MANILA, Philippines - It happens to the best of us. That important occasion comes along all too fast and you still haven’t bought a present for the celebrant. So you’ll start to panic, hit the malls, and scour the shops for the best finds.
I never imagined that choosing the perfect gift for my niece Giana “G-ka” Yap, who turned seven last April 30, could be so overwhelming. Creative toys that allow kids to use their imagination during play top my list, but there were so many other items to choose from that I couldn’t decide what to get her.
After two hours of window-shopping, my cart was still empty; my son Karl was getting impatient. So we took a break and headed off to our fave fastfood chain for refreshment. Little did I know that — of all places — it’s where I would find the perfect gift.
The gift of learning
As they say, “the greatest gift we can give our children is a lifelong enthusiasm for learning new things.” Learning and, more importantly, the drive for learning should be instilled in the minds of children while they’re still young to keep their thirst for knowledge alive. So when I saw the Jollibee Kid Scout 2012 program poster right by the entrance of the country’s leading fastfood chain, I knew that G-ka would be in for a treat — not just on her birthday but for the rest of her summer vacay!
To be able to join the Jollibee Kid Scout program, parents should sign their kids up first in the Jollibee Kids Club (JKC), which required a membership fee of P50 inclusive of an identification card and a welcome kit with freebies such as coupons for Jolly Krunchy Twirl, regular French fries, Peach Mango Pie, and Jollibee Trading cards. For the Jollibee Kid Scout Summer Program, participants were required to pay a participation fee of P500 per child inclusive of one shirt and a cap, meals and certificate.
Upon registration, Jollibee SFDM restaurant manager Jun Cabacungan gave me other add ons such as a Jollibee backpack, Jollibee Kid Scout shirt with nameplate, a cap, an ID holder, and a tumbler, which workshoppers should bring at all times for the duration of the five-day summer workshop. I had everything wrapped in a purple paper bag, tied a purple (G-ka’s fave color) ribbon on it, and gave it to her as present. G-ka was so ecstatic when she opened the package. She had no idea that the fun didn’t stop there.
A jolly summer for kids
Jollibee ushered in a summer of fun and excitement for kids with the Jollibee Kid Scout Program, which is filled with thrilling games and activities. Kids age 12 and below engaged in various activities that spur creativity, imagination and learning.
For the orientation, the kids introduced themselves not only to the workshop crew headed by Jollibee store marketing assistant Grace Guillemer or “Ate Ghy,” but also to their fellow workshoppers, the parents and guardians. Some kids couldn’t muster enough courage to go in front of the “class” so they ran to their parents for cover.
After the getting-to-know-you session, the “house rules” were laid: wear your complete uniform, be punctual, observe cleanliness at all times, don’t go to restricted areas, and so on.
A short video presentation about Jollibee was shown to give kids an idea how the brand started. Of course, the kids were surprised to find out that Jollibee was an ice cream parlor before.
Let the fun begin!
The Jollibee Kid Scout program is workshop focused. The thrust is to build the multiple intelligences of a child.
“We actually have four focus areas: performance arts (dancing, singing, and acting), arts and crafts (drawing, card making, etc.), reading and social skills (values formation, active play, outreach). Through these activities, we try to encourage kids not to be afraid to try new things, be sociable, and to improve their craft while having fun,” explains Dianne Yorro, SBU-Marketing.
The Jollibee Kid Scout Program features personality and team-building workshops that build up confidence and bring out the star in every kid.
On their second day, the Jollibee Kid Scout discovered the joy of being part of the Jollibee team. Apart from greeting customers, they also mingled with other kids and enjoyed assisting the elderly. Of course, the Jollibee Kids Club experience wouldn’t be complete without the much-awaited Jolly Hotdog- and Yum Burger-Making Day, where the Jollibee Kid Scout got to experience first-hand the joy of making their favorite Yum and Jolly Hotdog!
Other activities include junk art and eco-music workshops that not only developed the kids’ creative potential, but also taught them about the environment and what they can do to help protect it. For the Art Garage, the kids were instructed to bring their old crayons, watercolor and recycled paper to make greeting cards for their special someone. They also wrote on a piece of paper what they want to be when they’re grown up and sealed it with their handprints.
At the end of each activity, Ate Ghy would ask workshop participants questions based on they’ve discussed that day. Those who got the answers right were given stars. The student with the most stars at the end of the six-day workshop got special awards. By this time, the respective parents and guardians of the kids, who accompanied them almost everyday, also developed a strong bond. They, too, suddenly became friends!
The five-day event was capped with the Jollibee Kid Scout's very own graduation at Jollibee SFDM. The kids, with the help of Jollibee SFDM restaurant manager Jun Bacungan, Ate Ghy, and restaurant manager assistants Leo Eroles, Marjorie Anne Felix, Jacqueline Co, Oliver Timbang, Christopher Echegaray and Yuki Rose Chibakita, performed special numbers for their parents. What was so touching was when each student gave a letter and a stem of red rose to their misty-eyed parents who were beaming with pride at what their children have accomplished.
Special awards — Friendliest Kids Scout, Good Conduct, Performance Artist, Kiddie Artist, Early Bee, Best in Grooming, and Most Active Awards — were given to kids who gamely participated in the activities and whose works stood out. G-ka went home with two recognitions: Kiddie Artist and Good Conduct. She enjoyed the activities so much that she thanked me profusely, “The best po yung gift n’yo.”
With their experience as Jollibee Kid Scout, G-ka and the rest of the workshop participants enhanced their talents and gained new skills they can share with their families, classmates and teachers with greater confidence.
“The Jollibee Kid Scout program is aimed at helping parents develop more well-rounded children by providing fun venues where they are able to engage skill and talents, and meet new friends,” enthused Dianne Yorro of Jollibee.
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Members of the Jollibee Kids Club nationwide had a fun-filled and exciting time as well after graduating from the Jollibee Kid Scout program held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
In Luzon, Star City and SM Megamall were two of the chosen venues for the graduation ceremonies.