Shanghai Summer Camps 2026, Sorted for Expat Kids

Which Mandarin language camps are worth it?

If your child is going to live in Shanghai (or even just visit for the summer), picking up some Mandarin is one of the most valuable things they can do. These are the language-focused programs with the strongest track records for international families.

GoEast Mandarin Summer Camp

Ages 9 to 17, divided into groups by age (9 to 12, 12 to 15, 15 to 17). Maximum 6 students per class. Morning Mandarin lessons with certified native-speaking teachers, afternoon cultural activities (calligraphy, cooking, local outings). Half-day option (9:00 to 12:00, lessons only) or full-day (9:00 to 16:00).

• Dates: June 15 to August 15, 2026. Session starts on June 15, June 29, July 13, and August 3. Minimum two-week commitment.
• Pricing: Academic Booster (half-day): 6,800 RMB for 2 weeks, 12,800 RMB for 4 weeks. Chinese Adventure Camp (full-day): 10,800 RMB for 2 weeks. Early-bird discount of 1,000 RMB if you register before March 31.
• Location: Xuhui Campus on Changle Lu (Room 705) and Zhongshan Park Campus in Changning.
• Cap: 30 campers total across all groups. Medical insurance included.

LTL Shanghai Summer Camp

Ages 7 to 17 (kids 7 to 10, teens 11 to 17). Children under 11 must attend with a parent. Flexible one-week minimum, up to 10 weeks across the full summer (June 8 to August 14, 2026). Four hours of Mandarin daily (four 55-minute lessons), afternoon cultural activities, Saturday full-day excursions (Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai Museum, etc.).

• Program types: Day Camp, Half-Day Camp, Homestay Camp (age 11+), Residence Camp (age 11+).
• Pricing: Starts from approximately 3,700 RMB per week for the day option. Homestay and residence programs cost more. 5% sibling discount available.
• Includes: Textbooks, daily lunch at local restaurants, airport pickup, pre-loaded transport card, 24/7 emergency support.
• Location: Xiangyang South Road, Modern Mansion Building A, Xuhui District.

That's Mandarin Summer Camp

Ages 10 to 17 for day and half-day programs; 12 to 17 for full camp with accommodation; 14 to 17 for homestay camp with a Chinese family. Class sizes of about 7 students, maximum 10.

• Pricing: Half-day approximately 8,500 RMB for 2 weeks; day camp approximately 16,000 RMB for 2 weeks. Full camp with accommodation runs roughly 29,400 RMB for 2 weeks.
• Activities: Mandarin classes plus cultural outings (the Bund, Yu Garden, Silk Museum), Chinese chess, food tasting, tea plantation visits.
• Also available in: Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu.

Silk Mandarin

Ages 7 to 17. Small classes of 4 to 8 students. Immersive Mandarin instruction combined with cultural workshops.

• Pricing: Day camp approximately 14,990 RMB for 2 weeks; boarding camp approximately 29,990 RMB for 2 weeks.
• Location: Tongren Lu campus, Jing'an District.

What summer programs do international schools offer?

Several of Shanghai's international schools open their campuses to outside families during summer (if you are weighing full enrolment too, see our guide to getting your kid into a Shanghai international school). These tend to be well-organized, with strong facilities and experienced staff.

YCIS (Yew Chung International School)

Ages 2 to 18 across ECE through high school. Two sessions: June 22 to July 3 and July 6 to 17. Open to all students, not just current YCIS families. Programs include English enrichment, Chinese language, performing arts, multi-sports, STEAM, IELTS prep, and a Chinese Musical Summer Camp at the Pudong campus.

• Hours: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
• Pricing: 8,800 to 10,800 RMB per 2-week session.
• Campuses: Puxi and Pudong.

SCIS (Shanghai Community International School)

Summer offerings vary year to year. Recent programs have included STEAM, arts, sports, and English language enrichment. Open enrollment for non-SCIS families. Pricing typically around 5,400 RMB per week.

Concordia International School

Known for their Phoenix ELL (English Language Learner) summer program, aimed at students who need English support. Also runs academic enrichment and activity-based camps. Pricing runs higher, around 8,500 RMB per week for the ELL program.

DCS / Dulwich College Shanghai (Pudong)

Ages 4 to 16. Offers MIT-authorized DDC academic courses, Discovery Education STEM programs, and Little Medical School. Running June 22 to August 14.

Nord Anglia (NAIS Pudong)

Ages 6 to 13. Themes for 2026 include a "Black Magic" science detective camp and STEM camp, plus multi-sport sessions. Runs June 22 to August 13, 9:00 AM to 4:40 PM. Early-bird pricing: 3,980 to 4,680 RMB per session.

Nord Anglia Elevate (BISS Puxi)

Ages 10 to 18. Residential sports performance camp in partnership with IMG Academy, with professional coaching in tennis, basketball, and volleyball. July 3 to 23.

What sports and specialty camps are available?

• Mahmoudi Gym (ages 6 to 12): Martial arts, Muay Thai, BJJ. Full-day 5,250 RMB/week, half-day 2,250 RMB. World champion trainers. June 29 to August 14.
• Tennisline (ages 4 to 12): ITF-curriculum tennis. 2,500 RMB/week, half-day mornings. July 6 to August 28.
• Bodylab Rhythmic Gymnastics (ages 4.5 to 12+): Professional gymnast coaching. 4,000 to 6,000 RMB for 2 weeks. June 29 to August 21.
• Hong Wu Kung Fu (ages 6 to 15): Traditional Chinese martial arts. 2,580 RMB for 10 sessions. July 1 to August 15.

