The first Venturing Crew in France offers teenagers from age 14 and up an invitation to adventure, leadership, personal growth and service. A program of the Boy Scouts of America, Venturing places strong emphasis on its policy of co-ed “youth-led’ programs with adult-guidance, providing opportunity for youths to test their limits, to develop new skills and to make a difference.
Crew 2014 is an English-speaking group, with activities including hiking, camping, go-karting and an action course called Koezio.
When Parisian Cecile Birgand Ayasse couldn’t find original workshops for her own four kids, she set up Apprends et Rêve (“To learn and dream” in English) to create her own solution. From singing lessons with a coach from “The Voice” to Flamenco, computer coding or graffiti art, they offer imaginative weekend workshops and holiday camps where children aged 3 to 15. Activities are taught in French at various locations around Paris.
PERK FOR INSPIRELLE READERS! Mention INSPIRELLE when you sign up for a holiday camp or year-long workshop at Apprends et Rêve (“Learn and Dream“) and get a free yearly membership PLUS 15% off any one-day reservation.
Metro: Balard (line 8)
Grab your bathing suits and head to the largest aquatic park in Europe — equipped with indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzis, numerous large water slides and a wave pool. It’s an all-year-round fun attraction for everyone, and a great place to plan a kids’ birthday party! The complex also includes restaurants, a fitness center, Decathlon sporting goods store and movie theaters.
Also mentioned in our ultimate guide to kid’s activities!
Metro: Les Sablons (line 1), Louise Michel (line 3)
One of the nicer fully-equipped aquatic centers around Paris, with multiple pools for leisure and for training, as well as an outdoor pool, two solariums and a “beach” in the summer. Clean and well-organized, they also have a spa, hammams, saunas, and UV cabins.
Telephone call center staffed with English-speaking volunteers, who are trained and supported by psychologists and ready to listen to your worries. It’s completely confidential and available from 3-11pm daily, either by telephone or Skype.
A non-profit organization of English-speaking and bilingual professionals who work with children of all ages with special needs. The network of specialists share their knowledge and resources to help families in Paris find the appropriate support to enable their child to thrive. The website has a thorough directory of all the professional members in the SPRINT organization to help families, schools and professors seeking guidance and study new ideas. SPRINT also provides counseling, and organizes lectures in and around Paris.
A private co-opted membership club founded in 1996 to enable women of different nationalities living in and around Paris to share their cultures in a friendly environment. It offers a wide variety of activities and functions for members by members.