RICH Chinese Summer Camp

We sent our 14 year old son on this camp from Australia to China, all on his own (out of his own wish)! We dropped him off to the airport, and hugged him and trusted someone will be there to look after him when he landed! And I can tell you from personal experience that I was definitely very nervous before I booked the camp with RICH, but they answered my every question and concern to keep me reassured every step of the way, and looked after him from the minute he landed right up until he waved good bye at the boarder gates at the Beijing airport! All while still giving him the opportunity to be independent, make friends, learn about Chinese language and culture, and supporting him to grow up a some more to become the young teenager! He loved RICH so much he convinced his 12 year old sister to go with him again next year!

RICH summer camp was one of the best holidays I have had in my life. The people around me, staff and students included were all very nice, and all supported me when I couldn’t understand something. The lessons weren’t nearly as bad as I was imagining, and were often very fun. The staff gave us lots of independence, such as letting us do what we wanted in a shopping mall, or allowing us to play football in our free time. This was an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn Chinese.

I had heard about RICH Chinese Summer Camp for many years and had been following it with great interest. To me, it has long been one of the leaders in Chinese summer camps. We had always wanted to let our daughter join, but when she was younger, and then later because of the pandemic, we never had the chance. So when I learned that the camp was running again, I signed her up right away. As a parent, one of my biggest concerns is always the environment. What gave me the most peace of mind was that RICH is held on a university campus. The sense of safety, order, and calm that comes with a university setting made us feel very reassured. When I visited during the camp, it also brought back fond memories of my own university days, which was an unexpected and lovely bonus. Everything was smooth and well organized. Communication was always clear and efficient, and feedback was handled thoughtfully and promptly. Summer was especially impressive professional, attentive, detail-oriented, and incredibly patient. As parents, we know how many small but important details are involved in caring for and arranging everything for a child, yet she made the whole process feel effortless and reassuring. From my conversations with her, I could truly feel that she is the heart of the camp, and someone who is naturally suited to this work. Knowing that my child was in her care gave me complete confidence. What I appreciated most was the combination of one-on-one classes and group collaboration. This allowed my daughter to receive focused and comprehensive guidance, while also learning how to work with others in a team. Just as importantly, she was able to interact with children from different countries and cultural backgrounds, which helped her learn to respect differences and cooperate with others in a meaningful way. My daughter especially loved the street interview activities and the various hands-on cultural workshops. These experiences made Chinese language and culture come alive for her in a way that textbooks never could. They sparked a genuine interest in Chinese and in Chinese culture, and even now she continues to look up materials to study Chinese on her own. I never expected the experience to have such a lasting impact, and it was far beyond what I had imagined. I would like to sincerely thank Summer and all the hardworking staff for making this such a meaningful and memorable experience. We truly feel that we will see you again very soon, and we are already looking forward to it.

My mother-in-law has been trying to speak Mandarin with my son since he could talk. For twelve years, his response has been a polite but firm redirection to English. He understood more than he let on — that much was obvious — but getting him to actually engage with the language felt like pushing water uphill. We'd tried Saturday school, apps, tutors. Nothing stuck. A colleague whose daughter had done the programme two years earlier mentioned RICH. I was sceptical. My son is the kind of kid who can coast through a group class without really trying, and I worried that even a summer in China wouldn't change much if he could just wait out the uncomfortable moments. What I didn't count on was how hard it is to coast when your class has three people in it. We chose the Shanghai session, which combines time at East China Normal University with a segment in Beijing. I liked the idea of two cities — Shanghai felt accessible for a first-timer, while Beijing added historical depth. In practice, the combination worked beautifully. By the time they reached Beijing in the second week, the students had already bonded enough to push each other, and my son said the energy in Beijing felt different, more intense, which he seemed to enjoy more than he expected. The class structure dismantled every avoidance strategy he'd developed over the years. Two to five students per group, placed by level — not age — means there are no passengers. His teacher, apparently, had a talent for finding the exact edge of his comfort zone and setting up camp there. He complained about this to me exactly once over the phone, and then the next call he was excitedly describing a conversation he'd had at a local restaurant. The one-on-one tutoring in the evenings was where I think the real progress happened. He'd never had sustained individual attention in Chinese before, and it turned out that's what he'd been missing. Not group instruction, not an app rewarding him with points — someone sitting across from him, responding to exactly what he said, in real time. By the third week he was using tones correctly in ways that made his grandmother cry during their first post-camp video call. I'm not exaggerating. What I hadn't anticipated was the social dimension. He came back with friends from Singapore, the US, and France — all of them tied together by this shared strange experience of working hard in a language none of them were fully comfortable in yet. There's something about that particular kind of challenge that bonds teenagers quickly. He's still in contact with several of them. On the practical side: the camp is small and well-run. Communication with Summer throughout was clear and reassuring. I never felt like my son was lost in a system. When I had questions, they were answered directly and promptly. That matters enormously when your child is on the other side of the world. He has already asked to go back. My mother-in-law is beside herself.

