Summer programs - American School in London

Adventures in Photography (Digital), weeks 1-5

Leader: Mara Bodis-Wollner and Tanya Harris
Age: 12-17

Cost: £585

Dates: 19 June-21 July
Enrollment: up to 12
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place for arrival and collection, traveling to iconic architecture locations around London

We provide a digital SLR camera and teach you how to use it. You learn photographic skills and how to edit your strongest images. By the end of this week, you will have a digital photography portfolio on a USB memory stick to take home. Students are welcome without previous photographic experience or knowledge. We support students from beginning photographers to advanced and progress individual skills and enjoyment. Each day, we have lunch together (cost included) at a different restaurant, enjoying a range of cuisines—all dietary requirements will be met.

Students should wear comfortable shoes to explore the city and bring an Oyster card to travel on public transport.

Architecture Photography, week 1

Dates: 19-23 June

Join us to explore London’s unique iconic buildings, which inspire us as photographers. Develop your photographer style through creating dramatic photographs and capturing spaces from your point of view. Each day, we visit renowned architecture locations, including modern buildings in the City, cultural venues and galleries, the Southbank, Thames bridges and public art. We enjoy walking around London with our eyes peeled, seeking lines, curves and intersections to make captivating photos. We explore secret locations of this gorgeous city.

Street Photography, week 2

Dates: 26-30 June

Would you like to develop your photography skills and become a young London street photographer? How you choose to look at the world around you is always your choice, and we support you as you develop your creative style by photographing people in memorable places. During a curated tour of London’s cultural spaces, including Camden Lock, Soho and Chinatown, Shoreditch, Portobello Road, Regent’s Canal and London Zoo, you learn how to capture the vibrancy of people in their element in natural environment. We explore how people move through markets, public art and renowned public cultural spaces. We explore how to shoot what’s in front of the lens and how to connect with people to take their portrait, while being safe.

Photographing People on Location, week 3

Dates: 3-7 July

Develop your creative skills as a portrait photographer and enjoy learning alongside professional portrait photographers. We explore and record people enjoying London street culture, visiting lively cultural markets and renowned public promenades. You learn how to make reportage, candid and posed portraits of people in their element, enjoying London in the summer. Develop your creative photography style and your technical and social skills as we explore renowned cultural markets, including Portobello Road, Old Spitalfields Market, Camden Town, Brixton Village, Greenwich and the Southbank—all inspiring locations to create memorable photographs. We enjoy walking with our eyes peeled, seeking to find and make captivating photos, while discovering secret locations of this gorgeous city.

Nature and Wildlife Photography, week 4

Dates: 10-14 July

Develop your creative skills as a nature and wildlife photographer by venturing and exploring unique wildlife locations. We explore nature that will inspire you to create beautiful photographs. We visit London Zoo, Royal Parks (including Regent’s, Hyde and Greenwich parks), Hampstead, Highgate and Kenwood, and the River Thames. We enjoy walking in nature to observe, looking at how light illuminates wildlife and what is hiding in the shade. We record animals and learn how to use a combination of camera lens depths using zoom for farther away and macro lens for close ups.

People, Places and Wildlife Photography, week 5

Dates: 17-21 July

Develop your skills and individual style as a creative photographer, through being inspired by London. We explore London with a different photographic approach each day, through street, portrait, architecture and wildlife photography. On our photographic journeys, we observe and capture what inspires us on camera, as we explore culturally iconic locations in this gorgeous city of London. We learn how to capture iconic architecture in the City of London by experimenting with different points of view from the street to higher vantage points. We photograph street art in Shoreditch, renowned markets, Royal Parks and London wildlife, and walk along the Southbank.

