Summer JUNIOR English camp in NYC
Our Summer Teen English camp in New York is designed for students aged 13 to 18 years old. The camp includes general English classes, full board accommodation in twin rooms in a local host family (recruited by us!) or a residence in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, as well as a full program of supervised activities and excursions.
With our Summer Teen English camp in New York, students can choose between English & NYC Discovery or English & Music.
To immerse students in NYC life and culture, our English classes take place throughout New York, in Dumbo (Brooklyn), Essex Market (Lower East Side), Brookfield Place (Battery Park, Industry City (Brooklyn) and Bryant Park (Midtown). The city becomes the students’ classroom! The locations have been carefully chosen based on comfort, space, ease of access, points of interest close by, proximity of public restrooms…
Our classes are rich in cultural content and conversation with an added interactive approach to learning English. In addition to completing homework, book assignments, participating in pair work and discussion, just like in a regular classroom setting, students get the added bonus of learning about NYC in truly authentic NYC settings.
Our teachers are qualified, experienced, and use an action-based, communicative method to encourage students to interact and use the language as much as possible. There is a maximum of 8 students per class, grouped together according to level.
By choosing our Summer Teen English summer camp, students can also help the environment! They can enjoy the benefits of natural sunlight, shade, and the breeze, rather than being inside a classroom with AC and artificial light! If you care about the climate, this summer English course is for you!
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Click here for more info on our Year-round English classes for Adults.
2023 Start Dates:
Homestay: June 25th, July 09th and July 23rd (2-4 weeks)
Residence: July 09th (2 or 4 weeks) and July 23rd (2 weeks)
Age Range:
13-18 years
Maximum Class Size:
8 participants
Timetable:
Monday to Friday:
9:30am-12:45pm – general ESL class
2pm-5pm – afternoon activities
Saturday:
10am-5pm – full-day excursion
Sunday:
Free day with host family / activity in residence
Sample Activity Program:
Download Junior Activity Program
Closed group Junior programs:
If you are interested in booking your school group for a closed group package on our program in New York City, including English classes, host family accommodation and full program of activities and excursions, please contact: info@englishoutdoors.org
ENGLISH & NYC DISCOVERY
There are 5 half-day excursions and 1 full-day excursion per week (except the last week when Saturday is departure day). Our activity program is designed to include the best of New York City and alternate between fun and educational outings. Summer is a great time to discover New York and our students will have the chance to take part in some real American activities to enjoy a typical summer in the city!
Mondays – Iconic locations
Walking tours of iconic NYC locations:
Brooklyn Heights/Brooklyn Bridge, High Line, Central Park…
Tuesdays – Famous landmarks
Admire the view from NY’s most famous buildings:
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, The Summit…
Wednesday – Summer in the city!
Discover the world-famous Times Square, enjoy a bike tour,
or take a wild ride on The Beast boat!
Thursdays – Educational visits
The American Museum of Natural History, the MET, The MoMA…
Fridays – Social outings
A fun time to do some shopping, go to Coney Island or play sports in the park.
Saturdays – Summer in the City!
Excursion to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, and a Broadway Show.
Sundays
Free day with the host families, or afternoon activity at the residence.
Download Junior English & NYC Discovery Fact File
BOOK NOWENGLISH & MUSIC
With this option, the afternoon program is divided between a music component and activities to discover NYC. The music component takes place at the Brooklyn Music School, where students will receive instruction in a small group of max 12 students, from teaching artists in different genres (Rock, Jazz, World Music) for 7.5 hours per week (3 afternoons).
On the other 2 afternoons (Tuesdays and Thursdays), students will join the NYC Discovery program, and also take part in the full-day excursion by ferry to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island on Saturday.
Music
- Theory & fundamentals of music
- Practice, ensemble, choir
- Use of BMS rehearsal and performance space
on a 100+ year old historic campus - Opportunities to meet American student mentors
- Recital/concert at the end of the program
- Certificate of completion from BMS
NYC Discovery
- 2 afternoon activities per week
- 1 full-day excursion to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
- Meet other international students from the junior program
- See the best of NYC
- Supervision by BSL leaders
Download Junior English & Music Fact File
BOOK NOWACCOMMODATION IN HOMESTAY
Our host families
At BSL, we know that accommodation is an important factor to a successful trip abroad, so we spend a lot of time selecting the right families for our Summer Junior English camp in New York. They are all based in Brooklyn and the average journey time to the meeting point is 30 minutes by public transport (can be longer for some homestays).
