Maximo Nivel > Spanish Immersion Programs > Summer Spanish Camp
Summer Spanish Camp in Costa Rica
At Maximo Nivel, our Spanish Camp program helps young learners experience a world of travel and intercultural exchange. You are never too young to start exploring this amazing world and our Spanish Camp helps young people begin their exploration abroad in a safe and guided environment.
Spanish Camp Includes:
− Chaperones 24/7; 8:1 student-chaperone ratio
− Airport pick-up and drop-off
− Program and safety orientation
− Host family accommodations
− Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 7 days/week
− All tours and social activities
− Private transportation to/from all activities
− Official certificates for Spanish and volunteering
− Souvenir Spanish Camp T-shirt
− Small group Spanish classes, 15 hours/week
− Free Spanish books and materials
− Free WiFi and computer lounge
Spanish Camp is a full-immersion experience that integrates the Spanish language into all aspects of the program, including community service, sports, and cultural activities. Our unique combination of daily Spanish classes and optional program Tracks means students can build-in personalized program options to complement their Spanish studies.
Just Spanish Camp
The just Spanish Camp option offers learners a great cultural and educational experience. Students receive 3 hours of Spanish classes per day before heading out to different cultural and tour activities in the afternoon. Activities include museum visits, national park tours, creative workshops, recreational games, and more.
Sports Track
The Sports Track takes students to a whole new level of international sports! Participants study Spanish for 3 hours every morning and then move on to top-level sports instruction for 3-4 hours every afternoon. The sports track develops a great deal of self-confidence and builds skills as students learn and compete at a whole new level.
Sports track options include:
− Soccer (fútbol)
− Scuba diving certification (PADI)
Service Learning Track
The Service Learning Track moves students beyond the classroom and into community service projects where they are integrated into a volunteer abroad experience. This expands your understanding of life in Costa Rica and develops a real sense of giving back and helping people and communities in need. Students must be at least 15 years of age to participate in the Service Learning Track.
Service learning projects include:
− Working with Kids
− Construction
Costa Rica Residents
Costa Rica residents and citizens are welcome at Maximo Nivel’s Spanish Camp. If you’re already fluent in Spanish, you can choose to follow our English language option, which includes 3 hours of English classes with a certified native English teacher every morning. You then join the regular Spanish Camp program in the afternoon with students from around the world for tours, sports, or service learning.
Daily Routine
Monday through Friday, you eat breakfast with your host family before being picked up in private transportation and taken to Spanish classes. Spanish classes run from 9:00AM to 12:00PM daily. After class, a buffet lunch is catered in at the Maximo institute. In the afternoon, from 1:00PM to 4:00PM, you break up and go into your chosen program “tracks.” After that, you return to your host family for dinner and showers, and get ready for the camp’s evening activities.
During weeknights, there are a number of planned activities including salsa lessons, roller skating, karaoke, Costa Rican BBQs, game nights, movie nights, as well as quality time with host families.
On weekends, you take part in exciting cultural, adventure, and nature tours. Led by our professional guides and chaperones, you get the chance to tour cloud forests, hike volcanoes, swim, surf, and learn to cook traditional Costa Rican dishes! Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse travel destinations on the planet and Spanish Camp never disappoints!
Accommodations
In San Jose, Spanish Camp participants stay with pre-approved, middle class family-stays in San Jose. Accommodations at the homes include shared rooms with 1-2 other campers of the same gender and similar age. In the family-stay, breakfast and dinner is included every day and lunches are catered in at the Maximo institute every day. On weekend overnight tours, students stay at hotels in shared rooms with 1-2 other students of the same gender and similar age. Chaperones also stay at the hotel.
In Manuel Antonio, Spanish Camp participants stay with pre-approved, middle class family-stays in Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Accommodations at the homes include shared rooms with 1-2 other campers of the same gender and similar age. Note that in Manuel Antonio, rooms are simple and “beachy.” Breakfast and dinner are provided at the family-stay every day and lunches are catered in at the Maximo institute following Spanish classes. On weekend overnight tours, students stay at hotels in shared rooms with 1-2 other students of the same gender and similar age. Chaperones also stay at the hotel.
Facilities @ the Maximo Nivel Institute
In San Jose, Spanish classes take place at the Maximo Nivel institute. We are located in San Pedro—the university district of San Jose. Spanish Camp participants study in a separate area of our institute and are not mixed with our adult program participants, as well there is 24/7 supervision of all Spanish Camp students. Maximo Nivel provides free WiFi, computer lounge, onsite snack bar, and a great common area for Spanish Camp only. Spanish classes take place from 9:00am to 12:00pm daily. Lunch is catered in at the Maximo Nivel institute every day.