Adventures in Photography: Darkroom Magic, weeks 1-5

Leaders: Heather McDonough and Scotia Luhrs

Age: 8-14 (depending on the week)

Cost: £595 per week

Date: 19 June-21 July

Enrollment: up to 10 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Waverley Place campus and around London

Do you love taking creative pictures? In these workshops, appropriate for both the complete beginner as well as the student with photography/darkroom knowledge, we experiment with photography in many forms; each week has a different theme. Students experience the magic of creating unique images to bring home! Each workshop is split between studio/darkroom fun in the art department and field trips around London related to our theme.

Nature Explorers, week 1

Age: 8-14
Date: 19-23 June

With trips to the Natural History Museum to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and London Zoo to photograph the animals and to learn more about their habitat, participants need to be inquisitive and ready to investigate the natural world! Collecting specimens along the way, we make photograms in the darkroom and cyanotypes using the sun; we explore creative cameraless processes, including building a camera obscura that brings the outside world inside.

Mirrors and Magic: Exploring Darkroom Photography, week 2

We Love Landscape Photography, week 3

Bloom, Baby, Bloom! Still-life Photography, week 4

Age: 8-14
Date: 10-14 July

We create still-life tableau to photograph and bring to life in the darkroom. A trip to Regent’s Park provides our source of shapes and natural fauna. A visit to the V&A Museum Photography Collection sees us look at diverse photographic styles to inform budding photographers (pun intended!). This week is hands-on making and ideal for young photographers!

Playful Portraiture: What is your superpower?, week 5

Age: 8-14
Date: 17-21 July

Jump into our studio to create fun and lively photographs of each other! We require detectives with an eye for detail to represent kids’ secret superpowers. Can you help us? We will use props to pose our subjects and ourselves… if you are good at creative-thinking and collaborative brain-storming, we need you!

Activities: learn lightening techniques, darkroom printing, learn basics of how to use the camera confidently and efficiently.
Trips: National Portrait Gallery and The Photographers’ Gallery, London

AI-Generated Art Camp, week 6

Leader: Mariam Mathew and Rachel Warbelow

Age: 10-16

Cost: £355

Date: 24-28 July

Enrollment: up to 10 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Waverley Place campus

This camp allows you to explore your love for images and pique your interest in the power of artificial intelligence (AI). Using 2 or 3 different AI-generated art tools, we will learn about the options, processes, and considerations for creating your own images with words and creativity! Participants will hold a gallery of their own AI-generated art on the last day.

Art Camp, week 1

Leaders: Luchy Harrold and Helena Ryparova
Age: Ages 8-10

Cost: £355 per student
Dates: 19-23 June

Enrollment numbers: up to 18
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place Campus

Art Camp is a week-long exploration of different art forms and expression for younger students. A variety of art styles and materials will be used for painting, drawing and ceramics, and both indoor and outdoor spaces on campus will be sources of inspiration.

Art and Craft Camp, week 4

Leader: Ashima Kumar

Age: 8-11

Cost: £355

Date: 10-14 July

Enrollment: up to 20 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Waverley Place campus

The camp provides children with a unique opportunity to tap into their artistic potential. Through engaging in various projects and activities, children have the chance to explore their creativity and express themselves through different art forms. They experiment with shapes, various art media, and clay and collage techniques, enabling them to discover their preferred methods of artistic expression. Students learn about famous artists and their styles, and receive guidance to create their own works of art inspired by these techniques. This camp is designed to nurture children's love for art and craft, develop their skills, and foster a sense of confidence and self-expression through artistic exploration.

Art and Design Camp, weeks 1, 5 & 7

Leader: Ashima Kumar

Age: 6-12 (19-23 June); 5-12 (17-21 July); 5-12 (31 July-4 August)

Cost: £355

Date: 19-23 June; 17-21 July; 31 July-4 August

Enrollment: up to 20 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Waverley Place campus

This camp is a perfect opportunity for children to explore their creativity and dive into the world of art and design. During each week, the camp offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor projects and activities that inspire children to develop their artistic skills and express their unique ideas through various art forms. While engaging in the principles of art and design, children develop their own board games, storyboards and printmaking techniques. The camp is designed to provide an environment that encourages self-expression, fosters imagination and cultivates a love for art in children.

