About Us
Where children learn to think for themselves.
Inspire Educamps
Inspire Educamps has run the summer camp at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) since 2018. Our camps help children grow in confidence, character, resilience and curiosity, through hands-on experiences designed to build real life skills.
Our guiding belief is simple: “How we think is EVERYTHING.” When children learn to think independently, to ask questions, explore ideas and solve problems, they discover what they are capable of and begin shaping the future they want.
Open to children from all schools. Hosted at ISHCMC Secondary Campus.
A long-term partnership with ISHCMC
Inspire Educamps has been an ISHCMC partner since 2018. Our programmes share the school's commitment to:
- Whole-child development
- High-quality teaching and care
- Global citizenship and character building
- Safe, structured, well-supervised environments
This long-term partnership reflects a deep level of trust in our ability to deliver safe, engaging and professionally run holiday programmes on campus each year.
Steve Lanning
Founder and Managing Director
Leadership rooted in service, education and innovation.
Inspire Educamps was founded by Steve Lanning. Ex Royal Navy. EAL teacher, then Administration and Programmes Manager at the Australian International School, leading experiential learning, school camps and summer camps. Running summer camps in Ho Chi Minh City since 2007, at ISHCMC since 2018. Business owner and father of two teenage sons.
Steve's experience combines:
- Military service: discipline, integrity, leadership and resilience
- Education: EAL teaching, then leading experiential learning, school camps and summer camps at the Australian International School
- Business and entrepreneurship: systems, structure, safety and professional standards
This combination ensures our programmes are warm and nurturing, while also highly organised, safe and professionally delivered: the balance parents tell us they value.
20 years of summer camps in Ho Chi Minh City
- 2007–2014Designs and runs the summer camps at the Australian International School (AIS), across multiple campuses
- 2015Summer camp for Vietnam Australia International School (VAS), around 1,000 campers in one summer
- 2016Inspire Educamps founded; summer camp for Wellspring Bilingual School
- 2017Summer camp for the European International School (EIS)
- 2018Partnership with International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) begins
- 2023–2024Also Canadian International School (CIS)
- 2027Inspire Studios and Inspire Academy at ISHCMC
Steve's mission: to help children become independent thinkers, confident problem-solvers and capable creators of their own future.
“How we think is EVERYTHING!”
The way children think shapes the way they live. We don't simply keep children busy; we help them build the mindsets and tools they will use throughout their lives.
Curious
Ask thoughtful questions and stay curious.
Solution-focused
Look for solutions, not problems, and solve them with confidence.
Growth mindset
Learn from mistakes and keep improving.
Self-aware
Understand their values, strengths and passions.
Great communicators
Communicate clearly and work well with others, in English.
Independent
Make good decisions and think for themselves.
“When children learn how to think, instead of what to think, they become unstoppable.”
Chosen for character. Trained for excellence.
Our team of Group Leaders, Assistant Group Leaders and Activity Department staff are selected first and foremost for their character, judgement and ability to connect with children. Qualifications matter, but who someone is matters more.
Our team combines experienced international-school educators and trained activity leaders.
All staff complete pre-camp training and work within clear systems for supervision, safety and wellbeing, with experienced leadership on campus at all times.
Our expat Group Leaders all hold
- A university degree, at minimum
- An ESL teaching certification
- Experience with children in international and multicultural settings
Every staff member is selected for
- Genuine care for children's wellbeing
- Calm, confident leadership and communication
- Professionalism, reliability and integrity
- Creating positive, inclusive group dynamics
Not just another summer camp
Weekly themes with purpose
Each week explores a powerful idea, building real-life tools through hands-on projects.
Balanced and hands-on
Weekly projects, sport and team building, life skills, arts, cooking and Digital Lab for every age group.
Independent thinking
Children make decisions, express ideas and work through challenges for themselves.
Experienced educators
A warm, experienced international team bringing professionalism, care and energy.
Your child's safety comes first
As an ISHCMC partner since 2018, we operate to high standards in every area. All staff are background-checked through AVVANZ, and SOS International provides on-site medical care.
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Health and safety
- Staff screening and training
- Supervision ratios
- Emergency and security procedures
- Clear campus protocols
- Professional behaviour expectations
Join us at Summer Camp 2027
Places are limited in every age group. Registration opens January 2027.