Swiss Summer Camp Price Guide — 2025

The 2025 price guide lists typical Swiss summer camp costs. Day camps generally run CHF 150–550 per week, while residential programs fall between CHF 600 and CHF 4,500 per week. Two‑week all‑inclusive options sit around CHF 2,000–6,000. Analysts expect a 2–5% price rise from 2024. Family totals will vary by region, duration and inclusions. Staffing and specialist instructors drive fees, and common extras such as transfers, lift passes, insurance and equipment can add 10–30% to the headline price.

Key Takeaways

Typical price ranges

Day camps: CHF 150–550 per week.
Residential: CHF 600–4,500+ per week.
Two‑week all‑inclusive: CHF 2,000–6,000.
Full‑summer (6–8 weeks): CHF 8,000–20,000 total.

Regional premiums

City camps: approximately +10–25% above average.
Alpine camps: approximately +15–30%.
Rural camps: approximately −5–15% below average.

Primary cost drivers

Staff salaries: roughly 30–45% of fees.
Accommodation and meals, equipment and facility fees.
Common extras: transport, insurance and lift passes.

Ways to reduce cost

Early‑bird discounts: typically 5–15%.
Multi‑week discounts: often 5–20%.
Sibling discounts: usually 5–10%.
Scholarships: limited availability — check each provider.
Book core sessions 3–6 months ahead (popular camps 9–12 months).

Booking & verification checklist

Verify the total landed cost (including all extras).
Confirm included items such as meals, activities, transfers and equipment.
Check cancellation/refund terms and any insurance requirements.
Review safety indicators: child:counselor ratios (typically 6:1–12:1) and instructor qualifications.

2025 Quick Price Snapshot

2025 Quick Price Snapshot: Day camps CHF 150–550/week; Residential camps CHF 600–4,500/week; 2-week all-inclusive programs CHF 2,000–6,000. We base these figures on 2024 baseline ranges and project a 2025 price increase of roughly 2–5%, varying by camp type and region.

At-a-glance ranges

We break the snapshot into three practical ranges and what you should expect at each level:

Day camps — CHF 150–550/week. We see the low end filled by community or municipal programs with basic supervision and activities. Higher-priced day options include specialist language camps or multisport programs with small groups and expert instructors. For help choosing a program that fits your budget and goals, see our choose the best guide.
Residential camps — CHF 600–4,500/week. We typically find family-run mountain or activity camps at the lower-to-mid range. The top end covers international boarding‑school style experiences that include full boarding, specialist staff, advanced adventure programming, and sometimes travel logistics.
2-week all-inclusive programs — CHF 2,000–6,000. We expect full-board adventures, day trips, equipment, and specialist tuition in this bracket; premium offerings include language immersion and international transport.

Quick currency conversion & caveats

We used an example conversion of 1 CHF ≈ 1.10 USD for quick comparisons; please check the live exchange rate before you calculate final costs. These ranges are estimates: the cheapest local day camps sit at the low end, while premium international boarding‑school style programs sit at the high end. We recommend checking provider pages for exact 2025 fees and for items that can push the price higher, such as:

transportation or airport transfers
specialist instructors or certifications
equipment rental
mandatory insurance or deposit policies

We urge families to factor in optional extras and potential seasonal surcharges. Always verify cancellation policies, what’s included in tuition, and any visa or travel support if the program recruits internationally.

Typical Camp Types and What They Cost

We, at the young explorers club, break Swiss camp costs into clear categories so families can compare quickly. Prices vary by location, season and level of service, but the ranges below reflect typical 2025 market expectations.

Day camps (local): CHF 150–550/week. These usually run from one week to several weeks. Half‑day programs sit at the low end. Full‑day options often include supervision, basic activities and snacks; some include one meal and local transport.

Residential / sleepaway (local): CHF 600–1,800/week. You get accommodation, meals, full activity programming and round‑the‑clock supervision. Basic equipment is usually included. Expect extra charges for longer off‑site trips or premium excursions.

Boarding‑school or international programs: CHF 1,800–4,500+/week. These programs offer full board, on‑site accommodation, specialized instruction and larger excursions. Airport transfers and premium language tracks are often billed separately. Examples of higher‑priced international providers to check for current 2025 rates include TASIS Summer Programs and Zurich International School Summer.

Specialty camps (price bands vary by focus):

Language immersion: CHF 400–2,000/week.
Adventure / outdoor sports: CHF 500–2,500/week.
Equestrian: CHF 700–2,500/week.
Ski / snow sports: CHF 800–3,000/week (early and late season peaks).

Mini‑camps and weekend sessions: CHF 50–250 per day or CHF 150–600 per weekend. These are great for trial experiences or seasonal catch‑ups. They tend to bundle fewer inclusions and charge less for supervision.

Full‑summer residential (6–8 weeks): CHF 8,000–20,000 total. These multi‑week programs frequently include intensive instruction, lodging, meals and a packed excursion calendar. Premium providers and boarding schools can push totals toward the high end.