In Manuel Antonio, Spanish classes take place at the Maximo Nivel institute which is just a 5 minute bus ride from the beautiful Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park. Our Manuel Antonio institute has 15 teaching areas, free WiFi, computer lounge, onsite snack bar, and a world-class view of the Pacific Ocean.
Pre-Departure Support
The Maximo Nivel team is here to provide all pre-departure support, including:
− Where and how to book a flight
− How to arrange airline assistance for unaccompanied minors
− Understanding passports and visas
In-Country Support
During Spanish Camp, we are your direct link to your son or daughter 24/7, including:
− 24-hour Emergency phone number
− We require all students to call home upon arrival in Costa Rica.
− Weekly updates on students and how they are doing
− We make you aware of any emergencies, changes, or updates.
− We immediately relay parent messages to students and student messages to parents.
− We notify you when your son or daughter has boarded their flight and safely departed from Costa Rica.
What to Bring
Before packing up and heading out to Maximo’s Spanish Camp, please make sure that you and your family discuss what it means to be far from home and the importance of being a great ambassador for your home country while visiting Costa Rica.
We strongly encourage parents to be sure your son or daughter leave their home country with everything on the list below. Note that sending packages to Costa Rica via postal services is not recommended as packages can take 2-6 weeks arrive. Once in Costa Rica, packages must then clear customs, which can be an additional 2 weeks or more. Custom taxes are also very expensive.
| Documents | Travel Gear | Clothing | Toiletries | Academic Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport valid for at least 6 months | Camera | Shorts | Shampoo | Notebook |
| Credit card | Waterbottle | Pants | Conditioner | Pens/pencils |
| International medical insurance policy card | Umbrella | T-shirts | Soap | Bilingual pocket dictionary |
| Emergency contact information | Backpack | Light sweater | Toothpaste | |
| Maximo Nivel’s contact information | Extra bag for souvenirs | Bathing suit | Toothbrush | |
| Raincoat | Deodorant | |||
| Hiking shoes | Sunscreen | |||
| Sneakers | Mosquito repellent | |||
| Sandals | Prescriptions |
Important Note to Parents
Maximo Nivel’s Spanish Camp program is carefully programmed to maximize Spanish language learning and intercultural experience. We work very hard to ensure our Spanish Camp is a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. Our Spanish Camp program is fully chaperoned 24/7.
Just Spanish Camp 2017 (No Special Track Option)
| START DATE | END DATE | WEEKS | PROGRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26–June | 02–July | 1 Weeks | Spanish + Tours in San Jose |
| 03–July | 09–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Tours in Manuel Antonio |
| 10–July | 16–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Tours in San Jose |
| 17–July | 23–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Tours in Manuel Antonio |
| 24–July | 30–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Tours in San Jose |
Service Learning Track 2017
| START DATE | END DATE | WEEKS | PROGRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26–June | 02–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Working with Kids (San Jose) |
| 03–July | 09–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Working with Kids (Manuel Antonio) |
| 10–July | 16–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Construction (San Jose) |
| 17–July | 23–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Construction (Manuel Antonio) |
| 24–July | 30–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Working with Kids (San Jose) |
Sports Track Schedule 2017
| START DATE | END DATE | WEEKS | PROGRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26–June | 02–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Soccer (San Jose) |
| 03–July | 09–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Scuba Certification (Manuel Antonio) |
| 10–July | 16–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Soccer (San Jose) |
| 17–July | 23–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Scuba Certification (Manuel Antonio) |
| 24–July | 30–July | 1 Week | Spanish + Soccer (San Jose) |
Spanish Camp Includes:
− Chaperones 24/7; 8:1 student-chaperone ratio
− Airport pick-up and drop-off
− Program and safety orientation
− Host family accommodations
− Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 7 days/week
− All tours and social activities
− Private transportation to/from all activities
− Official certificates for Spanish and volunteering
− Souvenir Spanish Camp T-shirt
− Small group Spanish classes, 15 hours/week
− Free Spanish books and materials
− Free WiFi and computer lounge
Just Spanish Camp (No Special Track Option)
| Program | Weeks | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish in San Jose | 1 Week | $1095 |
| Spanish in Manuel Antonio | 1 Week | $1245 |
Service Learning Track
| Program | Weeks | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish + Working with Kids (San Jose) | 1 Week | $1335 |
| Spanish + Working with Kids (Manuel Antonio) | 1 Week | $1595 |
| Spanish + Construction (San Jose) | 1 Week | $1595 |
| Spanish + Construction (Manuel Antonio) | 1 Week | $1695 |
Sports Track Schedule
| Program | Weeks | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish + Soccer | 1 Week | $1595 |
| Spanish + SCUBA Certification | 1 Week | $2040 |
