Summer Camps 2018: Sassy Mama’s Ultimate Guide

It’s already time to book for summer!

We love summer; the beach, taking some time out with family, not having to do the school run. But it’s a long four, five, or six weeks of trying to keep the kids entertained and active, all while making sure they don’t forget their studies and still have the “Best. Summer. Evaah!”! For all these reasons, we’re big fans of summer camps. They add a meaningful element to a child’s holiday and keep them out of your hair (for a little while, at least) so you can get on with your lives, business as usual. We’ve rounded up those with day camp options, flexible timetables and overnight stays, giving you something for everyone on our mammoth list of 2018 summer camps!

Editor’s note: If there’s something that you think we’ve missed, especially camps and courses that cater to children with special needs, feel free to drop us an email at [email protected]. 

Learn
Languages
Theatre, Music, & Creative Arts
Sports & Adventure
Technology

Learn

Silicon Valley BizWorld Entrepreneurship Summer Camp
This one is for all the little CEOs and VPs out there! Kids will be given their own position within their company (CEO, CFO, CMO, etc) and get the chance to run their own businesses and budgets. Children will practice negotiation, persuasion, communication and presentation skills when they pitch to “investors”, present their promotional commercials and sell their products in their own sales bazaar, which is always a huge hit. While having fun and getting creative, students will build their leadership, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. And since most kids think money just grows on trees, these camps are a great way to teach them about budgets and the financial world. They’ll become financially literate while also learning to manage their (let’s face it, your) money better. 

This parent and teacher favourite camp is one that will not only enhance your child’s education but will also benefit your child for years to come. It’s been delivered to more than 680,000 students from more than 100 countries since 1997, so you know it’s tried and tested thoroughly. If you’re still not sure if this is the right camp your child, Kids Biz will be hosting several, casual, coffee chat sessions where you can learn more from the organisers in person.

Sassy Mama’s readers who attend one of the free coffee chat sessions can enjoy a $300 discount when they enrol their child into the BizWorld Entrepreneurship summer camp by 26 May. Coffee chat sessions will be on 5, 12, 19 and 26 May in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, see more details here. Simply mention that Sassy Mama sent you and Kids Biz will give you the discount code.

Age: 8 to 11 and 11 to 14
When: Seven two-week camps and one one-week camp will run between July and August.
Where: Kowloon Tong (Australian International School); Ho Man Tin (King George V School);Pok Fu Lam (West Island School); and Sheung Wan (Co-working space, Naked Hub)
How much: Regular camp fee $6,680 per student. Group discounts are available. Enrol here.
Contact:  6996 8915 (Call or WhatsApp), [email protected], www.kidsbizacademy.com 

ARCH Education INSPIRE Summer Program
ARCH Education is a leading educational institute based in Hong Kong and have been guiding Hong Kong students to getting into the world’s top schools and universities since it was founded in 2009 by Oxbridge and Ivy League graduates. This summer it will host its INSPIRE Summer Program where students aged 8 to 11 will receive the complete boarding school experience without having to step on a plane! ARCH is bringing experienced educators from top US and UK boarding schools right to Hong Kong for your convenience. Sounds a lot easier than having to arrange a trip abroad just for a school taster session!

If your child has a nosy streak, they’ll love the theme of this year’s camp: “Junior Detectives – Improbable & Impossible”, where students will enjoy a combination of classes in humanities, STEM and drama to discover the world of Sherlock Holmes and investigate forensic evidence when learning about modern-day crime fighters. On top of that they will also get the chance to learn how to swing and serve like a pro with coaching from world-class golf and tennis coaches.

At the end of the day, boarding school isn’t for everyone, but this camp still looks like a great way to keep the kids entertained this summer! They will receive an all-rounded education for their 10-day stay and will have a blast playing detective with their new crime-fighting friends!

Age: 8 to 11
When: 1 to 10 August
Where: Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy
How much: $49,000
Contact: www.arch-education.com

Malvern Little Star Summer Camp
We know that your child is a little star, and this summer they can shine with other little stars at Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (MCPS)! We simply love the flexibility of this camp. Just because the kids break up for summer doesn’t mean that we do, so Malvern College is offering three separate weekly sessions, in either the morning or afternoon, to best suit your summer schedule.

Treating your children as the stars they are, the summer courses will introduce them to basic drama and stage performance concepts, teach them how to develop their performance skills with fun games, and encourage them to interact with others in customised group activities. This camp is a great opportunity to help children develop their communication and language skills, and will especially set them up well if they’re starting school in September. And because your kids deserve the best, and you deserve peace of mind, you can rest assured they will be in good hands; learning from experienced teachers, coaches and experts, from outside provider E.L.S.A.

