Village Camps

What this is

International adventure summer camps across Portugal, Switzerland, and Austria — running since 1972. Over 50 years of operation makes Village Camps one of the longest-established international camp organizations in Europe. Programs span adventure, performing arts, dance, STEM/robotics, surf, football, tennis, leadership, and language camps. Ages 10–17, approximately €1,300–1,600 per week.

### Camp Locations

**Santa Cruz, Portugal** On Portugal's Silver Coast, about 45 minutes north of Lisbon. Santa Cruz is a surf town — long beaches, consistent Atlantic waves, and a laid-back coastal vibe. The camp here focuses on surfing, coasteering, beach sports, and excursions to Lisbon. This is the most action-oriented Village Camps location and the best fit for ocean-loving kids. Lisbon airport is the gateway.

**Leysin, Switzerland** A mountain village at 1,250 meters in the Swiss Alps, overlooking the Rhône Valley and Lake Geneva. Leysin is a well-known international education town — it hosts multiple boarding schools and has a strong tradition of welcoming international students. The camp here offers hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and glacier excursions, alongside language and leadership programming. Geneva airport is about 90 minutes away.

**Zell am See, Austria** A lakeside Alpine town in the Salzburg region, with the Hohe Tauern mountains as a backdrop. The camp sits between a crystal-clear lake and snow-capped peaks — swimming, sailing, and water sports on the lake, hiking and adventure in the mountains. Salzburg airport is about 90 minutes away; Munich is about 2 hours. One of the most scenically dramatic camp settings in Europe.

Where it is