A host family can be a couple with children, a retired couple, a single parent, or even a single person. Ethnic diversity is an important factor of New York’s cultural identity, so some hosts may be of Asian or Latin descent, but English is always spoken in the home. Regardless of their background and circumstances, all our host families have in common the wish to make every student’s stay as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
The benefits of staying with a host family
Living as part of an English-speaking household is simply the best way to truly immerse yourself in the language and culture of a country. Students will be practicing the English they have learned every day with other English speakers. It is also a great chance to get to know people living in New York and share their way of life. Hosts will welcome youngsters in their home as a member of their family, and in return will expect them to adapt to their way of life (mealtimes, for example, may be different to the home country). Mutual respect is the key to a successful stay.
How does it work day-to-day?
Students stay in twin rooms with another BSL student of the same gender but different nationality and share the bathroom with the family members. Breakfast is included at home every morning, then students make their way to the meeting point together by public transport. They also get back home together by public transport in the evenings. Lunch will be packed lunches prepared by the host family. Dinner is taken at home with the family every day.
Towels and bed linen are provided. It is not common for US homes to have a washing machine but in that case, laundromats are always available nearby (around $5 per wash/dry).
Host families also have the responsibility to make sure students respect their curfew and are home safely in the evening.
[/full_width]ACCOMMODATION IN RESIDENCE
The residence
Our junior residence is located in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn’s most central and vibrant neighborhood, only 5 minutes’ walk from one of the best views of the New York skyline from the Brooklyn Promenade.
On-site features include 24 hour security, key card entrance to residence and rooms, recreational lounges including a pool table and movie room, vending machines, and 24 hour access to I-pads in the lobby. Laundry facilities are also available for students’ use in the residence (about $5 for a wash and dry).
There is a BSL leader staying on-site for the duration of the program to ensure student safety.
The benefits of staying in the residence
It is the opportunity to stay in the heart of the city, with everything close by and no subway commute! Students are just 3 minutes’ walk away from the American diner/restaurant where they have breakfast and dinner everyday, and 6 minutes’ walk away from the junior meeting point where they meet their teacher and classmates every morning.
It is the perfect location for a Summer Junior English camp in New York, giving our young students easy access to all activities taking place each day, and only one subway stop from Manhattan.
How does it work day-to-day?
Students stay in twin rooms with another BSL student of the same gender but different nationality, and share an en-suite bathroom. Rooms are fully furnished with beds, desks and closets that maximize living space. There is free wi-fi, cable tv, refrigerator, and microwave in all rooms.
Bed linen is provided but students need to bring their own towels.
Breakfast and dinner are served in a restaurant just 3 minutes walk away. Lunches will be packed lunches. Students make their way together by foot to the meeting point in the morning and back after the activities.
Download Junior Summer Residence Fact File
SAFETY & SUPERVISION
Overview
The welfare of our students is something that we take very seriously and is at the heart of everything that we do at English Outdoors. The supervision, safety and well-being of the young people who study with us is absolutely crucial to ensuring that they have a great experience here in NYC.
Identification
All our students are given lanyards to wear on arrival in New York, which have the EO program information, their name, their teachers’ name and the emergency contact number.
Our leaders
Activities and excursions are led by experienced activity leaders, at a ratio of 15 students per leader. They are here to make sure the students are safe at all times during outings. The activity program is compulsory and students must attend all the supervised activities organized by the school.
Health form
A health form informing us of any allergies/treatments/diets will be sent out to the parents at the time of booking and should be returned to the school completed and signed no later than 6 weeks before the start of the course.
Host Families
We visit and meet all our host families, many of whom, have worked with us for a number of years. We want to ensure that their homes are suitable to host our young students, in terms of their safety, security, accessibility and comfort. All our host families also undergo a background check to ensure their suitability to host young students.
