Summer 2026 Camp Update:
2026 Mandarin Summer Camps @ First Unitarian Universalist Church
Registration is now open!
June 22-26, June 29-July 2 (4 days), July 20-24, July 27-31, August 3-7 , August 10-14
Early bird discount: When you book any camp option (single or multi-week) by Feb 28, please remember to enter code SF26BIRD to receive $20 off per camp option.
Our Mandarin Camps (Entering Grades K-6)
Learn and practice Mandarin through hands-on project-based activities. Depending on the number of participants, we may split up into 2 age groups: GrK-2 and Gr3-6, with max of 10 students per group. Each age group will work on, new vocabulary, recognition/reading, conversation / speaking practice, and writing skills in the mornings and then start on project work suited for their age / skill level. Afternoons will be a mix of language practice, project work and outdoor time. All instruction is in Mandarin, with English used for beginner level students.
Summer 2026 Location (same as 2025):
We will run camps again at First Unitarian Universalist Church (1187 Frankin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109).
Centrally located and beautifully maintained, our classes will likely be held in the same classrooms as last year (see pics) or in alternative classrooms per availability. For those driving to drop-off / pickup, the location will be in the garage area (same as last year).
Weekly Camp Schedule (Monday-Friday)
Special Note: We may switch the themes for the July 20-Aug 14 period. Meaning we start with Magical Theme Park and then The Duke’s Castle, and so on. If are booking only one week and you prefer one option, please let us know.
Learning CHINESE through Hands-On MAKER Projects
Summer 2026 will have NEW MANDARIN MAKER CAMP THEMES!
Calling all young builders! Sky Kids campers will have the chance to construct their own version of Mario’s Castle and Magical Theme Park in Summer 2026. These camp themes are favorites from our Taipei camp partner CIO Maker School as campers can build from their imagination with some basic maker projects and accessories. Our Mandarin Maker camps is Mandarin learning paired with project work that brings to life design concepts, mechanisms, and circuitry. Super fun and hands-on for different ages and Mandarin levels!
Our camps are taught in Mandarin so it is recommended that students have at least basic Mandarin comprehension. For beginners, please let us know in your registration form.
Theme A: The DUke’s CASTle
Weeks: June 22-26, July 20-24, August 3-7
Build your own version of Mario’s Castle with a main tower serving as the primary residence for the ruling family and other buildings for castle dwellers. To secure the castle grounds, build outer walls, add a gatehouse with drawbridge and portcullis (vertically closing gate) and various towers and battlements to defend against intruders.
Once the castle architecture has been completed, students will decorate their new structure. Using paint, clay, lights, furniture pieces (made from maker accessory pieces) and other design elements, campers will make their castles one-of-a-kind masterpieces!
營隊課程將帶領小朋友為公爵打造一座神奇的城堡，教練會引導小朋友們學習製作喜歡的機關（像是可拉動的城門、活動的窗戶…等）、舒適的傢俱、華麗的燈光等，讓小朋友們可以為自己的城堡打造獨特的情境與風格。
Maker Project Options:
Grades K-2: Students can do a simplified version of the castle, with more focus on arts & crafts (decoration).
Theme B: MAGICAL THEME PARK
Weeks: June 29-July 2 (4 days), July 27-31, August 3-7, August 10-14
Create your own themed magical amusement park with different rides and attractions e.g. ferris wheel, merry-go-round, pirate ship, and /or go-karts.
Students will first identify the theme for their own amusement park (e.g. video game theme, movie theme, etc.) and design the park grounds on paper. They will then start building and decorating their rides. Campers can also create 3D characters from clay and/or other materials to represent the theme park’s ambassadors and visitors.
營隊課程將帶領小朋友從打造大型摩天輪開始，一起創造屬於自己的遊樂園世界。過程中小朋友將依照自己所喜歡的主題來設計自己的摩天輪外觀，老師也會帶領小朋友學習馬達與齒輪的應用，透過所學到的知識來創作不同的遊樂設施 （旋轉木馬，海盜船，卡丁車），創造屬於自己獨一無二的遊樂園。
Maker Project Options:
Grades K-2: Students will have the ferris wheel, merry-go-round and pirate ship as project options. As this age group is still young, there will be at most 3 projects (depending on maker ability of student) and for the 4-day week (June 29-July 2), probably only 2 projects will be completed.
Grades 3-6: Students will also have the go-kart option to do in place of the pirate ship (level of difficulty is the lowest) or in addition to the 3 projects (time permitting).
Daily Camp Schedule (9am-4pm)
Drop-Off: 8:30-9:00am
Morning Session: 9:00am-12:00pm (break in between, bring your own snacks)
9-10:30am: Mandarin Class
10:30-10:45am: Break
10:45am-12pm: Maker Project Work
Lunch / Break / Cleanup : 12:00 - 1:00pm (bring your own lunch)
Afternoon Session: 1:00 - 4:00pm
Additional time to work on Maker Projects and/or Teacher-led activities (e.g. Arts & Crafts)
Outside play time (within the Church outdoor space and/or nearby playground)
Pickup: 4:00-4:30pm (no extended care, late fee of $10/min will be imposed if student is not picked up by 4:30pm)
Special Note: All teacher instruction is done in Mandarin throughout each camp day. If your child’s Mandarin level is at a beginner / basic level, then some communication may be done in English to help him or her complete class / project work.
After you click the book button, please fill out the registration form for each child.
After you click the book button, please fill out the registration form for each child.
If you want to do a different set of 2 weeks, select an existing option and let us know your preferred combination.
Choose the week listed in the drop-down menu and enter the number of days you want to book in the quantity field. Then, click on the book button to fill out the registration form for each child. You can specify the specific dates of attendance in the comments section.
The maker project(s) to be completed may be different from the project being completed for that week.
Summer 2025 Mandarin Maker Camps - Treehouse and The Claw Machine
Camp Cancellation / Change:
We reserve the right to cancel a class session if the number of students enrolled does not meet the minimum number required or unforeseen circumstances occur.
All bookings are non-refundable unless the class(es) is cancelled by Sky Kids and/or a force majeure situation arises that requires cancellation. If you request cancellation for any reason, we can apply the remaining credit (minus materials cost incurred and classes already taken) to another class/program (valid for one year).
If you miss a class, you may request to make-up the class in a later time-slot as long as there is space available. No refunds are allowed in this case.
Sky Kids reserves the right to change program content / teacher as needed.