Overview
German Language Camp teaches German where it's actually spoken. Mornings are lessons with native German-speaking teachers; afternoons, excursions and trips into town give campers a reason to try it out on real people the same day.
Classes run Monday to Friday, 09:00–12:00, in four ability levels from beginner to advanced, with continuous assessment so campers move up as they improve. Lessons are project-based — campers make posters, debate, rewrite song lyrics, design travel brochures, even script and shoot a short film — and every camper gets a certificate and a written progress report at the end.
What's included
A day at camp
- 07:30–08:45 Wake-up and breakfast
- 09:00–11:45 German class (3 hrs, short mid-morning break)
- 12:00–12:45 Lunch
- 13:30–16:30 All-camp meeting, then afternoon activities — sign-up choices like tennis, yoga, volleyball and arts & crafts, or age-group and whole-camp games
- 16:30–18:00 Free time (the one daily window when phones are handed out)
- 18:00–18:45 Dinner
- 19:00–22:00 Evening programme — lip-sync battle, campfire, Stock Market night, International Night, disco
Where campers stay
Campers live at the Kitzsteinhorn Klub, a purpose-built, family-run youth hotel five minutes from the lake shore and ten minutes from the town centre, with its own hallways and lounges reserved for camp. Rooms sleep four, each with en-suite shower and toilet, and are assigned by age and gender. On site: two sports halls, a pool with water slides, climbing and bouldering walls, trampolines, beach volleyball and basketball courts, bowling lanes, a dance and yoga studio, and common rooms.
Meals
Meals are cooked by the hotel's chef team and served in its own dining halls — local Austrian dishes alongside international favourites, plus a camp BBQ once a week. Vegetarian options at every meal; other diets can be accommodated on request.
Excursions
More photos
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to speak German already?
No — there are four levels, starting from complete beginner.
Will we get anything at the end?
Yes — a certificate for your child and a written progress report sent to the family.
Are phones allowed?
Campers can bring one, but the camp strongly recommends leaving it at home. Phones are handed in on arrival and given back once a day during official free time; any further rules are explained on the first day. Worth knowing if you're comparing it against fully device-free programs, or ones with open phone use.
How do we get to Zell am See?
Fly into Salzburg or Munich, or come by train to Zell am See station. The camp runs escorted transfers from all three (Salzburg 10:00–18:00, Munich 11:30–16:00, Zell am See station 08:00–20:00) as an optional extra; we'll confirm the current price when you book.
Will my child just end up with kids who speak their own language?
Unlikely — the camp caps every native language at 20% of campers, and all instruction is in English. Campers typically come from 30+ countries each session.