BEST SUMMER CAMPS FOR CHILDREN IN GENEVA 2020
by Chené Koscielny and Alana Dunsmore
EMAIL us if you want to be included in our Summer Camp 2020 List.
For a moment there we panicked that there would be no summer camps this year, didn’t you? For many of us spending weeks with our children in self-isolation was getting a bit tricky and the idea of a summer without any break from one another was worrying us more than a little bit. Even more so, as our summer plans are cancelled!
Luckily, we have discovered that many of our favourite summer camps catering for children will be running again this year – albeit a bit smaller or different to accommodate the government guidelines.
Here are some of our favourite summer camps in Geneva for 2020 – for little ones, as well as a few for tweens and teens.
If you are hosting a summer camp for children and would like your camp to be included in this list – contact us on info@thingstoingeneva.ch
NEW SUMMER ADVENTURES – Collège du Léman SPOTS AVAILABLE!
There are some great last-minute spots available at Collège du Léman for children of all ages – RUNNING NOW!
DISCOVERY CAMP
27th-31st July and 3rd-7th August
Includes three different programmes to choose from;
Intensive: One activity per week, throughout the day. Activities include; football, basketball, and water activities.
Mixed: One activity in the morning and one activity in the afternoon. Activities include horse riding, science lab, drama and multi-sports.
Outdoor Fun: Activities off campus every day. Activities include biking along the lake, aquapark and accro-branching.
The camps run from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm and include lunch. Every Wednesday a special BBQ lunch is provided.
COST: CHF 690
MORE SUMMER CAMPS FOR OLDER CHILDREN AND TEENS!
In addition to the above, Collège du Léman hosts a variety of summer camp options for children from 8-18 years. They offer a choice of day or boarding camps. Camps start from August 2, 2020 to August 15, 2020.
BOARDING:
Collège du Léman is a boarding school therefore they have the opportunity to offer boarding in addition to day camps.
WHERE
Collège du Léman, Route de Sauverny 74, Versoix
COST
Varies depending on how many weeks and if boarding or day option
MORE INFO
CAMPZONE – International Institute de Lancy (IIL)
The CampZone at IIL was hosted for the first time during 2019 and it was a big success.
CampZone is easily accessible from anywhere in Geneva, welcoming children from all schools. It is a bilingual (French and English) multi-activity camp.
We think CampZone is a great option, particularly if you have different aged children who are interested in different activities.
Their day camps offer a wide range of active, creative and learning activities including:
- Multi-activity camps
- Horse-back riding
- Indoor climbing
- Football / soccer
- Basketball
- Multi-sports – Mountain outings
- Bricks4Kids / Lego world
- Urban dance
- Theatre & Song
- Mindstorms® EV3 Robotic Camp
- T.E.A.M. creations
- Boost your French
- Boost your English
- Fun with Math
Camps are available for all kids ages 3-12 and are run in both English and French – open to children from any school.
There are four weeks to choose from so there is a large variety of options to keep your kids occupied during most of the summer or only during weeks you choose. Prices differ according to the activity and full or half-day options.
Check the link below for more details.
AGES
Ages 3-12
ADDRESS
Eugène-Lance 24
COST
Prices differ according to activities and ½ or full-day options. Visit the website for more information campzone.ch
DATES
June 29 – July 3
July 6 – July 10
July 13 – July 17
August 17 – August 21st
NOTE:
Registration opens on Friday, May 29.
SPACES ARE LIMITED in order to adhere to Covid-19 safety regulations
AROUND THE WORLD TRIPS FOR LITTLE TRAVELLERS – Bubble Kids Club
I’ve always liked Bubbles because they provide a variety of fun activities in one place. This summer will be no different. This year’s theme is “Les Petits Voyageurs.” All through the month of July and August, they will have weekly summer camps, which will include different countries as each week’s theme.
Depending on the week your children take part in activities exploring Italy, Japan, India and more. This will include both indoor and outdoor play, sports activities, fun in the kitchen and much more.
Options include full day or half-day weekly camps. Lunch is included with the full-day option.
Note: This camp is primarily run by French speakers, but some instructors speak some English, from experience.
This is a great immersive experience if you want your little one to boost his or her French.
AGES
4- 12
ADDRESS
Rue du Nant 3
COST
590 full-day
390 half-day
HOURS
Full-day 9-16:30
Half-day 9-12:00 or 13:30 -16:30
For questions and more info contact Bubbles Kids Club – MORE INFO
A WHOLE SUMMER TO HAVE FUN AND SPEAK ENGLISH – Key English School
Key English School is one of the best language schools in town and their holiday camps are very popular. The camps are a good combination of interactive learning and outdoor fun.
They offer dynamic and educational holiday camps for children wishing to learn, practise or perfect their English.
THE ENGLISH + FUN SUMMER CAMPS PROGRAMME
Energetic English lessons in the morning and activities and outings in the afternoon for a maximum of FUN!
Afternoon themes: adventure, discovery, culture, creativity and sports and games
Find the complete programme and all the other summer camps CLICK HERE.
AGES
For kids aged 4 to 10
COST
550chf per 5-day week
or
500chf per 4-day week
Family Pack (two or more children from the same family, price per child)
525chf per 5-day week
or
475chf per 4-day week
WHERE
Vessy, Acacias, Petit-Saconnex, Meyrin and Lausanne
TAILOR MADE SUMMER PROGRAMME FOR TEENS – Key English School
For 10 to 14-year-olds: Digital Discovery!
An immersion in the digital world.
Video game coding, drawing & design, photography & editing, stop-motion video, website development and many others with lunchbreak and sporty activities outside!
