Best International Summer Camps in Switzerland

Switzerland’s location at the heart of Europe makes it a fantastic place to study languages and learn about different cultures. With mountains, rivers and lakes aplenty, summer camps in Switzerland offer unlimited opportunities for students to experience the great outdoors whilst learning new skills along the way. Spending time at an international summer camp in Switzerland will broaden their horizons and increase their independence in a safe environment.

Best of all, you can spend time in the Swiss Alps too, soaking up the sunshine and mountain air in one of our luxury summer chalets nearby, safe in the knowledge that your children are having the time of their lives.

Read on to discover our pick of the top summer camps and schools in Switzerland with luxury chalets nearby.

Why Spend Summer in Verbier?
Summer is when Verbier comes into flower and the melting snow fills small rivers across the mountain. This is the time for hiking, mountain biking, golfing and other outdoor pursuits. It is also the perfect location to relax with a good book and enjoy the spectacular scenery. An added bonus for visitors is the Verbier Festival, now in its 28th year. This is one of Europe's leading music festivals in late July/early August, attracting big names and offering a very special ambience and some superb performances.

Les Elfes:
Founded in 1987, Les Elfes in Verbier runs popular residential camps throughout the summer for children aged 7 to 18. Combining eight hours a week of language lessons with cultural excursions, the school welcomes students from over 70 different countries and has a diverse range of over 40 activities to choose from including cooking, art, music and drama classes as well as sports such as mountain biking, tennis, rock climbing, paragliding and more.

Altitude:
Set up in 2001 primarily as a ski and snowboard school, Altitude now offers fantastic summer camps for 7 to 14-year-olds. Students begin the day with morning language classes in French or English before an afternoon of team-building games, local excursions or activities on the mountain. The school also runs a Mountain Adventure Camp, designed for children who love to be outdoors. Each morning campers will enjoy a new activity such as fire building, map reading, shelter building, mountain biking or climbing whilst every Saturday is excursion day with student visiting places like the Aqua Park, Olympic Museum and Swiss Chocolate Factory.

Why Spend Summer in Gstaad?
Gstaad is the perfect location for luxury summer holidays, with an elegant social scene much favoured by wealthy and well-known visitors and an unpretentious, relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of gastronomic restaurants, exclusive shopping options and superb wellness facilities amidst breathtaking scenery. Summer also sees Gstaad hosting a plethora of sporting events and the renowned Menuhin Music Festival from mid-July until the end of August.

Institute Le Rosey
The oldest international boarding school in Switzerland. Institute Le Rosey has been running summer camps for some 40 years. They have several campus’ – one near Lake Geneva and one in Schönried, a magnificent region of Gstaad. The camp has a maximum of 90 students aged 8 to 13, and offers intensive language courses and a wide range of outdoor activities and sports as well as educational trips and excursions. One night will be spent camping in the mountain wilderness in a teepee and there’s plenty of opportunity to hike through the natural landscape, taking in the mountain air. Students may choose to leave with their relatives at weekends or spend time with their new friends shopping in Gstaad, going to the cinema and enjoying barbecues together.

JFK Swiss Outdoor Camp
Set within the picturesque village of Schönried near Gstaad, JFK Swiss Outdoor Camp offers children aged 6 to 13 years old a chance to explore the magnificent alpine environment. Each day is packed with exhilarating activities such as rock climbing, canoeing and hiking as well as learning about habitats, rivers and rock formations. Some days students will go on an excursion to visit Swiss landmarks such as Gruyères, Cailler Chocolate Factory or Lucerne. In the evening there is time to relax with new friends and enjoy a barbecue or Swiss fondue.

Why Spend Summer in Crans Montana?
Aside from the excellent international summer camps in Crans Montana, the resort has plenty to offer in the warmer months of the year. From the diverse forests and shimmering lakes to the Plaine Morte Glacier at 3,000 metres and the verdant mountain pastures, Crans Montana is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. There are plenty of festivals to enjoy from music to water-skiing whilst the Omega European Masters is a must for golfing aficionados at the end of August.

Why Spend Summer in Villars-sur-Ollon?

Villars summer schools are world-renowned, but there are plenty of sporting and cultural activities on offer that also attract international visitors during the summer season. The Alpes Vaudoises are a walkers' paradise and there are a wide choice of mountain bike, e-bike and cycling routes in Villars, Gryon, Les Diablerets and Bex. The region is also highly rated amongst golf enthusiasts with two 18-hole courses in the region to choose from.

Beau Soleil:
With camps running from July 2 to August 7, 2022, Beau Soliel's summer camps follow an exciting programme that includes language lessons each morning and a wide range of activities each afternoon and evening. Campers from 7 - 17 years of age participate in age-appropriate activities, sharing new experiences and adventures together.

Aiglon:
Attracting attendees from more than 30 countries, Aiglon summer school provides children aged 8 - 16 with the chance to learn and have fun in a safe and welcoming environment. Participants have the opportunity to experience more than 25 different activities which are led by a team of expert teaching staff. Mornings focus on learning and mastering new skills such as leadership, languages and team-building. The programme culminates in a two-day expedition in the mountains.

La Garenne
Family-owned and operated since 1947, La Garenne is a Swiss summer camp for children aged between 5 and 16 years old. Kicking off on 25 June 2022, La Garenne offers both boarding and day camps on their beautiful campus. Mornings are spent improving your French, English, football, golf or tennis skills whilst in the afternoon there are over 60 activities to choose from such as cooking, sailing, hiking and climbing.