Summer Camps & First Visit

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rvargas

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I would love to visit for the first time. I have an 11 year old daughter and I would love for her to get the full experience (same for myself). Learn the language and the culture. I was thinking of a summer camp that she can attend. I honestly don't even know how to start and would love some guidance from a A to Z. It would be just us two. Do I need a car rental? A place where we can stay? Any advice and information is greatly appreciated it. I would be wonderful to have this experience with her. Thank you.
 
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Ciao RVargas, welcome to the forum!

It would most definitely be a great experience for you and your daughter to experience Italy, Florence and Tuscany for a longer time if you can get the chance. I also have an 11 year old daughter and she loves the summer camps, just keep in mind most run from mid-June to end of July and almost nothing runs in August, which is unfortunate. School here in Tuscany ends on June 10th and restarts on September 15th - a whole 3 months of vacation!! so all parents here depend on summer camps to keep kids busy during the summer. Do you already have dates in which you would prefer to be in Italy? And would you prefer staying in Florence (or a city) as opposed to the outskirts? There are towns just outside Florence along the train line which would make it easier for you to have the full-immersion experience and get to places without the need to rent a car or drive.

There are so many summer camps, most are day camps that run from morning to afternoon and there are many that organized by theme, like outdoor activities, or a specific sport, or artistic. Is there anything in particular your daughter loves to do? Most are private run so are not cheap and generally require at least a week's registration, with discounts being applied to those that book multiple weeks.

So if you share any ideas you might already have about when, where (even if it just city vs countryside) or any other info on interests, that would help me see if I can already find info on specific summer camps. It's possible there are no set dates yet because most camps and parents start organizing this around april/may but if we find info on what was offered last summer, it is likely going to be similar.
 
Thank you so much for the quick response. Her school year ends in May. That’s awesome that you also have an 11 year old. It does not necessarily have to be a summer camp. I was considering looking into a host family that can show us a little bit of everything. I'm considering traveling in June of this year. I'm not sure if I should plan a trip like this a year in advance or I should have enough time to plan it out for this year. She likes sports like baseball and is into art. But she's always open to learn different things.
 
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How long would your time be in Tuscany? I think that will heavily influence your next step: choose a short term rental like an apartment OR stay with a host family, if by that you mean just a room with a family. That is a completely different type of lodging/sector so the places/sources where you will have to look into are different. My experience is with short term rentals for people who come and visit for a few days to a month, at most. The longer you want to stay, the more in advance you do have to plan your stay because if you find the perfect place, but it rents with a flexible schedule, it might already not be available for the whole time you would like to be here. In that case, you might start looking now but with the idea of coming next year because June is actually quite near already.

So how long were you thinking?
 
That sounds like an amazing experience for both you and your daughter! Immersing yourselves in the language and culture through a summer camp is a fantastic idea. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:


  1. Choosing a Summer Camp – Look for reputable language immersion camps that cater to children and families. Some programs offer parent-child experiences, while others focus on kids during the day, giving parents time to explore. Consider camps that combine language learning with cultural activities.
  2. Accommodation Options – You can stay in a hotel, Airbnb, or even with a host family for a deeper cultural experience. Some camps offer lodging options, so check if that’s available.
  3. Transportation – Depending on where you go, public transport might be sufficient, especially in cities. If you plan to explore beyond the main areas, renting a car could be helpful.
  4. Cultural Activities – Make a list of must-visit places, including museums, historical sites, and local events. Look for workshops or guided tours that introduce you to traditional customs, food, and arts.
  5. Language Learning – Before your trip, you and your daughter can start with apps like Duolingo or Babbel. Once there, practice with locals as much as possible!
  6. Planning & Budgeting – Set a budget for flights, accommodation, food, and activities. Booking early can help you find better deals.

If you have a specific destination in mind, I can help with more detailed recommendations. This will be such a memorable adventure for both of you—wishing you the best in planning!
 
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