Summer is approaching, and with it the eternal question for families: how can we offer our little ones stimulating holidays where they can have fun while growing? If you live in Casares or nearby and are looking for a summer camp that respects the rhythms of childhood, fosters independence, and is imbued with the Montessori philosophy, I have news you will love. Although it is not physically located in the municipality, the MIMS Kids Summer Camp 2026 at International Montessori School Sotogrande has become the preferred choice for dozens of families from Casares. The quality of the environment, the methodology, and the care with which activities are designed make it well worth the few kilometers that separate the two towns.

In this article, I’ll tell you why this bilingual Montessori summer camp deserves your attention, how it fits into the search for “summer camp in Casares”, and what makes IMS Sotogrande’s proposal so special. I speak from first-hand experience: as a mother who has combed the area looking for authentic options, I know how hard it is to find a place where children are not just “kept” but are invited to explore, create, and connect. There are no worksheets or forced routines here; there is life, discovery, and a strong sense of community.

Why does a Montessori summer camp make a difference?

Many summer camps organize games and workshops, but few integrate a pedagogy proven for over a century. The Montessori method is not limited to the classroom: it is a way of supporting childhood with deep respect for their interests, innate curiosity, and need for movement. During the summer, children still have a thirst for learning, only in a more relaxed context. If instead of imposing a rigid schedule we offer them a prepared environment, the results are surprising.

• Real autonomy: children choose their activities, manage their time, and take responsibility for materials. This strengthens self-confidence.
• Unlimited creativity: art, music, movement, and storytelling intertwine in open-ended activities that spark the imagination.
• Connection with nature: at IMS Sotogrande, outdoor spaces are used so children can observe, plant, care for, and interact with the environment.
• Emotional intelligence: through coexistence and respectful adult guidance, they learn to express their feelings, resolve conflicts, and empathize.

When a camp draws from the Montessori philosophy, each day is a small adventure where the child is the protagonist. And if the program is also bilingual, English learning happens through natural immersion without pressure. The result? Children return home tired from playing, with bright eyes and some fascinating stories to tell.

MIMS Kids Summer Camp 2026: an unforgettable summer in the heart of Sotogrande

From June 29 to July 31, 2026, IMS Sotogrande transforms its facilities into a hub of experiences designed for children aged 3 to 12. The camp runs from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, with the option to extend until 5:00 pm for families needing more flexibility. Spots are limited, so I encourage you not to delay: they fill up quickly every year once enrollment opens.

What makes MIMS Kids Summer Camp such a special option for families from Casares is not just its proximity (the drive is short and worth it), but its pedagogical consistency. The entire team is trained in the Montessori method, and the prepared environment respects the same principles as the school during the academic year:

• Bright spaces with Montessori materials selected by age.
• Outdoor areas for experimenting with water, soil, plants, and motor games.
• Art zones and a library with book lending to encourage reading.
• Yoga and mindfulness integrated into the daily routine.
• Music, dance, and body expression that connect with the natural joy of childhood.

Additionally, all meals are included: a balanced, homemade menu that reflects the pillar of education for health that defines IMS. Sibling discounts help make the experience more affordable for family budgets, and the fact that each group is guided by professionals who truly know each child makes a huge difference compared to overcrowded camps.

Just minutes from Casares: the favorite option in Campo de Gibraltar

You might wonder: “Why go all the way to Sotogrande if I live in Casares?” The answer lies in quality and AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) certification. There is no other camp in the area with the backing of AMI-trained staff and the NEASC accreditation that attests to the school’s excellence. When families search for “Montessori summer camp in Casares”, they often hope to find an authentic environment, not a mere “playground” disguised as alternative pedagogy. Well, that authenticity exists, and it’s less than a 15-minute drive via the highway.

Many families from Casares are already part of the IMS tribe. In fact, during the school year, the school welcomes children from all over the region because its trilingual model (Spanish, English, and German) and its focus on holistic development are unmatched in the area. Summer is an extension of that philosophy: a summer school where each week has a themed party, collaborative games are organized, and mixed-age interaction is encouraged. The result is a Casares Montessori kids’ camp (in spirit and participants) that respects individual rhythms and makes every child feel at home.

