School’s out for summer and the kids are parked in front of the TV. No way! Sign them up now for one of the many summer camps in Beijing, where your kids can learn anything from DJ-ing to Chinese calligraphy.

Olympic Summer Camp

Perfect for: mini Olympians Age: 1.5-6

The Olympics are coming to Beijing and children at Children’s House Montessori Kindergarten get a preview this summer. In this two-session camp, kids will explore the history and culture of the Games as well as researching the different countries and the sports they play. Tel: 6505-3869, or email: paulazhou@montessoribeijing.com

Eton Globetrotter Camp

Perfect for: citizens of the world
Age: 3-6

With a motto of “learning by doing,” this camp uses action-based methods to boost English skills. Children make friends, talk about their cultures and just have fun. The Globetrotter Camp equips future global citizens the with traveling skills they will need later by discovering the Pyramids, Eiffel Tower and other world wonders of the world. Tel: 6539-7171 ext. 305.

Yew Chung Mongolian Adventure

Perfect for: little Khans

This year, students travel to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia and trace the footsteps of the Great Khan, sleeping in yurts, living off the local cuisine and learning local sports like horseback riding and wrestling. Tel: 8583-3731. Web: www.ycef.com/summerschool

Youth Salsa Camp

Perfect for: salsa caliente Age: 8-17

If it’s true that cool kids sit at the back of the bus, then the coolest kids go salsa dancing on weekends. Groom your own hip-wiggling hipster at China’s first-ever salsa camp as the elite of the international salsa community come to Beijing. Students will learn the techniques of Latin dance and build cultural awareness. Web: www.china-salsa.com/english

Festival a Day Summer Program

Perfect for: little Sinologists Age: 2-6

Every day is a festival at this Ivy Academy program. Sinologists-in-diapers will learn stories, activities and traditions associated with 10 different Chinese festivals, everything from the Spring Festival to the Dai Water Splashing Festival. Tel: 8446-7287

Times Book Summer Camp

Perfect for: going local Age: 8-16

Recommended by parents and kids, this camp offers a variety of classes focusing on Chinese language and culture. Campers will encounter physical challenges on their trip to Survival Island, show their stuff at a talent show and experiment with new hobbies like kung fu and Chinese yo-yo. Tel: 5139-8618. Web: www.timesbook.com

WEB EXCLUSIVES

3e Kindergarten – Music, Art and Outdoor activities

This summer camp at 3e kindergarten will put extra emphasis on music, art, the outdoors and structured physical activities i.e. water experiments, nature walks and team games. There will also be a weekly field trip to stretch their learning beyond the school environment. Tel: 6437-3344 ext 127, email: amina@3eik.com, web: www.3eik.com

American Employee’s Association – Camp Adventure

Age: 5-7

The American Employee’s Association is hosting the 10th Camp Adventure (TM) in conjunction with the University of Northern Iowa. Six themes are planned for each week Earth Friendly Extravaganza to Malt Shop Madness. Learn, grow and make friends. Call or email for registration details. Tel: 6532-3831 ext. 5888/5094, email: aeabeij@eastnet.com.cn

Beijing Playhouse Summer Theater Workshop

Age 8-16

Beijing's community theatre will teach the fundamentals of the performing arts. Learning how to act and sing in a play this summer! Camp ends with a live performance. In English.. Enrollment limited to the first 15 students. Email: performance@beijingplayhouse.com, web: www.beijingplayhouse.com

CIS – ESL and CSL Camps

CIS has two summer camps this year, the English Language and Chinese Language Summer Camp. The course will focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing, building vocabulary, learning characters and pronunciation, leading to fluency in non-native speaking students. Tel: 6465-7788, email: admissions@cis-beijing.com, web: www.cisb.com.cn

Dragon Fire Swim Camp

Age: 4-17

This summer get better at swimming with some serious professional training. To gain more refined and developed techniques and a heightened level of self-confidence and growth as a swimmer and an individual is the best way so spend summer time. Costs are RMB 300-450 per week depending on levels. Tel: 136-0106-4534, E-mail: dragonfireswimming@gmail.com web: www.dragonfire.com.cn

Dulwich – Music and Sport

There are two kinds of summer camps at Dulwich this summer. For the theater enthusiasts – the performance camp (RMB3,000)! The little musical wizards are putting up The Wizard of Oz. For the future Tiger Woods – the golf camp (RMB2,400)! Football and tennis camps are also hot! Tel: 6454-9150, email: Sports.center@dcbeijing.cn, web: www.dcbeijing.cn

