Kids have the option to attend a variety of summer camps every year. Sports, arts, education and overnight camps are the most popular, but some children in the Philippines go another route - McDonalds Kiddie Crew Workshop.
McDonald's in the Philippines has held the annual summer program every year since 1991 in major cities all over the country. The fast food chain invites children aged six to 12 into their restaurants to experience firsthand what it's like to work there.
The workshop held nine sessions between March 24 and May 30. Each session lasted five days and cost about $14 (600 Philippine pesos) to register. According to the Kiddie Crew website, members "experience on-floor training like greeting customers and assisting the crew at the drive-thru and front counters."
It isn't all hard work, although they do learn that, plus discipline and teamwork. Kids have fun in the creative art workshops and receive a free hat, shirt and bag emblazoned with Ronald McDonald. Each kid also learns the Kiddie Crew theme song, "Make It Happen."
"The best thing about this is they also get to learn important values such as hard work, team work and discipline," blogged one mother, Janice, who enrolled her two daughters in the program.
At the end of each session, the kids receive a certificate of completion and collect a Kiddie Crew Club Card. The card entitles each member to a freebie of the month such as a bonus toy with a Happy Meal, a McSpaghetti meal on the child's birthday or a free ice cream cone with purchase, according to Salon.
A Grand Graduation Bash is held at the end of all the sessions. The children are reuinted with their families, who can enjoy a variety of booths and games at the event.
