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Istanbul's Best Summer Schools for Children
Summer schools are one of the most effective ways to spend the summer vacation productively. These schools develop children’s artistic and sporting skills and allow them to socialize during the holidays. Families living in Istanbul are very lucky because there are many professional summer schools in the city. If you want your child to spend a vacation away from the computer, moving and learning with fun, take a look at our list of the best summer schools in Istanbul!
Intelligence and Talent Village Summer School
Website: https://www.34ormanpark.com/
34 Ormanpark Intelligence and Talent Village and EMA Sports Academy collaborated to organize the summer school, where a full program awaits children. The lessons, 90 percent of which take place outdoors and are blended with the forest school education philosophy, primarily target ‘movement’ and ‘productivity’. It is possible for children aged 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11+ to participate in groups of maximum 10-12 people.
The courses in the summer school are as follows:
- Gymnastics
- Mind games-Chess
- Forest Education
- Horseback Riding
- Survivor and Movement Training
- Pilates and Yoga
- Mathematics in Nature
- English in Nature
- Drama in Nature
- Kitchen Workshop
- Speed Reading in Nature
- Fun Science
- Farmer Boy
- Pottery
- Archery and Orienteering
Aqua Camp
Photo: MaBraS
Website: https://aquakamp.com/
Aqua Kamp is located in a lush green grove. The center’s summer school programs are divided into sports and study programs. Swimming is the main branch of sports activities, while basketball and tennis are the auxiliary branches. Children can choose between basketball and tennis lessons. In the study programs, activities such as English, Archery, Scouting & Camping, Chess, Painting, Tent Building, Handicraft, Survivor Parkour are carried out. If you are looking for a professional service in the center of the city but in touch with nature, Aqua Kamp may be a good option for you.
Fenerbahçe College Summer School
Website: http://www.fbkspor.org/
Fenerbahçe College is one of the most preferred summer schools on the Anatolian side with its rich program content, extensive facilities and expert teaching staff. The aim of the school is to help children discover their talents and make them love sports. The programs are offered for children aged 3-5 and 6-14. Some of the branches in the school’s curriculum are as follows:
- Gymnastics
- Swimming
- Drama
- Educational Games
- Garden Activities
- music
- Visual Arts
- Dance
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Football
Galatasaray Sports Schools Summer Program
Photo: Markus Spiske
Website: https://www.galatasaraysporokullari.com/sayfa/yaz-programi
With its world-class programs, competent teaching staff and reliable facilities, Galatasaray Sports Schools summer programs promise your child a holiday where they can discover their talents. The classes, which include art and sports activities, take place at Beşiktaş-Ulus MEF Schools and Bahçelievler Aydın Doğan High School campuses. Both facilities are fully equipped for arts, sports and workshops.
Koç University Summer Schools
Website: https://kocelckids.ku.edu.tr/
In addition to its own and other university students, Koç University is one of the educational institutions that organizes summer schools for high school students and children aged 6-12, and does so in the highest quality. The workshops organized at the Koç University English Language Center for Kids program aim to increase children’s ability to use resources and solve problems, as well as their listening and speaking skills in English. Accordingly, all activities are organized by native English speaking guides. If you would like your child’s physical and social development to be supported through activities such as golf, photography and drama, as well as improving their English, you can contact Koç University. Finally, we should mention that the institution also offers a Summer Boarding Program for children aged 9-12.
Ugur Schools Summer School
Website: https://ugurokullari.k12.tr/
Ugur Schools, one of Turkey’s most well-established educational institutions, brings students together with an enjoyable summer school program this year as it does every year. As the institution has campuses in many provinces in Turkey, don’t think that this program is only available in Istanbul. If there is a campus in your city, you can get in touch and enroll your child in a summer school with art and sports classes.