Age: 2 to 5 
When: Three programs on offer:  9 to 13 July, 16 to 20 July, 23 to 27 July
Where: Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong Campus, G09-12, Coronation Circle, 1 Yau Cheung Road, Southwest Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $3,900 each session, per week.
Contact: Register via [email protected] and send a cheque payable to “Malvern College Pre-School Limited” on or before 8 June. Please note that registration is on a first come first served basis and spaces are limited. www.malvernpreschool.hk

IMS Summer Fun Programme 2018
Ni Hao! Are you looking to help your kid improve their Mandarin skills this summer?  Then why not try IMS’s Summer Fun 2018 Programme? The programme is open to all children ages 3 to 9 with two convenient locations on Hong Kong Island. This course is divided into four, two-week sessions with four elective course: English Immersion, Mandarin Immersion, English Read & Write and Montessori Mathematics. So this camp is also a great option if you are wanting to learn more about the Montessori system!

Montessori teachers are famed for their knowledge and experience in the classroom, whether that’s in English or Putonghua. Language immersion is one of the best ways to learn a language and we think this camp will help your child get to grips with Mandarin quickly and in a fun, exciting way – and hey – it certainly doesn’t hurt to be bilingual in Hong Kong!

Age: 3 to 9
When: 3 July to 24 August 2018
Where:  The International Montessori School, Mid-Levels Campus (age 3-6), Mezzanine Entrance, Tung Fai Gardens, 17 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; South Horizons Campus (age 3-9), G/F, Blocks 23 to 23A, South Horizons, Phase III, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
How much: Prices start at HK$4950
Contact: 2857 7007, [email protected], www.ims.edu.hk 

Safari Kid
Safari Kid offers children the chance to imagine they’re off exploring far-flung corners of the world and brings the wild world to them thanks to its six-week summer camp series, perfect for kids aged 12 months to six years. You may have already heard of Safari Kid, it has locations in the USA, Canada, UK, Malaysia, Dubai and of course Hong Kong (opened in 2014). Although it’s a global enterprise, Safari Kid still thinks on an individual basis and creates customised curriculums which bring out the best in every student. There’s something for everyone and will keep your little ones on their toes as each week brings a new animal-themed topic. Your child can get involved with the Commotion In The Ocean, learning about water habitats with sensory play. There’s the Vet Camp where kids can learn all about how to take care of their pets and the importance they play in our communities. And there’s Nature Exploration, where explorers will learn how preservation of our environment is an important issue for the coming generation. There’s plenty more on offer too, there are half day and full day options and Accompanied Explorer classes available for 1 to 2 year olds, so guardians can join in on the fun too! There will be a break from all the animal exploration for an hour each morning as Sports4Kids will have everyone up and moving with its multi-sport classes. To make things extra easy, there is a school bus available from most Western and Southern districts on HK Island.

Sassy Mama readers will receive 10% off when quoting “SassyHK2018” on the enrolment form.

Age: 1 to 6
When: Times and dates vary depending on age group: Ages 2 to 6: 3 July to 10 August; Ages 1 to 2: 30 July to 10 August. Monday to Friday. Six weeks total, minimum enrolment of two weeks.
Where: L101 Chi Fu Landmark, Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
How much: Ages 2 to 6, 9am to 12pm: $2500/week, 9am to 3pm: $3000/week. Ages 1 to 2, 2 days/week Accompanied Explorer:  $1400 (2 weeks), 3 days/week Accompanied Explorer: $1950 (2 weeks)
Contact: www.safarikidinternational.com

Proactive Learning SuperCamp
SuperCamp isn’t your standard summer camp. Designed for tweens and teens, this 5-day, 4-night overnight camp is focused on enhancing your child’s academic, leadership, communication and relationship skills while boosting their confidence, motivation and character direction, setting your child up for future success in both school and life!

Age: 10 to 14
When: 22 July to 26 July
Where: Noah’s Ark Hotel and Resort, 33 Pak Yan Road, Ma Wan, New Territories
How much: $17,000 (Includes all meals, accommodation and t-shirt. Discounts are offered to groups, returning students and enrolment before 15 May.)
Contact: 3411 8584, [email protected], www.supercamp.com

More Educational Camps:
Jumpstart
Typhoon Club
Highgate House
Eton House
Kornhill International Kindergarten
F.I.S.H at The Harbour School

Languages

Southside Mandarin
Just because school has ended doesn’t mean learning should be put on hold! Your little ones can continue their Chinese language learning by attending one of Southside Mandarin’s fun-filled camps!

