Kids Activities, Programs and Summer & Winter Camps

Program ( = Featured )	Ages	Specialty	Type	Languages / Type
EF Education Warszawa	13 to 99	Language Studies	Overnight camp	English, French, German, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Spanish Language Studies
MWS Student Camps Montréal, Toronto	7 to 18	Language Studies	Day camp, Overnight camp	English, French Language Studies
MathRiders Gdynia, Lublin, Warszawa	2 to 19	Math	After-school classes	Polish Math

On this page:

1. Fit with the child
2. Program and its real structure
3. Staff and safety
4. Group size
5. Communication with parents

It is worth looking not only at the offer of summer camps and extracurricular activities, but above all at how well they match the child’s needs. Our guide helps parents find additional activities and extracurricular programs for children and teenagers.

What are the main types of summer camps?

Non-public schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, either integrated into the daily curriculum or held outside regular lessons. Parents want their children to spend their free time in an engaging way, learning new skills while also relaxing. That is why many families choose to send their children to camps during the holiday period.

Below are the most important and popular types of holiday programs.

Day camps

Day camps are a form of daytime activities where children spend time in a peer group but return home in the evening.

Key features of day camps:

most often designed for younger children
shorter activity blocks
an introduction to organized holiday programs

Day camps work well as a “first step” toward more independent travel experiences.

Overnight camps

These are traditional camps where children stay away from home, often for several days or weeks. They are usually organized in mountains, by the sea, or near lakes—places that provide close contact with nature. Increasingly, non-public schools also organize trips to other cities or even abroad. This allows children and teenagers to discover new places and different cultures.

Key features of overnight camps:

greater independence (better suited for older children and teenagers)
more intensive activity programs
building peer relationships
learning to function without constant parental presence

This is an experience that often has a strong impact on a child’s social and emotional development. It is advisable for a child to attend day camps before participating in an overnight camp. This gradual exposure to time spent away from home helps build social skills, independence, and confidence.

Language programs and courses

Intensive language programs are also very popular. They usually take the form of trips abroad and are mainly aimed at older children, teenagers, and students.

Such programs enable fast and effective language learning through deep immersion—the learning process happens through everyday exposure to the language and culture of the country. This not only accelerates language acquisition and understanding of nuances but also provides insight into a different culture.

Individual and small-group activities

In addition to day camps and overnight camps, non-public schools often offer more individualized forms of activities.

The most popular include:

Individual recreational and developmental activities – 1:1 learning or training with an instructor, e.g. swimming, tennis, music, visual arts, or foreign languages. These are ideal for children who need a calmer pace and full personalization of learning.
Semi-individual activities (small groups) – small groups of a few participants that combine individual attention with early teamwork experience, e.g. mini language camps, STEM workshops, or small artistic programs.
Flexible day activities – short, modular activities that can be booked selectively, e.g. museum workshops, science center activities, creative or sports classes held in a drop-in system.
Hybrid home-based holidays with individual activities – a model combining staying at home with selected weekly activities, such as individual training sessions, language lessons, or thematic meetings, offering high scheduling flexibility.

How to choose a good summer camp?

The offer of camps is very broad and, following the principle that not every form of holiday suits every child, it is worth paying attention to several key factors.

1. Fit with the child

Not every camp is suitable for every child. Consider:

age and level of independence
temperament (calm vs. highly active child)
previous travel experience.

2. Program and its real structure

It is important to check not only the theme of the camp, but also how much time is devoted to activities, whether there is space for rest, and whether the program is varied. Review the exact schedule and consider whether the child or teenager will cope with the structure. Activities should be engaging but not overly rigid. Summer programs should support discipline and social skills while still allowing time for rest.

3. Staff and safety

Key questions include: who leads the activities? What experience do they have? What does childcare supervision look like in practice? People create the environment and atmosphere, so it is important to know who will be responsible for the children.

4. Group size

More does not always mean better. Smaller groups often provide:

greater attention from supervisors
better individual support
easier adaptation

This is especially important for children with more sensitive needs (e.g. neurodivergent or highly sensitive children), who may find large groups challenging.

5. Communication with parents

Communication is essential. A well-organized camp provides updates on the program, contact in case of difficulties, and a sense of safety for both children and parents.

What does a child gain from a camp?

A well-chosen camp is not just a way to spend the holidays. For children, it is a valuable developmental experience. Camps and holiday programs offer many benefits:

support the development of interests and spark new ones
break routine through a new environment
allow children to gain new knowledge and skills
lead to new and often lasting friendships and memories
provide mental and physical stimulation
strengthen independence and responsibility
build self-esteem through achieved successes
inspire creativity
build overall resilience
encourage active leisure and curiosity about the world

This form of spending time is a great opportunity to build important future skills.

Summary

Choosing a summer camp is a decision that should take into account both the child’s needs and their readiness for new experiences. A well-matched summer camp can become one of the most important holiday memories and a step toward greater independence.

For parents, it is often the only moment of rest during the year. It is therefore worth ensuring that this rest is peaceful. Holiday programs organized by private and non-public schools provide peace of mind for both parents and children. Because nothing tastes better than a morning coffee in silence, knowing that our children are in safe hands.

We invite you to explore summer activity offers and see what non-public schools provide during the holidays.

Cover image by Magnific: https://www.magnific.com

People who read this also viewed:

Worth reading

Free time: activities and camps for kids

Find a program for your child: after-school classes and extracurriculars, summer and winter camps

Camps & Programs

List of programs