Most children come to VIEC without their parents, and that is the standard way to attend. But parents who would rather not say goodbye at the gate have a choice: with the Family Package, they can stay on the same Black Sea campus, 40 km from Varna Airport, while their child joins an Oxford English summer programme. It is an option, not a requirement – a family summer camp in Bulgaria where parents can stay if they wish.

What is the VIEC Family Package?

The Family Package lets a child join the full VIEC programme while their parents stay on campus. The child learns English, plays sport and spends time by the sea from 10am to 6pm. The parents have the same campus to themselves: beach, forest, spa and excursions. Families eat together and spend the evenings together. Two formats, Family Together and Family Nearby, set how close everyone sleeps.

"We wanted to take a break as parents and enjoy some vacation time ourselves – in the same place as our child."
A mother who chose Family Together, summer 2026

Family Together or Family Nearby: what's the difference?

Option	Where everyone stays
Family Together	Child and parent share a family room. The child leaves for the programme from 10am to 6pm. Younger children stay with the parent at no extra charge.
Family Nearby	The child stays in the camp residence with peers of the same age (from age 10). The family has a separate villa on campus. Parents and child meet without limits.

What do parents do while the child is on the programme?

This is the question parents ask most. From 10am to 6pm the campus is theirs. The beach and the Black Sea are a short walk from the residences, and the campus sits inside a 2,080-acre nature reserve, so forest walks begin at the door. There is a spa, and excursions run beyond the perimeter.

"We spent our time relaxing, going for forest walks, enjoying the sea, and recovering from work stress," one father said. For many families it is the first real rest in months: the same place as their child, but with a day of their own.

Can I work remotely from the camp?

Yes. Wi-Fi runs across the campus, so parents who need to keep working can do so between the sea and the forest. "I worked remotely during the trip, and the Wi-Fi worked well," another parent said. For working parents, the Family Package is closer to a working holiday with the children than a drop-off camp.

Where do families stay?

Families stay in a villa-style hotel on the campus itself: en-suite bathroom, air conditioning and daily cleaning. A cot is available on request. Everything sits inside the enclosed perimeter, so the child is never far.

A day in a family's schedule

Time	Child	Parents
8am	Breakfast together	Breakfast together
10am–6pm	Programme, sport, sea	Beach, spa, forest, excursions, remote work
6pm	End of programme	Meet at the beach or pool
7pm	Family dinner	Family dinner
8pm onwards	Evening together	Evening together

What changes for the child?

Parents tend to notice it within days. "We noticed that they became more active and more social," one family said, their child joining the programme each day and coming back for dinner each evening. The Oxford English, the sport and the company of children from other countries do the work, and the parents simply watch it happen.

Frequently asked questions

Do younger siblings pay?

In Family Together, younger children stay with the parent at no extra charge.

From what age can a child stay in the camp residence?

From age 10, under Family Nearby. Younger children stay with the family.

Can we see our child during the day?

Yes. Families meet without limits, and gather for dinner every evening.

How far is the airport?

Varna Airport is 40 km from the campus.

Is the campus safe?

The campus has an enclosed perimeter inside a 2,080-acre nature reserve, with medical staff on site around the clock.

"A well-organised experience in a beautiful facility with professional instructors. I would recommend any parent come and experience it."
A Family Together parent, summer 2026

See the VIEC Family Package

Stay on the Black Sea campus while your child joins the programme. Six sessions, June to September 2026.

See the Family Package → Book by yourself →

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Can Parents Stay at Summer Camp? Inside the VIEC Family Package