Southside Mandarin’s camps are educational but never boring. The Chinese Fun Camp (ages 1.5 to 2.5) will have your tiny Mandarin speakers singing songs, enjoying sensory play, learning with flashcards and participating in fun games. Its Chinese Basics camp (ages 2.5 to 6) has 10 different themes each week and exposes children to Chinese culture through Wushu, Chinese dance, PTH Art, mini performances and optional field trips. For children between 7 and 12, they will focus on strengthening their language skills with critical reading and creative writing classes and enjoy the various STEM projects taught in PTH.

 Sassy Mama readers who enrol before 1 June will receive a 15% discount, or enrol before 1 July and receive a 10% discount.

Age: 1.5 to 12 years
When: 19 June through 31 August
Where: Southside Mandarin, Shop 106-107 One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
How much: Prices vary; click here to learn more.
Contact: www.southsidemandarin.com

Mini Mandarins
Who remembers their language lessons at school? Sitting in an old stuffy classroom, reciting from a tatty textbook, repeating what the teacher said in one looong monotonous drone; sound familiar? Thankfully, language classes have moved on since our time, well they have at Mini Mandarins at least! The best way to learn a language is practice, practice, practice, but the learning experience is elevated when language learning is put into real-life situations. This summer your little one can practice their Mandarin by immersing themselves in real-world, Mandarin-speaking scenarios without having to leave the city! Mini Mandarins has developed its own, extremely impressive “Mini Metro” play area, which includes a supermarket, construction site, a cha chaan teng, salon, farm and restaurant, so your kid can be chatting away in Putonghua as they go about their day. Not only is this adorable (sooo cute!) it’s an incredibly effective way for kids to connect with the language. This year, the play centres will be transformed into an airport and bakery, in collaboration with Hong Kong’s famous Kee Wah Bakery. The fun-filled summer workshops are 2.5 hours long and run daily.

Book now to receive a 10% discount and an extra 5% discount for afternoon sessions when you register before 31 May. Click here to register.

Age: 2.5 to 10
When: 11 June to 31 August 2018 (Monday to Friday), morning session: 9:30am to 12:00pm, afternoon session: 1:30pm to 4:00pm
Where: Central Campus: Room 1703 Universal Trade Centre, 3 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong; Causeway Bay Campus. 7F Capital Commercial Building, 26 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $800 per session
Contact: Central branch: 2320 5208, Causeway Bay Branch: 2320 1128 [email protected], [email protected], www.minimandarins.com

ESF Language Camp
If you’re little linguist needs some extra help with their English, ESF camps are guaranteed to help. The day camps will cover English phonics for younger children and tackle sentence structure and pesky grammar issues for older children. This summer there’s also a new Spanish language camp on offer,  as either a one-week or two-week option, so there’s plenty of opportunities to make new amigos! You can also combine these language classes with the ESF afternoon sports camp to create a full day, you know, just in case you want to guarantee the kids are good and wiped out before they come home. 

Age:  15 months to 13 years old
When:  9 July to 24 August
Where: Kowloon Junior School, Renaissance College, or South Island School
How Much: Prices start at $920 per camp. Discounts are available if you sign up for 2 weeks or longer.
Contact: 2711 1280, [email protected] , www.esf.org.hk

HK Kidz
HK Kidz believes that exposing your children to foreign languages at an early age gives them a huge advantage later in life. And we agree! After all, we are living in a bilingual society (trilingual for the show offs!). It offers summer language and activity camps for six different languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. There’s a whole heap of courses and different class combinations on offer: Summer Adventures, Drama & Music, Science & Discovery. You can even mix and match courses, letting your kid improve their French skills in the morning while practising their Mandarin in the afternoon. They will be full-blown polyglots (yes, we had to look up that word…) by the end of the summer. 

Age: 2 to 12
When:  3 July to 2 August
Where: Central Campus: 3/F Wellington Plaza, 56-58 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong; Wong Chuk Hang Campus: Units Level 3, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong.
How Much:  2877 6160 or [email protected] for pricing information. They also offer several discounts, so be sure to enquire.
Contact: 2877 6160 or [email protected], www.hkkidz.com

Alliance Française French Summer Day Camp
Où est la Piscine? Please excuse our French. If you’re looking for a place for your fils or filles to brush up on their French, look no further than Alliance Française. Students of various ages and levels can enjoy improving their French with superb native-French speaking teachers. For younger kids, there’s a week-long camp focused on exploring the world through the language of love. For teens, there are week-long immersion programmes, full of fun activities to keep them très très engaged. Alliance Française has also added comic book and cinema workshops to its afternoon lineup so your teen can spend their afternoons getting lost, exploring the world of French storytelling.

