[Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The National Aquatics Center in Beijing is bustling this summer as it welcomes young people to a wide range of sports programs. From ice skating and swimming to dance and science camps, the venue is offering diverse options to help children stay active, learn new skills and enjoy the summer break.

Ice skating has emerged as the most popular choice this year. The venue is running more than 10 small-group classes for young participants of varying ages and skill levels. Enrollment has jumped nearly 70% compared to earlier in the year, with all training sessions on the center's 1,830-square-meter standard rink.

[Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Swimming courses and group training camps at the venue are also drawing large numbers of students. To ensure a focused training environment, the venue's swimming pool is closed to the public on weekday mornings and reserved exclusively for instruction.

Indoor kayaking has also returned to the venue's summer lineup, allowing young participants to try paddle sports in a controlled environment while avoiding sun exposure and seasonal allergens.

[Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Beyond ice and water sports, the venue is also offering a range of other programs to support youth development. These include dance, tennis and physical fitness classes tailored to school-aged children.

The Water Cube Dance Studio launched a Chinese dance summer camp in July to help students prepare for graded examinations and improve their technique. The venue's youth development club has also introduced other camp options, including science research, project-based learning programs, drone and model aircraft building, and nature journaling to help students explore interests and develop skills. An overnight camp with Olympic-themed activities is also available.

The diversification reflects the venue's strategy to maximize year-round use of its dual-Olympic legacy and develop it as a hub for youth development each summer.