact is often more significant. According to a 2023 study published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine, hobby engagement among adults aged 65 and older was associated with better mental wellbeing, including fewer depressive symptoms, higher self-reported health, greater happiness, and increased life satisfaction.

“Older people get lonely unless they do something with their time. Something that is therapeutic for them, and helps them re-discover their talents. We identify and locate such elders, and try to include them in activities such as painting, yoga and more,” says Sabita Radhakrishna, founder of Udhavi, an NGO and networking platform for senior citizens in the city. “We also conduct a workshop on the nitty gritties of life insurance. Elders are often unaware of these things, so we organise interactive talks,” she says, adding that these workshops are done in collaboration with a senior solutions start-up called Grey Up.

Another hobby that older adults are flocking to is tech education. Dexterity with smartphone has become a necessity to lead an independent life. Organisations like HelpAge India, Easy Hai and ElderAid Wellness have specialised help guides and courses in digital literacy. “When we look at the elder care sector, it is very lopsided towards healthcare. During COVID, people realised the importance of digital literacy. Unfortunately, due to a lot of online scams, elders have been afraid of getting too friendly with technology, but we help them,” says Santosh Abraham, founder of ElderAid Wellness, adding that they have guides which are mailed or sent via WhatsApp for topics ranging from ordering groceries to identifying online scams.

Senior citizens participating in a drawing and painting workshop
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Special Arrangement

Fun, informal activities like karaoke nights, film screenings, and community singing sessions are also becoming popular ways to bond. “We do quite a lot of musical nights where we get a live band to play songs from old films, and a lot of elders enjoy them and sing along. One time, we had a 90-year-old throw her walking stick and stand up to dance,” says Sabita, laughing. All activities conducted by Udhavi are broadcast on their WhatsApp groups, and seniors can register to join these groups, through the NGO’s website.

Sound body, sound mind

Movement is also a key element in many of the hobbies taken up by senior citizens. At the Academy of Modern Danse (@academy_of_modern_danse on Instagram), Kokila Hariram conducts a weekly class at the Russian Cultural Centre tailored to senior citizens. “We have a Bollywood dance class for ladies in the morning and a lot of mothers and grandmothers join this class. Most of my adult classes are for salsa, ballroom, or jive, and I have elders over 60 joining those,” she says. “Everything they’re doing uses muscle power, and that stimulates the brain.”

For 71-year-old former English teacher Meena Thomas, learning salsa helped ward off oneliness while also keeping fit. “I am not disciplined enough to go to the gym or workout, but I feel like this kind of exercise make me happy. I always thought I had two left feet, but Koki told me anyone can dance. She can make a door dance,” she says adding that she picked salsa because she found some friends who had joined the class. Meena started dancing when she was 63.

These dance classes are populated by both women and men. P Mahalingam, 71, chairman of Door Sabha Nigam Limited, has always been a man of rhythm. “I used to learn Kathak, but had to stop because of some health reasons. I joined salsa classes when I was in my mid 50s, then learned tabla,” he says.

Senior citizens learning traditional art of Silambam classes at Tamil Nadu Government Music College, RA.Puram in Chennai
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B. Jothi Ramalingam

As much as dance is for the mind and body, water is too. With the harsh summer settling in, swimming and water-based exercises are becoming popular fitness options for older adults. “Many senior citizens who have joint pains are advised to walk in water by their physiotherapist because water is easier on the joints. You weigh less in the water and are able to move more easily,” says Jeffery Vardon, who conducts water aerobics classes tailored for senior citizens.

Women doing aqua aerobics with Jeffery Vardon’s instructions at Hotel Savera.
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RAGU R

While older adults may face hurdles — from digital literacy and mobility issues to financial planning  — community outreach and tailored support systems can go a long way. As the lines between ageing and activity continue to blur, hobbies are proving to be tools for self-discovery, connection, and vitality. In reclaiming their time through curiosity, many older adults today are proving that retirement is not an end, but a return — to self, to community, and to all the things that make life feel full.