Planning a summer abroad in Colombia with kids and worried about keeping them busy? Or maybe you want them to strengthen their Spanish skills? Putting them in a local camp is a great idea to give them cultural immersion while also giving yourself time. Colombia has an incredible variety of programs for kids, from free municipal recreation to elite soccer academies to full-on jungle adventure camps, and the best part? Many of them welcome international and traveling families, not just locals.
Here is everything you need to know about summer camps in Medellín and across Colombia whether you’re living here, passing through, or planning a longer family trip.
When Is Summer Camp Season in Colombia?
Quick note for families coming from the U.S., Colombia’s schools run on either calendario A or calendario B. Calendar A school year runs from February-November, with the break being December-January. Calendar B follows closer to the U.S. timeline, running from August-June. Schools on calendar B tend to be bilingual and international schools.
Due to these calendar differences, you’ll find camp programs running not the entire summer. Some programs also operate during Semana Santa (Holy Week), October break, and December-January.
That said, many camps, especially those designed for international families, run flexible schedules or offer rolling enrollment. Always check directly with the program for exact 2026 dates.
Soccer Camps in Medellín
Colombia is a fútbol country to its core, and the soccer camp options here are genuinely world-class. If your kids love the game, this is paradise.
Aldirtor Soccer Camp runs an eight-week summer program (July 7 through August 29) for ages U5 to U18, with coaching from players who’ve played for Atlético Nacional and Deportivo Independiente Medellín which are two of the biggest clubs in the city. Kids get technical training, small-sided games, and even invitations to professional club tryouts. (@aldirtorsoccer)
Coerver Elite Soccer Camp brings their internationally recognized method used in over 50 countries to Medellín for ages 7 to 14. Fifteen-plus hours of training with age-appropriate curriculum and an Adidas partnership. If your kid is serious about development, Coerver is the gold standard. (coerver.com.co)
Futbol Sin Barreras offers an all-inclusive residential soccer camp in Medellín with international professional staff, high-altitude training, friendly international matches, and community outreach projects built right in. The whole program runs about nine days and is designed specifically for traveling families. They handle everything from accommodation, meals, training. (futbolsinbarreras.org)
CH4 Soccer Academy, founded by ex-professional player Luis Fernando Herrera, focuses on comprehensive soccer education with tactical awareness and technical development. Open to children and adolescents year-round. (ch4socceracademy.com)
Barça Academy Camp brings the FC Barcelona method to Medellín at The Columbus School in Alto de Las Palmas. Five core values — humility, effort, ambition, respect, teamwork — taught by trained Barcelona coaches. Sessions run in the mornings and afternoons. Contact Judith Fernandez at +57 300 6210068 for enrollment.
COSDECOL, founded in 1991, runs soccer programs across multiple sites throughout Medellín with over 40 coaches. They have competitive all-star teams that play in the FIFA state league, and they welcome families who can pay enrollment. A great community-centered option. (cosdecol.com)
STEM, Science, and Coding Camps
Snapology Medellín offers weekly STEM and robotics camps for ages 4 to 14 with LEGO bricks, programming, and hands-on engineering. Half-day, full-day, and weekly options make it flexible for traveling families. The pricing is affordable and enrollment is open to everyone. (snapology.com/colombia-medellin) **This one is a favorite for me, though pricier.