Basketball and Swim Camp, weeks 1-2 and 8-9

Leader: Alice Harwood (weeks 1-2); Andre Dias Reis (weeks 8-9)
Age: 9-14 years old

Cost: £355 per week

Dates: 19-30 June; 7-18 August

Enrollment: up to 40 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: The American School in London via the Community Arts Building entrance

Basketball and swimming is offered for four weeks in 2023. Campers work on the basic skills of basketball for most of the day, e.g., ball-handling, passing and shooting, and learning offensive and defensive plays. The other part of the day is spent in the ASL swimming pool, where participants can enjoy water games, lap swim, improve their stroke or just have refreshing fun. Camp runs Monday–Friday, 9am–3:15pm. For each week, campers should report to the Farmer Family Gymnasium, dressed appropriately for basketball, but also with swimsuits and towels ready for later in the day. Participants can join for one or all weeks. Campers provide their own lunch and drinks.

Ceramics and Creative Arts Camp, week 2-3

Leader: Ashima Kumar

Age: 6-11 (26-30 June); 6-8 (3-7 July)

Cost: £315

Date: 26 June-7 July

Enrollment: up to 12 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Waverley Place campus

In this day-long offering, an imaginative and creative exploration of the magical material called "clay," participants use a variety of traditional methods and techniques: 'coiling,' 'slab building,' 'modeling' and 'throwing' on the potter's wheel. Students have the opportunity to make and decorate pieces using a variety of bright 'underglaze' colors and slips, and a safe glaze finish. The informal studio atmosphere allows students to flex their creative imaginations and everyone will complete at least one or two pieces.

For variety, other creative arts forms will be explored in addition to ceramics.

Creative Arts Camp, week 2-3

Leader (week 2): Luchy Harrold and Helena Ryparova
Leader (week 3): Helena Ryparova and Michaela Walsh

Age: 6-8 (26-30 June); 9-11 (3-7 July)

Cost: £315

Date: 26 June-7 July

Enrollment: up to 18 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Waverley Place campus

During this fun and dynamic week, children explore a variety of art-making materials and media. They are encouraged to think creatively, be inventive and experiment with color, shape and texture. We hope to complete a number of colorful and creative pieces that can be brought home at the end of the week. Popular children’s books provide inspiration for some of the projects and we explore special techniques inspired by the illustrators, such as watercolors and paper cutting.

Crew Camp (ASL students only), weeks 1-2

Leader: Jamie Kirkwood

Age: 14-18

Cost: £595

Date: 19-30 June

Enrollment: up to 20 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: University of London Boat Club (ULBC)

This camp is aimed at current development and performance rowers from the ASL crew program, as well as any Grade 8 rowers who attended this school year’s (2022-23) Grade 8 rowing program. The aim of this camp is to improve rowers’ small boat skills, technical ability, boat-handling skills, as well as general progression within the sport.

Daily schedule:
9-9:45 am: Bus from ASL to ULBC
10-11:45 am: First row
12 noon-12:45 pm: Lunch (please provide your own)
1-2:45 pm: Second row or strength/mobility
3:15-4 pm: Bus from ULBC to ASL

Deep Dive into Stories Camp, weeks 1-2

Leaders: Yulisa Cruz
Age: 8-12
Cost: £315 per students
Date: 19-30 June
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm
Location: Waverley Place campus

Every morning, we learn about story structure so we can dissect and reinvent simple stories. Campers revamp characters and the central story, tell the tale from a different perspective, explore the anti-story, alter the story experience through an environmental shift, add or take away characters, or tell the audience the thoughts of certain characters. Each afternoon, we use a different artistic medium to further explore the story. Through art, song, drama and movement, we relay the story to each other.