Student Residence
For those students who are staying at our student residence, we have live-in chaperones who are on-site 24/7 to look after our students. Students also receive an ID card on arrival.
Evening Curfew
Students have to be back in their homestay every day after the activities at 6.30pm. One of the host families’ duties is to inform the program if a student is arriving late for dinner. Students are not allowed in the evening unless their host families or chaperones (in the case of the residence) take them out or if they are given written permission to do so by their parents.
Student Welfare Officer
The EO Coordinator is also the student welfare officer and is available 24/7 in case of emergencies.
FAQs
Q: Is New York safe enough for teens?
A: Despite having a population of more than 8 million people, New York City consistently ranks in the top ten safest large cities in the United States. As in any large city, travelers should be careful of pickpockets and hustlers, but our leaders are here to guide students and give them safety tips.
Q: Where will the English classes take place?
A: All junior classes will take place outside the classroom in places such Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dumbo, Essex Market or Brookfield place. So instead of being in a room with 4 walls, students will learn English in authentic locations and the city will become their classroom!
Q: Will it be comfortable for the students? Will there be restrooms?
A: Yes and yes! Locations have been carefully chosen based on comfort, space, ease of access, points of interest close by, proximity of public restrooms, etc. They take place in small classes of 8 students maximum. Students seat around a table, in semi-circular seating, or in a row.
Q: How will teachers be able to teach without a traditional classroom and a blackboard?
A: Teachers will continue to utilize the coursebook, supplementary materials, and mini-whiteboards to target key grammar and vocabulary points throughout each class. Students will also complete homework assignments regularly and be assessed on language objectives weekly just like with previous summer programs. Teachers will also have portable internet routers and use technology in the form of iPads, smartphones, language apps, and online games to keep lessons fresh and interesting to ensure young learners are continually engaged throughout each lesson.
Q: What are the benefits of an outdoor class?
A: Since classes will predominantly take place outdoors throughout the city, students will naturally be immersed in NYC life and culture. With this interactive class concept, not only will students be exploring all that NYC has to offer, but they will be able to live like a real New Yorker and experience the city first-hand!
Q: Will there be homework?
A: Yes, just like in a regular classroom setting. In addition, students will complete coursebook assignments, participate in pair work and discussion, and will get the added bonus of a hands-on approach to learning about NYC!
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: On the rare days when it rains in the morning or if it gets too hot, classes will switch to one of our carefully selected indoor venues or be taken on one of our many cultural or educational field trips located in indoor locations. New York City is full of great museums and semi-secret indoor public spaces.
Q: What about the COVID sanitary measures?
A: This is one of the advantages of being outdoors: students will make the most of the space and natural airflow rather than being inside in a crowded classroom and using Air Conditioning. We recommend that each student brings a mask for public transport and a small bottle of hydroalcoholic gel to sanitize their hands as often as needed.
Q: My child has a food allergy, how will this be handled?
A: Any health and dietary requirements (allergies, special diets, medical conditions, etc…) need to be included in the enrollment form so that we can inform the host at the time of booking. Staff and families will be aware of these and take them into account at mealtimes.
Q: What if my child is homesick and wants to go home?
A: The first couple of days are often quite daunting, as students adjust to a new country and customs, a new language, and new friends. This is normal and usually goes away after they’ve settled in. If the homesickness persists, however, your child can go home but please note that no refund will be possible and the school will not be held responsible for extra charges involved (change of flight, etc…). We recommend that you encourage your child to stay in New York though, as we know from experience that after the initial fear of the unknown, our students have a great time and don’t want to leave!
Q: How do I contact my child?
A: You will be provided with the address and telephone number of the host family. You will also be able to be in touch by email as all students get some free time to use the internet.
Q: Should insurance be taken out to cover my child’s stay on the course?
A: Yes, it is highly recommended that every student has an insurance package before leaving home.
Q: How much pocket money will my child need to bring?
A: We recommend about $150 per week (already changed into dollars) to make sure they can make the most of their shopping opportunities. It may sound like a lot but students often want to purchase clothes or shoes as well as souvenirs, drinks, and snacks. Money can be given to staff or group leaders for safekeeping.