Summertime is almost here, and we have more camp profiles to help you choose some fun options for your kids! ETU Space will also be at the Jingkids Summer Fling this Sat, May 29, so you will be able to sample their teaching before signing up!

Yuecheng Frontier Education Summer Camp

Ages: 4-12
Name of Camp: Yuecheng Frontier Education Summer Camp
Short description: Yuecheng Frontier Education Summer Camp, hosted at BCIS Early Childhood Centre (ECC), is specifically designed for children between the ages of 4, 7, and 10, respectively. Yuecheng Frontier Education Summer Camp will adopt inquiry-based and play-based teaching and learning approaches. A team of highly qualified teachers from the fields of speech, reading, and learning will be a distinctive, interdisciplinary feature of the course modules. Based on the theme of all age groups, Yuecheng Frontier Education Summer Camp will connect the various course modules, allowing children to experience multiple perspectives on the same theme while gaining rich insights about learning and developing a curiosity to further explore an individual’s particular interests.
Who: The Reading Frontier and The Learning Frontier owned by Yuecheng Education Group.
What: Day Camp
Where: BCIS Early Childhood Centre
When:
Session 1: Jun 21-Jul 2
Session 2: Jul 5-16
Session 3: Jul 19-30
Teacher to Child Ratio: 1:6
English, Chinese, bilingual, or other?: English
Prices: Sign up before Jun 30 for an early-bird discount
Curriculum: Four Themes
4-6-year-olds Courageous Reader, Author Study
7-9-year-olds Inquiring Reader, Journey Around the World
10-12-year-olds Independent reader, Investigative Journalism
Three Course Modules: Essential reading skills, Social-emotional skills, Sensory-motor skills
Conclusion: At the end of the camp students will receive a certificate of completion to show for their work.
About: Yuecheng Education is a pioneer in providing high-quality, internationalized education for students in China between the ages of 2 and 18.
The Reading Frontier is an international education brand owned by Yuecheng Education. It is the professional reading partner for children aged 4 to 12 years old and fosters a love for global exploration. It is committed to nurturing children’s passion for reading and helping them develop lifelong literacy skills.
The Learning Frontier is dedicated to providing personalized guidance and support services for children and families in Beijing.
More Info:

Summertime is almost here, and we have more camp profiles to help you choose some fun options for your kids! Fun Spanish will also be at the Jingkids Summer Fling this Sat, May 29, so you will be able to sample their teaching before signing up!

Fun Spanish presents Spanish Culture Camp and Spanish Art Camp – Picasso!

Ages: 3-12
Spanish Culture Camp
During the five-day camp, a native Spanish speaker will help the kids learn about Spain and Mexico, as well as the art and food of the two countries. The kids will also learn basic Spanish in the camp.
Who: Fun Spanish
What: Kids’ Spanish education center. Founded in 2005. Five locations in Beijing as well as online classes.
Where: The Place in Beijing
When: Jul 19-23 and Aug 23-27, from 9am-4pm
Teacher to Child Ratio: 1:3
Language: Spanish, Chinese, English
Prices: RMB 4,980 (RMB 4,680 before Jun 13)

Name of Camp: Spanish Art Camp – Picasso
Short description: Over five days the kids will learn basic Spanish, and will learn about the most famous artist in Spain – Picasso. A native Spanish speaker and a professional art teacher will provide a unique Spanish art camp experience.
Who: Fun Spanish + Alice Art
What: Kids’ Spanish education center. Founded in 2005. Five locations in Beijing as well as online classes.
Where: Shunyi
When: Jul 5-9 and Aug 23-27, from 9am to 3:30pm
Teacher to Child Ratio: 1:3
Language: Spanish, Chinese, English
Prices: RMB 6,880 (RMB 6,580 before June 13)
More Info:

Chinese Summer Camp

Ages: 7-17
Who: Mandarin Zone
What: The Chinese Summer Camp Program merges an intensive Mandarin class with various _­Chinese cultural activities, sporting activities, opportunities to make new friends, and visits to historical and modern sites in Beijing.
Where: Mandarin Zone School in Sanlitun
When (Starting Dates): Jun 14, Jun 28, Jul 12, Jul 19, Jul 26, Aug 2, or Aug 16
Language: Mandarin
Prices: See chart

All prices are listed in RMB

Type	1 Week	2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks
Day Camp	4,500	8,750	12,800	16,600
Class-only Camp	1,900	3,700	5,400	6,980

Full Camp Type	1 Week	2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks
Full Camp – Homestay	9,000	17,500	26,000	33,500
Full Camp – Residential	8,400	16,290	23,710	30,663

More Info: 

KEEP READING: Drumroll, Please: Announcing the Summer Camps You’ll Meet Saturday at the Jingkids Summer Fling!