Discovery Camp, weeks 1-8

Age: 4-5 years old
Cost: £355 per week
Dates: 19 June-11 August

Enrollment: up to 28
Hours: 9am-3:15pm
Location: The American School in London via the Community Arts Building entrance

Formerly known as Kindercamp, this offering is suitable for children age 4-5. Please note that children must be 4 years of age before they can enroll in Discovery Camp and should be able to use the bathroom without assistance. We reserve the right to cancel enrollments of children too young or too old to attend our programs.

Especially designed with our youngest participants in mind, the Discovery Camp provides a safe environment in which children engage in a variety of activities crafted around a weekly theme. There is an emphasis on fun and cooperative play, combined with a structure that enables children to continue to build confidence and make new friends—the hallmarks of the Discovery Camp program. For all children in the Discovery Camp, an hour of swimming is included each week. Parents will be informed which day swimsuits and towels are to be brought to ASL.

A typical Discovery Camp day

Camp begins with the children being met by their teachers from 8:50 am at the Community Arts Building entrance. Children hang up their things and come into the classroom.

9 am: Free choice activities, which can include Play-Doh, blocks, drawing/writing and other fun manipulatives
9:45 am: Morning meeting—getting to know each other activities and songs/stories
10:15 am: Snack and recess
10:45 am: Theme of the week activity (art, songs, stories, etc.)
11:45 am: Recess
12:30: Lunch
1 pm: Story time
1:30 pm: Theme activity (art, songs, stories, etc.)
2:30 pm: Free choice (including a cooking center, theme related)
2:45 pm: Closing activity
3:15: Dismissal

Discover London/Découvrir Londres Camp, week 8

Leaders: Andrew McAllister and Nancy Eale-Lembo
Age: 10-11
Cost: £340 per student
Dates: 7-11 August
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm
Location: Waverley Place campus and around London

Would you like to make new friends and explore London tourist attractions while developing your basic French writing skills? If so, this is the camp for you! On Monday, students explore a London Tourist Guide (Guide Touristique Londres) and choose the locations they would like to visit during the week. Each morning, students write their plan for the day in French, then take a trip to museums, parks and sights in London. Students that wish to practice their French-speaking skills have the option of conversing the entire week in French with the lead teacher of this camp!

We travel on TfL services (bus/tube) to visit places around London, so students need to arrive each day with an activated children's Oyster card. Students are encouraged to bring £5-10 each day in case they wish to purchase items from local markets.

Dungeons and Dragons Camp, week 1

Leaders: Chris Goff and Colin McCarty
Age: 11-16 years old
Cost: £385 per week
Dates: 19-23 June
Enrollment: up to 21 students
Time: 9am-3:15pm
Location: Waverley Campus, MS Science

This camp is open to new and experienced players. Campers will be grouped by age as well as playing experience. A teacher will be assigned to lead the group on an adventure. Over the course of the week, students will:

Create characters
Play a campaign spanning the entire week
Make their own polyhedral dice
3D print miniatures
And more!

Students that sign up for both weeks will be given the opportunity to continue the campaign that they started the first week (subject to re enrollment).

D&D is a game about storytelling in worlds of swords and sorcery. Like games of make-believe, D&D is driven by imagination. It’s about picturing a crumbling castle in a darkening forest and imagining how a fantasy adventurer might react to the challenges that scene presents.

FIRST Lego League Challenge Design Camp, weeks 1 and 7

Leader: Kojo Baffour
Age: 10-13

Cost: £450 per student

Dates: 19-24 June; 31 July-4 August
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus

Participants learn the design strategies involved in building a Lego Spike Prime robot to compete in the FIRST Lego League Challenge. Campers have the opportunity to work with teammates to design their own robot to complete challenges from the 2022-23 FIRST Lego League Challenge: SUPERPOWERED. This course is targeted at students who have some experience using technology and would like to further their robot-building skills. Once their robot is complete, students will test their design against missions from the SUPERPOWERED challenge to see if their mechanisms are functional and follow the engineering design process to improve their designs throughout the week. This course goes hand in hand with a week of the FIRST Lego League Code Camp and we encourage but do not require campers to enroll in both camps. This is the camp for those who enjoy building and coding robots, and who are enthusiastic about competing in the next FIRST Lego League competition.

