Alphabet International Camps Junior Discovery, Piedmont, Italy (Ages 6 – 12)
THE DESTINATION | THE SCHOOL | MAP | RACHEL’S TAKE | WHY THIS SCHOOL? | FACILITIES | THE COURSES | FROM OUR CLIENTS | HOUSING | SOCIAL LIFE | INSURANCE AND PRICING | REQUEST AN ESTIMATE | OTHER PROGRAMS | SIMILAR PROGRAMS
Alphabet International Camps has been running its Junior Discovery program for over 10 years. The Junior Discovery Camp program at Cascina il Faggio takes place in the breathtaking Piedmontese Alps, in an expansive natural reserve known as the Zegna Oasis. For juniors aged 6 to 12, who may be experiencing their first time away from home, Junior Discovery represents a friendlier, more sheltered option than travelling abroad while guaranteeing the same level of engagement with the English language and culture.
The Province of Biella stretches across northern Piedmont and borders the Valle d’Aosta Valley to the west. In this unspoiled land, nature has many faces, such as the picturesque Biellese pre-Alpine mountains dotted with beautiful valleys, and in the south, the pleasant banks of Lake Viverone, a very popular spot with tourists. The reserves enclose wonderful landscapes: the wide moor of the Riserva Naturale Orientata delle Baragge, the Alpine environment called the Zegna Oasis with its characteristic Via dei Rododendri, and the Parco Naturale della Burcina, covered in flowers and colors.
During the year, the Alphabet Camp locations operate as agriturismi (country guest houses). In June and July, they are taken exclusively for its staff and students, ensuring that all the local honey, jam, eggs and scenery is theirs alone to enjoy!
ALPHABET CAMPS JUNIOR DISCOVERY AT A GLANCE
- Location: Piedmont, Italy
- Age range: 6 – 12
- Maximum number of students: 30
- Number of ESL lessons per week: 12 lessons = 18 hours
- Maximum number of students per class: 6
- Ratio of staff to students: 1 : 5
- Camp duration: 2 weeks
- Accommodation: Residential
Cascina il Faggio: Borgata Brughiera 5, 13822 Mosso Santa Maria BI, Italy
“I have been familiar with the Alphabet Camps for several years, and chose to offer them to my clients for a few reasons. For younger campers, 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 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
THE CASCINA IL FAGGIO FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- Located in the Zegna Oasis natural reserve
- Renovated main house
- 12 bedrooms with private bathrooms
- Cozy lounge with fireplace
- Spacious dining room
- Plenty of common areas for activities
- Beautiful garden
- Swimming pool
- Two sports fields
- Trails to explore local forests
MORE ON THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Transfer Service
The program offers transfer service to and from Milan city center or airports at an additional cost. To organize the transfers, Marshall Language Services will need to furnish the participant’s flight information to Alphabet Camps.
The courses
COURSE CONTENT AND SAMPLE TIMETABLE
The camp is run entirely in English by qualified mother tongue counselors. From “good morning” to “good night,” the campers participate in an exciting and educational experience, all in English. They continually discover new games, activities, food, sports and adventures, all combined to create the classic American summer camp in the magnificent setting of central Italy.
Sports and Activities
Grouped into teams, campers compete in various match-ups that are part of a weeklong action-packed tournament. Every game awards points that build up to the final victory! Some of the activities include Flag Football, Softball, Basketball, Pool, Treasure Hunt, Tug-of-War, Relay Race and much more.
Academic Program
All campers take part in an 18-hour weeklong academic program and can choose from the following options:
- English Lessons – tailored to kids who wish to improve their language skills. Participants are tested upon arrival to evaluate their level of English and placed accordingly into classes of 4 to 6 with qualified mother tongue teachers. Levels are aligned to the Common European Framework and the curriculum, based on Cambridge ESOL, focuses on enhancing speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Cultural Discovery – perfect for native speakers or those confident enough with English. Kids who choose the cultural program can learn about the history of the Etruscans, dig for archaeological finds, or discover Italian mythology.
A sample timetable:
RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION
All bedrooms are charming and rustic, the right décor of country living with all the essential modern amenities. Students are housed in rooms of 2 to 5 beds, all with en-suite 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 throughout. Typical Anglo-American dishes have been added to a healthy Mediterranean diet so kids can experience great classics like pancakes with maple syrup in the morning and a real barbeque night.
Laundry
A laundry service is available to children staying two or more weeks.
Evenings
In the evening, the children discover more Anglo-American classics with stories and roasted marshmallows around the Campfire, a Movie Night, and the Talent Show to top off the week!
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 FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
Alphabet International Camps offer the following adventure camps for children and teenagers:
- Junior Discovery Umbria Fun and adventure camp with optional English lessons at Todi and Ripa in Umbria, Italy: 6-12 years old
- Outdoor Exploration Fun and adventure camp with optional English lessons at Torre Burchio, Bettona, Umbria, Italy: 12-16 years old
- Sea Quest Yachting expedition around the Pontine Islands, Capri and Ischia, Italy: 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 for children aged 5 to 13 with optional English lessons in Rome, Italy
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