Children's camps

Who this is for

Parents sending a child to a summer, language, sports or nature camp in Georgia.

Also diaspora families who want their child to discover the Georgian language and culture at camp.

Our role

We do not run camps: we help with choosing, checking conditions and safety, documents, travel and arrival.

You pay the camp directly, and we never hold your money. We take no commission from camps, so our advice is independent, and our fee is agreed in advance.

Types of camp

From a day camp the child returns home or to the hotel in the evening; at a residential camp they live on site.

A day camp is easier for a young child and for a first experience.

A residential camp builds independence but calls for a child who is ready.

Language camps

At a language camp English or another language is learned through games, projects and daily interaction.

Children are placed in groups by language level.

We check who teaches and how many hours of real lessons there are each day.

Georgian language and culture camps

For diaspora children, camp is a living lesson in Georgian language, dance, song and history.

Among peers the child starts speaking Georgian, which a classroom rarely achieves.

We often link such a camp to a family trip.

Sports camps

A sports camp may involve football, swimming, tennis, horse riding or basic mountaineering.

We check the coaches' qualifications, the equipment and the safety of the training grounds.

We confirm in advance the procedure for first aid and getting to a clinic in case of injury.

Nature camps

At a nature camp children hike, learn tent and campfire skills and observe nature.

Mountain weather changes fast, and the camp should have a bad-weather plan.

Ticks are found in the forests, and a daily check of the children should be camp routine.

Arts and music camps

An arts camp covers drawing, theatre, dance or music.

A Georgian polyphony and dance camp is a special experience for a child from abroad.

At the end of camp there is often a concert or exhibition, to which parents are invited.

Technology camps

Coding, robotics and science camps run mainly in Tbilisi.

These are often day camps, and the child returns to the family in the evening.

We check whether screen time is balanced with outdoor activity.

Winter camps

In winter some camps run at ski resorts, with ski lessons.

At such a camp equipment, helmets and instructor qualifications matter especially.

We factor winter roads and weather into travel planning.

Age and readiness

The camp should suit the child's age and character.

For a first residential camp we often suggest a shorter stay.

We ask the child's view too: a camp the child also wants always goes better.

Preparing the child

Before camp we tell the child where they are going, who will meet them and how the day will go.

Photos and videos of the camp make the expectation real.

Some camps offer children an online meeting before arrival.

Language at camp

Some camps work only in Georgian, while others are international, in English or Russian.

If the child does not speak the camp's language, we check whether a staff member speaks theirs.

The language barrier is the most common adaptation problem.

The daily schedule

The daily schedule says a lot about a camp's quality.

A good schedule balances activity, rest, meals and free time.

We ask for the schedule in advance and check whether it suits the child's age.

Registration

We check whether the camp is registered and who owns it.

Some activities, such as swimming or riding, require a certified instructor.

The formal contract should be in the camp's name.

Staff

We ask who works with the children and what experience and training they have.

Where possible, staff working with children should hold a criminal record certificate.

We check whether they have first-aid skills.

Adult-to-child ratio

How many children there are per adult is one of the key measures of a camp's safety.

Young children and water activities need more supervisors.

We ask for this ratio in writing, not verbally.

Safeguarding policy

A good camp has a written safeguarding policy.

It states how staff behave, how children are photographed and whom a child turns to with a problem.

If a camp has no such policy, that is a serious warning sign.

Medical support

A camp should have medical staff or a first-aid room.

We check how far the nearest clinic is and how a child gets there.

Parents should be told of any medical incident immediately.

Medicines

If the child takes regular medicine, who gives it and how is agreed with the camp in writing.

Medicine is handed over in its original packaging, with instructions and a doctor's letter.

The child or staff always carry an allergy auto-injector.

Food and allergies

We ask about the menu, kitchen hygiene and how allergies are recorded.

We agree vegetarian, halal or kosher food with the camp in advance and check how realistic it is.

Hazelnuts and walnuts are common in Georgian food, which we take especially into account for allergies.

Accommodation

At a residential camp we check how many children share a room, what the bathrooms are like and who supervises at night.

Girls and boys sleep separately, and age groups are kept apart.

Before enrolment we ask for photos and, where possible, a visit.

Water and swimming

If the camp includes swimming, a lifeguard and water rules are non-negotiable.

Swimming in a lake or river should happen only under supervision and in a permitted spot.

We tell the camp about the child's swimming ability in advance.

Sun, heat and mountains

Summer sun and heat affect a child strongly, especially in the lowlands.

The camp's schedule should include shade, water and rest.

At a mountain camp nights can be cold, so warm clothing is essential.

Phones and contact

Many camps limit phones, so the child joins in with the group.

We confirm when and how the child can contact the family.

Camps often send parents photos or a short report.

