Chinese Camp Activities

What do kids learn at our Chinese Camp?

We designed our Chinese Camp activities in a way to make Chinese learning easy and fun and, more importantly, to produce great results.

Chinese Classes | Chinese Summer Camp

Chinese Language Classes

 
All our Chinese classes focus on building students’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

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Chinese Camp Materials

Camp Activity Books

Each camp activity — be it making dumplings, rock climbing, or painting Peking opera masks — is accompanied by a carefully designed Activity lesson with vocabulary, grammar, and reading for 4 different levels: Total Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. These lessons come together in our Camp Activity books.
Camp Lessons | Chinese Summer Camp 2024

In-class Practice

Every day, campers get to prepare for the next day’s activity with Chinese lessons packed with action: roleplay, group activities and quizzes to help them practice the new language as much as possible.

Camp Activities | Chinese Summer Camp 2024

Real-world Practice

In the morning, campers get to go to various places and practice their Chinese in the real world. They might be challenged to bargain at a local fruit stall, buy movie tickets, order food in a restaurant, complete museum quests, take interviews in the street, and so on. Each location has a dedicated activity, and campers get enough practice time in class to complete all the activities with confidence.
Camp Activities | Chinese Summer Camp 2024

Showtime & Graduation

Each camp term starts with an Opening ceremony and ends with a fun Graduation ceremony. During the graduation, each camper gets a chance to showcase his/her Chinese skills: be it public speaking, singing, reciting a poem, or (even!) performing Chinese rap.

Chinese Camp Class Content

what to expect from our curriculum

Advanced level | Chinese Camp Levels

What Curriculum Do Students Follow?

At our Chinese Camp, we don’t use standard market textbooks. Instead, we’ve developed our own unique curriculum tailored specifically for our campers.

Each course is adjusted based on students’ Chinese level test results, ensuring they are placed in the right class with appropriate content. The curriculum follows the journey of an international student exploring China, blending language learning with cultural experiences like food, accommodation, travel, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and both traditional and modern Chinese culture.

Students receive beautifully illustrated learning materials created by professional designers. All materials are stored in our NihaoCafe system, so students can review and practice anytime, even after camp ends.

Intermediate level | Chinese Camp Levels

What Are Classes Like?

We follow the “Three Steps to Learn Chinese with Joy” — a fun, immersive approach that makes language learning exciting and effective:

iPrepare (Preparation Before Class)
Learn about the background of the activity

iExplore (In-Class Exploration)
– Read a dialogue (Intermediate)
– Read an article (Advanced)

iProduce (Joyful Output)
– Complete tasks
– Make a presentation (speech, debate, role-play, and other language activities)

Beginner level | Chinese Camp Levels

Our Teaching Approach

We combine classroom learning with hands-on exploration, helping students improve their Chinese, develop broader skills, and enhance cross-cultural communication.

Students engage in activities like ordering food in Chinese, visiting museums, conducting city surveys, and performing skits—learning language and culture at the same time.

Advanced level | Chinese Camp Levels

Course Features

Classroom + Practice
Students build a strong foundation in class and then apply their skills in real-life tasks, with teachers providing support every step of the way.
Learning + Fun
Games and small tasks make learning Chinese enjoyable and effective.
Leadership Development
Through group activities and roles like team leader or class committee member, students develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills in a fun and relaxed environment.

From “I Don’t Want to Study”
to “I Love Chinese!”

It’s common for campers to feel reluctant at first—some even ask, “Why study during vacation?” But within a couple of days, many parents tell us their children are excited to come to class and eager to participate.

Through fun activities, making new friends, and gaining leadership experience, students not only enjoy learning Chinese but also develop confidence, responsibility, and valuable skills. Many even earn internship certificates, building a strong foundation for their future.

Social skills & leadership | Chinese Camp

For Parents Worried About Shy Children

We understand that some children may feel hesitant or uninterested in speaking Chinese at first.
That’s why we’ve designed our program to make learning fun and engaging from day one:

Learn through Play
and Exploration

Travel, cultural experiences, and performance activities turn language learning into immersive, game-based fun.

Inspire Through Pop Culture

Movies, music, and anime are integrated into lessons to make Chinese more relatable and enjoyable.

Encouragement Builds confidence

Our teachers use a positive, encouraging approach to help every camper feel safe and confident speaking Chinese.

Personalized Teaching for every Camper

We respect each camper’s pace, personality, and interests — and adjust the content to fit them.

Learn with Global Friends

At our camps, students meet peers from around the world. Learning together makes Chinese more fun and more comfortable.

Diverse Cultural Activities

Campers get the chance to experience various cultural activities
and get in touch with Chinese culture.

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Cultural Activities | Chinese Summer Camp

Calligraphy Workshop

In our calligraphy master classes, learn how to hold an ink brush, write your name or even a whole poem like the ancient Chinese scholars.

Pottery Workshop | Chinese Summer Camp Activity

Pottery Workshop

At pottery classes, campers get to make their own pottery pieces out of clay — cups, vases and figurines — as well as paint them the way they want, to produce beautiful artwork.
Movable-type Printing | Cultural Activities at Summer Camp

Movable-type Printing

The ancient tradition of movable-type printing is considered to be one of China’s greatest inventions. Campers get to make their own prints as a memorable souvenirs to bring back home.
Cultural Activities | Chinese Summer Camp

Paper Cutting

Chinese traditional paper cuts are often used to decorate doors and windows. Many carry meanings of good luck or fortune to be displayed during festivals.

