AUBG’s Educational Summer Camp is an immersive English-speaking camp that simulates the typical university experience over two weeks. Targeted at youth, it offers courses on high-interest topics led by AUBG professors and guest lecturers. Students also get to experience a range of fun games and activities, while meeting new friends from all over the world. Designed for curious and motivated learners, the program offers a dynamic opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, creativity, and their own interests, while experiencing life at an international university in Bulgaria.
Educational
Summer Camp
Important Dates
Topics
All classes are taught in English. Students will be involved in projects, discussions, debates, and the exchange of ideas in a relaxed and informal atmosphere on AUBG's modern campus.
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These are compulsory for all campers:
- Entrepreneurship: Dive into turning bold ideas into real businesses, from crafting a basic plan to securing start-up funds. Master pitching strategies and tackle early hurdles to launch your own venture.
- Management: Explore the principles of effective leadership and strategic decision-making, while grasping essential tools like timelines and checklists to lead projects smoothly.
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Each camper needs to choose two based on their interest:
- Arts and Creativity: Harness your unique talents in drama, music, and art to craft original sketches that prompt self-expression and build unshakeable confidence.
- Graphic Design: This course introduces you to fundamentals like color theory and typography while using digital tools through hands-on projects such as posters and logos.
- Marketing and Consumer Behavior: Unpack why consumers choose products through psychology and trends, then build savvy social media campaigns. Analyze data to create ads that hook audiences and drive buzz.
- Communication Skills: Sharpen public speaking, active listening, and persuasive writing for confident interactions. Navigate through convos and adapt messages to shine in class or group settings.
- Journalism and Creative Writing: Craft compelling stories, hunt for news, or create fairy tales with strong plots and ethics in mind. Refine editing skills and adapt pieces for blogs, newsletters, or digital platforms.
Activities
Afternoon classes in areas such as arts and crafts, cooking and well being, photography, and more will be offered to the students. The evenings will be busy with group games, presentation programs, disco and film nights.
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Students dance national dances, sing songs from their home countries, present scenes from their culture and traditions. In previous years students and their teachers used to bring national costumes. Participation is by countries.
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This is the evening where every student may show his/her talent to sing, play an instrument, dance, or recite poetry. Participation is individual.
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Different sports will be offered on a daily basis. Students will sign up in the morning for a selected sport or other afternoon activity for the same day.
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Swimming
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More information will follow shortly
Accommodation & Meals
Students and camp counselors will have rooms and meals provided on campus. The campus has day and night security service. Camp counselors will stay in the dormitories to take care of students’ safety, well being, and discipline.
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Students and counselors will be assigned rooms in the Skaptopara II Residence Hall on AUBG's Blagoevgrad Campus.
Notes:
- Students will stay 2 per room according to a rooming list
- Students will be mixed by nationalities in the rooms. If you want to stay with a specific student in one room, please let the Camp Director know this in advance, preferably during the registration procedure.
- Rooms have private bathrooms and refrigerators.
- No change of rooms will be allowed after students’ arrival at the camp.
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Students will have breakfast, lunch and dinner in the America for Bulgaria Student Center restaurant. Soups, cooked meals with meat (or vegetarian) as well as fresh salads and fruits will be served to the students on a daily basis.
Health
Register for the camp
The registration for Summer 2026 is now closed.
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The camp is open to high school students between the ages of 15 and 17.
