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

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

• 🎓 Course Overview

This three-week summer day programme in southern Switzerland is designed for children aged 4–6. Families choose English, French or Italian as their child's main language, and children learn it through small, speaking-focused classes, songs, movement and hands-on play. The rest of the day is filled with arts and crafts, music, cooking, outdoor play and weekly field trips around the Lugano area. Families can choose a Standard Day (08:45–15:00) or an Extended Day (08:45–17:30), Monday to Friday.

📚 Academic Content

Language Classes

Classes are small and focus on speaking. Teachers use movement and hands-on activities to introduce basic vocabulary, which children then use on trips and outings. Children also practise early writing and may learn to read simple sentences in their chosen language.

STEAM, Arts & Music

A STEAM-certified teacher leads a weekly STEAM lesson during language class time, with more science, technology, engineering, arts and maths activities spread across the week. Arts, music and dance are part of every week, including an interactive music class each day.

Play-Based Learning

Choice time offers outdoor play focused on gross motor skills, such as the playground, sandbox and football, and indoor teacher-led sensory and art activities focused on fine motor skills. Special themed events include a Pirate Day, a Renaissance Fair and a Science Fair.

📍 Campus & Location

The programme is based at Al Focolare, the Early Childhood Centre about 200 metres downhill from the main school campus in Montagnola, in the municipality of Collina d'Oro just above Lugano. The area offers views of mountains and Lake Lugano, and young children have their own dedicated building, playground and outdoor spaces. Registration on arrival day takes place at Al Focolare, Via Bora di Besa 9, Collina d'Oro.

🏫 Accommodation & Meals

This is a day programme only; no boarding is offered for this age group. Children receive a morning snack and a three-course lunch each day, with an afternoon snack in the extended schedule.

🚌 Excursions & Activities

Weekly field trips explore the local area, with past destinations including an Alpine farm, a nature walk in the Montagnola woods, downtown Lugano, the Swissminiatur park, the Bellinzona castles and a beekeeping visit, as well as trips across Ticino to museums, falconry displays and organic farms. On campus, children enjoy arts and crafts, group games, singing, cooking and playground time. Extended Day children also take part in afternoon clubs, walks, science projects and, on Wednesdays, water games.

⏰ A Day in the Life

• 08:45 — Arrival

• 09:10 — Language classes

• 10:30 — Snack

• 10:50 — Morning meeting

• 11:00 — Indoor and outdoor activities

• 12:00 — Interactive music class

• 12:30 — Three-course lunch

• 13:15 — Mindfulness activities

• 13:30 — Rest time

• 14:30 — Story time and activities

• 15:00 — Standard Day children depart

• 15:30 — Afternoon clubs (Wednesdays: water games), snack and free play

• 17:30 — Extended Day children depart

2027 Dates & Fees 📅

The programme runs in two three-week sessions, Monday to Friday. Families register on the first day of the session (10:00–16:00), and classes begin the following day. Fees are quoted in Swiss francs (CHF).

• Session One: Sunday 27 June – Friday 16 July — Length: 3 weeks — Extended Day: CHF 4,500 — Standard Day: CHF 3,500

• Session Two: Monday 19 July – Saturday 7 August — Length: 3 weeks — Extended Day: CHF 4,500 — Standard Day: CHF 3,500

Payment: a non-refundable deposit of CHF 1,500 secures a place, and the balance is due by 15 May 2027 (later enrolments must be paid in full within seven days of the invoice). Cancellations before 15 May may receive a tuition refund minus the deposit; after that, enrolment is binding and there are no refunds for absence, withdrawal or dismissal except in documented emergencies. Optional sports and trips are non-refundable after arrival.

Other costs: if an airline's unaccompanied-minor service is booked, a CHF 200 chaperone fee applies. Suggested pocket money is CHF 40–50 per week.

✔️ What's Included

• Tuition: three weeks of language classes, STEAM, arts, music and activities.

• Meals: morning snack and three-course lunch (plus afternoon snack on the extended schedule).

• Trips: weekly local field trips.

Not included: health and accident insurance (families provide their own or non-Swiss residents may apply for the school plan), transport to and from school and personal spending. There is no programme on Saturdays or Sundays.

🛡️ Safety & Welfare

Young children have their own early-childhood building and follow a calm, structured routine with snack times, mindfulness and a rest period after lunch. Four- and five-year-olds may try the Extended Day but can be moved to the Standard Day if it is not a good fit. The programme is not equipped to support children who need one-to-one support for special needs.

The on-campus Health Center is staffed by three nurses providing round-the-clock care, and the Civico Hospital in Lugano is about 15 minutes away for emergencies. Boarding students who are not Swiss residents are covered by the school's health and accident insurance plan, which has no deductibles (dental and eye care are not covered); Swiss residents and day students need their own policy, although non-Swiss day students can apply to join the plan.

💡 Who This Programme Is For

This programme suits sociable 4–6-year-olds who do well in group settings and are ready for a first taste of a new language through play. It is ideal for local and visiting families who want a nurturing, structured summer day programme near Lugano, with the flexibility of a shorter or longer day.

TASIS The American School In Switzerland — Google Maps ↗

Via Collina d'Oro 15, 6926 Montagnola, Switzerland Google Maps ↗