Practical Information

Children

Local authorities are generally responsible for recreational activities for children and adolescents. Activities offered vary from one region to another, however, certain activities are offered in all regions:

• Cities have neighbourhood leisure centres, where children and adolescents can meet and engage in activities organised by community educators.



• During school holidays, many cities offer holiday passes, giving children access to activities organised specifically for the holidays and to usual recreational activities (swimming pools, museums, etc.). The communal youth offices provide information on recreational activities. In certain cantons, the cantonal youth department coordinates the various recreational activities.

In addition to activities linked to school, the local authorities organise or support holiday centres and camps for children and adolescents during school holidays. Low-income families are often entitled to a reduction. For information on the possibilities in your region, please contact your local youth department.

Non-governmental organisations also organise holiday camps. The Swiss Youth Activity Council and Pro Juventute provide links to youth holiday activities. In the French-speaking part of Switzerland, the Mouvement de la jeunesse suisse romande organises activities. In the Ticino, Infogiovani provides information for parents and their children. Links to all these organisations can be found on the Swiss Portal web site.