Age:  4 to 16
When: 9 July to 24 August
Where: G/F-3/F, 52 Jordan Road, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 1&2/F, 123 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How Much: $3,500 to $4,000 per week.
Contact: Wan Chai: 2527 7825, Jordan: 2730 3257, WhatsApp: 6153 8466, afhongkong.org

More Language Camps:
Mullberry House
Mandarin For Munchkins

Theatre, Music, & Creative Arts

Twinkle Dance
Jazz hands at the ready because Twinkle Dance is hosting a variety of classes, flexible packages and drop-ins to keep your kids on their toes (literally) this summer. Students aged 6 and over are invited to join the magical Disney parade performance. Yes, that’s right! Your little toe-tapper will have the chance to dance at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland Hong Kong! The package for this class includes all rehearsals and custom-made costumes; cameras at the ready for that one! This summer, there will also be the brand new “Pop Star Contemporary Jazz” classes which will be a hybrid of contemporary and lyrical jazz. In July, the ballet class themes are “Princesses” and “Pretty in Pink Barbie”, so students will have the chance to gracefully bring Barbie to life and emulate Hawaiian Disney princess, Moana, through their imagination, creativity, and new elegant moves. In August, the theme will be “Film Favourites” for its jazz workshops, and the first theme is “Wonder Woman” so girls and boys should expect some serious empowerment, channelling her strong moves into dance.  

Twinkle Dance doesn’t just teach dance prowess but their teaching focuses on contributing to childhood development, educating students with an innovative approach that focuses on providing a safe and fun environment for character development and self-expression. This will be the perfect camp if your little one could do with a confidence boost, they will learn amazing performance skills, stay fit, and learn how to work as a team, all while making their new best friends.

Enrol for the full term and pay before 31 May to receive 20% off (Disney parade workshop not applicable.)

Age: 18 months +
When: July – August
Where:  Causeway Bay: 9/F Capital Commercial Bld, 26 Leighton Road, Hong Kong; Central Rose Petal Studio, 801 Lansing House, 41-47 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong: Central Sugar Plum Studio, 801 Lansing House, 41-47; Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong; Wong Chuk Hang Studio: 801 Lansing House, 41-47 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: $2480/8 classes
Contact: www.twinkledance.com

Faust
Parents with a budding actor on their hands can help cultivate that passion at Faust’s popular and sought-after Summer Theatre and Creative Writing programmes. This is an amazing opportunity for your child to get a positive approach to learning while having a summer full of fun!

Your drama kings and queens are excited about their passion, so give them an outlet to express themselves! The Summer Theatre or Creative Writing summer classes at Faust are just the spot for them to discover the world of drama and creativity! Each of the week-long programmes (there will be new content every week, so your kids can do more than one!) aren’t just exciting – they will teach new skills, help your child make new friends and allow your kids to boost their confidence. In the Creative Writing camps (ages 6 to 13), teachers will help your little one develop a love for writing and teach them clever techniques to use when penning those stories. In Summer Theatre (ages 3 to 14), your thespian can sharpen their performance skills, express themselves and develop more confidence on stage. Enrol by 18 May to receive a 10% discount!

Age: Summer Theatre: 3 to 14, Creative Writing: 6 to 13
When: Summer Theatre: Monday through Friday, from 25 June to 24 August; 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm; Creative Writing: Monday through Friday from 25 June to 24 August, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4:30pm
Where: Creative Writing: Faust Studio, 5^th Floor, Nan Dao Commercial Building, 359 & 361 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Summer Theatre locations:
Faust Studio, 5^th Floor, Nan Dao Commercial Building, 359 & 361 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan
King George V School, 2 Tin Kwong Road, Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong
Discovery Bay International School, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $2,980 after 18 May; save 10% on all registrations if you register by 18 May 18th!
Contact: www.faustworld.com

Maggie & Rose Beach Club
We get it, mamas – when your kids express excitement about summer, you start to feel worried about all that free time they will have! Maggie & Rose is here to help – sign them up at Maggie & Rose Beach Club and they will enjoy three jam-packed hours of fun! While you enjoy a little quiet time (#necessary), the kids will be having the times of their lives at this fab drop-off camp. Best of all, it’s open to both members and non-members!

Maggie & Rose Beach Club was created with busy parents in mind. For one, the camp includes a full meal, snacks, games, activities and so much fun your child will be begging for more! Your little ones will love its summer camp themes, including Blue Planet, Art Factory, Alfresco, Bonkers Biology and The Great Race. Your children will be inspired and active all summer long.

