Key Polish phrases for summer camp registration
| Polish phrase | Pronunciation | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Chcę zapisać dziecko na obóz | Htseh zah-PEE-satch JETS-koh nah OH-boos | "I want to register my child for a camp" |
| Ile lat ma obóz? | EE-leh lat mah OH-boos? | "What age is the camp for?" |
| Czy jest obóz po angielsku? | Chih yest OH-boos poh an-GYEL-skoo? | "Is there a camp in English?" |
| Czy można zgłosić dietę wegetariańską? | Chih MOZH-nah zgwoh-SHEETCH DYEH-teh veh-geh-tah-RYAHN-skom? | "Can I declare a vegetarian diet?" |
| Moje dziecko nie je wieprzowiny | MOH-yeh JETS-koh nyeh yeh vyep-zhoh-VEE-nih | "My child does not eat pork" — critical to state clearly |
| Kiedy jest termin zapisu? | KYE-dy yest TER-meen ZAH-pee-soo? | "What is the registration deadline?" |
| Ile wynosi zaliczka? | EE-leh vih-NOH-see zah-LEECH-kah? | "How much is the deposit?" |
| Czy jest możliwy zwrot zaliczki? | Chih yest mozh-LEE-vih zvrot zah-LEECH-kee? | "Is the deposit refundable?" — ask before booking |
| Kiedy i gdzie odbiór dzieci? | KYE-dy ee GJeh OD-byoor JEH-chee? | "When and where do we pick up the children?" |
| Polish term | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Karta zgłoszenia | KAR-tah zgwoh-SHEN-yah | Registration form — fill this in for the camp |
| Upoważnienie medyczne | oo-poh-vazh-NYEN-yeh meh-DICH-neh | Medical consent form — mandatory for residential camps |
| Karta zdrowia dziecka | KAR-tah ZDRO-vyah JETS-kah | Child's health card — from your child's paediatrician |
| Zaliczka | zah-LEECH-kah | Deposit — typically 20–30% of total cost |
| Wakacje letnie | vah-KAH-tsyeh LET-nyeh | Summer holidays — late June to early September |
| Obóz wyjazdowy | OH-boos vih-yaz-DOH-vih | Residential camp (children stay away) |
| Kolonie miejskie | koh-LOH-nyeh MYEY-skyeh | Day camp (children come home each evening) |
| Obóz językowy | OH-boos yen-ZIH-koh-vih | Language camp — English-medium options here |
| EKUZ | EH-koos | European Health Insurance Card — get free from NFZ online; essential for residential camps |
Types of summer camps
Obóz wyjazdowy — Residential camp
Children go away 1–3 weeks. Mountain areas (Tatry / TAH-trih, Bieszczady / byesh-CHAH-dih) or Baltic Sea — Morze Bałtyckie (MOH-zheh baw-TIH-kyeh). Ages 7–17. Cost: 1,500–4,000 PLN/week.
Kolonie miejskie — Day camp
Daily 9am–4pm, children return home each evening. 500–1,200 PLN/week. Good for younger children not ready for residential camps.
Obóz językowy — Language camp
English-medium, led by native English speakers. English lessons + activities. Most popular with Indian families. Cost: 2,500–5,000 PLN/week.
Recommended English-language camps
EF English First Camps
English immersion for ages 6–18. Multiple Poland locations. ef.com →
IDEA Camp
International residential English camp. Ages 8–16. Science, tech, arts. ideacamp.pl →
British Council Poland
English summer schools for children in Warsaw and other cities. High quality. britishcouncil.pl →
Dietary requirements — act early
Polish camps are improving on dietary accommodation but it varies widely:
- Always declare vegetarian — wegetariańska (veh-geh-tah-RYAHN-skah), vegan — wegańska (veh-GAHN-skah), halal, or no pork — bez wieprzowiny (bes vyep-zhoh-VEE-nih) clearly in writing at registration
- Call the camp before booking to confirm — do not just tick a box
- For residential camps: many Indian parents pack instant meals (poha, upma, noodle packets) as backup
HR benefit — ask your employer
Some employers offer Fundusz Świadczeń Socjalnych (FOON-doosh shvyad-CHEN shoh-TSYAL-nih = ZFŚS) — a social benefit fund that subsidises summer camps for employees' children. Ask your dział HR (jaw HR = HR department) — many large Polish and multinational companies offer this.
📅 Last updated: June 2025. If you notice outdated information, please use the suggest button.