Summer Camp for Kids in the Vatican: Around the World in 80 Days
“Around the World in 80 Days” is the theme of the seventh edition of the Vatican Summer Camp for Kids, which will take place from Monday, June 15 to Friday, July 31. Promoted by the Governorate of Vatican City State, the initiative is reserved for the children of employees of the Governorate and of the Holy See.
The main character who will accompany the children is Mr. Charlie: an eccentric inventor accompanied by Jeremy, his loyal assistant, half robot and half human. The other protagonist is Olympia, a Greek friend met during the stages of this fantastic journey. Mr. Charlie must complete “Around the World in 80 Days”: this is the challenge he will face, leading him through an extraordinary adventure. It will teach him that a journey is not just a destination to reach, but a path of courage, trust, and collaboration. In fact, the children will learn that the real goal is not to arrive first, but to learn to move forward together.
Inspired by Jules Verne’s famous novel Around the World in 80 Days, this year’s theme will allow participants to embark on a journey marked by stages, challenges, and unexpected events. They will be encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, discover new realities, and learn something about themselves and others. The journey will help them face the unexpected without easily giving up, find solutions with creativity and adaptability, collaborate to achieve a common goal, explore different traditions, curiosities, and histories, and understand that success comes when growing together.
The children will be divided into five age groups: ages 3–5 (Mini Club), age 6 (Green Group), ages 7–8 (Yellow Group), ages 9–10 (Light Blue Group), and ages 11–13 (Blue Group).
This year’s new feature is the Mini Club, dedicated to children aged 3 to 5 attending preschool. Starting from June 29, a detailed weekly program will structure each day for the youngest participants, including sports activities, artistic and educational workshops, performances, and small daily challenges. The Mini Club area will be set up in an exclusive, enclosed space within the Paul VI Audience Hall, designed to ensure a functional and safe environment.
Children and teenagers will have access to the Paul VI Audience Hall and the San Giuseppe Sports Center, as well as dedicated and fully equipped spaces, including a swimming pool. Activities will include recreational moments, sports initiatives, and water games, allowing participants to have fun while exploring community values.
The team responsible for the children consists of professional educators and animators, in collaboration with Play It, the entertainment agency “Tutto in una Festa,” and Salesian educators (men and women). Coordination is entrusted to Don Franco Fontana of the Salesian Community in the Vatican.
Activities will take place from Monday to Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For further information, visit the website www.estateragazzivaticano.it or download the app.