This summer we yearn to explore new places and international sleep-away camps could be just the thing to make up for the past year of shelter-in-place.
Below are 10 of the coolest international overnight camps around the world, ranging from soccer camps in Europe to cultural exchange in Costa Rica to horseback riding in England to a sports camp in Australia. The camps below allow a variety of ages, interests and experiences.
Soccer Camps International offers Elite International Youth Soccer Camps in England, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal with famous European soccer clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico de Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Paris Saint Germain, Benfica Lisbon and more. Many of these Official Summer Soccer Camps provide soccer training sessions at the Exclusive Official Club Training Sites where the Clubs First Team and Academy players practice daily. Boys and Girls ages 7 to 18 years old can choose from residential or day camp sessions, goalkeeper sessions, and language options (Spanish and French). Players from all over the world participate at these elite camps each summer to experience soccer at his best!
French International Language Camps are held in the French Alps and includes sports and cultural activities and a complete French and English language teaching program. Summer and winter programs for children and teens 6 to 17 years old are total immersion experiences with a multi-lingual team and with children from all over the world.
Les Elfes Summer & Winter Camps. Les Elfes offers summer and winter camps in Switzerland. Summer students from 6-17 years old spend 2-4 week-sessions in Verbier, one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland! Students will enjoy their days with outdoor activities, language classes, sports, and excursions. Over 40 exciting outdoor activities are available, such as rock climbing, mountain biking, ropes courses, wakeboarding, tubing, paragliding, basketball, hiking, swimming, ice skating, tennis, golf, horseback riding and many more.
Les Elfes Winter Camp offers ski or snowboard lessons, from very beginner to advanced level, combined with optional language lessons and exciting after-ski activities and excursions.
Gakko. This two week summer program takes place in Kagoshima Japan and brings together a mentors from industry experts, graduate students and college students to create an experience that is truly one of a kind.
Costa Rica Youth Exchange. This summer program gives high school students an opportunity to live with a host family in Costa Rica and experience the real community and culture. Students will learn Spanish and go on excursions and participate in local activities.
Camp Cooper. Camp Cooper is an overnight camp based in Scotland for kids 7-17 from around the world. Camp sessions range from one week to five weeks, and they offer a variety of activities, including dance, journalism, circus skills, mountain biking, film-making, sports, and more. Additionally, they offer English language sessions for those who need them.
Travel for Teens. Instead of an overnight camp based in one place, Travel for Teens allows kids 13-18 to travel the world, holding trips in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. These trips range from 6 to 23 days. The variety of trips is large – some include volunteering at an animal rescue in Costa Rica, scuba-diving in Fiji, and photography in Venice.
Lingua Service Spanish Summer Camps. While Teen Spanish only offers programs for teens and families, Lingua Service Worldwide offers a variety of summer Spanish camps throughout Spain for children ranging in age from 5 to 17. They offer 12 different camps, each held at a different Spanish school throughout the country. Camps vary individually in what they offer; some provide home stay opportunities and free time while others have on-site accommodations and 24/7 supervision. There’s likely to be a perfect fit for any child interested in learning more about the Spanish culture and language.
Global Link China. Global Link China offers a unique cultural immersion trip for children aged 8 to 18. During the 3 week camp, children receive 45 hours of Chinese language lessons as well as basic written letters and are immersed in the Chinese culture with pre-planned activities and tours of many spots in Beijing and Shanghai.
Sports Camp Australia. Sports Camp Australia offers summer camps in over 14 different sports, including tennis, golf, and swimming. There are camps available for those as young as 6 and international campers are welcome. Overnight programs typically include 30+ hours of sport practice along with all meals and housing.
Village Camps Summer Riding Program. Village Camp offers a high-end equestrian camp in York, England. The camp is held at the esteemed Follifoot Riding Centre and is available to riders of all levels, with at least an hour being spent in the saddle each morning for a lesson. Afternoons are available for down-time and games with the horses.
Regardless of where you send your child, an international overnight camp is something they are unlikely to forget. The experience will bring them more confidence, valuable life skills, and fond memories. If you do not think your child is quite ready to travel internationally yet, check out these sleep away camps in your area as another alternative to international overnight camps.