Finding the right summer program for a 16-year-old boy is not an easy task. My son had been taking Mandarin in high school for a few years, but he had never been to China. We wanted a program that was engaging and culturally immersive, but we definitely wanted to avoid a high-stress, rigid academic boot camp. After speaking with the team at RICH Chinese Summer Camp, we felt their philosophy matched our goals perfectly. Now that he is back from their Beijing and Chengdu session, I can truly say they delivered an exceptional experience. What impressed me most was their educational approach. RICH makes it very clear that they are a non-disciplinary, non-academic cultural camp. Instead of having teenagers sit in a classroom doing tedious grammar drills all day, the focus is entirely on practical, real-world application. The language classes were small and interactive, but the real learning happened outside. The counselors encouraged them to use their Mandarin to order meals, ask for directions, and navigate local markets. It beautifully bridged the gap between textbook vocabulary and actual conversation. Another major plus was the living arrangement. It is important to note that RICH is a fully independent organization, but they secure accommodations right at the university's Global Village (Zhongguanyuan) in Beijing. This gave the teens a highly authentic taste of college residential life. The campus environment was incredibly secure, yet it gave my son the feeling of independence he was craving. He felt like a young adult navigating a campus community rather than a camper being constantly micromanaged. The cultural excursion to Chengdu was the absolute highlight for him. It wasn't just a generic sightseeing tour; it was seamlessly integrated into their camp life. From seeing the pandas to exploring ancient cultural sites and trying the local spicy food, the trip was extremely well-coordinated. The logistics—trains, hotels, daily meals—were handled flawlessly by the RICH team, which gave us immense peace of mind back home. Overall, my son returned more mature, much more confident in his speaking abilities, and with a deep appreciation for Chinese culture. If you have an older teen who wants to step out of their comfort zone and experience the real China in a safe, well-structured environment, this independent camp is absolutely worth the investment.

We chose RICH because we wanted our child to spend time in China, improve Chinese, and also become a little more independent. The camp was not just a sightseeing trip. The students had a daily schedule, Chinese classes, evening tutoring, meals together, and activities with teachers and other campers. I liked that there was a real routine. It helped my child settle in and feel part of the group. The university-based accommodation was a big plus for us. As parents, we felt better knowing the students were in a more structured environment. My child also liked being around the campus and said it felt different from just traveling as a tourist. The teachers and staff were caring and patient. They helped the students use Chinese in daily life, not only in class. My child is not always confident speaking Chinese, but during the camp he had many chances to try, and I think that helped a lot. Of course, the city activities were also fun, but what my child remembers most is the friends, the teachers, and the feeling of living in China for those days. I think RICH is a good choice for families looking for a safe and well-managed Chinese summer camp, especially for students growing up outside China.

