By Kate Lau
After Easter break children are slowly heading to the end of the school year, which means the start of summer holidays in less than 2 months. For those who are in public schools parents should have already received a colourful leaflet from the Canton, outlining the different organizations that offer summer day camps / camps. For those who have not, you may click in here for the month of July and August.
While the publications already offer a wide range of ideas, it surely could not list all activities available in the market and neither can this article. Yet, below are a few less advertised but worth considering activities if you run out of ideas or if your children would like to try something new:
| On the right bank | On the left bank | |
| Arts / Creativity | Godzillab | Ateliers de Cosette |
| Circus | Cirquenbulle | Théâtre-Cirqule Cirquenchêne (some sessions are already full) |
| Climbing | Totem | Antecimes |
| Hockey | UGS Hockey | |
| Multi-sports / Multi-activity | Centre Sportif de Versoix Girlissima (only for girls) | Club PolySport |
| Music | CroquNotes | Ecole Jacot |
| Nature | La Libellule | La Coccinelle |
| Science | X Labs Geneva | Futurekids |
| Soccer | CS Interstar | FC Champel |
| Water sports | Club Nautique de Versoix
| Rafting-Loisirs |
I am a mother of three children who participated to some of the activities listed above and was mostly positively impressed.
Space is limited due to sanitary restrictions so there might already be a waiting list for some sessions. Having said that, one should not hesitate to enquire about accommodation for food allergies, sibling / multiple weeks discount or extended pick up arrangements before enrolment.
It may seem obvious but in this period of uncertainty you have to read thoroughly the terms and conditions, especially when it comes to cancellation (including “force majeure” and absences) before signing anything. Like in Canada, the contract spirit is honoured very much in Switzerland. In addition the young participants should be covered by their own third party liability insurance as well as accident.
Many entrepreneurs have been negatively impacted by COVID and I sadly learnt that one who ran a holiday day camps had to close its doors recently. Now that international travel is still discouraged day/half day camps seem a great fit for children to discover other activities and develop new friendships. It is not unusual that after the great experience they have during the summer, they may return as regular participants for weekday sessions in the next academic year. After all, “having fun” is a shared interest!