FIRST Lego League Challenge Code Camp, week 6 and 8

Leader: Kojo Baffour
Age: 10-13

Cost: £450 per student

Dates: 24-28 July; 7-11 August
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus

Participants build a Lego Spike Prime robot equipped with several motors and sensors and learn techniques required for success in the FIRST Lego League Challenge. Students go through a series of programming tutorials and are challenged accordingly. Participants who have previous experience in robotics or FLL have the opportunity to extend their learning with individually catered challenges. We focus on mastering the techniques of patience and perseverance through trial and error, using reference points in the robot's environment to ensure the robot is exactly where it's wanted: making the robot efficiently follow a line of any color; and most importantly understanding how the robot and its software work to enable participants to problem solve when faced with an engineering challenge.

This course is designed to accompany the FIRST Lego League Challenge Design Camp and we encourage but do not require campers to enroll in both camps. Participants who sign up for both have the opportunity to keep their robot from the previous week to code with. This is the camp for those who are enthusiastic about competing in the next First Lego League season or who simply enjoy Lego robotics.

Food Odyssey Camp, week 1

Leader: Sean Ross
Age: 13-14

Cost: £600 per student

Dates: 19-23 June
Enrollment numbers: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place for arrival and collection, traveling to various locations around London

Monday
A visit to Brixton provides a veritable hotpot of cultures and nationalities, creating one of London’s most diverse food hubs, including classical food markets of central Brixton that cater to the Afro-Caribbean, African and Asian communities. This contrasts with the new hipster food culture of pop-up restaurants and food vans, and fashionable old-school food redesigned. We begin by thinking about the two-course meal that students prepare and cook on Wednesday. We visit Borough Market, learn about its history and explore its wide range of ingredients for inspiration. Students can get lunch at the market from its vast array of vendors.

Tuesday
On the first day of cooking, we focus on fresh ingredients, nutritional value and, of course, making great food. Students learn some basic cooking skills, knife skills and develop a basic understanding of food hygiene. Students prepare and cook two dishes.

Wednesday
With a strict schedule, students plan, prepare and cook their own meals, while being supported and guided as they produce a delicious and creative meal. They receive feedback on their meals and then eat their wonderful creations.

Thursday
We cook lunch for the summer camp team at Canons Park. We will work together as a team to coordinate multiple preparation stations and dishes. It’s going to be a busy morning but a delicious afternoon. Once we’ve cleaned up, there'll be an opportunity to explore Canons Park and join in with some games.

Friday
Students explore British cuisine through a visit to Brighton. We introduce British seafood in all its glory along with ice cream and rock candy. To top off the week, we visit the fair rides at the famous Brighton pier and eat at The Salt Room restaurant, a delicious seaside seafood restaurant.

Fun, Play and Splash Camp, weeks 4 and 6

Leader: Kasha Skwarcan
Age: 6-8 (10-14 July); 9-11 (24-28 July)

Cost: £340 per student

Dates: 10-14 July; 24-28 July
Enrollment: up to 10 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus and local parks

This is the camp for those who want to play games, explore local parks and playgrounds around St. John’s Wood, have picnics outside, and finish with a splash-and-play session in ASL’s six-lane swimming pool, while making new friends and having fun! No swimming experience required but children must be comfortable with being in the water.

