Kaliyattam, a week-long summer theatre camp that concludes at Pookkad Kalalayam here on Thursday, tried to inculcate in children values. The camp began at 6.45 a.m. and ended at 8.30 p.m. Children spent most of their day at the camp and shared everything, from breakfast to dinner, with their fellow campers.

“Kaliyattam is also an attempt to inculcate in children the culture of sharing and proper behaviour,” said Sivadas Chemancheri, president of the Kalalayam and camp coordinator. Stage director Manoj Narayanan has been the camp director ever since the first edition in 2013. More than 500 children are taking part in the 7th edition of the camp that began on April 6.

Sallapam, interactive sessions with people from various walks of life, was one of the highlights of Kaliyattam. Singer V.T. Murali, Scientist K. Papputty, and Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey were among those who interacted with children in this edition.

Several theatre games, children’s plays, a seminar on the problems faced by children’s theatre, and Natakayanam, a digital screening of some classic plays,were part of the camp.

Kali Veedu, a unique session, led children in groups to houses of a fisherman, a coir maker, a singer, a chenda maker, and a farmer. “Beings guests at a house help children develop social skills,” Mr. Sivadas said. The children will stage a skit conceived by them at the end of the camp in groups of 20.

The entry to the camp was free though some parents supported the event with contributions.