Les Elfes is just one of many international retreats for kids that have sprung up in recent years. These new camps take the traditional American model–canoeing and campfires–and give it a modern twist, adding language training and group-building exercises to foster a generation of internationalists.
Les Elfes houses its campers–who come from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe–in two chalets atop the Alps. Sure, teenage campers (called elves) water-ski on Lake Geneva. But they also devote eight hours a week to studying language (French, German, English or Spanish). Despite the hefty price tag–3,145 euro for two weeks–enrollment has increased by 20 percent over last year. Plans are in the works for a sister camp in Whistler, British Columbia (leselfesinternational. com).
At Camp Wenonah in Muskoka, Ontario, local Canadian children mix with kids from as far away as Venezuela. For four weeks ($1,600), they enjoy canoeing, pottery, drama, sailing and acoustic guitar; bilingual counselors break the language barrier with group-building activities like rock climbing (campwenonah.com).
Wenonah recently took its experience to Japan to open Shikoku Canadian Global Camp, located in Takamatsu, on southern Shikoku island. The two-week program there uses similar activities to promote international interaction, language learning and outdoor education (jr-shikoku.co.jp/camp).
Croatia’s Camp California, on the Adriatic Sea, boasts a huge high-low rope course–which forces its culturally diverse campers to work together. It’s a bargain, too: 500 euro for two weeks (campcalifornia.org).
New Hampshire’s Interlocken at Windsor Mountain draws campers and counselors from countries as varied as Israel, Thailand and Ethiopia for mini World Cup tournaments and to sample international cuisine. A monthlong session costs about $3,500 (windsor mountain.org).
