Frequently Asked Questions
About Enfants du Soleil
What is Enfants du Soleil?
Enfants du Soleil is a summer camp (colonie de vacances) organiser in Lebanon, founded in 2006. Every summer we run day camps for children aged 3 to 13 in more than 20 schools and country clubs across the country, with sports, arts, games, shows and themed special days.
Our motto says it all: “La colonie… C’est idéal pour grandir !”
Why do parents in Lebanon choose Enfants du Soleil for their children’s summer camp?
Parents choose us for our experience and our safety standards:
- Running summer camps since 2006, in partnership with more than 40 schools and clubs
- More than 50 different activities in sports, arts and games
- Trained and supervised animators, and specialised sports coaches
- A security barcode for pick-up and insurance included for every child
- A parent web app to follow the program and the schedule
- A new theme every summer, with tournaments, shows and special days
Is Enfants du Soleil a day camp or a sleepaway camp?
Enfants du Soleil is a day camp. Children attend from Monday to Friday, with drop-off from 7:30 AM and pick-up by 3:00 PM, and go home every afternoon.
Does the summer camp have a theme?
Yes. Every summer Enfants du Soleil chooses a new theme that runs through the activities, tournaments and special days, from sports tournaments to great adventures. The theme of the coming summer is announced every spring on our website and social media.
Dates, hours and locations
When does summer camp start and end in Lebanon?
Our summer camp usually starts at the end of June or in early July and ends at the end of August, for about 9 weeks. The exact dates for each location are announced every spring on our website.
What are the summer camp hours?
The camp is open Monday to Friday. Drop-off starts at 7:30 AM, activities run from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and pick-up is between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Hours can differ slightly at some locations.
Can I pick up my child after 3:00 PM?
No. For safety, the whole team stays on site with the children until the pick-up time, and the full activity schedule does not allow later pick-ups. At locations with transport, a bus can take your child home.
Where are the Enfants du Soleil summer camps in Lebanon?
We run summer camps in more than 20 schools and country clubs across Lebanon, in:
- Beirut (Ashrafieh)
- Baabda and Hazmieh
- Metn (Dbayeh, Fanar, Bauchrieh, Horsh Tabet, Mtayleb)
- Keserwan (Jounieh, Zouk Mikael, Adma, Jeita, Okaibé, Kfardebian)
- Jbeil and Batroun
- North Lebanon (Tripoli, Amioun)
- Bekaa (Zahle)
The full list of locations for the coming summer is published on our website when registrations open.
Is there a summer camp for kids in Beirut?
Yes. Enfants du Soleil runs summer camps in Beirut, in Ashrafieh, and nearby in Baabda and Hazmieh. The list of locations is on our website.
Is there a summer camp in Metn or Keserwan?
Yes. We run camps in schools and country clubs in Metn (such as Dbayeh, Fanar, Bauchrieh, Horsh Tabet and Mtayleb) and in Keserwan (such as Jounieh, Zouk Mikael, Adma, Jeita, Okaibé and Kfardebian).
Is there a summer camp in North Lebanon or the Bekaa?
Yes. Enfants du Soleil runs camps in Byblos, Batroun, Tripoli and Amioun, and in Zahle in the Bekaa.
Does my child need to be a student at the school to join its summer camp?
No. Every location is open to all children. Students of the host school, or members of the host club, simply benefit from a lower rate.
Ages and groups
What ages does the summer camp accept?
We accept children from 3 to 13 years old.
Can a child younger than 3 join the summer camp?
We usually accept children from 3 years old. A younger child is welcome if they are toilet-trained and no longer wear diapers.
How are children grouped at the camp?
Children are grouped by age and school grade, and activities are adapted to each group:
- PC (Petit Club): ages 3 to 4
- MC1: ages 5 to 6
- MC2: ages 7 to 9
- CA: ages 10 to 12
How many children are there per group, and how many supervisors?
PC groups (ages 3 to 4) have 15 children with a kindergarten teacher and an animatrice. MC1, MC2 and CA groups have 20 children with two animateurs or animatrices. Each location also has a director and assistants on site.
Which language is spoken at the camp?
Our team is trilingual (Arabic, French and English) and speaks with each child in the language they are most comfortable with.
Activities and program
What activities do children do at summer camp?
More than 50 different activities are spread over two alternating weeks (week A and week B), with five activity sessions a day. They include:
- Sports: football, basketball, rugby touch, handball, hockey, archery, trampoline, mini golf and relay games
- Arts and crafts: painting, mosaics, bamboo weaving, woodwork, T-shirt printing, macramé and jewellery
- Games and discovery: STEAM, Lego and Archi-tech, board games, ciné-club and dance
- Inter-club tournaments, a Talent Show, shows, Fiesta Days and themed special days every Friday
- Cooking days: pizza, mankouche, hot-dog and ice cream
Are there swimming and water activities?
Yes. Water activities are part of the program and take place in the morning. At country clubs, pool days are optional: parents choose “No” or “Floaters” for their child, children swim only under strict supervision and according to their level, and non-swimmers use floatation devices. At schools, we install a secure pool on site with our animators always present.
