Singapore summer camp guide [2024]

Singapore is a great destination with loads to do, a fascinating and varied culture, and all with great infrastructure and safety. But what about summer camps in Singapore for US citizens?

This guide walks through a few options and things to consider if you (or your child) want to attend a summer camp in Singapore. 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 rate.

The magic of summer camp in Singapore

Singapore is a fabulous tourist destination, and is also a country with a very strong regard for education - the combination means it’s a fun place to spend the summer immersed in activities and learning.

It’s very common for Singapore residents to send their kids to summer camps - so there are plenty of options out there. However, one important point to note is that many of the locally targeted camps do not offer accommodation or transport.

This can make them unfeasible for younger kids - although older teens and English learners can often be accommodated in homestays or co-living arrangements.

How much do summer camps in Singapore cost?

Summer camps in Singapore don’t always include accommodation options. This is important as you’ll need to factor it into your planning - and it may mean that Singapore is a better destination for older students who can stay in a coliving facility without parental supervision.

To give one idea of costs, EF®¹, which has accommodation included in both local homestays and a residential dormitory, quotes charges of around 1500 USD for a 2 week course.

Deciding on the best summer camp experience

Every summer camp is unique, so the best one for you will depend on your personal preferences. Singapore as a destination has lots to offer, including amazing food, a fascinating history and culture and high quality education.

If you’ve got a place you can stay locally, there are huge numbers of options for summer camps for kids of all ages, covering a wide range of sports and academic or creative activities. Older students can also take specialist courses, pre-university courses and English language classes.

Use this guide to research if there’s anything suitable for you - and prepare to have a wonderful summer!

What makes a summer camp stand out?

If there’s a Singapore summer camp that works for your specific needs, you’ll want to review the program and activities on offer to get a feel for the focus.

Many camps have a very educational program, while sports and music tuition are also offered to an elite level, with some amazing coaching and tuition available.

Excursions are also often available within Singapore - or even within the broader region.

Understanding the value of cultural immersion

Singapore is pretty different to the US - which makes this a great place for cultural immersion. It’s a super easy place to navigate with English as one of the official languages - and it’s safe, which gives peace of mind while you dive into all the local culture has to offer.

Even if you’re in Singapore for an educational summer camp which has no specific cultural link, you’ll learn a lot about the area and the country’s place in the region, simply by getting to know the place and people a bit more.

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Practical information for parents

If you’re thinking of a summer camp in Singapore for young kids, you may need to be prepared to travel with them, or have them stay with people you know on the island.

Few Singapore summer camps offer accommodation for younger children, although this is more common for teenagers and older students. Here are a few other practical pointers to consider.

Enrollment and preparation checklist

Before you or your child travel, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got everything arranged, including:

Check the entry requirements based on the course you’re planning on joining - visas may not be required, but this depends on the situation3 Arrange flights and any travel or accommodation not covered by the camp Buy travel and medical insurance - healthcare in Singapore is costly Decide on how to keep in contact - such as a local cell phone SIM or US roaming plan for your phone Open a Wise Account to manage currency conversion to SGD conveniently and make fast and easy payments for camp and other costs

Parental peace of mind: safety and communication

Singapore has extremely high safety standards for schools and education institutions, as well as for adventure and outdoor activities.

As long as you’re planning a camp with a reputable company there should be no safety issues - but it’s still worth looking around for online reviews of the provider to get a sense for what past customers say about them.

What are the best summer camps in Singapore?

Singaporean families commonly send their kids to local summer camps, which means that you’ll find loads of options, often with an academic focus.

However, if you don’t have a local base in Singapore it’s crucial to check if accommodation can be provided for your child - this is not always an option where customers are mainly local families.

We’ve profiled a few places you might want to investigate, depending on your personal preferences and requirements.

Camp Asia

Camp Asia®4 is a popular local provider in Singapore which has summer activity camps for all ages. The main downside if you’re from the US is that accommodation is not included in these programs.

Similar to most Singapore summer camps for younger students, if you’re planning on attending, you’ll need to make local arrangements for accommodation and transport, which can make the practicalities a little tricky.

However, if you have local friends you can stay with in Singapore, it’s a great option with multi-activity, sports, science, art and coding camps.

EHL

EHL®4 is a world renowned Swiss hospitality and hotel management school which has a beautiful campus in Singapore offering summer programs.

This is a little different to your regular US summer camp, which may appeal to older students and even graduates looking to explore tourism and hospitality, or other career choices such as cooking or the wine industry.

EHL is also interesting as it works with local coliving spaces to offer student accommodation - allowing students to get more immersed in local life.

EF

EF¹ in Singapore offers English language learning courses which can include intensive immersion or part time arrangements, to give time for culture and exploration.

Students can live with a local family or choose to stay in EF accommodation depending on preference and budget.

International camp FAQs

Still not sure if a summer camp in Singapore might work for you? Here are another few questions and answers which may help.

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

Summer camps in Singapore offer a wide range of activities, often with a focus on education and skill acquisition. Younger kids can learn Mandarin, coding or sports, take part in science and math classes or do crafts. Older students may study languages or career focused skills.

How does summer camp in Singapore help with language learning?

Summer camps in Singapore are usually in English, although some classes also focus on learning Mandarin. Singapore has 4 official languages - English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil - so even by riding public transport, summer camp attendees will be exposed to some new languages!

Are summer camps in Singapore suitable for Americans?

Whether or not summer camp in Singapore works for you will depend on the age of the attendee and whether or not you have local accommodation you can use in Singapore.

Many camps for younger children are not residential which may make them a practical challenge - but older students are able to stay in homestays and co living facilities.

What sets Singapore's summer camps apart from others?

Singapore summer camps are often of a very high educational and academic standard, with excellent facilities and teachers.

Many options are held in international schools and universities which have a lot to offer in terms of teaching, and can give American attendees a fresh perspective on learning.

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Singapore summer camps are available for all ages - although the practical set up may not work as well for younger kids as for older teens and university age students.

If there’s something that suits you or your child, Singapore is a wonderful destination with loads to offer in terms of culture, history and tourist activities - use this guide to see if it’s a fit for you, and check out Wise to make spending in SGD easier and cheaper.

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Sources:

1. EF
2. Singapore government - student pass
3. Camp Asia
4. EHL

Sources checked on 03.12.2024