Additional Criteria
- Have at least an intermediate level of English (English Independent User B1 or B2, Proficient English User C1 or C2)
- Write a short motivation letter on Why I Want to Join the Educational Summer Camp
- Be interested in non-formal education
- Want to make new friends from all over the world
- Want to improve their English language conversational skills
- Be able to follow instructions and abide by camp policies
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You can pay using the following bank information: EUR Bank name: United Bulgarian Bank, Branch Blagoevgrad Bank address: T. Aleksandrov str. 47, 2700 Blagoevgrad Account Name: American University in Bulgaria Account Number: BG83UBBS81551487003789 BIC /SWIFT/N: UBBSBGSF
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Steps:
- Complete the online registration form
- Write a short motivation letter on Why I Want to Join the Educational Summer Camp
- Attach proof of the participant's English proficiency via a certificate or a reference from a teacher
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Early Bird Fee: 1450 EUR, registration and payment deadline 30th March
Regular Fee: 1650 EUR, registration and payment deadline 8th June
Airport Transfer: You can request transfers to and from Sofia Airport in advance during registration or by emailing [email protected]. AUBG staff will meet you/your child at the airport with a sign saying “AUBG Transport.” The airport transfer fee is to be paid in advance via bank transfer.
All payments must include the program (Summer Camp) and the name of the participant.
Fee includes:
- A variety of academic morning classes
- Sports and recreation activities
- Teaching materials
- Access to AUBG computer laboratories
- Housing and 3 meals per day
- Field trip
- Entrance fees to cultural and sports facilities
Participants thoughts about the camp
Summer camp was the first time I was surrounded by people from so many different countries, and it was exciting to see how easily we all connected.
Jana, Serbia
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The AUBG Educational Summer Camp in 2026 will last two weeks, from July 5-19. The camp offers a rich program of classes, extra-curricular activities, and recreational time.
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Students are expected to arrive on July 5 between 3 and 6 pm. Meeting point for check – in and registration: Main Lobby in Skaptopara 2 Residence Hall. The last day of activities and departure will be Sunday, July 19.
IMPORTANT: It is expected that all campers stay on campus for the entire duration of the camp! If you need to pick up your child earlier than July 19, please inform us by emailing [email protected] in advance.
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An email with all useful information for parents and students will be sent two weeks prior to the beginning of the educational summer camp.
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Our address is: Skaptopara 2 Residence Hall, 6 Svoboda Bachvarova Str., American University in Bulgaria-Campus, Blagoevgrad 2700
You can reach our campus from Sofia by public transport. The journey from Sofia to Blagoevgrad takes approximately two hours. You have two transportation options:
- by bus from Central Bus Station: a one-way ticket costs 7 EUR.
- by train from Central Train Station: a one-way ticket costs about 6 EUR.You can also reach campus by car: Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dYn7YnJpkx9raRU2A
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You can request transfers to and from Sofia Airport in advance during registration or by emailing [email protected]. AUBG staff will meet you/your child at the airport with a sign saying “AUBG Transport.” The airport transfer fee is to be paid in advance via bank transfer.
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You can read more useful information about our home here . AUBG’s modern campus is located in the picturesque town of Blagoevgrad, where students enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by nature and the city’s unique charm. Blagoevgrad is one of the safest towns in Bulgaria and is close to a number of natural attractions and touristic spots.
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The minimal level of English required is intermediate (B1) or equivalent. This ensures that students can keep up with the educational material and have meaningful interactions with their peers and instructors.
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First Day: The check-in starts in the afternoon and is followed by an opening ceremony, as well as fun games and ice breakers.
Last Day: One the last day, students show their final project presentation, followed by a Graduation ceremony, a reception, and check-out.
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Temperatures in July in Blagoevgrad can reach up to 30-35 °C. It’s best if students bring t-shirts, shorts, comfortable sports clothes for the afternoon activities, a light jacket for the evenings, and a formal outfit for the closing ceremony. Make sure to bring a plain white T-shirt for our DIY sessions, which will then be creatively transformed.
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Although parents are not forbidden to visit, it is generally not encouraged. This way the campers can fully emerge in the uni-life experience on their own.
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It is not obligatory; however, you might find bringing a laptop/tablet useful for taking notes during lectures and working on the final projects. Please note that mobile phones and headphones will be collected during lectures (unless needed to complete tasks during the class) to ensure the full focus and involvement of campers.
