Handy for parents and fun for children, Summer camp is definitely something to look forward to. But not only that.
The school break activities can actually promote numerous learning opportunities and valuable personal growth.
In my early teens, I was lucky to go to two Summer camps and, it is just amazing how much I can still remember, to this day!
One of the Summer camps I went to was just a few minutes up the road, in Santo Isidoro. My favorite memories include chouriço bread from José Franco and a zip line in the woods.
But most importantly, I was thrilled when I was able to help my team to win a quiz. Alright, the question was “who was the king who died in 1977?”. Nevertheless, my new friends were truly impressed. And I was, effectively, part of the team.
But let’s find out about the benefits your child can reap from going to a local Summer camp, shall we?
Summer camps and school-break activities: what are the advantages?
Besides keeping children engaged and supervised while parents are at work, Summer camps and school-break activities offer a vast array of learning opportunities.
Children may develop lifelong skills such as swimming, cooking, decision-making, creative thinking, and problem-solving, to name just a few.
These are also an excellent opportunity to make new friends, try new sports, learn new means of expression, and invent new games.
Besides, these programs are great for ensuring a physically active school break, as well as for re-connecting with nature, whilst having fun and creating memories.
What is the best Summer camp for my child?
Should you try something new or play safe? And, what benefits could surfing, skateboarding, or creative expressions bring my child? Keep on reading.
Trying something new
Trying something that your child has not been exposed to yet, may bring them the opportunity to find a new passion or exploit their natural talents.
This experience will open up a whole range of new possibilities to try out and expand your child’s array of skills.
The takeaway message for your child may be that trying something new can be a lot of fun and, sometimes, even life-changing. And, do not be afraid of going outside their comfort zone. By doing this, you will only be expanding it.
Playing on the safe side
Choosing something that your child already likes, on the other hand, will give them the chance to explore that activity in more depth, to become better and more confident at it.
This experience will reinforce a valuable message. Sticking to something you like and trying to become better at it requires hard work and grit to overcome the growing challenges. But perseverance is the way to success.
Choosing a camp theme
Most camps and school-break activities focus on one theme. And this theme may describe the type of environment in which the camp takes place or instead, the main activity focus.
However, regardless of the theme, having a good time playing and learning is a priority in any Summer camp program.
Locally, there are plenty of forest and beach camps, as well as sports and art options. And this includes surfing, skateboarding, music, painting, and more.
Let’s have a look at the local options for this year.
Sports Summer camps
Local sports camps usually focus on surfing and skateboarding, and often also include yoga and martial arts, such as Capoeira and Judo.
Besides developing confidence in the water and the waves, surfing will help your child to improve coordination and balance, whilst ensuring a comprehensive full-body workout.
On top of that, learning to keep calm in the midst of a surfing wipeout can be a drill for many of the life events that will be coming ahead. As a plus, surfing may foster an appreciation for nature, the sea, and the beaches.
In a way, skateboarding is quite similar to surfing, except for the water component. But, with the benefit that your child can practice the same movements again and again without the conditions changing.
Martial arts, in its turn, improves focus and physical conditioning but also helps to prepare for life, by fomenting good values such as discipline, respect, and self-confidence, for example.
The martial arts that your child can try in our local Summer camps are usually Judo and Capoeira. The latter, including a rich cultural and musical component.
Whereas yoga can improve body awareness and emotional strength, to name but a few benefits.
So, what are the sports Summer camp on offer this year in and around Ericeira?
Academia Surf Ericeira Summer Camp 2021
- Activities: surf, skate, yoga, and capoeira
- Age: 7 to 16 years old
- Date: 28th of June to 2nd of July, 12th to 16th, 19th to 23rd, and 26th to 30th of July
- Address: Av. Colinas do Atlântico, 77,Ericeira
- Time: 09:30 am to 05:00 pm
- Fees: €170 per week
- Contact details: 912 849 626 or Facebook messenger
- More for information, visit the Facebook page Academia Surf Ericeira
Tiago Pires Young Pro Summer Camp 2021
- Activities: surf, skate, fun games, art, crafts, and more
- Age: 8 to 14 years old
- Date: from 12th of July
- Groups: maximum 12 participants
- Time: 09:00 am to 5:30 pm
- Fees: €275 per week. There is a discount for siblings. Lunch and snack included, as well as equipment and photos.
- contact details: surfschool@tiagopires.pt
- More information on their Facebook page
36 Skate School Camp 2021
- Activities: skate sessions, volleyball, fun games, and more
- Age: from 5 years old
- Date: July and August
- Groups: max 12 participants
- Time: 09:00 am to 12:00am
- Fees: €150 for one week, €40 for one day, and €60 for three days
- Contact details: call +351 261867046 and ask for Skate Camp
- More information on their Facebook page
Waves and Minds Surf Camp with Joana Rocha
- Activities: daily surf sessions, emotional intelligence workshops, games, fire night, and more
- Age: 8 to 12 and 13 to 19 years old
- Groups: max 8 participants
- Time: weekdays (5 days, 4 nights), or weekends camp (2 days, 1 night). There is a surf camp once a month, from May to October
- Fees: €350 a week. €140 a weekend
- Contact details: contact request form or, to book
- More information on their web page
Creative Expressions Summer Camps 2021
Have you noticed how creative your child is? Right. All you need to do now is to facilitate the expression of this creativity.
