April Camps for Kids in Bangkok

As Songkran break approaches and I know that we will be in town most of the break, I decided to research camp options for my kids and thought I’d share what I’ve found so far.

Last Songkran my son did the Ecokids camp run by PATT Foundation and really enjoyed it (I highly recommend an April camp not only because they get to do cool stuff and become more environmentally conscious, but also because during Songkran break, there’s hardly any traffic at all so it’s easy to drop off and pick up!).

In researching our options I’ve found there are a lot more sports camps than I realized, as well as some arts and cooking camps that look promising.

Most places don’t actually run camps the week of Songkran, but offer them instead the week before and/or after Songkran.  Some groups like the popular Bangkok Dolphins don’t have April camps at all and instead only offer courses during the long international school holidays (June/July) and perhaps October and February school breaks. Others (e.g. Poteri Clay and Funarium) schedule camps during Thai school holidays which coincide with international school breaks in April and October.

If you want to plan ahead for future you can check out our Directory (just search for “Camps” under “Activities by Type”).

Below, I’ve listed the camps I know of that are running in during the April break.   I don’t have personal experience with all of those listed, so it would be great to hear from those who have experience with any camps that they would (or wouldn’t) recommend.  I’m sure this is not an exhaustive list either, so please let us know of other options we should add to the directory as well.

Camps with a Difference

Ecokids Camp by PATT (Plant a Tree Today). Kids experience various environmental activities including tree planting and recycling tours. There is a day camp option for 3 or 5-day periods during school holidays and also an overnight option during select weekends. Activities include guided nature walks by ‘real’ ecologists, tree planting, wildlife spotting, recycling activities, and a visit to the Science Museum. Ages 5-11 years. For contact details, see the full EcoKids Camp listing or flyer.

Crafts & Cooking

Attic Studios. Attic Studios offers holiday children’s camps for kids age 5-18. Students work in a variety of media, including charcoal, acrylic, pastel & oil. Four-day workshops (3 hours per day) being offered the weeks before and after Songkran. For contact details, see the full Attic Studios listing.

A Little Something. Week-long cooking camps during school holidays (both half-day and full-day options available. For contact details, see the full A Little Something listing.

IPC Clubhouse. IPC Clubhouse offers half or full day camps with a variety of fun arts & crafts as well as sports. Open to all children, discounts available for IPC Clubhouse members. Ages 18 months – 7 years old. For contact details, see the full IPC Clubhouse listing or this IPC Camps flyer.

Poteri Clay Workshops. Workshops offer skills in building clay pots by hand or throwing pots on a potters wheel. For full contact details, see the Poteri Clay Workshop listing.

Camp I Can Cook. Each camp is structured around a themed menu, with hands-on cooking activities, crafting, tasting and educational element. Camps are 3, 4 or 5 days, with sessions lasting 3 hours per day. Themes include Thai, Italian, Desserts Around the World and more. Ages 5 and up. 5 weekly camps running from March 30 – May 6. For contact details, see the Young Chef’s Academy listing.

Sports & Fitness

Brazilian Soccer School. This soccer camp focuses on soccer skills such as passing, moves to beat players, juggling, turning, core skills, team work, tactics and lots of small sided friendly games as well as our daily competitive 3-a-side World Cup and Futebol De Salão matches. Children are put into appropriate groups depending on their experience and ability. All players will have fun, improve their soccer skills and leave with a new found love of football. Five day camp with lunch and snacks provided. It is held on a superb covered Astroturf pitch. Ages: 5-12 years. For contact details, see the full Brazilian Soccer Schools listing.

Can U Kick It Multi-Sports Camp. Activities in this sports camp include soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, indoor hockey, badminton, table-tennis, trampolining, gymnastics and other fun games and arts and crafts, conducted by professional teaching staff and coaches. There is one field trip off-site (for example to Dream World or Dusit Zoo). Ages 4-15 years. Held at different international schools in the central Sukhumvit Area (i.e. NIST or Bangkok Prep). For contact details, see the full Can U Kick It listing.

Let’s Asia Sports Camp. Each day is divided into 3 main activities – swimming, sports and arts & crafts. The camps are fun-focused, with special days like ‘Crazy Hair Day’ or ‘Super Hero’ day, and Fun Fairs on Friday afternoons. Camps are run in English by qualified Let’s Asia staff and teachers working at international schools in Bangkok. For ages from 2.5 – 13 years old (camps separated by age group). For contact details, see the fullLet’s Asia listing.

Opti Course Sailing Camp for Kids. Held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, this sailing course is designed for new children sailors, so previous experience is not necessary. course is meant for new children sailors, so participants do not need to have any sailing experience. During the course the children will learn basics about sailing, such as safety on the water, how to rig the boat, terminology on boat parts, basic knots, capsizing, steering, wind direction, current, how to set thesail to the wind direction, tacking, jibing and how to stop the boat. At the end of the course all children should be confident enough to sail a course on the water and return to the beach safely. Children who pass written and practical examinations at the end will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. The next camp will be April 11 to 15, 2011 starting at 9.30 am and finishing at 16:30 pm. Basic lodging available on club premises. For contact details see the full Royal Varuna Yacht Club listing.

Tennis Camp @ Le Smash Club . Half and full day tennis camps with 3 hours of tennis and physical training in the morning, a lunch break and additional 90 minutes of tennis and 1 hour of recreational activities and games in the afternoon. All ages welcome, but most participants are from 7 – 13. Camps held on the week before and following Songkran. For contact details, see the full Le Smash Club listing.

Topflight Basketball Academy. Emphasis is on teaching and developing basic fundamentals of basketball. Dribbling ball, handling and passing. We will incorporate fun games throughout the training to keep the children motivated and engaged – younger children will focus more on building skills in a fun, non competitive situation. Older children (9-12) are introduced to game concepts, especially defense, foot work, proper body posting and game situations with more of an emphasis on the competitive aspects of the game. In the 12-16 age group, students will learn about the more advanced and technical aspects of the game. For contact details, see the full Topflight Basketball Academy listing.