There’s just over a month left until school ends and the rush to summer camps in the city has already started. I am over 97 thousand children residents in Turin from zero to 14 years old, around 70 thousand are enrolled in nursery, nursery, primary and middle schools who will soon be staying at home for three months.
The holidays
School in Piedmont ends on Saturday 8 June, but for those that will host the polling stations the last day will have to be brought forward to Thursday 6 in view of the vote on the 8 and 9 for the European and regional elections. The nurseries and nursery schools for the little ones between 0 and 6 years will continue until June 28th, then everyone will have to wait until September 11th before returning to class.
Every family organizes itself as best it can for the longest school holidays in Europe, parents take holidays in turns, those close to them turn to their grandparents for a while and many book at least a week in a public or private summer centre. The official «Children’s Summer», organized by the City of Turin for primary school children, in collaboration with schools, the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation and the Ufficio Pio Foundation, will begin on Wednesday 12 June. Three days later than usual, due to the election weekend.
Registrations underway
Registrations will open on Wednesday 8 May at 12pm on the dedicated website with Spid credentials: the locations, rates and new features for this year have yet to be presented. The weekly rates depend on the ISEE, last year more than half of the families spent 35 euros (maximum 95 euros for 7 days) in 49 city schools. However, registrations are already closed (the deadline was 30 April) for «Summer nurseries» and «Summer children» in 34 nursery schools and 29 municipal nursery schools in the months of July and August for children who attended during the year.
Oratories and private centers
Then there are the diocesan and Salesian oratories, which welcome the greatest number of children and young people generally aged 6 and over and who, like schools, can access the free catalog of the schedule promoted by «La bellaseason 2024» of the Compagnia Foundation of Sao Paulo. Schools and oratories work online, alternatively there are many private summer centers. Generally a little more expensive and oriented towards sporting activities (but also on creative tasks and workshops).
Summer at Cus
Among the best-known initiatives in the city is Cus Torino’s Kids’ Summer, which offers “summer camp” for children and teenagers aged 3 to 13 in its 4 locations where they can practice many different types of sports. In via Braccini, for example, the focus is on climbing and volleyball, in Corso Sicilia on tennis and rowing. «Pre-registrations are open and we have already sold 400 weeks, in line with previous years, generally we reach 1,500, but also 1,700», say the Cus. Which until tomorrow offers a promotional rate of 105 euros per week. «Usually those who enroll their children for several weeks book first. The last two of June and the first of July are the most requested.”
Rowing clubs
The summer centers on the Po are also now part of the Turin tradition, where the Società Canottieri Caprera offers a week for 135 euros, Cerea for 120 euros, while the Armida has summer rowing courses for ages 6 to 17 and the Amici del Fiume club offers a week for 175 euros for canoeing, rowing, beach volleyball and tennis (lunch, snack and equipment included). It is no longer home to the fencing club, but in the heart of Valentino Villa Glicini continues to offer activities such as tennis, fencing, five-a-side football and swimming in the outdoor pool inside for 119 euros.
Sports or theatre
Sports weeks have also been offered for years by ISEF in Piazza Bernini or by CH4 Sporting and the list could continue. If instead you prefer an artistic activity, “Summer on stage” by the Teatro Ragazzi returns again this year at 170 euros per week complete with a final show and a half day at the nearby Aquatica swimming pool. In all summer camps there are reduced fees if you book for multiple weeks and discounted rates for siblings, but most close in August and the expense for each family is still high.
