#45: Italian Summer Camp
This week really feels like the start of summer.
Last Friday was the final school day of the year for Raffy. She is now officially on summer holidays until mid-September - which seems absolutely ridiculous for kindergarten. Actual school is even worse, with most primary schools being closed from early June. All those jokes about Italian summers being neverending are completely real.
I always used to wonder how families coped, but now I know. Either they have retired grandparents on hand (sometimes living in the same building), or they send their children to campi estivi (summer camps). Obviously we must go with the latter!
Summer camps get more interesting as the children get older. For Raffy, the choices are somewhat limited. Most kindergartens run summer programs which are basically just a childcare program, similar to in Australia. This is where Raffy is going. Her campo estivo is held in the same building, with most of the same teachers. The class is smaller, and there are some children attending from outside the school, so it is a bit different. Also she doesn't have to wear a uniform. But otherwise, it's pretty much business as usual.
The key selling point for us is that Leo's asilo nido program (at the same school campus) runs until the end of July - so we still only have one drop off and pick up location.
Once kids reach school age, however, summer camps come in all varieties. You can do tennis camps, swimming camps, horse riding, a nature program, language courses - the list goes on. Most camps run for the months of June (after school is finished), July, and the first part of September. Most break for August, which is when absolutely no work gets done in any part of the country.
This year, we will be prepared. Possibly not with any actual plans, but at least mentally, for the total shutdown that occurs. It is quite something!
I also got into the summer spirit on Sunday by spending the afternoon down at the beach in Viareggio with some friends. Say what you like about Italian beaches (and beach clubs!) but it was pretty amazing to jump on a train for 20 minutes, walk 10 minutes from the station, and saunter straight into a beach club where a lovely sun lounger and umbrella were ready and waiting for me!
All I needed was my bathers, towel and a book to read. The beach club has changing rooms, toilets, and a well stocked bar with very reasonably priced food, drinks and coffee.
The most entertaining thing about Italian beaches is how few people actually swim. The temperature can be high-30s and the beach packed like sardines. Still there will only be a handful of people standing waist-deep in the water. Usually having a chat (with plenty of over the top hand gestures) and possibly a smoke.
Sending you all of my love - and some warm weather to cold, wintery Melbourne!
