Alphabet International Camps – Outdoor Exploration (Ages 12-17)
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Alphabet International Camps offers innovative summer programs in the heart of Italy, blending education culture and adventure for an unforgettable experience. The Outdoor Exploration camp, designed for 12 to 17 year olds, allows participants to acquire lifelong skills working in teams, learning about the environment, and practicing challenging outdoor sports. They will ultimately improve their communication skills and gain confidence by learning through experiential education.
The Umbria region of Italy, with its perfect summer climate, stunning scenery, out-of-this-world food, and unparalleled cultural heritage, make it the ideal location for a full-immersion summer camp experience to last a lifetime.
During the year, the Alphabet Camp locations operate as agriturismi (country guest houses). In June and July, they are rented exclusively for its staff and students, ensuring that all the local honey, jam, eggs and scenery is theirs alone to enjoy!
ALPHABET OUTDOOR EXPLORATION CAMP AT A GLANCE
- Location: Umbria, Italy
- Age range: 12-17
- Camp duration: 1 to 4 weeks
- Maximum number of students: 40
- Hours of English lessons per week: 12
- Maximum number of students per class: 6
- Ratio of staff to students: 1 : 5
- Number of full-day cultural excursions per week: 1 (optional for 2 week stays only)
- Accommodation: Residential
Alphabet Outdoor Exploration Camp: Vocabolo Torre Burchio, 06084 Bettona, PG, Italy
“I have been familiar with the Alphabet Camps for several years, and chose to offer them to my clients for a few reasons. They replicate the American camp experience, meaning that many of the activities are styled after what they would find in the United States (and for this reason, Alphabet Camps are the only providers accredited by the American Camp Association) but in a different environment to American camps. Children from Italy and nearby countries will not have to travel far to reach the locations, and in many cases, can be easily accompanied to them by their parents. There, they will have the opportunity to experience a camp completely conducted in English (but with better weather and better food than in the usual countries close to Italy that are popular for summer camps!) and to see the history and beauty of their country, much of which will still be new to them, but with English commentary. For foreign children, the experience of the Alphabet Camps in Italy may be completely new to them—the study of the English language and the country itself. “
Alphabet International Camps
Why choose Alphabet International Camps?
- Alphabet International Camps is one of the few, if not the only organization to offer a genuine American summer camp in the heart of Italy, blending education, culture and adventure for an unforgettable formative experience.
- While always privileging the FUN factor, Alphabet International Camps programs offer a full-immersion learning experience, enabling students to develop independence, create new friendships, strengthen their communication skills, learn about teamwork, and learn to be open-minded.
- All camps are run entirely in English and guarantee exceptional safety and 100% involvement at all times thanks to a 5 : 1 student to counselor ratio.
- Half of the Alphabet campers each year are returning students from previous years, testifying to the quality and satisfaction they receive.
The facilities
ALPHABET OUTDOOR EXPLORATION CAMP FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- Base camp located in the Umbrian hills
- 600 surrounding hectares of forested natural reserve
- Main house is from the 18th Century
- 17 bedrooms with private bathrooms
- Large dining area
- Living room with billiard tables
- Separate building for classrooms and evening entertainment
- Swimming pool
- Beach volleyball
- Climbing wall
- Horseback riding and stables
- Numerous grassy areas for outdoor activities and lounging
The courses
COURSE CONTENT AND SAMPLE TIMETABLE
The camp is run entirely in English by qualified mother tongue teachers and counselors. From “good morning” to “good night,” the campers participate in an exciting and educational experience, all in English. They continually discover new activities, food, sports and adventures, all combined to create the classic American summer camp in the magnificent setting of central Italy.
Sports and Activities
Every day, campers face a new outdoor activity following a briefing session for proper instruction and safety. At base camp, the outdoor activities include climbing a vertical rock wall, mountain biking through the woods, orienteering, horseback riding and archery. In the middle of the week, campers board a bus and head for one of Umbria’s national parks (e.g. Monte Cucco) where they go hiking before pitching tents and starting a fire for the evening barbeque. The following day, before returning to base camp, they enjoy an outdoor adventure activity (e.g. whitewater rafting, caving, canyoning, kayaking).
Academic Program
All campers take part in a 12-hour weeklong academic program and can choose from the following options:
- English Lessons – tailored to children who wish to improve their language skills. Participants are tested upon arrival and placed accordingly into classes of 4 to 6 with qualified mother tongue teachers.
- Outdoor Education Program – perfect for native speakers or those with a high level of English. Campers take part in classes, follow lectures and participate in debates about nature and various environmental issues.
A sample timetable:
Residential Accommodation
All bedrooms are charming and rustic, the décor of country living with all the essential modern amenities. Students are housed in rooms of 2 to 4 beds, all with ensuite bathroom and a daily cleaning service.
For safety reasons there are no keys left in the doors and night lights are placed in every room and bathroom. Counselors, who sleep in adjacent rooms, are never more than a few steps away should a student require assistance during the night.
Meals
Campers eat three main meals and two snacks a day and are kept well hydrated with an unlimited supply of water.
Laundry
A laundry service is available to campers staying two or more weeks.
Evenings
In the evenings, there is a rich social program which includes a camp fire, an outdoor movie night, Jeopardy game challenge and disco night.
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Other Programs by this School
ALPHABET INTERNATIONAL CAMPS
Alphabet International Camps offer the following adventure camps:
- Junior Discovery: English language fun and adventure camp with optional English lessons and residential accommodation in Umbria, Italy for children aged 6-12 years
- Sea Quest: English language sailing expedition around the Pontine Islands, Ischia and Capri for teenagers 12-17 years old
- Alphabet City: English or Italian lessons and Italian cultural activities with residential accommodation in Rome, for teenagers 12-17 years old
- Alphabet Day Camp: English language camp with optional English lessons for children aged 5 to 13 in Rome, Italy.
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