Sassy Mama readers who book will be treated to one free coffee and pastry per booking when mentioning Sassy Mama.

Age: 4 to 8, open to members and non-members
When:  2 July to 24 August (kids are not able to use the club prior to or after camps)
Where: Maggie & Rose Beach Club, 3/F,  301 The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $810
Contact: Book now at [email protected] or check the timetable at www.maggieandrose.com.hk.

Rumple & Friends
It’s baaack! Rumple & Friends Summer Camp session is here! Featuring nine weeks of fun-filled sessions your little one will love! Got a kid who needs a nap? Not a problem! There are both morning and afternoon camps perfect for everyone’s schedule. Why not enrol your kids in a camp where they will make friends while learning new skills?

This summer programme features four different themes. Its signature course, “Magic and Circus”, teaches students to perform magic and circus tricks (they even get their own magic kit to take home!). “Treasure Hunters” is for little pirates and adventurer seekers – they’ll travel the world and learn to follow maps and find clues to locate a treasure! “Comic Book Crazy” is tailor-made for the comic book lover – kids can create their own superhero! “Around the world in 80 days” is for the traveller, where they can discover strange and fantastical lands, battle pirates, swim in the deepest oceans, and head up to space in this fun packed week! And, if you book before 12 May, you’ll get an early bird discount of 10% off!

Age: Ages 3 to 6 or 6 to 10, depending on morning or afternoon and which week. Check the schedule.
When: 25 June to 24 August, Monday to Friday; From 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm
Where: Rumple & Friends, 5B, 5/F, Kin On Commercial Building, 40-51 Jervis Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: One week: $2,500; Magic and Circus: $3,000 (inclusive of magic kit to take home)
Contact: [email protected] to book now!

Aspire Music
Think your Hong Kong idol needs a new place to exercise those pipes? Have them check out Aspire Music’s new camps where they can belt out those tunes (or write songs!) while exploring vocal technique, harmony and theory training. Even if they aren’t at Ariana Grande or Ed Sheeran level (yet!), they can still enjoy the various camps on hand here.

Kids can pick from Aspire Music’s various clubs that have been tailor-made for summer: The Singing Club (ages 4 and up) uses games, movement and interaction to explore vocal technique, harmony and theory training. They’ll learn how to apply those techniques and styling to popular songs. The Karaoke Club (ages 7 and up) is perfect for students who just want to have a great time while getting tips and basic vocal techniques to sing their favourite songs better (snacks and drinks during the “social time” are provided). The Boomwhacker Class (ages 5 to 9) uses “boomwhackers,” which are tuned, lightweight percussion tubes tuned to musical pitches by length. Here kids will play in a group setting and learn harmony and rhythm. The Digi Song Writing Class will have students working on their own iPads or MacBooks to create music (there is no need for music theory knowledge!) using Apple Loops within GarageBand.  

Age: Ranges from 4 and up, depending on the programme.
When: 2 July to 17 August
Where: Aspire Music, 10/F Anton Building, 1 Anton Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: From $200 to $2000 depending on the camp (10% off if you sign up for two or more classes)
Contact: www.aspiremusic.com.hk

Starlit Voice Speech and Drama
Do you have a diva on your hands who needs some time to refine their performance skills? Starlit Voice Speech and Drama Summer Camp will help your little one shine with its diverse team of experienced professional practitioners with backgrounds in professional theatre, television, film and education. The courses are week-long sessions and focus on three main masterclass areas: Drama Performance, Musical Theatre and Performing Shakespeare. Students will walk away as fully developed thespians, with an in-depth knowledge of essential performing techniques and the confidence to express their ideas creatively. The team behind this camp, really are top-notch with experts in drama, musical theatre and the stage, which means that this is the best option out there if your child (especially older kids!) is wanting to receive a well-rounded theatre experience.

Ages: 7 to 14
When: 3 July to 3 August
Where: Canadian International School Hong Kong
How much: Prices start at HK$2240
Contact: starlitvoice.com

West End Stage
We’re super excited about West End’s week-long, intensive summer masterclass, because it offers a unique and thrilling opportunity to all aspiring thespians! Taught by experienced and professional West End performers (straight outta the UK!), this intensive performing arts and musical theatre camp is one every actor will love!

In its small-sized classes (so actors get individualised attention), kids will learn some of the West End’s biggest hits while developing performing arts skills. They’ll learn top musical hits and choreography from blockbuster plays including the record-breaking Hamilton, Legally Blonde and Wicked. And parents get to see the fruits of their labour at a final performance, which will be in a professional theatre in a West End themed showcase!

