Spain summer camp guide [2024]

Spain is a pretty magical destination, with great weather, fascinating cities and culture, and the opportunity to give your Spanish language a great boost. Plus, at an international summer camp you’ll be able to make new friends, learn new skills, and bring back unique memories.

This guide looks at some of the best summer camps in Spain to help you plan your vacation, or pick a perfect place for your child. Plus, to help make life easier when you travel, we’ll take a look at Wise - a cheap and easy way to send, spend, hold and exchange 40+ currencies, with the mid-market exchange rate.

The magic of summer camp in Spain

The key attraction for a summer camp in Spain is likely to be the opportunity to learn Spanish to a high level, surrounded by native speakers. Some camps have an exclusive focus on language learning and also offer homestays so students can practice speaking and listening at any time they like.

Some providers also offer specific exam preparation classes, and courses which can run for many weeks.

Even if you’re not looking for language lessons specifically when you’re in Spain, the chances are that you (or your child) will pick up more Spanish simply through immersion in the country. Win win.

How much do summer camps in Spain cost?

The costs of a summer camp in Spain can vary a lot depending on the location, accommodations and what’s included. If you’re thinking of a language immersion camp, a provider like EF®¹ offers camps from 2 weeks long, which can cost from about 1,300 USD, depending on the accommodation type selected.

For multi-activity and outdoor activity camps, an option like Pyrene Summer Camps®² which has tented accommodation, costs around 500 EUR a week, which is about 540 USD at the time of writing.

Deciding on the best summer camp experience

There’s no single best summer camp in Spain - there are many different camp providers, locations and programs which can suit different students. Some camps take kids as young as 5, while others cater for older students through to university level.

Choosing the best experience for yourself or your child will take some research - but most summer camp providers have lots of information online, including easy ways to get key details to decide if they’re right for you.

This guide covers a few good places to start, depending on whether you’re thinking of an adventurous summer, an academic one, or something in between.

What makes a summer camp stand out?

All international summer camps offer excellent opportunities for campers to make new friends and meet people from around the world.

Camps that really stand out tend to have attractive programs - whether that’s in terms of a range of activities, or depth of study and cultural immersion.

Look out for camps which provide a full program of activities including excursions, sports and cultural exposure to make the most of the vacation.

Understanding the value of cultural immersion

Spain has a fascinating and rich culture which campers will be able to experience during their time there. Some camps offer museum visits, tapas tours and excursions to historic sites - but even where camps don’t have such an explicit focus on culture, campers are sure to learn about the country, region and language.

It’s also useful to know that summer camps in Spain attract students from all over the world - so as well as learning more about Spain, the chances are that your child will come back with friends from a range of other countries and exposure to plenty of different cultures.

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Practical information for parents

Getting prepared to send your child to summer camp? Traveling to Europe is a big deal, but with advance preparation you’ll be able to relax in the knowledge they’re having an amazing time somewhere new.

Enrollment and preparation checklist

Here are a few things to think about when getting yourself or a family member all ready for a summer camp in Spain:

Double check you (or your child) hold a valid passport - visas aren’t usually needed as long as you’ll be in Spain for under 90 days³ Arrange flights and any travel or accommodation not covered by the camp Buy travel insurance to cover the trip - camps are likely to have some insurance in place, but you can never be too careful Check out your options for a local cell phone SIM or US roaming plan to ensure you have continuous access to data and calls Open a Wise Account to manage currency conversion to EUR conveniently and make fast and easy payments for camp and other costs Connect with other campers, parents and the camp community if you have questions Get a packing list based on the activities included - remember things like prescription medication which may be hard to access once in Europe

Peace of mind for the parents: safety and communication

Before you choose a summer camp in Spain it’s worth researching the provider to make sure they’ve got a good reputation. You may be able to get word of mouth feedback - but sites like Trustpilot® are also a super helpful resource, with live reviews from previous customers.

It’s also worth checking directly with the provider you pick what the provisions are for communication with parents once your child is away from home.

Camps have different approaches to parental communication, which can vary based on the age of the student, so getting some detailed information will help you decide if the camp is right for your family.

What are the best summer camps in Spain?

There are lots of options for summer camps in Spain, from tents under the stars, to homestays, with activities from hiking to language and cultural immersion.

Whether you’re in Spain to learn survival skills or to sample all the tapas you can eat, there’s a great option out there for you. Here are a couple you might want to check out.

Sotogrande International Camps

Sotogrande International Camps®⁴ offer various options including elite coaching for tennis, polo and golf, and multi-activity camps for children as young as 5.

In multi-activity camps, campers pick one sport to focus on from the range provided, as well as a language, and cover these as well as a full program of activities. Students are accommodated in the international boarding house in shared rooms.

Pyrene Summer Camp

Girona is home to Pyrene Summer Camps², which cover 6 different camps over 5 weeks in the summer, with activities such as trekking, bike riding and horse riding on offer.

It’s been operating since 2010, and has different camps split by age group, from 7 years old through to 18. Some camps are also split according to proficiency in a particular skill such as horse riding, to ensure all campers can learn at their own pace.

EF

EF¹ offers language learning courses in Barcelona, housed in the EF center, which is in the district of Eixample. Students can take general tuition summer courses from 2 weeks long, and choose to stay with a family for full immersion, or on campus if they’d rather be with other campers.

EF has a broad range of course types to suit different needs, and also offers excursions, cultural activities and a full program of activities. EF courses in Spanish are also available in Malaga.

International camp FAQs

Let’s work through a few more common questions about the best summer camps in Spain for US citizens.

What activities are available for children at summer camps in Spain?

Spain has lots of different summer camp options, from sleeping under the stars and learning outdoor survival skills, to language lessons and cultural immersion.

There are also lots of sports based camps which go to an elite level, and multi-activity options for campers who want to try a bit of everything.

How does summer camp in Spain help with language learning?

Many Spanish summer camps are specifically set up for learning Spanish. However, this is not the only option - campers can also choose lots of other activities.

Even where a camp isn’t fully focused on learning Spanish, campers will be surrounded by Spanish speakers which means the chances of improving language acquisition are pretty high.

Are summer camps in Spain suitable for Americans?

Yes. Spanish summer camps are run by large and reputable providers, which are safe to use and which appeal to people from all over the world.

The opportunity to learn Spanish while experiencing a whole range of activities particularly appeals to many US families.

What sets Spain's summer camps apart from others?

The obvious draw for Spanish summer camps is the opportunity to learn Spanish - whether that’s by attending language lessons and living with a local family, or simply by being surrounded by others who speak the language.

However, Spain also has a rich culture and history, exciting cities, beautiful nature and a great summer climate - all adding to the unique experience of a summer camp in Spain.

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Use this guide to decide whether or not a summer camp in Spain is right for you or your child - and check out Wise as well, for easy ways to make payments in euros, with low fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

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Sources:

1. EF
2. Pyrene Summer Camp
3. Spanish government - study visas
4. Sotogrande International Camps

Sources checked on 03.12.2024