How? You can encourage your child’s creativity by promoting access to tools that can be used to communicate ideas.
Why should I? Because your child’s creative intelligence is what makes their views of the world unique. And expressing these views is the way to fosters and preserve that intelligence, according to experts.
Creativity and innovation can generate unique ideas that may be used to solve problems and seize opportunities, as points out by Psychology Today
Check the local creative expressions school-break programs below.
Ericeira Philharmonic Summer Activities
- Date: 12th to 16th, 19th to 23rd, and 26th to 30th of July
- Address: Parque de Santa Marta, Ericeira
- Time: 09:30 am to 05:30 pm or extended, 08:30 am to 06:30 pm
- Age: 6 to 13 years old
- Activities: outdoors and indoors, arts and creative expression
- Fees: €45 per week, snack included
- Contact details: +351 261 099 819 | geral@fcericeira.org
- More for information, visit the Facebook page Filarmónica Cultural da Ericeira.
Painting with Magda Nunes
- Date: weekdays throughout July and August
- Address: Beach Pizza, Ericeira
- Time: 09:00 am to 04:00 pm
- Age: 7 to 12 years old
- Activities: painting, storytelling, and music
- Fees: €25 per day, meals included
- Contact details: magdanunes@gmail.com
- More information on the Instagram page
Creative Summer Activities – Council Program
- Date: July and August
- Age: 10 to 15 years old children.
- Fee: €40 per week
- Activities: outings, games in the park, swimming in the pool, cooking, and more
- Address: Mafra
- How to enroll: online desk , Loja do Cidadão, Parque Desportivo Municipal de Mafra, and Piscina Municipal da Venda do Pinheiro
- Contact details: juventude@cm-mafra.pt, 261 810 125/261 028 100
Forest and Beach Summer Camp 2021
Whether in the forest or at the beach, nature is a great learning environment. Besides, spending time outdoors promotes relaxation and well-being, which everybody will benefit from.
Luckily, in the Ericeira area, we are spoiled with options for school-break activities in nature.
Academia da Alegria Forest School
- Date: throughout July and August. And from 12 to 16th of July for 12 to 16 years old
- Address: Largo da Boavista, Quinta do Pomar, Mafra
- Time: 08:30 am to 05:30 pm, or 08:00 am to 08:00 pm
- Age: 1 to 15/16 years old
- Activities: forest, river, and beach
- Fees: €80 per week
- Contact details: academiadalegria@gmail.com or Facebook messenger
- More for information, visit the Facebook page, Academia da Alegria
Forest / Outdoor Learning with Raízes
- Date: weekdays throughout July
- Address: Mafra, next to Barreiralva Park
- Time: 08:30 am to 05:00 pm
- Age: 3 to 6 years old
- Activities: forest, river, and beach
- Fees: €100 for one week, €185 for 2 weeks, €270 for 3 weeks, and €355 for four
- Contact details: raizesaoarlivre@gmail.com
Cenoura Brava Summer Activities
- Date: 12th to 16th, 19th to 23rd, and 26th to 30th of July
- Address: Igreja Nova, Mafra, and Matadouro beach or Foz do Lisando, Ericeira
- Time: 09:00 am to 12:00 or 04:00 pm (depending on the day)
- Age: 3 or 4 (surf) to 10 years old
- Activities: countryside and beach, optional surf
- Fees: €130 for 1 week, €210 for 2 weeks, €270 for 3 weeks. Optional lunch for €5 / day
- Contact details: bravacenoura@gmail.com
- More information on the Facebook page Cenoura Brava
Quinta Magica may also be running a school break program this year, but we have not been able to confirm this. In any case, here you have their contact details below.
- Address: Rua Nova, Quinta da Senhora do Ó 2640 – 514 Mafra
- Contact details: aquintamagica@gmail.com 261 819 591 | 964 880 686
- More information on their web page A Quinta Magica
Dance and Gymnastic
Dancing promotes confidence, coordination, and kinesthetic intelligence, as the Family magazine points out. Whereas gymnastics can help children to develop their mental and physical strength, besides being a fun way to remain fit, according to child development expert Manasa.
The Sofraco Gym has run a Summer activity program in recent years focused on acrodance. For this year, however, we have not received any confirmation yet. But you can find their contact details and read about their offer in our article School-Break Amidst Covid-19 Crisis.
Follow us
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and keep up with our day-to-day in town.