Gardening and Cooking Camp, week 5-6

Leaders: Andrew McAllister and Ania Driscoll-Lind
Age: 10-13 years old

Cost: £350 per student
Dates: 17-21 July; 24-28 July

Enrollment: up to 12
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place Campus and Canons Park

This hands-on camp explores plant and environmental science, cooking techniques, and human nutrition through fun, exploratory learning. We use our senses to compare the scents, textures, and tastes of different herbs and food groups, we plant seedlings, pot plants, sketch, and draw, and we learn about plant families that you can grow in your own garden. We will also visit local markets and pick-it-yourself farms in order to collect the ingredients to make our own fun and delicious meals like soups, curries, and bread!

We will travel on TfL services (buses & the tube) to visit places around London, so students will need to arrive each day with an activated Oyster card. Students are encouraged to bring £5-10 each day in case they wish to purchase items from local markets.

Garden Wildlife Camp: Creating space in our gardens for animals, week 8

Leader: Ania Driscoll-Lind and Jan Ostman-Lind
Age: 10-13

Cost: £350 per student

Dates: 7-11 August
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus and Canons Park

In this camp, we learn how to create a garden for wildlife and how to attract birds, bees, insects, butterflies and small animals into the garden.We respect the environment as we design and learn new wildlife garden ideas. Part of the course sees us create more wildlife-friendly places around the Honeypot Lane garden space at Canons Park. Students also have a chance to plan for ways to encourage wildlife in their own garden or neighborhood. We visit wildlife-friendly gardens in London to gain inspiration.

Masterchef and Crafts Camp, week 2-3

Leader: Don Davidson

Age: 9-11 (26-30 June); 6-8 (3-7 July)

Cost: £315

Date: 26 June-7 July

Enrollment: up to 10 students

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Waverley Place campus

This is a day-long offering in which campers use the ASL kitchen facilities and Commons to learning cooking skills and have exciting culinary experiences. Cooking is led by experienced ASL teachers and includes expert instruction from one of ASL's chefs, courtesy of our school caterers, BaxterStorey. Age-appropriate recipes are used as our mini master chefs prepare dishes.

The day will also have craft experiences to balance out the days activities.

Perform Theater Camp, weeks 1-7

Age: Students entering K2-Grade 5 (ages 5-10)
Cost: £385 per week
Dates: 19 June-4 August

Enrollment: minimum 12, maximum 24

Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Campus via the Community Arts Building entrance

The Perform Theater Company is expanding its offerings in summer 2023. There will be drama, dance and singing. On Friday afternoon, participants perform in a special show with live music and colorful costumes for invited parents and friends. If a live performance not possible, a video of the performance will be shared with families. These workshops are run by an energetic team of actors who inspire and encourage the children's creativity, confidence and communication skills. No experience necessary. Enthusiasm is all students need for this fantastic course and they have the time of their lives discovering new talents with their friends.

Rambling & Orienteering Camp, weeks 1-2

Leader: Dusty Francis and Nicole Van Gasse
Age: 11-14 (19-23 June); 12-17 (26-30 June)

Cost: £350 per student

Dates: 19-30 June
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus and around London

Following a short daily briefing and skills session, students set off from ASL to go rambling in the beautiful countryside just outside of London, discovering the rivers, forests, hills and dales waiting on our doorstep. Over the course of the week, students acquire basic skills in reading, navigating and planning with a map and compass, while walking across some of the Southeast’s most idyllic landscapes. Students walk 4-7 miles each day, and walks proceed regardless of rain or shine, so a sturdy set of walking shoes or boots and waterproofs are a must. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather—only the wrong clothes! Come join us as we spend a week taking a walk on the wild side.

Science Camp, weeks 1-3

Leader: Ronita Mitra and Amy Purdon
Age: 6-8 (19-23 June); 9-11 (26 June-7 July)

Cost: £350 per student

Dates: 19 June-7 July
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus

What types of natural resources are used to make the objects we use in everyday life? Do you want to travel underground for an up-close look at the ants, amoebas and bacteria that maintain healthy soil? If you do, then welcome to the amazing Science Camp! Join us for fun and hands-on experiments, outdoor activities, quizzes, design-thinking challenges and exploration time. We investigate three main branches of science: physical, life and earth. Each day, participants perform 2-3 experiments on a new topic that promotes their scientific interest. Days are divided into two parts. In the mornings, students perform hands-on experiments to help them to stay curious as they grow up. In the afternoons, we encourage students to think critically and solve problems through a design-thinking and inquiry approach.