Images: Courtesy of the camps, pexels

Let’s dive into this week’s collection of fun family-friendly events right here in Beijing.

As always, click the link in the event title or scan the QR codes for further details and ticketing info.

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Sun, May 30

Family Day at Shang: Move, Play, Learn

Jingkids International is thrilled to be sponsoring this fun family activity day at Shang in Xinyuanli this Sunday. The aim of the game is to break a sweat and get those endorphins flowing! And the team at Warrior One has pulled out all the stops to make that happen. There will be a big range of fitness, martial arts, and dance workshops available for the whole family. Sign up for a full-day pass or pick and choose the workshops you like the best.

2-6pm. Shang. From RMB 250. Family tickets available. 

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Happy Children’s Day at Moka Bros

Um…free jellybeans just for being a kid? That sounds like a great deal to us! In honor of International Children’s Day, this Sun, May 30, and Mon, Jun 1, Moka Bros is offering free Jelly Belly jellybeans and a kids meal for kids 0-8 years old with the purchase of any main dish. A great excuse to pop down and check out their new summer menu at the same time.

All day, Sun-Mon. All Moka Bros sites. Free.

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Junior Chef Cupcake Cooking Class

Our mouths are watering just reading the descriptions of these cupcakes… If yours are too, then don’t hesitate to sign your kids up for a fun baking class and reap the rewards at the end! Under the expert tutelage of Black Seasame Kitchen staff, your little ones will bake up a storm while you relax in their gorgeous courtyard. Afterward, be sure to stick around for a fun family film screening.

11am-1.30pm. Qianmen Kitchen by BSK. RMB 250 per child (includes apron and cupcakes to take home)

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Kids Club Hike: Immortal Valley and the Big Buddha

Take a break from the city this Sunday with a specially dedicated Kids Club hike out to the Immortal Valley. You’ll see waterfalls and huge boulders, pools of tempting fresh water, and of course, the “Big Buddha” itself! Kids Club hikes are a relaxed, easy-paced way for kids and parents alike to enjoy the beautiful scenery around Beijing. Best suited to kids 6 and older, the hike will cover about 6-10km.

Pickup from 7.30am. Immortal Valley. RMB 150 for kids, RMB 325 for adults.

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Save the Date… 

On Jun 6, it’s kilts and haggis all around with the fabulous Highland Games, a brilliant Scottish tradition that brings together the whole community for sporting competitions, games, and delicious food and drink.

As part of the inaugural American Literature Festival, there will be two special Children’s Reading Corner events, on Jun 6 and Jun 26 here in Beijing. Stay tuned for more details.

KEEP READING: Got Questions About Summer Fling? Here Are the FAQs

Images: courtesy of the event organizers, Pexels

Update May 19: Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Jingkids Summer Fling from Sat, May 22 to Sat, May 29 (Rain date Sun, May 30). All bought and won tickets will be automatically transferred to this date. Full announcement, including how to request a refund, can be found here.

Last week we compiled a list of picnic essentials from Decathalon and dubbed it the Dad’s Picnic Essentials list. Mike Wester had a hard time understanding why it was such a “dad” list. “Is it because I put a fishing hat on the list?” he asked… Yes, but it’s not just the hat…

Later that week, Cindy Marie Jenkins created a helpful Toddler Tapas list of picnic snack essentials for parents with younger ones in tow. Today, however, we’re going to look at the must-have list for families with babies.

Actual picnic blanket: There’s a difference between a picnic blanket and a big beach towel. Picnic blankets are thicker and a bit cushier, making them an ideal choice for babies who’ll be sitting on the ground for a long time, especially if your kid is still a bit wobbly and might tip over. If you purchased tickets in advance, you can pick up your free picnic blanket at the door!

Tent: While it might not be a must-have in the strictest sense, it will be nice if you plan on being outside for multiple hours with your baby. For instance, naptime in a tent will be much comfier for your little one and you won’t have to worry about them getting sunburned.

Inflatable lounge chairs: Instead of carrying a clunky plastic chair, you can conveniently fill this up with air by running around with it for a few seconds, and voila, instant inflatable couch! It’s essentially a giant Zip-Lock bag.

Mosquito repellent: If there’s grass there’s going to be mosquitos. Whether you use the sticker, those clips, wristband, or spray, just be sure to bring something that’ll keep the babies safe.

Sunblock: Keep the little ones from burning up. Be sure you’re using sunblock that’s specifically for babies.