COST 650chf /week
Click for the complete programme.
For 11 to 16-year-olds: Academic refresher course before the start of the school year in English and German!
Build confidence and take advantage of the last days of the holidays to review the basics and be ready for the school year ahead!
COST 35Ochf / week
Find the complete programme HERE
AGES
Digital Discovery 10-14-year-olds
Academic Refresher 11-16-year-olds
ADDRESS
Digital Discovery: Châtelaine, Vernier
Academic Refresher: Pâquis, Sécheron
MORE INFO
Find the complete programme and other info HERE
ART, MUSIC AND FUN FOR LITTLE ONES – GYMBOREE
Gymboree is another firm favourite for the younger ones. You know they’re going to have a great time!
Parents love it too as it offers an opportunity for a variety of bilingual activities – all in one place.
Gymboree Play and Music offer weekly themed camps using art, movement, music and much more to encourage mental development and problem-solving. In a safe space Gymboree provides the chance to stretch little bodies and minds through a variety of activities such as songs, games, stories and much more.
AGES
3-6 years old
ADDRESS
Rue 23 Sonnex, 1218 Grand-Saconnex
COST
Full-Day 530chf
Half-Day 330-300chf
HOURS
Full-Day 8:30- 16:00
Half-Day 8:30-12:00 or 13:00-16:00
MORE INFO
MUSIC LOVERS – Music Together
If your children love music this is a fab option! Music Together holds 45 minute weekly classes throughout the summer for children (0-5 years) but they also offer exclusive summer camps for children (4-7 years).
Music together offers the opportunity for children to (re)discover the magic of the harmony of sounds and movement in total freedom and fun. Their concept is a proven and well-respected one – read more about their philosophy in our previous article CLICK HERE
The camps for younger children offer you the opportunity to explore the magic of music with your child. Together you sing, dance, drum and have loads of fun in the family dance and music classes. The weekly classes last 45 minutes and an adult has to stay with the child.
For the summer camps for older children, you leave your child for a full day of fun! In addition to music the kids will be provided with the option of exploring dance, arts and crafts and nature! A mid-morning and afternoon snack is provided, but children bring their own lunch box and everyone eats together.
NOTE: The regular Music Together class cost includes CD, book, and online access to the songs. Siblings free under 6 months and over 4 years old.
Summer Camps by Music Together
July 6th-10th by Music Together
July 13th – 17th by Music Together
Age: 5-7 years old
Price: 490CHF for the 1st child
Theme 1: Under the sea mysteries
Theme 2: The secrets of the forest
June 29th – 3rd July by Music Together & Spell Languages
July 6th – 10th by Music Together & Spell Languages
Age: 4-6 years old
Price: 650CHF
Themes: Little Artists
Contact us for more details!
Regular Summer Classes by Music Together
5 to 10 weeks of summer regular classes for families with children 0-5-years old
6th July – 12th September
Tuition from 175CHF
Sibling free under 6th month and over 4 years old
Special materials: CD, book, online access to the songs
ADDRESS
Various locations
COST
Music Together Camp 490chf
Music Together & Spell Languages Camp 650chf
Regular Music Together Class start from 175chf
MORE INFO
FOR THE TODDLER WHO WANTS TO DO IT ALL – TOTUP
If your little one loves to explore different things and enjoys variety, a Totup summer camp is perfect!
Totup offers themed camps for kids between the ages of 3 and 6. Each week is a different theme and includes a large variety of activities, visits and outdoor walks! Camps are run by a group of teachers, as well as a few external professionals, carefully chosen to share their skills with the children.
This is a bilingual camp and will provide your child the chance to make new friends and acquire new knowledge. All camps offer a full-service including all materials, food, going out, sport and creative activities. You can choose between half or full-day options. Short-term day-care contracts are also available for 1-3 years olds.
AGES
3-6-year-olds – camp
1-3-year-olds – short term daycare
ADDRESS
Avenue des Morgines 12, Petit Lancy
COST
500 Full Day
350 Half Day
Short term Daycare 150ch/day
HOURS
Full-day 7:00-19:00
Half-day 7:00-14:30
MENTION TTDGVA when booking your child’s camp – for a … discount.
CREATIVITY AND LEARNING GO HAND IN HAND – ASK Bilingual Inclusive
ASK Bilingual Camp is an inclusive summer program. ASK is a group dedicated to offering a special haven for children and young adults (ages 5-24) who have Learning Differences and Special Educational needs. The programme allows children to develop their social skills, creativity and learning through fun games and activities. Programmes are structured according to children’s ages and skill level. Staff are qualified from a range of specialties.
AGES
5-24 years old
ADDRESS
IIL, Eugène-Lance 24
COST
995chf per week
MORE INFO
THE FARM, GARDEN, FOREST, AND LAKE – Herstreet
What do those four things have in common? They are the themes of this summer camps at Herstreet.
Read our article HERE about this cool local organisation for women by women. We love them!
Their summer camps look very interesting and make me want to take part!
They offer camps over four weeks with a different theme for each week – farm, garden, forest and lake. Activities include painting on a log, creating a mandala, outdoor walks and muddy fun! In addition to interesting hands-on activities related to the theme, there will also be a music circle, free play, as well as yoga and meditation sessions, depending on age.
NOTE: Younger kids can only attend morning camps.
AGES
Morning camps – 2 and 3 years old
Half or full – 4 and 5 years old
ADDRESS
GAEA SHELTER SA
Rue des Pierres-du-Niton, 6
Geneva
HOURS
Morning camps 9-12
Full-Day 9-5
COST
250chf Half day
500chf Full Day
MORE INFO