Typical inclusions and common extras

Below are the items families most often see included or charged separately.

Included in many programs: meals, accommodation (residential), instruction/coaching, basic equipment and supervised daily activities.
Frequently extra: lift passes, guided special excursions, rental premium gear, private lessons, evening entertainment surcharges and airport transfers.
Practical tip: we recommend confirming exactly which items are included before booking and asking for a written list of extras.

We encourage parents to compare weekly pricing with full‑summer fees, since several consecutive weeks can be cheaper per week than single short stays. For a selection of camp types and how to choose the right fit, see our guide to the best summer camps.

What Drives Price: Cost Breakdown, Staffing and Duration Effects

We break costs into line items so families see what they actually pay for. We, at the young explorers club, price camps that reflect safety, qualified staff and Alpine-grade programming rather than bargain shortcuts.

Typical price components and their shares

Below are the items that typically make up a camp fee and how much they usually represent:

Staff salaries — the largest single slice, especially where certified instructors are used. (Staff costs 30–45%)
Accommodation & meals — bunking, cleaned facilities and three meals a day. (Accommodation & meals 15–30%)
Activity equipment & insurance — gear purchase, maintenance and mandatory insurance. (Equipment & insurance 10–20%)
Facility rental — gyms, climbing walls and local site fees. (Facility fees 10–15%)
Administration & marketing — booking systems, camp managers and communications. (Admin & marketing 5–10%)

Mandatory extras that often aren’t in the headline price include:

Travel to/from Switzerland — CHF 100–1,500
Travel insurance — CHF 50–200
Specialized personal gear — CHF 50–500
Visa or document fees — CHF 0–200

Factor those into your final budget.

Staffing ratios and instructor mix change price materially. Lower child:counselor ratios increase direct personnel costs and raise fees (Child:counselor 6:1–12:1). Specialist instructors — alpine guides, certified lifeguards, or language teachers — carry premium rates and higher insurance requirements, so expect camps with many specialists to cost more.

Duration affects per-week pricing. Camps often give multi‑week discounts; the effective weekly price drops the longer a child stays (Multi-week discount 5–20%). For example, a one‑week program might run CHF 600–1,000, while a two‑week booking could be CHF 1,000–1,800 total, lowering the per‑week cost.

Concrete example: a CHF 2,000 two‑week program

Staff: CHF 800
Lodging & meals: CHF 400
Activities & equipment: CHF 300
Facility fees: CHF 200
Margin/admin: CHF 300

That split shows how staffing dominates the budget and why camps with higher-certified staff cost more. I recommend checking ratios and instructor qualifications rather than chasing the lowest fee. If you want help comparing offers, use our guide to choose the best camp for your child: choose the best camp

Regional Price Differences: City vs Alps vs Rural

We break Swiss summer‑camp pricing into three clear buckets so families can budget with confidence. Big‑city programs in Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne sit above the national mean. Expect rates roughly 10–25% higher than average (Zurich/Geneva +10–25%).

City programs

A typical residential week in these cities ranges from CHF 800–2,500/week (Residential Zurich CHF 800–2,500/week). Urban weeks tend to focus on language, culture and short urban excursions, so logistics and staffing drive the premium.

Alpine resort camps

Alpine resort camps push prices higher still. Mountain locations such as Zermatt, Verbier, St. Moritz and Interlaken generally run 15–30% above average because of specialized services and higher local costs (Alps +15–30%). Weekly fees for adventure and sports programs commonly fall between CHF 900–3,500/week (Alps CHF 900–3,500/week).

For comparison: a Zurich urban language week usually costs about CHF ~800–1,500/week with classroom instruction and city transfers, while an Interlaken adventure week will typically be CHF ~1,200–2,500/week including lift tickets, guides and possible airport transfers.

Rural and small‑town camps

Rural and small‑town camps are the most budget‑friendly option. Prices are often 5–15% below the national average (Rural −5–15%). Expect rural residential weeks from CHF 600–1,500/week (rural CHF 600–1,500/week). Those programs favor outdoor play, local farms and multi‑activity days with lower accommodation and venue costs.

Why the Alps cost more (and common extras)

Inevitably, mountain programs include services that raise costs. Key drivers and typical add‑ons include:

Alpine transport needs such as valley‑to‑resort shuttles and mountain railways, which increase logistics fees.
Certified mountain guides and instructors for climbing, skiing and high‑rope courses; their rates are higher than standard camp staff.
Rental and maintenance of mountain infrastructure (lift passes, gondolas, specialized safety gear).
Higher accommodation and seasonal resort pricing at hotels and lodges.
Additions often bundled or billed separately: lift tickets, guided excursions and airport transfers.

We, at the young explorers club, recommend families compare inclusions closely. Look beyond headline prices and confirm whether lift passes, guiding, equipment and transfers are included or will be extra. For a quick round‑up of top options and what to expect from different regions, see our guide to the best summer camps for a clearer match to your budget and goals.

