Prime Language & Activity Summer Camp for Young Learners in Via Collina d'Oro, Switzerland

Course Description: Prime Language & Activity Summer Camp for Young Learners in Via Collina d'Oro, Switzerland

Course Overview

This school is famous for its beauty, high standards and Summer Arts Festival where all boarders of all ages get to have fun and showcase their skills.

Features included

• Courses in languages, science, STEAM, and visual and performing arts

• Exciting array of clubs, sports, and outdoor activities

• Fun and educational trips to a number of nearby destinations

This program gives 7 to 10 year old students the unique opportunity to explore Switzerland while forming strong bonds of friendship with peers from around the world.

Topics your child can explore

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)

All children also attend an hour of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—or STEAM—every afternoon, focusing on creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Performing Arts

Talented performing arts professionals challenge students’ creativity in singing, dancing, drama, musical theater, percussion, and ukulele! Children prepare an original musical and songs to perform at the Summer Arts Festival.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

CDE offers a truly immersive English-language learning experience. English is the language of instruction and communication program-wide, and the courses offer students time to practice and build on their existing skills. Class sizes are small and cater to beginning, intermediate, and advanced learners.

French

This course introduces students to a variety of French-speaking countries and cultures while focusing on vocabulary and phrases that help students build their confidence. This course is designed for beginning or intermediate learners.

Italian

CDE Italian classes are immersed in the culture and language of Ticino, the only Italian-speaking Swiss canton. This course teaches vocabulary and phrases that children can use when off-campus (learning how to order gelato is a favorite) as well as Italian culture. It is designed for beginning or intermediate learners.

Excursions & trips

All students take part in weekday excursions that explore beautiful Ticino. Taken with their teacher and classmates, these field trips connect to the classroom curriculum. Past favorites have included visiting the Locarno Falconeria, seeing the bear caves on Monte Generoso, taking nature walks on San Salvatore, and pedal boating on Lake Lugano.

On Saturdays, boarding students take weekend trips where they travel to destinations further afield. Destinations change each summer but have included the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne, the Parco San Grato botanical gardens in Corona, Lido Locarno, and a rainy-day favorite, the Splash & Spa water park in Rivera! On Sundays our boarders take part in two half-day weekend clubs that allow them to play and learn in creative and exciting ways. Popular clubs have included tie-dying t-shirts, nature photography, kayaking, creating board games, and a DIY Spa Day…the opportunities are endless!

One of the highlights of the summer is a camping trip to a site in the foothills of the Alps, just 25 minutes from campus. The trip helps children build confidence as they help with setting up tents and preparing meals—and even learn to make S’mores by a campfire! Throughout the years, CDE has taken thousands of students camping, many for their very first time. All boarding students camp overnight while CDE day students have the choice to camp overnight at no additional cost.

Offsite adventures

• Observe the skies at a local planetarium.

• Hike high above beautiful Lake Lugano.

• Explore the depths of an ancient cave.

• Watch Swiss chocolatiers work their magic.

• Visit the historical Bellinzona castles.

Example Lesson Plan

Morning Activities

Morning activities focus on fitness and movement. Students choose from a number of options, including organized sports (kickball, basketball, dodgeball, cooperative games), individual activities (yoga, hiking, table tennis, mindfulness), or swimming.

Sports Clubs

As an alternative to our morning activities, students can enroll in sports clubs that take place at the same time. These are at an additional cost and are in lieu of our morning activities. Possible options include Milan Academy Scuola Calcio, featuring coaches from the distinguished club AC Milan; Tennis Junior Camp with Lugano-based professional coaches; and time with award-winning instructors from local top-tier horse riding schools. 

Afternoon Activities

Afternoons are filled with creativity and hands-on learning through the arts and sciences. These activities allow children to grow in courage and confidence as they express themselves in new ways.

All students take part in daily Tutti Singing classes to prepare songs to perform at the end of the session.

Students choose two afternoon electives each week that center around the culinary arts, visual arts, design, and science. Past activities have included crêpe-making, wax sculptures, painting, ukulele, drumming, knitting/crocheting, soap-making, fashion design, robotics, and environmental science.

CDE Musical

Young performers may choose to audition for the CDE musical. Rehearsals take place at the same time as our afternoon activities. 

Accommodations

The boarding program reflects the tradition of the school as one of the world’s most exclusive boarding schools. Students are housed in dormitories that give them the opportunity to be away from home in a nurturing, structured environment. Roommates are from countries and cultures different to one another, encouraging cultural exchange and global friendships. 

• Students housed in separate boys' and girls' dormitories.

• Maximum of four students per bedroom, grouped by age.

• Roommates from diverse countries and cultures, no rooming with siblings or friends.

