Chinese Summer Day Camps

Chinese language summer camp or other program?

Jan 2015

We're new to the Bay Area and I don't see many archive recommendations for Chinese language programs in the area. Can anyone recommend a good summer camp for a six-year-old with no previous exposure to the language, or offer advice on sources for year-round instruction? (We live in Oakland and would be very interested in joining a small-group tutoring program, if anyone knows of such a thing.) I'm hesitant to enroll her in a weekly Chinese school, since I attended one weekly for 10 years and unfortunately didn't get a lot out of it.

Hi, I want to recommend Shu Ren International School in Berkeley for Mandarin-immersion summer camp. My kids attend school there during the year, but they offer summer camp independent of their school-year program and they have both preschool and elementary programs. The summer program attracts a lot of non-Shu Ren students, so I don't think being new to the school would be difficult socially. My kids knew little to no Mandarin before they started and caught on very quickly. I also think very highly of the full-immersion model (much more effective than a bilingual program, and kids learn SO fast). If this summer is like summers past, they offer 5 two-week sessions for elementary (or 10 one-week sessions for preschool) full day with aftercare a little extra. They do not have any school-year after-school or Saturday programs, just summer and/or regular school. And it's very active learning-disguised-as-play and field trips, no formal classroom or boring, rote memorization drills here! Best wishes in your search. Happy Mom

Yu Ying Learning Center in Alameda has all of the above -- after school program (mainly serves Alameda), summer camps, and weekend classes.

Mandarin Immerson Summer camp

July 2011

My daughter has been taking mandarin lessons on Saturdays for about 2 years. We try practice the language at home, but she tends to respond to me in English. I am looking for a mandarin immerson summer camp in the east bay where she can practice conversational mandarin with other children. Does anyone have experience with the Hip Wah Summer Camp, and the Shu Ren Summer Camp? Mom of a 6-year old

You may try Ya Ya Chinese School (https://sites.google.com/site/yayachineseschool/). My 6-yr old daughter, with some language experience and have been there for almost 2 weeks and she really enjoy the loving, relaxing enviroment in Ya Ya. Ms. He the lead teacher is experienced and kept kids at all age well entertained and enthusiastic to learn the language through songs, games, and some gong-fu. And delicious lunch is provided as well. Check out more info on their website and their summer camp is still open for enrollment. Hongli

The Hip Wah summer program provides a wonderful camp experience including Chinese culture, arts, music, and Mandarin language instruction. It is NOT immersion, and the level of instruction is fairly low (they assume no prior Mandarin knowledge). Registration takes place in February and many classes fill quickly. This year's program has already started. Another program to consider is New Sprouts in Oakland. I don't know anything about Shu Ren. Elizabeth

Hi: Regarding the Mandarin immersion camp inquiry... This may not be in time for the current summer, but I wanted to post a message for parents to keep in mind perhaps for next year re: summer camp recommendations. We sent our son to Shu Ren 's Mandarin Immersion camp last summer (for many weeks) and can recommend the teachers and staff there as great (smart, patient and hands-on). We had other plans for most weeks this summer but I imagine that the camp is just as good as the summer before. Parent

Summer immersion camp for teen?

Feb 2008

Hi. Does anyone know of a summer camp that provides decent language study in Chinese or French? We prefer those abroad immersion camps. Please let me know if you have any information. thanks k

Hi I came across your posting. I happened to take my son and his friend to China last summer 2007 for a Chinese immersion program through Sino Language Gateway. Both of them do not know any Chinese language. The program lasted about 3 weeks. The kids learned the Chinese language, and culture. At the end of the session, we travelled to Inner Mongolia for about 4 days. I didnmt expect my sonms language capability to improve dramatically but what I found was the boys are much more willing to speak the language. The program itself is really well-organized and safe. You can check their website, it is www.sinolanguage.com .
anna

Chinese Language Immersion or Camp in East Bay?

April 2006

My children, age 10 & 11, have been studying Mandarin Chinese at home for the past three years. Their tutor has done wonders, but an immersion program would really help their conversation skills. Is there any East Bay school or camp or playgroup or meeting that specializes in Mandarin as a second language? Heck - a Chinese speaking basketball team! Mainly, we want a meeting for a few hours a week where they had to use Mandarin socially. Also - any suggestions on visiting China/HK/Taiwan specifically to help their language skills? Cliff

It's not hard to find immersion in any of the major cultures of the SF Bay Area. One just has to have an open mind and a good attitude. In the case of Mandarin Chinese, the easiest immersion is in the Mandarin speaking Christian (invariably fundamentalist Protestant) churches. There are many in the East Bay, and most have active childcare and children's programs. Several also offer a free homestyle Chinese lunches after their Sunday services. Some are bilingual or trilingual. As long as you can tolerate a bit of religious instruction, the Chinese churches are a very good bet.

Mandarin language summer camp

2000

Hi! Friends of ours from Boston have been looking for a Chinese (Mandarin)-language summer camp in the Bay Area or elsewhere for their two kids, 9 and 6. They already speak Mandarin in the home with their mother, so they would be looking for something a little more advanced than beginners' courses. They are also interested in an environment that stresses not only academics, but arts and athletics/recreation. Thanks for any leads! Linda

There is some info at this website: http://www.newconcept.com Annie

I have heard of a summer camp conducted by the Pacific Rim Academy in Emeryville. They are a bilingual (Mandarin/Japanese English Montessori School, ages preschool through elementary). Patricia