How to Choose the Right Summer Camp in Europe for Your Child or Students/Teenagers
- jovani io
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
By Ion Ivan, Indigo Camps Adventurer

I’ve spent the last decade chasing sunsets, setting up campfires, and organizing summer adventures across Europe — from the mountains of Bulgaria to the olive-scented hills of Greece. As a 30-year-old camp organizer (and lifelong camper myself), I’ve learned that finding the right summer camp isn’t just about the location or the activities — it’s about finding the place where a child’s curiosity and confidence come alive.
Every year, parents and teachers reach out to our team with the same blend of excitement and nervousness. They ask:“Will my child be safe?”“Will they make friends?”“Is it the right age group?”“Will they actually enjoy it — or just miss home?”“How many group leaders do you have for the students?”“Did you organise tailor-made camps for online schools?”
I get it. As someone who’s watched hundreds of kids step off the bus for the first time — wide-eyed, backpacks and luggages slightly bigger than they are — I know how big this moment feels for the whole family. So let me walk you through what really matters when choosing a summer camp in Europe, and how we at Indigo Camps make sure every child goes home with more than just memories.
Location: Where Adventure Meets Culture

When our company just started organizing camps, we believed the perfect camp destination had to offer to things: space to explore, and stories to tell. That’s why our Indigo Camps take place in some of Europe’s most inspiring settings:
Greece – where our campers climb the trails of Mount Olympus, jump into the refreshing Olympus waterfalls, and explore the ancient city of Dion, once home to gods and heroes. Our days are filled with sunshine and salt — swimming across the Aegean Sea, or setting off for a day trip to the island of Skiathos, with its golden beaches and crystal water. There’s something almost mythic about watching kids stand at the summit or dive beneath a waterfall — realizing they’ve just done something they once thought impossible.
Bulgaria – where the Black Sea becomes our playground. Days here are filled with beach tournaments, folklore festivals, surf sessions, and group challenges that build teamwork (and a lot of laughter).
Italy – where creativity and culture meet. In Rimini, our campers spend their days between the sea and the sports field — training, exploring, and enjoying that uniquely Italian energy. Further south, in Palermo, our teen camp brings a more cultural rhythm: creative workshops, local food experiences, and evening strolls through the city’s historic streets. Between football tournaments, pizza-making afternoons, and discovering the easy warmth of Italian life, kids learn to express themselves in new ways — confident, curious, and full of stories to tell
The Netherlands – where innovation meets nature. From cycling adventures through countryside paths to creative workshops in historic cities, our Dutch camps are all about discovery and imagination.
Each location was chosen not just for its beauty but for its ability to blend adventure, culture, and safety. Parents and tutors often tell me that their kids and students come home a little taller — not just physically, but emotionally — and that’s the goal.
Safety: The Backbone of Every Great Adventure

Parents worry — and they should. Letting your child travel abroad is a big decision. That’s why safety is the first thing we plan and the last thing we check before each season begins.
Every Indigo Camp is staffed by trained group leaders, councelors an animators. Most of us started out as campers ourselves, so we understand how it feels to be away from home for the first time.
We keep group sizes small to ensure every child gets attention. We have on-site medical staff that works with insurance, regular communication updates, and a “no-question-too-small” policy for parents. If your child scrapes a knee, wins a challenge, or performs in the talent show, you’ll know about it.
Because safety isn’t just about procedures — it’s about trust. And trust is something we earn every single day at camp.
Group & Age: Finding the Right Fit
One of the most important factors in a great camp experience is age grouping. A 10-year-old and a 16-year-old might share the same excitement for adventure, but they’ll experience it differently.
That’s why our programmes are tailor-made for different age groups:
Kids aged 8–12 thrive in our Active Discovery camps — days filled with games, creative projects, and sports that encourage teamwork and confidence.
Teens aged 13–17 join our Explorer Camps, where they dive into leadership activities, international friendships, and challenges that push them beyond their comfort zone — like kayaking across the lake, hiking or leading their team during a beach tournament.
Watching the older campers mentor the younger ones is one of my favorite parts of camp life. It’s where community really comes alive.
Culture, Language & Confidence

Another question I often get is: “Will my child fit in if they don’t speak the local language?”
The truth is, camp life has its own language — laughter, teamwork, sports and shared experiences. At Indigo Camps, kids come from across Europe and beyond, and within a day they’re communicating perfectly — sometimes through words, sometimes through football passes, or sandcastle competitions, or helping each other pitch a tent.
We use this diversity as a teaching moment. Kids learn empathy, patience, and cultural curiosity — all while having fun. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of what we do.
Finding the Right Sport for Your Child
I’ve always believed that sport is one of the best teachers a young person can have and I'm saying it as a former athlete. It builds resilience, focus, and teamwork. But the key is matching the right activity to each child’s personality.
Some kids shine in team sports — the energy of football or volleyball lights them up. Others discover their confidence through solo adventures like climbing, kayaking, archery, table tennis, or yoga on the beach. Our job at Indigo Camps is to help them find that spark — not by forcing competition, but by encouraging exploration.
One of my favorite memories is watching a quiet 12-year-old in Bulgaria find her stride on a kayak for the first time. She was nervous at first, but by the end of the session, she was leading her group — sun-kissed, confident, and laughing louder than anyone else. That’s what camp does.
What Summer Camp Really Gives Kids
When the last group leaves in the end of the season, I always feel a mix of pride and nostalgia. The faces that arrived shy and uncertain are now glowing with stories — of races won, fears faced, friendships made, songs sung by the fire.
Summer camp gives kids a sense of belonging. It teaches them to try, to lead, to listen, to laugh at themselves, and to see the world a little wider. It gives them memories that stick — the kind that show up years later when life gets hard, reminding them: I can do this. I’ve done it before.

Ready to Explore Indigo Camps?
If you’re considering a summer camp in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, or the Netherlands, take a look at our destinations and programmes on IndigoCamps.com.
Whether your child dreams of climbing Mount Olympus, diving into the Black Sea, or discovering their creative spark in Italy, we’ll make sure they come home with more than souvenirs — they’ll come home with confidence, new friends, and stories to tell for years.
Because at Indigo Camps, is a summer a summer event,
a chance to grow, explore, and shine a little brighter.
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