Spanish Summer Camp in Costa Rica

ISLS - Spanish Institute:
ISLS, The Institute for Spanish Language Studies, is a world leader in Youth Spanish Immersion Programs with an exciting and diverse selection of options and locations for summer 2010. We have ISLS owned and operated programs in Costa Rica and we also offer Spanish immersion programs in Spain. Our unique educational summer programs for teens in Costa Rica are held in Playa Dominical, Playa Tamarindo & Turrialba and combine Volunteer, Adventure Tours and Surfing with intensive Spanish classes as well as a one of a kind Children's Spanish, Sports, Art and Adventure Camp. Teen camps are for 14 to 17 year olds and the children's camp is for 6 to 12 year olds.

- Teen Spanish and Surf Camp
- Teen Spanish and Volunteer Camp
- Teen Spanish and Adventure Camp
- Spanish, Art and Sports Camp for Children

All three of our Teen Camps in Costa Rica are designed for students to be able to mix and match. Also, with our Weekly Student Blocks, students can attend a camp from one week up to six or they can attend two or three of them. Our start dates are every Sunday for six weeks during the middle of the summer.

Spanish Programs:
Students can attend all of our Spanish camps with any level of Spanish ability. They are then placed into small groups of students at the same level. Our classes are small and personal with professional teachers and no more than 7 students in a level. Every student on each of our youth camps will receive a certificate of completion for their time in our program.

Classes are conducted totally in Spanish, causing students to have to think in the language right from the start. Our material is especially designed for our students to make the language come alive. There are visits outside the classroom with teachers to markets, fruit stands, the beach and into town. By having to hear and speak the language on a daily basis, students are forced to use the Spanish they are learning in the classroom in everyday situations. Learning Spanish in a country were it is spoken is the very best way to learn the language.

Adult Spanish Immersion Programs:
If you are a parent or older sibling, or just someone looking for a Spanish immersion program for adults, we have many programs options for you. We have adult Spanish language programs in every one of our Teen Camp locations in Costa Rica and Spain.

For the Surf and Spanish Camp we stay in a hotel throughout the duration of the program. Students who are traveling by themselves will be assigned roommates. These roommates will be other campers of similar age and gender. If students are traveling with friends or family members, they can choose either to room together or separately. For the Volunteer and Spanish and the Adventure and Spanish students they are housed individually with a local Costa Rican family. If students are traveling together and want to stay with the same family, we can do this, but for immersion purposes we do not recommend it. We can place students in the same neighborhood and is some cases next door to each other.

The Children's Spanish, Art and Sports Camp in Playa Tamarindo is the only children’s Spanish camp of its kind in Latin America and is available to children aged 6 to 12. Our goal is to have the kids learn Spanish while having fun on the beach in Costa Rica. Each day, we combine two hours of fun and interactive, age appropriate Spanish language classes with lunch, games at the beach, soccer games with local children and a number of adventure activities. The six hours that the students are in the program from 8am to 2pm are designed to expose children to the Spanish language and the culture of Costa Rica.

Accommodation for Children:
Playa Tamarindo has numerous housing options for families with children on the camp. There are hostels up to 4 star hotels. There are B&Bs, bungalows, condos and houses for rent.

We have host families that are capable of housing up to five students. These families are located in Villareal, which is about 3 miles inland from Playa Tamarindo. A shuttle service is available in the morning and afternoon to bring students and parents to the school campus. Parents are not required to take Spanish classes in order to stay with a host family.

ISLS was one of the most unique and wonderful experiences of my life. It combined the fun and freedom of a perfect tropical vacation with the chance to not only be taught but emerged in the Spanish language and culture. The teachers were fun and funny, it was a rare time when I actually enjoyed going to classes! Looking back, I can’t believe how many different fun activities were fit into the short two weeks: zip-lining through the rainforest, snorkeling, hiking to waterfalls, surfing, white water rafting, and wandering through the little town watching the sunset that never failed too resemble the nicest of postcard pictures…I never wanted to leave. I came out of this program with fun memories, a better understanding of Spanish, and a whole new group of friends; it was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.
Katie
Prescott, AZ

This trip was one of the best experiences of my entire life. I went into the experience by myself and was a nervous wreck. I came out of experience more confident than I have ever had in my life. Not only did I learn to surf and experience all sorts of fun things like zip swinging through the rainforest... but I skipped a grade level of Spanish in school and made great friends.
The trip was well organized, the group leaders were great and enthusiastic. I highly recommend it.

Aubrey
Hillsborough, NC

If you would like to find out more about our amazing Teen Spanish Camps, we will gladly send you our free photo CD ROM. Please contact us quickly via our Contact Page and it will be sent to you immediately.

You will find many more photos of past programs, including all of the different activities that are a part of the program. In addition, there are descriptions of the different locations we offer, references and itineraries that will give you a much more in depth understanding of everything we offer.