Sample Family Budgets — Realistic Total Costs (CHF and USD examples) and Hidden Fees to Watch

Exchange rate: We use 1 CHF ≈ 1.10 USD as an example; check live rates for exact USD conversions. Below are four realistic family budgets built from typical Swiss camp options and common extras.

Budget A — Low-cost local week (day camp)

Program fee: CHF 200/week
Travel: CHF 50
Insurance: CHF 20
Total: CHF 270 (≈ USD 300)

Day camps often include daily activities and basic supervision; transport and optional extras are usually billed separately.

Budget B — Mid-range residential 2‑week program

Program fee: CHF 1,600 (CHF 800/week)
Travel: CHF 200
Equipment: CHF 150
Insurance: CHF 80
Total: CHF 2,030 (≈ USD 2,230)

Residential fees normally cover lodging, main meals and on-site activities; excursion fees or special kit can be extra.

Budget C — High‑end international boarding 2‑week

Program fee: CHF 5,000 (CHF 2,500/week)
Flights: CHF 800
Equipment: CHF 300
Insurance: CHF 150
Total: CHF 6,250 (≈ USD 6,875)

Premium camps may bundle extras but expect higher costs for international transfers and specialised gear.

Budget D — Full‑summer 6‑week residential

Full-summer fee: CHF 12,000 (≈ CHF 2,000/week)
Travel and extras: CHF 1,000
Total: CHF 13,000 (≈ USD 14,300)

Long-stay pricing can deliver per-week savings, but cumulative extras still push totals higher. If you need a clearer view of daily schedules and included services, see what to expect.

Hidden fees, payment surcharges and cancellation norms

Watch these common add-ons and policies that change final family costs:

Card surcharge 2–3%: Many camps charge a credit-card processing fee. Factor this into online or last-minute payments.
Late pickup CHF 10–50: Daily penalties apply if you miss official pickup windows.
Dietary supplement CHF 50–200/session: Special meals or medical diets can come with a per-session charge.
Lift passes and external excursions CHF 50–400: Mountain lifts, white‑water trips or off-site excursions are frequently extra.
Travel insurance CHF 50–200: Camps often offer a travel-insurance add‑on; the price range varies by coverage.
Cancellation norms: Deposits are typically non‑refundable. Full refunds usually happen only for documented medical reasons. We, at the young explorers club, recommend buying travel or cancellation insurance that covers illness and travel disruption.

Always read the fee schedule and T&Cs before you book. Compare total landed cost (program + travel + gear + likely extras) rather than headline weekly rates. Small surcharges and one-off items can add 10–30% to the quoted camp fee, so plan for contingencies and include a buffer in your budget.

How to Save, Book Smart, Pay Safely and Judge Value

We focus on real ways to cut costs without cutting safety or experience. Early discounts are common — grab an early-bird to save on base fees (Early-bird 5–15%). Bring siblings and you’ll often get an extra break (Sibling discount 5–10%). Lock in a longer stay and many camps reduce the per-week price (Multi-week discount 5–20%).

Some camps offer financial aid but availability is limited. Several international and boarding-style programmes provide partial scholarships or need-based aid; typical help runs from 10–50% for qualifying families (Scholarships 10–50% (limited)). Employer or government support is rare in Switzerland, though some families claim canton childcare tax deductions — amounts vary by canton.

Timing affects both availability and price. I suggest you book core sessions 3–6 months ahead; the busiest July/August dates often fill 9–12 months in advance (Book 3–6 months ahead (popular camps 9–12 months)). Deposits commonly run 10–30% and final payment is due 30–60 days before start (Deposit 10–30%). Late bookings can sometimes net last-minute discounts, but spots are riskier.

Use secure payment paths. Swiss camps accept SEPA bank transfers, credit cards (expect a 2–3% surcharge at many providers), and online portals with card or instant-pay options. Confirm the billed currency — CHF, EUR or USD — before you hit pay. Ask how refunds work for cancellations and COVID-related interruptions.

Safety and value matter more than marginal savings. Check these hard indicators:

Staff-to-child ratios
Qualified instructors
On-site medical coverage
Clear insurance and liability statements
Recent parent reviews with contactable references

Aim for ratios in the range of 6:1–12:1 when assessing supervision (Child:counselor 6:1–12:1).

Compare offers with an objective rubric. I use a simple scoring grid:

Price: 30%
Safety/Staffing: 30%
Inclusions (meals, activities, equipment): 20%
Location and transport costs: 20%

Score each area 1–5 and total to compare apples to apples. For curated options and full listings, see our guide to the best summer camps.

Practical checklist before you pay

Read the cancellation policy and refund terms closely.
Confirm exactly what’s included (meals, excursions, kit).
Ask about scholarships, discounts and eligibility.
Verify billed currency and any card fees.
Note deposit amount and final payment deadlines.
Arrange travel and trip insurance (typical cost CHF 50–200).
Request staff certifications, instructor credentials and medical staffing details.