Usual diaper bag essentials: diapers, changing pad, wet wipes, tissues, bottles, binkies, toys, etc. A small bag for trash in case a garbage can isn’t immediately in view.

Baby carrier: The Summer Fling is going to be huge. You’ll want to stroll from one end to the other, however, the entire place is grassy and even has a few tiny hills. All of which is to say: A stroller is not going to be the most convenient way to get around with your baby.

Snacks: There will be plenty of food and drink vendors at Summer Fling, so you don’t really need to bring anything other than baby food. I like to travel light anywhere I go so a few baggies of Little Freddies is enough. I won’t be bringing loads of homemade food. The picnic is for the kids, but it’s also a time for parents to relax and unwind.

Feeding:

I don’t know about you guys, but heating up frozen breastmilk when we’re out is never that convenient. When you’re at a picnic, it’s even harder because you can’t get access to water hot enough to heat up the bags of breastmilk. I’ll be bringing a travel hot water kettle. If anyone needs it, come find me at the Jingkids tent!

Keep Reading: Got Questions About Summer Fling? Here Are the FAQs

Images: Pexels, Mina Yan

Update May 19: Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Jingkids Summer Fling from Sat, May 22 to Sat, May 29 (Rain date Sun, May 30). All bought and won tickets will be automatically transferred to this date. Full announcement, including how to request a refund, can be found here.

What do you think of when you think of summer? BBQs? Beaches? Day drinking on a picnic blanket? When you were a kid, perhaps summer meant summer camps, summer jobs, and that one lucky chance to study abroad.

Grown-up summers are much more complicated. There are vacations to plan, and activities and childcare to arrange around work schedules. Never mind all the legwork required to make sure you’ll actually be allowed to picnic in a Beijing park!

But never fear! Jingkids is here to help you sort out your summer and have a rocking good time with friends!

On Sat, May 29, bring your family to the Jingkids Summer Fling at Dongfeng International Sports Park! Beijing families from all across the city will be in attendance, and there will be a selection of excellent food as well as great summer camp advisors excited to tell you about all of their wonderful camp activities! But what exactly can you expect once you get there? Below are the top five reasons why we think the Jingkids Summer Fling is worth your Saturday!

1. It’s just plain fun. We’ve got the picnic area and complimentary blanket all set for you, and the food vendors are ready to serve! Even if you don’t arrange ahead of time to meet friends at the event, you’re sure to see some old and new faces on the day. Whatever you’re looking for, and however you plan it, you can look forward to a fun and relaxing day out with friends!

2. Hands-on time with each summer camp. Sometimes a camp sounds like a blast but then it turns out not to be such a good fit for your child. Sometimes it’s hard to grasp exactly what kids will be doing in the camp until you can talk with the counselors in person. At the Jingkids Summer Fling you can sample the key activities that each camp will provide and engage with the counselors who will be running the activities.

3. Meet counselors one-on-one. For school tours, you often get to meet the teachers and administrators. For summer camps, you tend to go by word of mouth and assume that if they’re a camp counselor, then they’re good with kids. But it can be difficult to know for sure until you meet the counselor in person. Or maybe counselors are all great at their jobs, but your child relates to one counselor more than to another. The Jingkids Summer Fling is the perfect opportunity to find out this crucial information, allowing you to make the best possible summer camp choice!

4. Learn what interests your child. Sometimes parenting feels like tossing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks: you show your kids a variety of different activities that could interest them, and hope they take to something. But more often than not it’s still you choosing the activities they try, and perhaps cutting off others that you assume they won’t like. But who knows? Maybe your child is the next hula hoop star or ukulele player. Maybe they’d prefer a cooking plus culture camp. By bringing your child to the Jingkids Summer Fling and letting them see all the various options laid out before them, you can take the decision off of your plate and place it into your child’s hands.

5. Find out about camps you never knew existed. I’ve had the same standbys for camps since I moved to Beijing, which is great for some consistency with my kids. But as they get older they need different things, and different ways of stimulating their learning. Maybe one of my kids would adore a reading and phonics camp, while the other would just like to swim and hike all day. I’ll never know until we try!

When: Saturday, May 29, from 10am-6pm (Rain Date: Sunday, May 30, from 10am-6pm)

Where: Dongfeng International Sports Park (just west of Chaoyang Park)

Tickets: RMB 100 for a family of three (+RMB 50 for each additional person). Includes a free blanket. If you have a total of ten friends coming, tickets are RMB 25 each.

Note: Small tents and picnic blankets welcome! Open flame cooking is not permitted.

KEEP READING: Summer Camp Preview: BIBA’s English Bridge Camp & Uruguay’s Football Getaway

Images: Jingkids, Canva