Parents, if your child needs a little help focusing and concentrating, this is a great, fun way to help them achieve that goal. They’ll also get a confidence boost (imagine hearing all the applause!), and improve their communication and speech skills. Best of all, they’ll learn the most important lesson of all: how to work as a team!

Just for Sassy Mama readers! When filling out the registration form, type in promotional code SASSYWES for a $2,000 discount!

Age: 8 to 18
When: 16 July to 21 July
Where: Lee Shau Kee Multimedia Theatre, 135 Junction Rd, Kowloon Tsai, Hong Kong
How much: $9900 (Regular Price)
Contact: starlitvoice.com

More Creative Camps:
Little Picasso
Kids Gallery
Banana Art Club
The Rock School
Complete Deelite Baking and Cake Decorating
The Mixing Bowl
Colour My World

Sports & Adventure

Minisport Day and Private Camps
For over six years now, Minisport has been helping children aged 1.5 to 9 years-olds progress through its exciting age-appropriate sports programmes. We love that the focus is on small classes at this camp which means your child gets plenty of attention and care to help them develop technically but also, and most importantly, have shed loads of fun! Its dedication to small groups and good ratios is something we think will help little campers have the times of their lives! If your little one is a bundle of energy but doesn’t know which sport is for them, then this is the perfect place for them to receive introductory training in all sports from football and tennis to yoga, basketball, athletics, and team building; these camps are fast paced and will have your kids not wanting to leave at the end of the day! If you can’t make it to the camp or your child doesn’t feel comfortable with new people, Minisport also offers private camps! Gather up to eight friends and Minisport will send one of its passionate and experienced coaches (plus all the equipment you’ll ever need) to you!

 Super early bird discount (15% off) ends 21 May. Limited early bird spaces available at each venue.

Age: 1.5 to 9 years old
When: 4 day camps from 3 July  to 9 August
Where: Victoria Park, AIA Vitality Park, Pok Fu Lam, or on your doorstep!
How much: Before early bird discount: $2,200 per child, $3,900 for two children, $5,300 for 3 children. (Discounts are not exclusive to siblings and can be used by one child for multiple weeks!)
Contact: WhatsApp: 6183 7084, www.minisport.hk

Strive Fitness
Don’t let the name fool you here, yes, the camp will help your child strive for fitness but its main goal is to instil a love of sports in them and show them how to build a solid foundation for movement. You may have already heard of Strive Fitness if you live on the south side, it’s developed its own community of sporty south-siders and is famed for training youth and elite athletes to high performing levels and across internationally competitive arenas.

If Dad likes to terrorise the kids across the playground, the days of him out running them might be outnumbered thanks to these camps. For the little ones (6 to 12), the idea is to get them as active as possible with fun games and activities to help build their speed, agility, balance, coordination and gross motor skills. They will be having so much fun though they won’t realise that they are also building their confidence, teamwork and leadership skills too! Expect some very tired kids on your hands at the end of the day. Older tweens and teens (13 to 19) aren’t left out of the fun and games, as there will also be introductory workshops on strength and conditioning training to enhance athletic performance in a safe and controlled way. This would be an excellent and worthwhile experience for any budding athletes out there looking to improve their game, whatever their game may be. We’re also loving that there’s a discount for siblings (who doesn’t love a discount?); receive 10% off the camp fee for your second child who signs up.

Age: Two age groups each week, 6 to 12 years old and 13 to 19 years old.
When: 2 July to 17 August
Where: Strive Fitness, Cyberport
How much: Ages 6 to 12: $500 per day, $2250 per week, ages 13 to 19: $350 per day, $1500 per week
Contact: www.strivefitnesshk.com

YMCA Jungle Adventure Camps
Got a child that’s always on the go, go, go? Enrol them in the day-long YMCA camp this summer and let them expend that energy fully! We know sometimes a half day of activities just won’t cut it, which is why YMCA created this day-long camp for kids ages 5 to 7. Your little ones will partake in many fun-filled activities like learning to cook and creating art projects. They will also be burning off steam through sports climbing, playing water games, enjoying day-out trips and more!

Focusing on its core values and foundational pillars of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, YMCA has a camp for every child! YMCA has specially designed the camp programme to help little ones build confidence, character and core skills, so by the time it comes round to starting school again in September, you’ll have a happy, self-assured, go-getter on your hands. They will learn invaluable skills and values- through games, arts, activities and discussions. Children are taught to work as a team, be respectful of others, and be mindful of any impact they have on each other. The highly professional team at YMCA camps will guarantee that your child will have a meaningful summer and will help mould your little adventurer into a leader of tomorrow!