Photos

My child attended RICH Chinese Summer Camp, and what impressed us most was the personal growth we saw after the program. Before the camp, my child could understand some Chinese but was not very confident speaking it, especially outside the family. We hoped the camp would give him a real environment to use Chinese, not just another classroom experience. RICH did exactly that. During the program, students lived together, attended Chinese classes, joined daily activities, explored different cities, and spent time with teachers and counselors. Chinese was naturally part of the whole day — not only in class, but also during meals, transportation, shopping, activities, and evening review time. This made my child more willing to speak and try, even when the sentences were not perfect. The university-based accommodation and campus environment were also important for us as parents. It felt safe, organized, and meaningful. The students had a structured daily routine, but also enough space to build friendships and enjoy camp life. My child especially enjoyed meeting students from different countries and learning how to live with others away from home. We also appreciated the communication from the RICH team. The staff were caring, responsible, and experienced with international students. As parents, we felt reassured knowing that accommodation, meals, transportation, classes, and activities were all arranged by the camp. After returning home, my child talked a lot about the friends, teachers, cities, and small moments from camp. More importantly, he became more open to using Chinese and more confident about being independent. I would recommend RICH to families who want more than a language class or a travel tour. It is a real camp experience that combines Chinese learning, cultural exposure, campus life, and personal growth.

Photos

As a Chinese language teacher from Vietnam, I had the opportunity to bring my students to the RICH Chinese Summer Camp, and it was an unforgettable experience for all of us! The camp was exceptionally well-organized, offering a perfect blend of language learning and cultural immersion. My students not only improved their Chinese skills through interactive classes and one-on-one tutoring but also gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through activities like calligraphy, traditional crafts, and visits to historical sites. What made this camp truly special was how it created a supportive and engaging environment for students from diverse backgrounds. My students formed lasting friendships with peers from around the world, and they returned home with not only better language skills but also cherished memories. The teachers were professional, patient, and passionate, making sure every student felt included and motivated. I highly recommend the RICH Chinese Summer Camp to any teacher or school looking for a high-quality, immersive Chinese learning experience. It’s a program that leaves a lasting impact on both students and teachers alike!

Photos

As a Chinese parent living in Spain, I was thrilled to find RICH Chinese summer camp in Beijing for my daughter. Before attending, she barely spoke any Chinese, as she primarily communicates in English and Spanish. However, after just a few weeks at the camp, her Chinese improved dramatically! The immersive environment, combined with daily language classes and one-on-one tutoring, helped her gain confidence and fluency at an impressive pace. The program was well-structured, with a perfect balance of language learning and cultural activities. My daughter particularly enjoyed the calligraphy lessons, traditional craft workshops, and visits to historical sites in Beijing. The teachers were professional and caring, creating a supportive environment where she felt motivated to learn and explore. What made this camp truly special was how it connected my daughter to her heritage. Not only did she improve her Chinese, but she also gained a deeper understanding of her ancestors’ homeland. She came back with not only better language skills but also a newfound pride in her cultural identity. I highly recommend this camp to any overseas Chinese families looking to give their children a meaningful and educational experience in China. Thank you for making this possible!

Photos

I’m a 10th-grade student from Canada. The summer camp was amazing! Not only did I improve my Chinese language skills through daily classes and one-on-one tutoring, but I also got to experience Chinese culture in the most hands-on way possible. From learning calligraphy and making traditional crafts to exploring famous landmarks in Beijing, every day was packed with exciting activities. The teachers were super friendly and patient, and they made learning feel like an adventure. One of the highlights was the trip to Shanghai and Chengdu. It was incredible to see how different each city was and to practice my Chinese with locals. I even tried some new foods, like stinky tofu (which was surprisingly delicious!) and Sichuan hotpot. What I loved most about this camp was how it brought together students from all over the world. I made so many new friends, and we’re still in touch! The camp wasn’t just about learning Chinese—it was about discovering a new culture, stepping out of my comfort zone, and having fun along the way. I highly recommend this camp to anyone who’s curious about Chinese language and culture. It’s an experience I’ll never forget!

Photos

The summer I spent with RICH was truly incredible! I never anticipated that language classes could be so enjoyable—the games made it so much easier to memorize Chinese vocabulary. This program has profoundly changed me, and I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity. It’s impossible to leave unchanged after this experience. We formed stronger bonds as a family than just as a group, and I will genuinely miss everyone. I couldn’t have asked for a better director or leader.