Child 1 Age 10 - 13 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Adventure (multi), Academic/Tutoring (multi), Leadership (multi)
(5) Overall experience
When Artun first joined, he was excited, curious, and also a little shy. It was going to be his first experience away from home and on his own. He joined with a desire to express himself better and gain new perspectives. He attended for four years, and each year he returned more confident and more self-aware. He made friends from many countries and is still in touch with some of them. The lessons were always a positive experience for him. The camp also helped him become familiar with the British school system and inspired him to continue his education in the UK. As his family, it was exciting and reassuring for us to know he was in a happy and safe environment. Through Academic Summer Camp, we witnessed him begin moving in a new direction. It was also a very reassuring process for us regarding his future adaptation to boarding school life. If Artun has now received an offer from one of the good boarding schools in the UK, we believe the foundations were partly built thanks to these camps. We would gladly send him again.
(5) Reason for choosing the camp
Our search started with the aim of giving Artun an international experience in an academic, boarding, warm, and enjoyable environment. The fact that the programme was based in Bristol, offered a strong academic variety, and included horse-riding options, was the first thing that attracted us. The interviews we watched on social media with children attending the camp also influenced our decision compared to other camps. It was definitely a very worthwhile investment, and there were absolutely no hidden costs.
(5) Program quality and activities
We believe the camp schedule and activities were planned in a very balanced way. With its strong academic side, dedicated teachers, and enjoyable lesson content, Artun genuinely enjoyed his classes while also developing socially through the activities. He would excitedly tell us about his English story-writing experiences, the productive time he spent in the library during history lessons, and the enjoyment he got from finance projects. He also loved enthusiastically sharing with us the sculptures, objects, and creative designs he made during the creative classes, which showed us how inspired and engaged he felt throughout the programme.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
He made many new friendships, and because he attended for four years, he was also able to strengthen the friendships he formed in the earlier years. Some of those friends are still in close contact with him today. He never experienced problems such as bullying or feeling excluded from a group, which made the experience even more positive and comfortable for him.
(5) Skills and growth
One important aspect was that he had to personally manage and follow his own lesson schedule, which was a new experience for him because the system at his current school works quite differently. The presentations he prepared for projects related to the lessons also helped him gain confidence in expressing himself and his ideas in front of a group. His confidence in managing his belongings, packing his suitcase, and preparing independently for travel improved greatly. At the same time, the experiences pushed him out of his comfort zone, encouraged him to step outside his usual routine, and helped him take more responsibility.
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
First of all, as parents, we always had very positive communication with the entire management team from the very first year. Our questions were always answered, and we even received a reference letter for our son’s Year 10 application. For us, Academic Camp was a truly wonderful support process. From what our son shared with us, we also know that he always experienced positive and supportive communication throughout the programme.
(5) Preparation and packing
In the first year, he may have brought slightly too many clothes, but that was mostly because we were unsure whether he would be able to manage and follow his own laundry routine independently. In the following years, once we overcame that uncertainty and our son became more confident in managing the process himself, packing became much more efficient. Honestly, I would recommend everyone simply follow the packing advice in the Academic Camp brochure, as we found those instructions more than sufficient.
(5) Advice and tips
I genuinely recommend this camp to everyone around us who is looking into this type of programme. In our opinion, it offers a very well-balanced experience that meets both the expectations of the children and their parents. My advice would be to trust the process and encourage your child to fully experience both the academic and social side of the camp. The supportive environment helps children become more confident, independent, and open to new experiences. From his very first summer, our son always looked forward to returning the following year with great excitement and anticipation.
Unsere Tochter war 2023 in Taunton (wird leider nicht mehr angeboten) und 2024 in Bristol (UK) für jeweils 2 Wochen. Wir waren etwas nervös, da sie zum ersten Mal alleine gflogen ist (von Deutsch...
Attending the academic summer camp was one of the most formative experiences of my life. The business and entrepreneurship classes taught me practical skills I can apply in my studies, and my English ...