Photos and personal data

A camp should use a child's photo in advertising only with the parents' consent.

We read the consent form carefully before you sign it.

The child's medical information should be held only by the staff who need it.

The child's documents

The child needs a valid passport and, depending on citizenship, a visa or permit.

If the child travels without a parent, a notarised consent from the parents is essential.

We check the rules by citizenship, airline and camp requirements.

Health certificate and vaccinations

Some camps ask for a health certificate and vaccination history.

You prepare these in advance with the child's doctor.

We arrange translation where needed.

Insurance

The child needs travel insurance that also covers sports activities.

Some camps have their own insurance, but its cover is not always enough.

We check the policy terms against the camp's programme.

Unaccompanied flights

Some airlines offer an unaccompanied-minor service, depending on age and rules.

The parent books this service with the airline in advance.

At Tbilisi airport our staff member or a camp representative meets the child and signs for them.

Transfer to camp

We take the child from the airport to camp with a child seat and a trusted driver.

On a long drive we plan a break and a meal.

We let the parent know as soon as the child reaches camp.

Parents nearby

Some parents stay in Georgia during camp and plan their own trip.

In that case we choose a hotel near the camp, so you can get there quickly if needed.

We confirm visiting rules with the camp in advance, as some camps advise against mid-session visits.

Homesickness

Homesickness in the first days is natural, especially in younger children.

A good camp knows how to help a child through involvement and care.

We confirm what happens if a child still cannot settle and needs to go home.

Special needs

For a child with special needs we look for an inclusive camp or a companion.

We tell the camp about the child's needs in advance and in detail, so it can judge its readiness.

An honest refusal is better than an agreement the camp cannot keep.

Faith and tradition

We tell the camp about the family's faith and traditions in advance: prayer times, food or dress.

We check whether the camp can respect this in practice.

If a camp has a religious programme, we tell the parents plainly.

Visiting the camp

Where possible we visit the camp in advance or tour it by video call.

We meet the director and see the rooms, kitchen and activity areas.

We send you our impressions with photos and notes.

Other parents' views

Other parents' experience is often the most honest information.

We ask the camp to put us in touch with last year's parents.

We read online reviews with caution.

Warning signs

Vague answers about safety and staff are a serious warning sign.

It is alarming when payment is requested to a personal account or in cash, without a contract.

It is equally alarming when a parent's visit or question is turned away.

The contract

The contract sets out the fee, dates, services, liability and cancellation terms.

We look at what happens if the child comes home early or the camp is cancelled.

We read the contract together before you sign.

Payment

You pay the camp fee directly to the camp's bank account, against an official invoice.

Often a deposit and the balance are paid separately.

We never take the camp fee.

Cancellation and refunds

The camp sets its cancellation and refund terms.

We request the terms for illness or a cancelled flight in advance.

Travel insurance covers some risks, and we check that separately.

The packing list

Camps usually provide a packing list, and we add to it according to the weather and programme.

Labelling belongings with the child's name reduces the risk of loss.

We advise against sending valuables to camp.

Pocket money

Some camps hold a child's pocket money and hand it out under their own rules.

We confirm this rule in advance, and you set the amount on the camp's advice.

For a child, a little cash is often better than a card.

After camp

At the end of camp we sign for the child and take them to the airport or the family.

We ask the parents for the child's impressions and their view of the camp.

That feedback helps us choose for other families.

A family trip after camp

Many families travel around Georgia together after camp.

By then the child often says a few Georgian words and has friends here.

We link the family trip to the end of camp.

Deadlines and booking

Popular summer camps often fill up in spring.

So we start choosing several months ahead.

Some camps have a waiting list, and it is worth joining early.

Siblings

Siblings often go to the same camp but in different age groups.

Some children prefer to be near a brother or sister, while others seek independence.

We let the camp know in advance.

With friends

Sometimes several families send their children to the same camp together.

We arrange transfers and documents for such a group together.

A parental consent is still needed separately for each child.

Camp as part of a trip

A short day camp also fits into a family trip.

The child is at camp in the morning while the parents choose a wine tour or museum.

We look for such day camps mainly in Tbilisi and Batumi.

Flexibility

If a child decides they do not like the camp, we look into it together with the camp.

Sometimes changing the group or activity is enough.

The contract sets the terms for leaving early.

Common mistakes

Choosing a camp by its advert alone, without checking staff and safety.

Preparing consent documents and insurance too late.

Telling the camp about allergies and medicine only verbally, without a letter.

What we need from you

The child's age, language, interests and health particulars.

Preferred dates, length and type of camp.

Who will accompany the child and where the parents will be during camp.

Cost

The camp sets its fee, and you pay it directly.

We take no commission from camps and add nothing to their price.

Our fee for choosing and organising is separate and agreed in advance.