How Schoolchildren Spend Their Summer Holidays in Different Countries

School summer holidays are organized very differently around the world, and each system has its own habits and small peculiarities. In Poland, the summer break lasts only two months, July and August, and shorter holidays during the school year are distributed differently across regions. This allows families to travel more calmly, because when schools are already on break in one area, classes may still be in session in another, which reduces congestion on the roads. Polish children most often spend the summer at home or travel around the country with their families. Mountains, lakes, and the Baltic coast remain the most popular destinations.

In the United States, the situation is far less centralized. Each school sets its own holiday dates, although classes usually end in June and resume in August. The state does not organize children’s leisure activities, so parents have to decide themselves how their child will spend the summer. Camps do exist, but they are expensive and not accessible to everyone. Younger children often stay at home under the supervision of parents or nannies, while teenagers spend the summer more independently.

In Canada, summer holidays begin in late June and last until early September. Most parents register their children for camps well in advance, with enrollment opening as early as January. Programs are very diverse, ranging from sports and theater to coastal trips where children can see whales and dolphins. Camp sessions are usually short, about five days, and are often located in scenic areas. Day camps and religious camps are especially popular, as they offer affordable and structured activities. Canadian children also read a lot during the summer, and libraries become places for meeting friends, playing games, and even watching films.

In Montenegro, summer holidays are particularly active. Parents often choose day camps with different price ranges, and children themselves enjoy a great deal of freedom. The country is safe, so even young children walk around on their own, visit friends, spend most of the day outdoors, and rarely stay at home. Camp counselors organize trips to the mountains, where the summer heat is much easier to tolerate than on the coast.

In the Netherlands, the school year ends on different dates depending on the province, so children’s holidays do not start at the same time. In summer, children often stay with grandparents or travel with their families. For those who remain at home, free clubs and activities are available, as well as international camps where children combine recreation with practicing English.