If you also value your child reinforcing their English, they will do so here without even realizing it. Immersion bilingualism is one of IMS’s pillars: each classroom has a native or bilingual guide who communicates naturally in English, while another does so in Spanish. During the camp, this dynamic is maintained in games, songs, and projects. So when September comes, your child will have integrated vocabulary and structures without the stress of formal classes.

A day at MIMS Kids Summer Camp: how curiosity awakens

Picture the scene: you arrive in Sotogrande, park the car, and go up to the first floor of the Sotocentro building, just above Mercadona. From the entrance, you feel calm and joy. Your child says a quick goodbye and runs to meet their guides and friends. What awaits them?

1. Morning circle: a gathering to greet each other, share news, and present the day’s proposals.
2. Montessori work time: each child chooses materials for practical life, sensorial, language, or mathematics according to their interest. The guides observe and offer individualized presentations.
3. Lunch and outdoor play: homemade food and free play in designated areas.
4. Themed workshop: one week might be “Recycled Art”, the next “Little Chefs of the World”, and there is always music, sports, or body expression led by specialists.
5. Yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation: after so much activity, a moment to connect with breathing and the body.
6. Pick-up and farewell: the guides share a highlight of the day with you. Families from Casares often organize carpools, even creating a small WhatsApp group that strengthens the community.

Everything is designed for children to feel safe, valued, and in charge. There is no competition, but cooperation. No punishment, but natural consequences and dialogue. And there is always room for spontaneity: if a child discovers an insect in the garden, the morning can turn into an impromptu bug investigation. That is nurturing childhood.

Effortless bilingual immersion: English and Spanish hand in hand

One of the biggest concerns for families when thinking about a summer camp is that the child might “lose” English skills or, on the contrary, experience it as a disguised academy. At IMS Sotogrande, they have achieved the perfect balance. Thanks to the EU-funded Bilingual Montessori Programme and the presence of native guides, children immerse themselves in English without worksheets or boring repetition. They learn by playing, imitating, singing, and asking questions.

Furthermore, the team clearly respects each child’s mother tongue. No one is forced to speak a language they do not master; meaningful contexts are created where English flows naturally. That is why MIMS Kids Summer Camp is also an ideal bilingual summer camp in Casares for mixed families or those who want to give their children a solid foundation in a second language from an early age.

Reserve your spot and experience Montessori this summer

If you have read this far, I suspect you are already curious. Let me tell you something important: spots are limited and demand exceeds supply every year. Not because of aggressive marketing, but because word of mouth works. Families from Casares, San Roque, Estepona, or Algeciras return because they see the transformation in their children.

How to secure your spot?

• Send an email to [email protected] stating your child’s name, age, and weeks of interest.
• Call +34 691 225 041 to ask questions or arrange a visit to the school.
• If you would like to experience the atmosphere and meet the team, you can request an appointment through the IMS Sotogrande website or write to [email protected].

Remember that, in addition to the camp, the school keeps its admission process open for the following year during the summer. If after seeing your child happy and motivated you consider continuity, nothing could be easier: the camp serves as a gateway to learn about the methodology and the community. Many families from Casares who started with the camp have ended up enrolling their children in the school. And there is no better introduction than experiencing IMS from the inside.

Community, nature, and a tribe that supports you

International Montessori School Sotogrande is much more than a school; it is an educational tribe that welcomes families with open arms. Its pillars—community, autonomy, educational innovation, and responsibility—are felt in every activity, and the summer camp is no exception. The Friday themed parties, occasional nature outings, and family workshops (like “Accompanying-tea”) create bonds that last over time.

If you live in Casares or anywhere in Campo de Gibraltar and value a summer camp that deeply respects childhood, where each day is an opportunity to grow without rushing, then MIMS Kids Summer Camp 2026 is the right choice. It is not a summer camp in Casares because it is located in Sotogrande, but it is the camp of Casares’ heart, because there beats the essence of what many families are looking for.

Conclusion

Searching for a summer camp for our children is an act of love. We want them to have fun, learn, grow, and come back to us each afternoon with a smile. The offer is wide, but when you find a place that combines Montessori excellence with the warmth of a family-like team, the short drive to Sotogrande becomes a little summer treasure. MIMS Kids Summer Camp 2026 is that: a gem for childhood that, although it does not bear the label “in Casares”, is closer than you imagine. Check availability, visit us, and give your child the summer they deserve. We await you with prepared environments, enthusiastic guides, and the certainty that together we build education for life.