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Douglas Parkes

Read more of SCMP’s Good Schools Guide
While there is merit in letting your child take it easy over the summer, what with the sweltering weather, it is also the perfect time to get them doing something productive. In Hong Kong, we are lucky to have plenty of activities for adventurous children of all ages and interests – and many even come with the comfort of air con. So no matter whether your child wants to be a better athlete, improve their English skills or become a well-rounded citizen, this list will help you find what you are looking for.
Camping
Sleeping under canvas is a quintessential summer activity. The Hong Kong YMCA is organising a whole slew of camping sessions for children with the aim of “building strong kids”. The YMCA hopes to inspire them to try new things and overcome challenges – albeit at their own pace so they don’t feel overwhelmed.
Camps of all sorts are available: there are family nights out for mum and dad to join the fun, sports camps, explorer camps and “speciality camps” that vary from pottery and woodcrafting, to cooking and robotics.
Camp leaders are all passionate about the outdoors and university students who are fluent in English (the language of instruction is English throughout). This year, in collaboration with international YMCAs, overseas leaders will join the action in Hong Kong, bringing new insights and activities to these annual activities. www.ymcahk.org.hk/camping
Coding camps
With ChatGPT and artificial intelligence making constant headlines this year (see page 12) there has never been a better time to get your child familiar with coding and AI.
As an official Global Training Partner of both Microsoft and Minecraft, Cobo Academy is one of the best places to learn. They have campuses in Wan Chai and Kowloon Tong, ensuring easy access wherever you live in the city. As well as practical courses devoted to coding, children will be able to hone their logical thinking and problem solving skills in a relaxed and fun environment. AI-focused courses are ready to help prepare kids for the future and ensure they can harness the potential of the coming AI revolution. www.coboacademy.com/holiday-camps
Whether your child is a budding paparazzi or wildlife photographer, this fun and interactive programme by ARTHaus will teach them how to “read” and “make” a photograph

Creative photography
Thanks to smartphones, cameras are everywhere these days – but not many of us understand the technical aspects of photography. Whether your child is a budding paparazzi or wildlife photographer, this fun and interactive programme by ARTHaus will teach them how to “read” and “make” a photograph, develop photography as a creative medium, and enhance their visual storytelling abilities. Participants will also learn basic skills such as composition, angles, forms and lighting, which will help them take stunning photographs.
With instructors who have graduated in fine art, majoring in photography, these classes aim to inspire children to be self-motivated and teach them how to explore unique perspectives to tell stories through photographs. www.arthaushk.com/courses
Multicultural learning
Hong Kong may be a multicultural city and its international schools a melting pot of different nationalities, but it never hurts to raise awareness of our colourful and varied world. The Africa Center aims to do just that while connecting and empowering the next generation.
The camps are suitable for age groups 2-5 years old and 6-13. Across five days, kids learn about different aspects of cultures from across the planet. There will be African and Bollywood dance workshops, sessions on Filipino folklore, sushi making, K-pop, Chinese calligraphy, and games of raka raka and kabaddi. www.africacenterhk.com/multicultural-summer-camp-2023
Science camps
Newtonshow is the most established provider of science camps in Singapore and now they’re bringing their expertise to Hong Kong. Science camp might sound dull to some but Newtonshow promises to make your kid’s holiday “awesome, educational and full of science fun”.
It offers three main types of camp. Firstly, the Space Explorer Camp is for wannabe astronauts. Here children will learn about everything from what happened during the Big Bang and the beginning of the universe as well as what life is like in space and even how to design an astronaut costume.
Whether your aspiring magician favours Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or even Slytherin, they can learn about alchemy, divination, astronomy and even how animals communicate

The Unbelievable Science camp is a hands-on exploration of physics, chemistry and biology. In a playful manner kids will learn about human biology, polymer science and visually fun things like bubbles and dry ice.
Last but not least is the hugely popular Harry Potter camp. Whether your aspiring magician favours Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or even Slytherin, they can learn about alchemy, divination, astronomy and even how animals communicate. It’s sure to be magical. www.newtonshowcamp.com/summer-camp
Singapore International School summer programmes
Whatever the age of your child and whatever their interests, Singapore International School has a summer activity suited for them.
For young ones there are academic classes that prepare kindergarten-age children for the jump to Primary 1, as well as multi-activity sessions – including sports, drama, reading, storytelling, music, arts, sensory exploration and science – designed to help develop essential skills while broadening students’ knowledge and experience.
Other more focused programmes developed by SIS include badminton and football camps, STEM lessons and even a creative writing course to help improve children’s descriptive and imaginative skills through the development of their own adventure story. www.singapore.edu.hk/summer-programmes


How Hong Kong schools are going beyond academics to help students cultivate a charitable spirit

How Hong Kong schools are promoting cultural diversity and understanding – through shared celebrations and festivals

How to best manage your child’s time – and pick the best extracurricular activities

Embracing AI, robots, drones and other ed-tech in the classroom means teachers learning too

Good Schools Guide

Hong Kong summer camps for kids of all ages, from Singapore International School’s sports and STEM courses to the YMCA’s camping activities

Hong Kong summer camps for kids of all ages, from Singapore International School’s sports and STEM courses to the YMCA’s camping activities. Photo: Shutterstock

Special Reports

The Wan Chai and Kowloon campuses of Cobo Academy offer coding while ARTHaus has photography and Newtonshow provides science camps in Singapore – and now Hong Kong
The Africa Center has camps teaching kids everything from African and Bollywood dance, and sessions on Filipino folklore, to sushi making, K-pop, Chinese calligraphy, and games of raka raka and kabaddi


This year, the range of camps is broader than ever before, with everything from coding to photography, Harry Potter lore to Bollywood dance on the schedule


International schools in Hong Kong

Education

Hong Kong

Education in Hong Kong