Universidad EAFIT’s Zoom Ciencia is a standout — a science camp for ages 3 to 11 run by one of Colombia’s top universities. The 2026 theme is “Explorers of Time” with experiments, creative activities, and a methodology built around questions, play, and experimentation. They also run programs for older kids: “Encounters with the Question” (ages 7-11), “Science Challenges” (12-15), and “Scientific Expeditions” (16-18). (eafit.edu.co)
Coderise runs tuition-free youth coding programs in Medellín with a partnership with Holberton School. If your teen is interested in programming, this is a meaningful program focused on social mobility through tech skills. (coderise.org)
Language Immersion Camps
Working Without Borders + Thinking Mind is specifically designed for traveling families. Kids ages 4 to 17 join a day camp in the hills overlooking Medellín where they learn Spanish through science, arts, crafts, sports, and games all alongside local Colombian youth. Meanwhile, parents can work from a co-working space, explore the city, or join yoga sessions. Pickup is at 8:30 AM and programs run full days. They even include an overnight trip to Guatapé and a BBQ picnic with local families. This is worldschooling at its best. (trips.workingwithoutborders.com)
Colombo Americano’s Mini Makers this is English immersion through STEAM methodology for ages 7 to 12. Four-day intensive weeks at multiple locations across Medellín (Centro, El Poblado, Belén, Envigado). Pricing is around $506,000 COP for the general public. Great if your kids want to practice English while making friends with local children. (colombomedellin.edu.co)
YMCA Colombia runs English immersion camps for ages 8 to 13 on coffee farms outside the city, with bilingual leaders and international volunteers. One-week immersions that strengthen language skills and socio-emotional competencies. (ymcacolombia.org)
Adventure and Nature Camps
Kajuyalí Camp is the big one. This multi-activity adventure camp takes kids to some of Colombia’s most biodiverse regions like Isla Fuerte on the Caribbean coast, La Guajira, jungle rivers, and coral reefs. Programs run in June and July with multiple session options. Kids learn about biodiversity, do extreme sports, explore local culture and gastronomy, and swim in crystalline rivers. If you want your children to experience Colombia’s natural beauty in a structured, safe environment, Kajuyalí is it. Each locations have their own age minimums and restrictions. (kajuyali.com)
Mushaisa is a six-day, five-night residential camp for ages 5 to 18 focused on self-discovery through theater, music, improvisation, writing, and leadership development. The name means “coal” in the Wayuu indigenous language. Twenty-four-hour supervision, balanced meals with dietary accommodations, and trained facilitators. The program ends with a performance show on the last day for families. (mushaisa.co)
EKO Campos de Verano has been running since 1997 with over 25 years of values-based experiential education for ages 8 to 24. Activities include rafting, rappelling, speleology, water skiing, ecological hikes, and horseback riding, all tied together with reflection sessions on values and environmental awareness. Programs run in January and July from Bogotá. (ekocamposdeverano.org)
Multi-Activity and Recreation Camps in Medellín
INDER Medellín — and this is the one every family needs to know about because it runs completely FREE recreational vacation programs across all 16 communes and five neighborhoods of the city. Ages 2 to 17 open to all kids regardless of residency but with registration required. Activities include water games, crafts, cooperative play, sports training, movies, and more. Over 10,000 kids participate each season. If you’re in Medellín during vacation, there is no reason not to take advantage of this. (inder.gov.co)
Comfama Supervacaciones offers structured recreation programs for ages 5 to 14 at multiple Parques Comfama locations around the metropolitan area, including Bello, Itagüí, and Rionegro. Nature activities, storytelling, crafts, games, and some programs include visits to Parque Explora and the Planetarium. (comfama.com)
UPB Nuevas Aventuras at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana runs Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM, with snacks, lunch, materials, and safety equipment all included. Pricing is around $679,000 COP with early payment discounts available. One counselor per ten children. (upb.edu.co)
Baúl de Sorpresas in the Belén/Laureles area offers flexible day camp options, half-day or full-day, during every school vacation period. Recreation, ball pit, dancing, puppetry, free play, with homemade meals and all materials included. Great for younger kids. (bauldesorpresas.com)
Mariajo Summer Camp, founded by child psychologist María José Pradilla, mixes art, games, science, and outdoor time in a nature-based setting. Started with 40 children and has grown into a vibrant community. They have locations in both Medellín and Bogotá. (@mariajoexperience)
Equestrian Camps
EQUUS Equestrian School near Medellín offers summer camps for ages 4 and up with horse riding lessons, creative activities, and safe progressive training. They run a 30% discount on four-day camp packages. (equus.com.co)
La Bonanza in Loma del Escobero (Envigado) combines equestrian training with equinotherapy, a therapeutic approach blending medicine, psychology, and sports. Programs start from 8 months old. Recreational vacation camps available during school breaks. (labonanza.com.co)
Summer Camps Beyond Medellín
If you’re traveling around Colombia or considering camps in other cities, here are the best I found on the internet!