Sewing Camp, weeks 6-8

Leader: Nancy Pace
Age: 8-16
Cost: £340 per student
Dates: 24 July-11 August
Enrollment: up to 10 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place

Sustainable Fashion, week 6

Age: 11-16

We are all becoming more aware of the costs of “Fast Fashion” in both economic and environmental terms. By taking old, unwanted or unused clothing and transforming it into something wearable and unique, kids can learn new skills, express their creative individuality and repurpose garments otherwise destined for landfills. Prior knowledge of hand or machine sewing is helpful but not required.

Fiber Arts, week 7

Beginner and Intermediate sewing, week 8

Sports Camp (Canons Park), weeks 1-9

Age: 5-14

Cost: £320

Dates: 19 June-18 August

Hours: 9 am-3:15 pm

Location: Canons Park (drop off and collection at the Community Arts Building on Waverley Place. Latecomers will need to make their own way to Canons Park if arriving after 9 am)

Our sports camps are held at our private 22 acres of sport fields in Canons Park. Busing is provided to and from the fields each day, and the secure complex has a full pavilion with indoor areas, kitchen, changing rooms, bathroom and first-aid room.

So that all participants are challenged in a supportive environment, children are placed in age and/or ability groups where appropriate.

The program supplies sports equipment for activities, although students with their own tennis rackets are encouraged to bring and use them. Students bring their own lunch.

For soccer, tennis, multi-sports and personal sports in weeks 1-9, families will need to choose one combination of 2 sports. For example: tennis and multi-sports or personal sports and soccer.

Elementary Sports and Activities Camp

Children aged 5-7 are invited to attend our summer Elementary Activities Camp at Canons Park. This camp offers children the opportunity to participate in a full day of fun-filled activities that include kickball, soccer, and crazy cricket, as well as many others. These activities are organized for short periods and on a less intensive level than for older children. Campers also have the chance to visit the mud kitchen and sandpit, play hide and seek, and to spend quiet time in the Learning Hut. This camp runs from 9 am–3:15 pm, which includes bussing time to and from Canons Park. Campers bring their own packed lunch.

Tennis

Beginners and intermediate players who want to improve their basic game should sign up early for this class with our coaches. There will be games and drills that focus on service, returns, groundstrokes and volleys. Please note that to ensure safe and productive sessions, enrollment is limited for each class. Rackets and balls are supplied, but students with their own equipment are welcome to use it.

Soccer

This most universal of sports is offered for players who want to improve their skills and understanding of the game. For those trying out for a school or club team next season, or for those who just want to have fun learning how to play, our coaches are primed to instruct both the basics and the finer points of the game. The emphasis is on introducing and improving rudimentary skills such as shooting, passing, heading and dribbling, as well as tackling the more advanced techniques of offensive and defensive play. Students learn in a competitive but friendly atmosphere.

Multi-sports Camp

Personal Sports Camp

Stay and Play Camp, weeks 1-9

Age: 6-12 years old

Cost: £100
Date: 19 June-18 August
Enrollment: up to 20 students
Hours: 3:15-5pm
Location: Blue Gym

For students age 6 to 12 in the ASL Summer Camp, a Stay and Play offering is now available via the portal. Students can sign up for a relaxing and free play time in the Blue Gym, Monday–Friday, 3:15–5 pm.

Parents can visit the Community Arts Building entrance at any time after 3:15 pm to collect campers, with 5 pm being the latest allowed collection time.