Do you take children to public pools or beaches?
No. For safety reasons we do not organise pool outings. Water activities only take place on site, under our team’s supervision.
Are there outings and trips during summer camp?
Yes, once a week we organise a special outing. Outings are optional and have an additional fee. Children who don’t join enjoy a normal camp day on site. Examples include farms, Fun Scape, X-Park, Treasure Island, cinema, theatre and laser tag, chosen according to the children’s age.
Are children protected from the sun during outdoor activities?
Yes. All outdoor activities are scheduled in the morning, to avoid the midday sun.
How can I see my child’s program?
After registration, parents get access to the Enfants du Soleil web app, where they can see the weekly schedule, the activities planned for their child’s age group, outings and special days, and any announcements.
Do you give summer homework or a cahier de vacances?
No. The camp is dedicated to activities, games and discovery; we do not provide academic workbooks.
Is there a trial day?
We do not offer a trial period. To help children settle in quickly, the first day starts with a festive welcome, with mascots, face painting, balloon sculptures and inflatable games, and our team is trained to support new children.
Safety and team
Is the summer camp safe for my child?
Safety is our first priority. Every game and activity is studied before it is adopted, groups are supervised by trained animators under on-site directors, and insurance is included for every child. Only people with your child’s security barcode can pick them up, and our system alerts us when a child is absent for several days so we can contact the parents.
Who are the animators, and how are they trained?
Our animators are 16 and older, in line with the French system. They are selected through an interview with the owner and assessments by our HR department. Before the camp they are trained in first aid, hygiene and appropriate behaviour with children, and we also train them for the BAFA (Brevet d’Aptitude aux Fonctions d’Animateur). Sports are led by specialised coaches.
Who can pick up my child from camp?
Only people who have your child’s security barcode can take the child out of the camp.
Is insurance included?
Yes. Insurance coverage for the whole duration of the camp is included in the fee.
How are young children helped in the toilets?
The person in charge of the group walks the child to the toilet door. For the youngest groups (PC and MC1), a staff member is available to help the children.
Do you accept children with special needs?
Please contact our customer service team before registering, so we can discuss your child’s needs and how we can best welcome them.
Prices, registration and payment
How much does a summer camp in Lebanon cost?
At Enfants du Soleil, the price depends on the location and on whether your child is a student of the host school or a member of the host club. The fee includes all activities, shows, registration, the camp T-shirt and insurance. Prices for each location are published on our website when registrations open.
What is included in the summer camp fee?
The fee includes all activities, shows, registration, the Enfants du Soleil T-shirt and insurance for the whole camp. Optional outings and transport (where available) are paid separately.
Can my child attend only 4 weeks, or only a few days a week?
You can choose 4 consecutive weeks (starting on a Monday, 20 weekdays) or the full 9-week season. Your child can attend fewer days per week, but the fee stays the same.
Is there a sibling discount?
The best value is registering for the full 9 weeks from the start of the camp. Some locations also have reduced rates for siblings or for students of the host school; our customer service team can tell you what applies at your location.
Who can get the student or member rate?
The student rate is reserved for children enrolled in the host school, based on the school’s records. At country clubs, the member rate requires the child to have their own valid membership card for the current year, even if a parent is a member.
When do registrations open for summer camp?
Online registration usually opens in April, on our website. Children can also join at any time during the summer, as long as places are available.
How do I register my child?
Registration is done online through the registration link on our website. Fill in your child’s details, then complete the payment; the registration is confirmed once the fees are paid. You then receive access to the parent web app.
How can I pay for summer camp?
You can pay by credit card online, with the Whish app or at any Whish branch, at Bank Audi or with NEO by Bank Audi, or on site at the camp location during the payment period in June.
Daily life at camp
Is transportation available?
It depends on the location. Where a bus service is offered, buses arrive at camp between 8:00 and 8:10 AM and leave around 2:00 PM; home pick-up and drop-off times depend on the route. Transport fees are separate. Some locations do not offer transport.
Is food provided at the camp?
Children bring their own lunch box and water bottle. Cold sandwiches and snacks are ideal for the two daily breaks, around 9:30 AM and 11:45 AM.
Does my child have to wear the camp T-shirt?
Each child receives an Enfants du Soleil T-shirt in the first week. It must be worn on outing days. Extra T-shirts can be bought for $10, depending on availability.
What should my child bring to camp?
A lunch box, a water bottle and, on water days, a swimsuit and a towel. Please label all belongings with your child’s full name to avoid lost items.
How do I log in to the parent web app?
Your login details are linked to the phone number used at registration. If you have any trouble logging in, our customer service team will help you.
Choosing a summer camp in Lebanon
What is the difference between a colonie de vacances and a summer camp?
In Lebanon the two words mean the same thing. “Colonie de vacances” is the French term commonly used for a summer camp: a program of supervised activities for children during the school holidays. Enfants du Soleil runs day camps, so children go home every afternoon.
Why send my child to a summer camp?
Summer camp helps children make friends and work in teams, gain autonomy and confidence, and move and play away from screens. Our activities are designed to develop social, motor and creative skills while keeping the summer fun.