Age: 5 to 7 years
When: 2 July through 31 August, from 8:30am to 4:30pm
Where: YMCA of Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui); Hong Kong Football Club (Causeway Bay); Hong Kong Red Cross Headquarters (West Kowloon); China Congregational Church (Causeway Bay)
How much: $3580 to $3800 (for members) to $3700 to $3920 (for non members)
Contact: 2268 7079, www.ymcahk.org.hk

Cultural Academy of Hong Kong (CAHK)
You want to make sure your kids are learning from the best of the best, which is why we think The Cultural Academy of Hong Kong is truly worth a look. It has teamed up with Harrow International School Hong Kong to offer a unique, immersive boarding experience for summer 2018. Sports fanatics and Broadway babies will thrive here! The 14-day Comparative Arts & Sports programme (29 July to 12 August 2018) allows students age 8 to 15 to enjoy a multifaceted programme of sports, music, etiquette, visual and performing arts taught by award-winning professionals. So not only will kids get the chance to sharpen their artistic talents and sporting skills, they’ll also gain important life lessons in etiquette, putting them ahead of the game in any social setting (something we adults struggle to master!). Sweaty palms and awkward silences? Not for these kids.

By boarding at the school kids will gain independent living experience, and boost their self-reliance and responsibility skills (hey, who knows – they might start doing their own washing when they get home!). The result? Confident kids. And as you might expect, the facilities at Harrow Hong Kong are anything short of impressive. Its amazing lineup of educational professionals on hand include Olympians and past participants of the Asian Games! These top pros will become mentors in competitive swimming, self-defence, basketball, tennis, fencing, TRX and yoga. To soften that competitive edge, students will also get the chance to discover their untapped artistic skills, as they learn music appreciation, art history, take part in practical art and dance workshops and even perform and direct their own musical productions. The expertise behind this camp really does give it the “wow” factor.

Age: 8 to 15
When: 29 July to 12 August 2018
Where: Harrow International School, Hong Kong
How much: $38,000 per student
Contact: [email protected], WhatsApp/WeChat: 9221 9512

Warrior Hong Kong
Time to put up your dukes because Hong Kong’s go-to martial arts and fitness gym is offering a summer camp for your little warrior. It doesn’t matter if it’s Muay Thai or boxing, it’s the principles behind the sport that will stay with kids long after the summer ends. Yes, martial arts can keep you fighting fit but they can also teach a whole heap of important life skills. At Warrior’s summer camp, your young southpaw will work on his or her physical and mental development through specially curated, age-appropriate games and activities. Each session focuses on a different theme: social interaction and communication, confidence building, creativity and problem solving, leadership and mindfulness. To keep good teacher-class ratios, spaces are limited so sign up now!

 The special early bird enrolment discount has been extended for Sassy Mama readers  – sign up before Saturday, 30 June to get 10% off the enrolment fee! Simply email the WHK team at [email protected] with the code WHKSMM to receive the discount.

Age: 6 to 9 and 10 to 13
When: From 9 July to 24 August
Where: Warrior Hong Kong, 3/F Bock C, 8 Watson Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong
How Much: Prices start at $2,000 for one week
Contact: 2512 2262, [email protected], www.warriorhongkong.com/summercamp 

Shanghai Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
If you’re interested in introducing your kid to a different type of martial art, we think you should consider Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This martial art uses leverage and technique to control an opponent – there is absolutely no striking involved in the training, which makes it ideal for children to learn and enjoy safely. Sure, this is a style of combat fighting, but students are taught to think logically in their movements instead of flying into a fight with guns blazing. This camp offers an exciting summer ahead for those with boundless energy and will build confidence, teach conflict-resolution strategies, self-discipline and boost overall fitness. Instead of practising wrestling moves on their siblings at home, students will love learning how to grapple safely through the different fighting styles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Gymnastics lessons are incorporated into the camp, too, and they’ll also throw some self-defence and agility work into the mix to make sure your mini fighter is extra lean and mean.

Age: 4 to 8 and 8 to 12
When: Monday, 16 July to Friday, 31 August 2018
Where: No. 1-3, Ping On Lane, Hong Kong
How Much: $1500 per week (plus the cost of uniform if you don’t have a Gi – book in for three consecutive weeks to receive a free one!)
Contact: 2666 0233, [email protected], www.shbjjhk.com

Treasure Island Surf and Adventure Camp
Treasure Island offers two kinds of summer camps for your intrepid explorers: surf and adventure. During these day camps, your kids will spend 3  thrilling hours surfing and then another hour drying off, learning about beach safety and the ocean, and of course, there’s still some time dedicated to games on the beach. The adventure camp is for kids age 7 to 16 and is a combination of day and overnight camps. At this camp, your little adventurers will develop key outdoor skills such as trip preparation, equipment management and self-organisation through a variety of activities, culminating in a not-to-be-missed overnight camping experience.

