Best Summer Camps in Lausanne 2027
Outdoor mountain adventures, creative workshops, and language immersion come together in Lausanne’s summer camps, showcasing the city’s unique blend of nature, innovation, and international education. This guide covers summer camps in Lausanne and the surrounding Lake Geneva region, alongside selected residential programmes elsewhere in Switzerland for families considering a longer stay.
Summary
How do families choose the best camp for their child?
For many expat families, choosing a camp in Lausanne means finding enriching experiences that balance learning and fun. Parents often seek dependable childcare through day camps that fit around work or travel, while residential programmes offer older children opportunities to develop greater independence.
With its strong international community, Lausanne offers bilingual French and English camp options that support language development and cultural connection. These programmes often combine outdoor exploration, creative activities, and new friendships, making them ideal for children settling into a new environment and discovering what they love.
Practical considerations for choosing a camp in Lausanne
Planning school holidays often involves considering the destination, a child’s age, and the type of experience desired. Lausanne offers a broad selection of day and residential camps, from creative programmes for younger children to international boarding-style experiences for teenagers.
Parents should also check each camp’s location, age requirements, language options and confirmed 2027 dates before booking. While some programmes operate in Lausanne or nearby towns, others are residential experiences in the Swiss Alps or further afield.
All Ages
ISL Holiday Camps
The International School of Lausanne (ISL) offers bilingual English and French day camps for children aged 3 to 12, providing a safe, engaging environment that emphasises outdoor play, creativity, and teamwork. With activities ranging from sports and arts to outdoor exploration and age-appropriate challenges, the programmes nurture curiosity, build confidence, and help children form lasting friendships.
Pre-University
EHL Junior Academy
Students aged 16 to 18 curious about hospitality and business can join the EHL Junior Academy for a one-week programme or selected two-week combinations introducing them to hospitality management. Through hands-on workshops and team projects, participants explore leadership, communication, and global service while experiencing life on EHL’s internationally recognised hospitality education campuses.
Some programme combinations take place across different campuses, so families should confirm the location, language requirements and availability of Lausanne sessions for summer 2027.
Mountain Camps
The Young Explorers Club focuses on outdoor education, teamwork, and authentic adventure, offering residential experiences that encourage young people to explore beyond the classroom. Options like the Mountain Biking Camp and Adrenaline Multisport Camp in the Swiss Alps combine physical challenge with environmental learning, helping children grow through discovery and connection.
Based in Les Diablerets, these programmes cater to children aged 8 to 13, with organised transport available from Lausanne railway station. The provider has published sessions for July and August 2027.
Each two-week summer camp session includes five full-day excursions to some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking destinations, with participants who choose the language programme receiving at least 18 hours of tuition. The programme also includes Alpine adventure activities and sports coaching, creating opportunities for children to explore the outdoors, develop new skills, and make international friendships.
Camp Suisse offers residential experiences in the Swiss Alps, including Les Crosets, rather than day camps in Lausanne. Families should confirm the exact camp location, available activities and language options for their chosen 2027 session.
Why camps matter for expat families
Summer camps in Lausanne offer expat families structure, community, and peace of mind during the school holidays. Day camps can provide dependable childcare, while residential programmes give children opportunities to develop independence and experience life away from home. Both can help children make friends, discover new interests, and connect with their surroundings and peers from different backgrounds.
Camps help children settle into their surroundings and create a healthy balance for families, with time for parents to work or recharge while children learn, play, and grow in a safe, inspiring environment. From creative programmes at ISL to mountain biking adventures and hospitality experiences at EHL, Lausanne and the wider Swiss camp landscape offer families a range of meaningful ways to spend the summer holidays.
ARTICLES
This section features blog articles on children’s camps, providing practical tips and expert insights to help families choose programmes that balance fun, learning, and meaningful experiences.