• Emphasis on cultural exchange and global friendships.

• Mark clothing with permanent markers using assigned numbers for laundry service.

• Unclaimed items at session end donated to charity.

Sports Clubs:

• Optional morning enrollment at additional cost, replacing regular activities.

• Choices include Milan Academy Scuola Calcio with AC Milan coaches, Tennis Junior Camp with Lugano-based professionals, and horse riding with top-tier instructors.

Morning & Afternoon Activities:

• Morning: Fitness and movement-focused activities like organized sports (kickball, basketball, dodgeball), individual activities (yoga, hiking, table tennis, mindfulness), and swimming.

• Afternoon: Creative and hands-on learning in arts and sciences, enhancing courage and confidence.

• Elective Options: Two afternoon electives per week in culinary arts, visual arts, design, and science.

• Previous Activities: Crêpe-making, wax sculptures, painting, ukulele, drumming, knitting/crocheting, soap-making, fashion design, robotics, environmental science.

Weekday Excursions:

• Exploration of Ticino with teacher-led field trips linked to classroom curriculum.

• Past trips include Locarno Falconeria, Monte Generoso bear caves, San Salvatore nature walks, and pedal boating on Lake Lugano.

Weekend Activities for Boarding Students:

• Saturday trips to destinations like Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne, Parco San Grato gardens, Lido Locarno, and Splash & Spa water park in Rivera.

• Sunday half-day clubs offering activities like tie-dying, nature photography, kayaking, board game creation, and DIY Spa Day.

Camping Trip:

• Annual highlight: camping in the Alps foothills, 25 minutes from campus.

• Activities include tent setup, meal preparation, and making S’mores by a campfire.

• Open to all boarding students; day students can join overnight camping at no extra cost.

• Boarding students should arrive on the program's first day for registration.

• Staff pick up unaccompanied students at the airport (Included to the price)

• Departure date corresponds with the last published date of the program.

Mornings:

• Two hours of language learning in English, French, or Italian.

• An additional hour dedicated to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) classes.

• Focus on fitness and movement with activities like yoga, hiking, tennis, soccer, or swimming.

Afternoons:

• Emphasis on creativity and hands-on learning in arts and sciences.

• Children select electives centered on artistic and scientific exploration.

Weekends:

• Boarding students engage in off-campus trips and activities.

• Adventures include visits to nearby mountains and cities.

Young Learners Daily Schedule:

• 07:45 - Boarding students wake up and start their morning routine.

• 08:00 - Boarding students have breakfast and make phone calls home (after the first week).

• 08:30 - Day students are dropped off.

• 08:40 - All students attend the Morning Meeting.

• 09:00 - Language classes begin.

• 10:30 - Morning activities and sports clubs.

• 12:15 - Lunchtime.

• 12:45 - Rest time.

• 13:45 - Tutti Singing session.

• 14:30 - STEAM Hour.

• 15:30 - Afternoon activities.

• 17:30 - Day students are picked up; boarding students have dinner.

• 18:00 - Evening activity (e.g., Cultural Night performances, water balloon Battleship, Dorm Party, Counselor Hide-and-Seek).

• 21:00 - Lights out for boarding students.

Topics your child can explore:

• English as an Additional Language (EAL): Immersive English learning with small classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced learners.

• Italian: Immersion in Ticino's culture and language, teaching practical vocabulary and phrases, suitable for beginning or intermediate learners.

• French: Introduction to various French-speaking cultures, focusing on vocabulary and confidence-building, for beginning or intermediate learners.

• Performing Arts: Professional instruction in singing, dancing, drama, musical theater, percussion, and ukulele, culminating in a performance at the Summer Arts Festival.

• STEAM: Daily sessions in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, emphasizing creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Pocket Money Advice: Cash or pre-arrival payments via credit card or bank transfer. Recommended CHF 40–50 weekly for children up to 10 years, CHF 80–100 for older students.

• Horseback Riding:

• Session One: CHF 400

• Session Two: CHF 300

• Paddleboarding (SUP):

• Session One: CHF 300

• Session Two: CHF 200

• Milan Academy Scuola Calcio:

• Session One: CHF 500

• Session Two: CHF 400

• Tennis Club:

• Session One: CHF 400

• Session Two: CHF 350

• Accommodation in a nurturing, structured environment

• Intensive courses in languages, visual and performing arts, academic writing, IB prep, and more

• Course materials, books

• Morning studies with one course focused on for four hours each weekday

• Afternoon play, explore and exercise with sports, arts, travel excursions, and outdoor adventures

• Excursions & trips to some of the most beautiful destinations in Switzerland and Italy

• Cultural excursions to some of Europe’s most beautiful locations

• Accident/health insurance

• Special sports available at a modest additional cost