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Every student will have access to OpenNet Wireless internet across campus. They will also receive an AUBG Computer Lab Account, which they can use in the computer lab, in the Residence Hall, or in the classrooms.
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The usual daily schedule is as follows: a lecture in the morning, followed by a workshop related to it, lunch break, then a two-hour session on the elective of choice, a short break, afternoon activities (sports, arts & crafts, town walks, or chill time), dinner and evening activities (Talent show, International night, Scavenger Hunt, etc).
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There will be a field trip to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, which will include a few landmarks and some free time.
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Any health concerns occurring during camp must be shared with the Camp Staff and Camp Director. There is a doctor on campus and based on their recommendations, parents will be notified and asked for permission for any further interventions.
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All campers will receive a ‘Certificate of Participation’. There will also be special awards for the originality and execution of the final projects.
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Parents are more than welcome to attend the Graduation Ceremony in person, or online via a Zoom link, which will be shared later. Campers and Parents are invited to a small reception afterwards.
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The full camp program will be uploaded on this web page two weeks before the start of the camp. A paper copy will also be provided in your welcome packs upon arrival.
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All classes are taught by distinguished guest lecturers, renowned AUBG alumni, AUBG professors, and scholars.
Trained camp staff, camp director, and Student Affairs Office representatives all look after the students and ensure both their safety and pleasant experience.
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Yes, there is 24-hr security in the buildings. Camp staff will stay in the dormitories to take care of students’ safety, well-being, and discipline.
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Yes, the fee covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the entire educational summer camp.
Soups, cooked meals with meat (or vegetarian) as well as fresh salads and fruits will be served to the students daily.
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If you have any food allergies, we can accommodate that by providing a personalized menu to meet your needs. We also offer vegetarian options. If you have any food restrictions, you must inform us about them during the registration process or at any point before arrival.
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Yes, there is a supermarket less than 5 mins walking distance from campus. However, you must always notify the camp staff of your intention to leave the campus premises unsupervised.
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The ‘Early Bird’ registration and payment deadline is March 30. After that, the regular fee applies, where the registration and payment deadline is June 8.
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Payments only in euro will be accepted.
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The fee includes:
•A variety of academic morning classes; •Sports and recreation activities; •Teaching materials; •Access to AUBG computer laboratories; •Housing and three meals per day; •Field trip; •Entrance fees to cultural and sports facilities. -
If you cancel before the regular registration payment deadline, you will be refunded in full.
If you cancel after the regular registration payment deadline, a non-refundable fee of 200 EUR applies.
If you cancel after the beginning of camp, you will not be refunded.
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On January 1, Bulgaria entered the Euro Zone, which means that the official currency is Euro. Keep in mind to bring cash although most shops accept contactless payments.
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You can have a look at our virtual campus tour here
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All rooms are shared doubles. Students will be mixed by nationalities and matched by age in the rooms. If you want to stay with a specific student in one room, please let the Camp Director know this in advance during the registration procedure.
We encourage sharing a room in order to socialize and enhance your English skills. However, if it is medically required, please let us know during registration, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
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As there are ongoing construction works in our air-conditioned residence halls, the campers will be accommodated in rooms without A/Cs; however, they are allowed to bring portable fans.
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Yes, boys and girls are housed in separate rooms; no mixed rooms are allowed.
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Yes, paid laundry services are provided on campus. Linen change is also available; campers will have to bring their bedsheets to Skapto 2 lobby and pick up clean ones. Details on days and time slots will be provided upon arrival.
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It depends on the country you are from. More information is available here.
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Yes, IDs/Passports will be checked upon arrival, and they will serve as your proof of identity.
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Although not compulsory, we do advise that international students have medical insurance for the duration of the camp.
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Yes, we offer a ‘Siblings discount’ of 50 EUR off the camp fee. Please note that if you apply for the ‘Early Bird’ discounted fee, the higher discount will be applied.
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You can take advantage of the ‘Early Bird’ discount by registering and paying before the deadline – March 30.