Camp Activities | Chinese Summer Camp 2024

Opera Mask Painting

In our Chinese Opera mask painting workshop, you’ll learn about the meaning behind each mask and have a try at making one.

Paper Cutting | Chinese Summer Camp

Lanterns & Paper Cutting

Make beautiful Chinese-style lanterns, known as 灯笼 (dēnglóng), and paint them the way you like.

Camp Activities | Chinese Summer Camp 2024

Make Dumplings

Chinese dumplings come in various sizes, shapes and flavors. During the dumpling making workshop, students learn how to make 饺子 (jiǎozi), the most common dumplings.

Camp Activities | Chinese Summer Camp 2024

Make Mooncakes

Mooncakes are a traditional sweet snack during the Mid-autumn Festival. At camp, students try their hands at making one special type of them — snowy skin mooncakes (薄皮月饼 báopí yuèbǐng).
Making Zongzi | Cultural Activities at Summer Camp

Make Zongzi, Rice Dumplings

Rice dumplings, or 粽子 (zòngzi), are traditionally enjoyed during the Dragon Boat festival. Campers get a chance to learn the history behind this snack, and master the tricky way of wrapping them in bamboo leaves.

Diverse Sports Activities

Camp Activities | Chinese Summer Camp 2024

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is a good way for our campers to stay active and keep fit while at our Chinese Camp. It’s challenging but fun at the same time!

Sports | Chinese Summer Camp

Badminton

Badminton, or yumaoqiu (羽毛球) is one of China’s favourite sports. Campers get a chance to play against each other and improve their skill and posture.

Wushu | Chinese Summer Camp

Wushu, or Martial Arts

The beautiful art and philosophy of Chinese wushu (武术) — with the idea of becoming strong to protect, not to harm — is something the campers get to learn from professional wushu masters during a special martial arts workshop. Along with drills and real practice to get stronger, of course!

Archery | Chinese Summer Camp

Archery

Archery, or shejian (射箭) in Chinese, is a great sport that requires patience and precision. Our talented collaborators know how to teach young campers.

Mahjong | Chinese Summer Camp

Mahjong

Mahjong, or majiang (麻将) is a game similar to the Western card game, rummy. It is played with a set of 144 tiles marked with Chinese characters and symbols.

Cultural Activities | Chinese Summer Camp

Chinese Chess

Chinese Chess or xiangqi (象棋) is a game of strategy and logic for two players, similar to the international chess game. It’s extremely popular in China.

#3 | Chinese Summer Camp

Field Trips & Excursions

Take a look at some of the most popular places that our summer campers visit every year.

How Do Field Trips Help
Students Improve Their Chinese?

Our morning cultural activities and field trips include special assignments that encourage students to interact with local people in Chinese. Tasks are tailored to each student’s level, offering authentic speaking opportunities in markets, museums, and other local settings.

By combining daily classes, cultural experiences, and real-life assignments, students quickly become more confident in their Chinese abilities and deepen their cultural understanding—all within just two weeks.

Task-Based Learning at Chinese Camp

Beijing Camp

Trip to the Great Wall | Chinese Summer Camp

The Great Wall

On their weekend field trip, campers will get a chance to climb China’s most famous landmark – the Great Wall. A visit to Beijing is not complete without seeing this wonder of the world, also listed as a UNESCO heritage site.

Chinese Summer Camp in Beijing

Temple of Heaven

During the day, campers will have an excursion to the majestic Temple of Heaven in Beijing, where they can walk through centuries of imperial history and marvel at one of China’s most iconic architectural masterpieces.

Tiananmen Square | Chinese Summer Camp

Tian'anmen Square

Beijing campers will also experience the grandeur of Tiananmen Square, where the heart of Beijing beats with rich history and cultural significance, offering a powerful glimpse into China’s storied past.

Shanghai Camp

Evening Activities | Chinese Summer Camp in Shanghai

The Bund

What a trip to Shanghai without the Bund! On one of their first days at summer camp, campers will pose for photographs in front of Shanghai’s iconic, futuristic skyline and explore the city’s colonial past.
Excursions | Chinese Summer Camp in Shanghai

Yu Garden

At Yu Garden, campers will get a chance to experience the ancient China right in the middle of metropolitan Shanghai — by exploring the beautiful gardens, trying xiaolongbao dumplings, and picking up some souvenirs.

Tiananmen Square | Chinese Summer Camp

Museums in Shanghai

Campers will also have the chance to learn Chinese history at the Shanghai Museum, see dinosaurs at the Shanghai Museum of Natural History, and appreciate contemporary Chinese art at the China Art Museum.

Suzhou Camp

Suzhou Tea House | Chinese Summer Camp

Tea House Performance

At a Suzhou tea ceremony, campers will indulge in the refined art of tea tasting, paired by a captivating local performance that brings the vibrant culture of Suzhou to life.
Suzhou Silk Museum | Chinese Summer Camp

Silk Museum

At the Suzhou Silk Museum, campers will immerse themselves in the rich history of silk production and witness the intricate craftsmanship behind China’s finest silk textiles.
Weekend Trip to Suzhou | Chinese Summer Camp

Take a Boat Ride

Glide down Suzhou’s ancient canal on a serene boat ride, where history meets breathtaking scenery in a journey through the heart of China’s “Venice of the East.”