Bogotá: The Redcol network runs bilingual summer camps across six cities including Santa Francisca Romana, Vermont School, and New Cambridge School locations. Colegio Las Pachas runs sports, arts, and technology programs for ages 3 to 13. Challenge Island brings their award-winning STEAM curriculum to Bogotá. Knightsbridge Schools International brings together students from around the world for bilingual instruction. And IDRD, Bogotá’s municipal recreation institute, runs very affordable vacation programs in city parks for ages 6 to 17.
Eje Cafetero Region: Out and About runs bilingual language and cultural immersion camps in Pereira in partnership with Liceo Pino Verde, one of the top bilingual schools in the region. Kids cook with local chefs, make art with regional artists, and learn music and traditions all while practicing Spanish in a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. (outandaboutspeak.com)
Caribbean Coast: For surf-loving families, Tayrona Surf Camp near Santa Marta offers four to five-day programs starting at $399 USD with lessons, accommodation near Tayrona National Park, and optional paddleboarding and river tubing. Cartagena Surf Camp runs daily lessons with bike tours and meals included from $550 USD. Costeño Beach Surf Camp and Eco Lodge, an hour from Santa Marta, is a family-friendly eco-lodge with on-site surf school, yoga, a spa, and beachside pools. (newtourscolombia.com)
Cartagena: Centro Catalina and Total Spanish offer Spanish immersion programs for all ages with structured lessons, placement tests, and cultural activities. Weekly programs start around $449 USD.
Cali: Comfenalco Valle runs Mega Campamento adventure camps for ages 12 to 15 and recreational programs for ages 5 to 11. Rumba y Salsa Internacional offers daily salsa, bachata, and hip-hop classes for all ages in the salsa capital of the world. (rumbaysalsainternacional.com)
La Guajira: Summer Camp Mayapo combines kiteboarding, beach sports, and creative workshops for children in partnership with Kite Addict Colombia and Mayis Kids.
Popayán: AFS-USA runs a two-week Global Prep cultural exchange for ages 14 to 17 with host families, horseback riding, salsa classes, volcano hiking at Puracé, and visits to geothermal pools. Scholarships available. (afsusa.org)
Los Llanos: Corocora Wildlife Camp offers luxury family-friendly accommodations in elegant canvas tents with the highest wildlife concentration in the region.
Tips for Choosing the Right Camp
Check the language. Most Medellín camps operate in Spanish. If your kids aren’t Spanish speakers yet, look specifically for bilingual programs (Working Without Borders, Colombo Americano, YMCA, Redcol) or programs that explicitly welcome international families.
Book early. The best programs fill up fast, especially in June. Start researching and contacting camps two to three months before your intended dates.
Consider your neighborhood. Many Medellín camps are concentrated in Laureles, El Poblado, and Envigado. Choose a program near where you’re staying to avoid long commutes, especially with younger kids.
Ask about insurance and safety. Established programs like Comfama, INDER, and university-affiliated camps all include accident insurance and trained supervision. Smaller private camps — always ask.
Don’t overlook the free options. INDER’s recreational programs are excellent and completely free. They run across the entire city. No registration, just show up. This is the kind of thing that makes Colombia incredible for families.
Mix it up. You don’t have to commit to one camp for the entire vacation. Many families do a week of soccer camp, a week of STEM, and a week of adventure. The variety here allows you to give your kids a truly diverse experience.
Final Thoughts
Whether your kid wants to train with professional soccer coaches, learn to code, ride horses, surf in the Caribbean, do science experiments, or simply run around in the sun with other kids for free, you can find it all in Colombia! And the fact that so many of these programs welcome traveling and international families makes this country even more special whether you Worldschool or not.
This is the stuff our kids remember. Not the flights or the hotels, the moments where they made a friend who speaks a different language, stood up on a surfboard for the first time, or came home covered in mud from a day they’ll never forget.
Eso es lo que realmente importa.
Questions? Drop a comment below or send me a message on Instagram.
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