Where can kids do arts and theater?

• Spotlight Studio (ages 3 to 16): Musical theater productions (Frozen, Wicked, Matilda), K-pop dance, acting. 1,500 to 3,000 RMB. Runs June through August.
• MCAA (Meraki Contemporary Art Academy) (ages 12 to 15 for fashion; younger for other projects): Sculpture, painting, fashion design, digital drawing. About 2,000 RMB per project. 218 Wending Lu, Xuhui.

What STEM and academic camps are there?

• Acorn Scouts STEAM Camp (ages 5 to 14): All-English STEAM plus outdoor exploration, 1:5 teacher ratio, screen-free. Early-bird 3,596 RMB/week. Nine weeks from June 29 to August 28.
• Parkway International Medical Exchange (ages 15 to 18): Hospital visits, robotic orthopedics, AI diagnostics. 7,000 RMB for 5 days, August 3 to 7.

How do you choose the right summer camp?

Not all camps are created equal. Here's what experienced Shanghai parents check:

• Air conditioning: Non-negotiable. Shanghai summers hit 38 to 40 degrees Celsius with brutal humidity. Any camp without AC in indoor spaces is a dealbreaker.
• Staff-to-child ratios: For younger kids (under 8), look for 1:5 or better. For older kids, 1:8 to 1:10 is acceptable.
• English-speaking staff: Confirm this directly if the camp is run by a Chinese organization. "Bilingual" in marketing materials sometimes means one English-speaking coordinator on site, not English-speaking counselors working directly with kids.
• Lunch and snacks: Some camps include meals; others expect you to pack a lunchbox. Ask what's provided and whether they accommodate food allergies.
• Transport: A few camps offer bus service. Most don't. Factor in your commute.
• Medical preparedness: Does the camp have a nurse or first-aid-trained staff on site? What's the protocol if your child gets sick or injured?

How much do Shanghai summer camps cost?

A rough breakdown of what Shanghai summer camps cost in 2026:

• Budget day camps: 1,800 to 2,600 RMB per week (martial arts, tennis, budget language programs)
• Mid-range day camps: 3,200 to 5,400 RMB per week (international school programs, STEAM camps)
• Premium day camps: 5,400 to 8,500 RMB per week (immersive language programs, specialized academic camps)
• Boarding or residential programs: 22,000 to 40,000+ RMB for multi-week immersive programs

How and when should you register?

• Book early. The popular programs (GoEast, YCIS, Acorn Scouts) fill up fast. Registration typically opens in February or March, and early-bird discounts disappear by April.
• Ask about trial days. Some camps offer a single trial day or half-day session so your child can test it before you commit to a full week.
• Read the refund policy carefully. Most camps offer partial refunds if you cancel two or more weeks in advance. Last-minute cancellations usually forfeit the full fee.
• Check visa requirements. For residential or boarding camps, confirm whether your child needs any specific documentation (passport copy, health check, vaccination records).

How do you keep kids comfortable in the summer heat?

Shanghai in July and August is hot. Our Shanghai summer survival guide and tips on how to beat the summer heat go deeper on staying comfortable. Like, really hot. Some tips for keeping kids comfortable during camp season:

• Pack a water bottle, sunscreen (SPF 50+), and a hat every single day.
• Lightweight, breathable clothing. Cotton or moisture-wicking synthetics.
• Insect repellent, especially for any outdoor or park-based activities. Mosquitoes are aggressive from June through October.
• If your child is not accustomed to heat and humidity, give them a few days to acclimatize before starting a physically intensive camp.

Common questions

How much do summer camps cost in Shanghai?

Budget day camps run about 1,800 to 2,600 RMB a week, mid-range camps 3,200 to 5,400 RMB, and premium or immersion camps 5,400 to 8,500 RMB. Residential programs run 22,000 to 40,000 RMB for multi-week stays.

When should I register for a summer camp?

Registration usually opens in February or March, and popular programs fill quickly. Early-bird discounts typically disappear by April, so book early.

Are there English-speaking summer camps in Shanghai?

Yes, many. International-school programs and expat-focused camps run in English. If a camp is run by a Chinese organisation, confirm that English-speaking counselors work directly with the kids, not just one coordinator on site.

What ages do Shanghai summer camps accept?

It varies widely. International-school programs run from age 2 up to 18, language camps such as LTL and GoEast take roughly 7 to 17, and sports and arts camps often start at 3 to 6.

Do summer camps provide lunch and transport?

Some do, some do not. Many language and school programs include lunch, but bus service is less common. Always confirm meals, snacks, allergy handling and transport before you book.

Are there early-bird discounts for Shanghai summer camps in 2026?

Yes, many camps offer early-bird discounts if you register before March 31. For example, GoEast offers a 1,000 RMB discount, and Nord Anglia has early-bird pricing starting from 3,980 RMB per session.

Are there residential summer camps in Shanghai for 2026?

Yes, several camps offer residential options. LTL Shanghai has a Residence Camp for ages 11 and up. That's Mandarin offers a full camp with accommodation for ages 12 to 17. Nord Anglia Elevate (BISS Puxi) has a residential sports performance camp for ages 10 to 18.