Kin Star – Fun Summer Camp

In order to foster children’s confidence and independence, Kin Star International Bilingual Schoolhas a fun 4-week summer camp planned. Roller skate, table tennis, Tae kwon do, Chinese painting, pottery art and Calligraphy and many more! RMB4,000. Tel: 8041-0390/1/2 or 13501276980, email: kinstarschool@yahoo.com.cn, web: www.kinstarschool.org

MSB – MI Kids Camp

MI stands for multiple intelligence. This summer camp offers 10 mini workshops and a variety of sport activities. Children will learn to be MI kids and great team players in this fun learning summer! Tel: 136-5129-7915 Email: MIKids@yahoo.com.cn

Playground Summer Camp

Ages: 4-12

Playground offers classes in arts, science and ICT that are taught in a fun, creative way. Learn the basics of film-making, acting and cartooning or learn to drop your own DJ. Workshops in the morning (Hands & Crafts, Cooking and Acting) and Indoor/Outdoor Activities in the afternoon (Museum Visit, Tours and Sports) guarantee a fun summer! RMB2,800. Tel: 6407-6889, email: info@myplayground.cn, web: www.myplayground.cn

Potter’s Wheel – Tennis Camp

Presented for the third time by the Junior Tennis Education Office of Potter’s Wheel International Sport Center, this summer camp is professional tennis training mixed with weekend tours to the Mutianyu Great Wall and English and Chinese language study fun. USD1450 (RMB11,318)/person/month. Tel: 138-1017-1127, 135-8170-0515, web: www.potters-wheel.cn, email: mail@potters-wheel.cn

BISS – Fun Learning Summer

BISS has 5 summer camps this summer for different age groups and they all involve a lot of fun learning! Children will put the knowledge they learned in last semester into use in outings around Beijing! USD450. Tel: 6443-3151 ext. 215/216, web: www.biss.com.cn, email: abirch@biss.com.cn

Children’s Learning Center of Beijing Summer School

Ages: 2.5-6 Chinese&English languages classes, music, singing&dancing, art&crafts, literacy, math, kong fu, cooking and baking! RMB60-185 per day depending on schedule. Special language classes are available in German, English and Chinese in the afternoon (RMB100/45min). Tel: 139-1102-9703, web: www.clcbkids.com

My Playground -- Becoming Harry Potter

Ages: 6-14 This workshop will be focused on acting skills. Children will learn how to act and form their mini play on stage. In the end of the workshop, they will be able to showcase their acting skills at the launch party of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on July 21, and be the first to own Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! Tel: 6407-6889, email: info@myplayground.cn

Kids’ Gallery – Creative Play and Summer Workshop

Creative Play (age 2-4) offers “Tell me a story” time and language classes (Chinese, English and French) while Summer Workshop (age 4-6) learn martial arts, cooking and painting. RMB1,780/week. Tel: 8046-1454, email: infobeijing@kidsgallery.com, web: www.kidsgallery.com

ABC Music & Me Camp

Hosted jointly by Kindermusik and Children’s Learning Center of Beijing (CLCB), this camp is divided into Under the Rainbow, Jazz Kitchen and Giggles three weeks. Under the Rainbow features the sweet sounds of Irish music, Jazz Kitchen emphasizes steady beat and fun with food and Giggles features traditional American folk music. Children reap the benefits of laughter and silliness with knock-knock jokes, echo songs, movement games and dances. Tel: 136-9354-1489, web: www.kmwithsarah.com.cn

Kindermusik Adventure Camps

The morning session for 4.5 – 7 years is Tell Me A Tale, a three hour class where your child will develop an early awareness of rhythm, movement, singing, and drama through storytelling. Each lesson features a new tale from around the world, explored through multi-instrument and multi-cultural elements. All told, it's an around-the-imagination adventure of the greatest stories from Europe, Your browser may not support display of this image.Malaysia, South Africa, and more. Tel: 136-9354-1489, web: www.kmwithsarah.com.cn

Camp: Overnight It?

Luke: "The best part is being able to hang out with your friends, go to class, just to do things on your own. The worst part is going home."

Mitchell: "My parents told me, ‘This is what you’re doing this summer.’ When I first got there I just tried to adapt, but I actually ended up having fun! The worst part of the camp last summer was not being able to crack a hard-boiled egg on Luke’s cast."

Mom: "It’s an education in social development. It’s like a push into the pool. I recommend it.They jump right in."

CAMP FACTS

Most musical camp: Kindermusik and CLCB-ABC Music and Me Camp

Most creative camp: Kids Gallery Creative Summer Workshop

Most exclusive camp: Beijing Playhouse (only admits 15 children)

Most linguistic camp: CIS Summer Camp

Most unusual camp: My Playground Summer Camp (where kids learn to DJ)

Most competitive camp: Dragonfire Swim Camp