ENKA Summer Sports Schools
Photo: RODNAE Productions
Website: https://www.enkaspor.com/spor-okullari/yaz-spor-okullari/
ENKA Sports Club, which has been carrying out activities to support the development of Turkish sports since 1983, also contributes to the discovery of talents and the acquisition of sports ethics through the summer schools it organized for children born between 2005 and 2013. The summer school consists of basketball, swimming, athletics, tennis, table tennis and cultural activities.
Istanbul Sailing Club
Website: http://www.istanbulyelken.org.tr/egitim-merkezleri/
Would you like your child to learn how to sail a sailboat, learn about marina life and discover what teamwork is all about this summer vacation? All this is possible with the summer school organized by Istanbul Sailing Club, Turkey’s first sailing club, for 6-12 and 13-17 age groups!
RCS Academy
Website: https://rcsplus.org/rcs-academy/
RCS Academy programs organized by Robert College teachers and club advisors are being held online this year due to the pandemic. The aim of the program is to improve the English speaking and comprehension skills of children aged 12-17. Accordingly, the whole process is carried out in English. Although it will not be organized this year, be sure to follow RCSUMMER programs in the coming years!
Burhan Felek Summer School
Photo: Drew Gilliam
The summer schools at Burhan Felek Swimming Pool are organized on weekdays so that children can spend time with their families at the weekend. The groups do not exceed 15 people and professional guides never leave the children’s side. The classes are held at Acıbadem Doğuş University Campus for children between the ages of 5-14. The main branches are Swimming, Gymnastics, Basketball, Volleyball, English, Chess and Crafts, while the auxiliary branches include Futsal, Cinema, Painting, Brain Games and Survivor. At the end of the semester, there is a cultural trip.
Gymboreeclasses Summer Camp
Photo: Alex Kondratiev
Website: https://www.gymboreeclasses.com.tr/class/yaz-kampi.html
Are you ready to meet a fun, interactive and social summer camp for children aged 3-6? In this program, children meet in Play&Learn, Art, English, Music, Global Kids, Science and Creativity and Cooking classes and discover what it means to learn through fun. Within the scope of the program, they can also participate in swimming, yoga, pony riding and garden activities, depending on the center.
Sabancı University High School Summer School
Website: https://liseyazokulu.sabanciuniv.edu/
Open to high school students and students who will start high school in the 2021-2022 academic year, this program aims to provide participants with a university experience. In the summer school, which is organized in three two-week terms, a minimum of two and a maximum of four courses can be selected from more than forty university courses. In addition, students improve themselves through personal development seminars and university promotion events.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Summer Schools
Website: https://genclikspor.ibb.istanbul/
IBB Sports Schools aim to instill an awareness of sports in children at an early age and provide training in 15 different branches. Classes are organized for a total of 18 days in 2-month periods. If you have a child between the ages of 3-15, you are very lucky; because for only 15 TL registration fee, you can discover which sport your child is talented in Spor Istanbul Schools!
Gymy Kids Club
Website: gymykids.com
Acting with the motto “Let kids do sports!”, Gymy Kids Club offers more than a summer school to both parents and children with the various activities it offers. The institution, which takes its place among Istanbul summer schools, also organizes outdoor workshops and getaway trips to nature.
GyMagic Kids
Instagram: instagram.com/gymagickids
Operating out of Club Sporium in Akatlar, Istanbul, GyMagic Kids is a great option for parents looking for a summer school. GyMagic Kids organizes activities in many different fields, from gymnastics to aikido, drama school to cinema training, and has many trainers, each of whom is an expert in their field.
Istanbul Modern Online Summer Art School
Detailed Information: istanbulmodern.org/en/egitim/cocuklara-cevrimici-yaz-sanat-okul_2861.html
The online education trend, which has become quite widespread with the pandemic, continues with the online summer and art school organized by Istanbul Modern for children. 10 different workshops will be organized in the online school that will operate throughout August. With the participation of museum experts and artists, children will have the opportunity to perform many different art activities from their homes. In the activities to be held every weekday for children between the ages of 4 and 12, the little ones will also be informed about the history of art.