Swimming lesson 1:1, weeks 1-8

1:1 Swimming lessons: weeks 1-8 only
Ages: 4-18

Cost: £197.50

Weeks 1-8, 2:30-5 pm and weeks 3-8, 9:30-11:30 am, 30 minutes per day
Location: ASL Aquatic & Fitness Center

ASL has a six lane, 25-meter swimming pool. We offer an aquatics program along with our Summer Camp offerings. Try a week-long, 30-minute per day 1:1 swimming lessons to improve your child’s swimming ability and water confidence in a short period of time. Ideal for pre-holiday improvements, stroke development, and general safety in the water before school starts in the fall. Visit our swimming page to learn more about swimming lessons at ASL.

For 1:1 swimming lessons, swimmers under the age 11 must have an adult on site with them whilst they attend the sessions.

Technology Camp, weeks 2-3

Leader: Kojo Baffour
Age: 7-10

Cost: £400 per student

Dates: 26 June-7 July
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus

Campers wanted who have a passion for using technology and are keen to express their creativity in making digital animations and games as well as building Lego robots and coding them. Participants learn how to using the Scratch educational tool to make story animations and games, and use Legos to build predesigned robots and robots of their own design to tackle various tasks. Students share their creations with their classmates throughout the week and their digital creations are sent home so students can share and continue their creative processes.

Touch Typing Camp, weeks 4-5

Leader: Fariba Asemi
Age: 7-9

Cost: £315 per student

Dates: 10-21 July
Enrollment: up to 12 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place campus

This program is aimed squarely at beginners. It’s an introduction to touch typing with a focus on learning and mastering the home row keys (the essential middle row of the keyboard), while improving typing speed and technique. Depending on the student’s individual pace and progression, once they are comfortable with the home row keys, they move on to learning the top and/or bottom row keys. There are a multitude of fun games to help students remember the home row keys and other keys as they progress. Students use the online program Dance Mat Typing to practice their typing skills. Research shows that consistency in practice helps students gain confidence in learning this life skill.

Wild Camp, weeks 1-9

Age: 6-12 years old
Cost: £400 per week

Dates: 19 June-18 August

Enrollment: up to 30 students
Hours: 9am–3:15 pm
Location: Hampstead Heath

Adventure seekers and nature lovers wanted! Come and experience the freedom to roam free as we venture to Hampstead Heath to explore the vast wild nature of north London. Breathe the fresh air, climb trees, build forts—it’s up to you and what the environment presents to us each visit. Learn about the local flora and fauna while developing an understanding of the world and the environment by connecting with your emotions, imagination and senses. Be prepared to have some wild fun and adopt the Scandinavian philosophy: There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing! We plan to enjoy nature rain or shine, so come prepared.

Children must be six years of age by the first day of Wild Camp
Participants should come prepared for the outdoors. Waterproofs, warm layers and outdoor shoes are a must.

Yoga, Mindfulness and Swim Camp, weeks 3, 5 and 7

Leader: Kasha Skwarcan
Age: 6-8 (3-7 July); 9-12 (17-21 July); 9-12 (31 July-4 August)

Cost: £340 per student

Dates: 3-7 July, 17-21 July, 1-4 August
Enrollment: up to 10 students
Hours: 9am–3:15pm
Location: Waverley Place Campus

This club teaches children self-awareness and positive self-talk as well as develops physical flexibility, strength, and coordination. Together with a daily session of Yoga, children will practise different breathing techniques, relax to body scans and participate in visually guided and silent meditations to get in touch with their internal landscape. By the end of the week, children will be able to notice their thoughts, feelings, body sensations and be more present in each moment which helps with their emotional self-regulation, focus and confidence.

The club also involves an hour in the pool where the children will play water games and free swim. Please note that swimming will take place from Monday-Thursday only (not Fridays).

No swimming experience required but children must be comfortable with being in the water.

Summer Program

Any questions? Contact summer@asl.org