Age:  5 to 16
When: 16 June to 17 August
Where: Pui O Beach, Lantau Island, but pick up and drop off available from Central Ferry Pier 6.
How Much: $3,890 to $4,480
Contact: 2546 3543, [email protected], www.treasureislandhk.com

More Sports Camps:
Aberdeen Youth Sailing Club
ESF Sports Camps and Classes
Ark Eden
Sports 4 Kids
Move For Life
ClearWater Equestrian Camp

Technology

Dalton Summer Programs: West Kowloon and Cyberport
If you’ve got a child that you can never pull away from the computer then Dalton Learning Lab is the place to send them this summer! The Lab puts all that screen time to good use (yes – screen time can be a positive!) with immersive STEAM camps taught by tech and industry professionals. These fun summer camps incorporate design and creative thinking, coding, robotics, engineering and other future-ready skills in project-based learning experiences for kids aged 7 and older. The aim of the camps is to set children up with “future-ready” skills, so they’ll be ready to take over the world by the end of the summer (or at the very least, be extremely tech-savvy!). Dalton Learning Lab is offering camps at both its Cyberport campus and at the Dalton School Hong Kong West Kowloon campus in July and August. For more info and to register click here.

For parents with younger kids (ages 1 to 5), Mini Dalton is a great choice. There are also various multi-themed camps which will allow your tot to explore storytelling, sports, cooking, art and music. There are also opportunities to let out their inner-thespian at Dalton’s drama camp for children aged 6 to 10. Their imaginations can run wild as they act, design their own costumes and even create the stage set. August 2017 marked the opening of the near 100,000 square foot Dalton School Hong Kong West Kowloon Campus, which is now opening its doors to the public for summer classes for the very first time! But you can be sure that your kid won’t get lost in the crowd as Dalton believe that your child should be the centre of attention and practice impressive small class ratios. Sign us up!

Use the Sassy Mama discount code “SassyDalton18” for an additional 5% off the camp fee.

Age: 1 to 10
When: 9 July to 24 August 2018
Where: G/f Imperial Cullinan, 10 Hoi Fai Road, Kowloon; Unit 301, Core A, Cyberport 3, Hong Kong
How much: $1,100 to $3,000 per week
Contact: www.dshk.edu.hk, www.littledalton.com.hk, www.minidalton.com.hk
www.daltonlearninglab.com

iD Tech
Courses are already filling up! These programmes for 7 to 17-year-olds are sought after by many here in HK, and for good reason. Kids who have a keen interest in coding and technology can choose from design games, robotics, LEGO robotics, Minecraft games, engineering and more!

Age: 7 to 17
When:  25 June to 10 August. Click here to learn more.
Where: The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong; Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1/F, Sui Long Pao Building, Sha Tin, New Territories Hong Kong.
How much: Prices range from $1249 to $1699 per course
Contact: www.idtech.com

Creative Coding
Kids with a knack for coding can take their pick from a variety of summer camps at Creative Coding. Minecraft addicts (we all have one!) will love the Java Coding With Minecraft course, but there are so many others to spark your child’s imagination! Whether it’s a S.M.A.R.T (Science, Maths, Art, Robotics, Technology) or checking out the App Lab camp, they will come away with much more knowledge than before they went!

Age: 5 to 14
When: Camps begin 25 June but vary depending on the camp your child prefers. Click here to learn more.
Where: Various locations. Click here to learn more.
How much: All camps $2900  (S.M.A.R.T. is $1800); Discounts are as follows: 20% off if you pay 60 days before camp starts; 15% off if you pay 30 days before camp starts; and 10% off if you pay 15 days before camp starts.
Contact: 2973 0106, www.creativecoding.hk

Koding Kingdom
Koding Kingdom is just about to launch its summer camp and it has something for everyone! Created for children as young as 3 and as old as 15, these camps combine learning with a lot of fun. Instead of worrying about zero screen time for your kids, let them use those moments to create and learn. Featuring daily workshops and coding camps, select from Computational Thinking, KK Coder, Minecraft Coding, Robotics, Java Script classes and more!

Age: 3 to 15
When: 7 May to 31 August. Click here for the full schedule and locations.
Where: Various locations around Hong Kong. Click here to learn more.
How much: Prices vary depending on workshop and camp.
Contact: 3706 8917, [email protected],  www.kodingkingdom.com

More Technology Camps:
BSD Code & Design Academy
3C Thinkers
Coding 101
First Code Academy