Montessori Summer Camp Sotogrande 2026 – Enroll Now for a Bilingual Adventure
Looking for a Montessori summer camp in Sotogrande? The MIMS Kids Summer Camp 2026 at IMS Montessori Sotogrande has become the preferred option for families in the Campo de Gibraltar area who want more than just summer games. Here, every day is designed for children to continue developing with the same freedom and respect they experience at school during the academic year, but with the freshness and joy of vacation time. In this article we explore Montessori summer camp Sotogrande in depth with practical examples.
This is not a typical summer camp. At IMS, the Montessori prepared environment extends into the summer months with a mix of sports, art, music, and community life, all in a Spanish-English bilingual setting that you won’t find in other camps in the area. And it’s all just minutes from Sotogrande, Alcaidesa, San Roque, or La Línea, with the convenience of extended hours and small groups.
Why Choose a Montessori Summer Camp in Sotogrande?
In a traditional summer camp, children usually move from one directed activity to another without much connection. At MIMS Kids Summer Camp, we follow the Montessori philosophy: the child chooses, the adult guides. This means that, although there is a full program of activities, each child progresses at their own pace, stops at what truly interests them, and discovers their own passions.
Moreover, the environment is key. Our bright classrooms and outdoor spaces in Sotomarket transform into exploration areas. Children are not confined to a hall; they move, experiment, and collaborate with peers of different ages, just as they do in the Casa de Niños and Taller environments during the school year. This age mixing is a cornerstone of the Montessori method and becomes even more meaningful in summer: older children help younger ones, and younger ones learn by imitating.
Bilingual Immersion Without Academic Pressure
MIMS Kids Summer Camp is naturally bilingual. Guides communicate in Spanish and English depending on the context, just as we do at IMS all year round. But in summer, there are no ‘English classes’: the language appears in songs, games, instructions for an art workshop, or the rules of a game. Children absorb the language without realizing it—something expat families living in Sotogrande or Gibraltar particularly value.
Many parents tell us that by the end of summer, their children spontaneously speak English at home. It’s not magic: it’s real immersion in an environment designed for language to flow.
What We Do at MIMS Kids Summer Camp 2026
The summer camp at IMS runs from June 29 to July 31, 2026. During these five weeks, mornings are filled with rotating activities covering all areas of child development. It’s not a rigid themed camp; each week has its own thread, but always leaving room for children’s initiative.
Sports, Art, and Music for Holistic Development
Movement is essential. We don’t do competitions; instead, we use motor games, circuits, and psychomotor exercises adapted to each age. We also have physical education specialists who integrate sports without pressure, respecting each child’s body and timing.
Art takes center stage. Each classroom has a permanent creative corner, but in summer we take it outdoors: outdoor painting, sculptures with natural elements, collage, clay… Children experiment with different techniques and sensory materials, just as in a Montessori workshop.
Music is also present. With our specialist Tatiana Gavira, children explore rhythms, instruments, and songs in several languages. We often end the week with a small themed party where the children decide what to share: a dance, a song, or an exhibition of their art projects.
Themed Parties and Community Life
Every Friday we celebrate a party related to the week’s theme. It could be a ‘water party’ where we splash around with hoses and balloons, or a ‘costume party’ where each child dresses up according to what we’ve been exploring. These parties are moments of shared joy that strengthen the sense of community—one of IMS’s four pillars.
Additionally, the summer camp includes all meals. The diet is balanced and supervised, with menus that respect allergies and intolerances. Eating together is another activity: we set the table, serve water, clear plates… all part of the prepared environment.
What Ages Is This Summer Camp For?
MIMS Kids Summer Camp is designed for children aged 3 to 12. This broad range allows us to group them by developmental planes, as we do at school. The youngest—ages 3 to 6—stay in adapted spaces with specialized Casa de Niños guides. Ages 6 to 12 share the Taller environment, where activities gain complexity and autonomy.
What if your child is under 3? During summer, IMS keeps its Nido program open for the youngest, though with different hours. If you need care for a baby, please contact us directly to discuss options.
Dates, Schedules & How to Reserve a Spot
The summer camp runs Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 15:00, with the option to extend until 17:00. This extension covers staggered pick-up times that many families need and allows children to continue enjoying the Montessori environment without rushing.
Spots are limited and fill up quickly each year. If you’re interested, write to us as soon as possible at [email protected] or call +34 691 225 041. You can also book a personalized school visit to see the spaces where your child will spend the summer.
The Added Value of a Montessori Summer
Beyond the specific activities, what sets this summer camp apart from any other is that children do not lose their personal developmental rhythm. Montessori pedagogy is based on sensitive periods that don’t take vacations. During summer, children still need order, freedom of movement, contact with nature, and opportunities for concentration. We offer all this in a playful and relaxed format.
In fact, various studies by Dr. Angeline Lillard (Montessori Science) show that free play in prepared environments supports executive functions such as self-regulation, planning, and working memory. At MIMS Kids Summer Camp, children choose which corner to go to, what materials to interact with, and for how long. This strengthens their decision-making ability, something a traditional camp with timed activities doesn’t always allow.
Moreover, for families coming from outside—Estepona, Algeciras, even Marbella—the safe environment of Sotogrande and the quality of the IMS team make the drive worthwhile. Many parents tell us they prefer a 20-minute journey each morning in exchange for their child spending the summer in a respectful, bilingual environment full of quality stimuli.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does My Child Need to Have Attended a Montessori School to Join the Camp?
Not at all. MIMS Kids Summer Camp is open to any child aged 3 to 12, regardless of their school background. Our guides are accustomed to accompanying children who have never been in a Montessori environment, and the first sessions focus precisely on teaching them how the environment works: how to choose a material, how to put it away after use, how to ask for help… Adaptation is usually very quick, and children feel safe almost immediately.
Can I Enroll My Child for Just a Few Weeks?
Yes, as long as spots are available. Although we recommend the full experience for the richness that continuity brings, we understand that some families only need to cover specific weeks. In that case, email us at [email protected] and we’ll inform you of options. However, spots are limited and children enrolled for the full month have priority.
What Exactly Does the Camp Price Include?
The summer camp includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, and snack), art materials, and sports equipment. The base schedule covers 8:00 to 15:00. The extension until 17:00 carries an additional cost. For current prices and possible sibling discounts, please contact the center directly or visit our admissions page.
Is There a Sibling Discount?
Yes, we offer sibling discounts. In fact, we encourage siblings to attend together because mixed-age interaction enriches the experience for both. Exact discount details are communicated at enrollment, as they may vary depending on the number of weeks and children’s ages.
