About us
Over a century of history in the field of youth education!
International Camp Sancelso: since 1955, English, adventure and culture for a safe vacation that gives a result!
International Camp Sancelso is an international English-language summer camp in Castione della Presolana, Val Seriana, in the magnificent Orobie Bergamasche Regional Park.
Since 1955 we have hosted summer holidays in Italy for kids and teenagers from 6 to 17 years old in an international environment: we offer unforgettable vacations for your children, full of adventure, nature and culture!
For four generations the Asti family has been organizing summer holidays for kids and teenagers, continuing an educational path that began with the San Celso Institute, in Milan, in the early 1900s. Our awareness of the great responsibility and value the role of the counsellors have, has never changed: the children and their needs are at the center of our summer camps, and the professional staff guarantee safe, fun and educational youth vacations.
Over the years we have organized summer vacations in purpose-built facilities: at the seaside – Igea Marina (RN) – and in the mountains – Bellamonte (TN) and Castione della Presolana (BG).
70 years of History!
In 2025 we are celebrating a very important anniversary. We are excited to have hosted children and teens for 70 years!
Our locations have been specifically designed with this very purpose in mind: the hospitality and livability of children and teenagers, carefully considering their needs and necessities to offer them a perfect holiday.
Our mission is to keep faith with the values that have inspired us for all these years, and above all to transmit and consolidate these values through education, diversity, physical activity, and nature. All while living dynamically and currently with the social reality that surrounds us.
Camp Goals
Our Camp helps kids develop self-esteem, discover talents and skills, improve communication and emotional relationships. These are vacations for kids and teens that help them grow while also having fun.
We believe in the values of loyalty, solidarity, respect and sharing. Which is why Camp guarantees a peaceful environment and a varied, balanced and stimulating vacation program.
The Mountain
Experiencing the mountains is a great experience of our Camp. The children learn to take in and appreciate the beauty of nature and how to behave consciously in a stimulating environment such as the Val Seriana.
International Camp Sancelso is located in a unique natural place, with a breathtaking view of Mount Pora and Presolana massif, right next to the beautiful Orobie Bergamasche Regional Park.
Hiking in the mountains, daily excursions, exciting indoor climbing, adventurous overnight camping and many other outdoor activities: these are only some of the “great and simple” challenges for our campers, to let them establish a connection with the culture and life of the mountains.
Our Staff
Each year we welcome staff members coming from countries all over the world and with diverse qualifications: such as mother tongue English teachers, Celta, IELTS, TOEFL or similar certified teachers, P.E. and Science tutors, Sport tutors and mountain-lovers with previous summer camp experience.
All who can safely follow the kids during every activity. Campers are divided into groups, depending on their age and the ratio of staff to campers is 1 to 10; for younger groups the counsellors are usually joined by an intern so the ratio is 1 to 5.
In addition to camp leaders and tutors, a health assistant is always present and available – 24/7.
Corporate Welfare and our Commitment to families
We believe in family engagement and participation. We feel great empathy for parents and their role, which is so difficult and important for our society.
This is why we stand alongside them and alongside educational institutions to offer an educational vacation that helps the children with their commitments throughout the year and accompanies them in their personal growth.
In our first 70 years, we have worked with the welfare program of leading companies, such as: Pfizer, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Patheon Italia, AkzoNobel, Actavis, Touring Club Italiano, Fratelli Branca Distillerie, Isotta Fraschini.
Currently we are collaborating with: Roche, Prysmian Group, Banco BPM, Pirelli, Eudaimon.
These experiences, which are different every year, enrich us, allowing us to grow, to improve on a human level and to increase our ability to be flexible in front of whatever reality comes our way.
Our Commitment to Children's Education
La storia dell’International Camp Sancelso affonda le sue radici ben oltre un secolo fa, accompagnando la storia della città e degli abitanti di Milano. The history of International Camp Sancelso has its roots from well over a century ago, accompanying the history of the city and the people of Milan. In fact, it draws its origins from the Collegio Nava, founded in 1846 in Via Crocefisso and later moved in 1862 to Corso San Celso (currently Corso Italia) by the director of the time Priest Domenico Nava, who given its proximity to the Basilica in front of it, renamed the new location “Collegio San Celso’’.
In 1903 Don Patrizio Asti took over the direction of the boarding school and increased its activities until he gave direction in 1910 to his brother, Cavalier Mario Maurizio Asti. A man well known in Milan at the time since he had been honorably discharged from the Carabinieri Corps (silver medal for military valor following serious injury in action). With great insight, Cavalier Asti also offered young boarders the possibility of summer stays at the lake, sea and mountains at dedicated facilities in Pescate (LC), Igea Marina (RM) and Cavalese (TN).
These are the very first examples of summer camps offered to young Italians, with the aim of completing the educational project of study and community life by introducing play, sports and contact with nature, thus proposing a true Life Formation Path.
The history of the Asti family proceeded with the establishment of the Bellamonte and Castione alla Presolana locations.
A very long family history that has always been dedicated to reconciling study, education and vacation in the best possible way!
Our Commitment to the Academic Community
In Castione della Presolana we have always hosted sports, scouting and student associations (Erasmus Student Network, students from the Faculty of Medicine, students from the Istituto Universitario Politecnico di Milano), team building and intercultural groups. This is thanks to our willingness to support academic research: we believe that this is also part of our intentional choice to spread values, culture and ideals.
