Summer camp in Portugal 2026: surfing in Ericeira and adventure in Arrábida
Portugal has an argument impossible to replicate in any other European destination: Ericeira, the only World Surf Reserve in Europe, certified by the Save The Waves Coalition, is less than an hour from Lisbon. It is in this context that St Peter's International School hosts, in 2026, a summer camp that combines surfing in a world reserve, an adventure in the Arrábida Natural Reserve, an environmental protection area with cliffs and crystal clear beaches in the Setúbal District, cultural itineraries to Lisbon and Sintra, and total immersion in English in a multicultural residential environment. For parents of young people aged 13 to 15 who are looking for an authentic program, with experiences in nature that do not exist on any other European campus, Portugal presents itself as a premium alternative that has not yet been explored.
What is the St Peter's International School summer camp?
The program is carried out by St Peter's International School, an international school located in Palmela, in the Setúbal District, between Lisbon and Comporta. The campus is about 30 to 40 minutes from Lisbon, allowing cultural excursions to the capital to be an integrated part of the routine, not separate events.
The 2026 summer camp is aimed at young people aged 13 and over, with activities conducted in English by specialized instructors. The program combines water sports, land adventure, cultural itineraries, and language immersion in a format that maximizes the variety of experiences in one or two weeks.
When does the show take place?
The camp has three sessions in 2026:
- Session 1:1 week, from June 29 to July 5, 2026
- Session 2:2 weeks, July 6-19, 2026
- Session 3:2 weeks, from July 20 to August 2, 2026
The format can be Day Camp or Residential, with on-campus accommodation. For families seeking full immersion in English and contact with young people from multiple countries, the residential format is the most suitable.
Surfing in Ericeira: the difference that no other European camp has
Ericeira has been certified as a World Surf Reserve by the Surfrider Foundation and the Save The Waves Coalition, a recognition granted to only a handful of locations worldwide for their wave quality, local surf culture and environmental commitment. In Europe, Ericeira is the only destination with this certification.
This means that young people learn to surf where the best surfers in the world compete in stages of the international circuit, in waves formed by the Atlantic Ocean and shaped by a coastline preserved for decades.
The program includes a board, swimwear, and instruction with certified coaches. No equipment needs to be carried by the participant.
What activities make up the program?
Water sports
In addition to surfing in Ericeira, the program includes:
- Paddle board (Stand Up Paddle), with classes in protected coves off the Setúbal coast
- Sailing and kayaking, taking advantage of the conditions of the Atlantic coast
- Snorkeling and coasteering, the exploration of cliffs and natural pools directly by the sea, a rare activity in summer programs for young people
Terrestrial adventure
The program expands the experience beyond water with a range of activities in a natural environment:
- Rafting and canyoning in rivers and canyons in the Setúbal region
- Jeep Tour through the Arrábida Natural Reserve, a protected natural park with cliffed landscapes and beaches with crystal clear turquoise water
- Dolphin watching in the ocean, on boat trips organized by the program
- Beach horseback riding, an experience that combines two rare references: horse and Atlantic coast at the same time
- Skate and hip hop dance class, for young people seeking artistic and urban expression
- Virtual reality, with applications in exploring environments and simulations
Cultural itineraries included
The itineraries are part of the regular schedule, they are not optional extras:
- Lisbon and Belém: the Jeronimos, the Belém Tower, the Pattern of Discoveries and the Pastéis de Belém, with the context of the great Portuguese navigations
- Sintra: the Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the historic center classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Caves and local geological sites on the Setúbal coast
What does Arrábida represent in the experience?
The Arrábida Natural Reserve is one of the most preserved environmental protection areas in Western Europe. The park covers the Serra da Arrábida and the Setúbal coast with Mediterranean vegetation, limestone cliffs and beaches with such clean water that they reach an emerald blue hue. Most of the young participants have never been in such a natural environment.
The Arrábida Jeep Tour is not a generic sightseeing tour. Young people walk trails inside the reserve, with stops at viewpoints and contact with the preserved coastal ecosystem. For an age group of 13 to 15, this type of experience in nature creates an environmental connection that no classroom reproduces.
For families researching Sports exchange in Portugal, the St Peter's International School camp offers a different perspective: less focus on competitive sports, more emphasis on multidisciplinary adventure and contact with preserved nature.
How does immersion in English work?
The entire program is conducted in English, with instructors who communicate exclusively in the language during the activities. The residential environment reinforces immersion, since meals, leisure time, and informal interactions between young people from different countries also take place in English.
The result is a much more effective language acquisition context than isolated formal classes: young people use English for real purposes, to understand surf instructions, navigate Sintra, or discuss dolphin watching with colleagues from other nationalities.
Why is Portugal the least obvious and most intelligent alternative?
Portugal offers a combination that no other European destination combines:
- High-level preserved nature, with a nature reserve and the only World Surf Reserve on the continent
- Access to Lisbon in 30 to 40 minutes, with all the historical wealth of the Portuguese capital
- Sintra less than an hour away, with two sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Mild summer weather, without the extreme heat of southern Europe
- Internationally recognized security, with Portugal among the safest countries in the world
What is the ideal participant profile?
The summer camp at St Peter's International School is designed for young people aged 13 to 15 with an interest in adventure sports, nature and contact with different cultures. The ideal participant:
- Is physically ready for outdoor activities, both aquatic and terrestrial
- Has a minimum basic level of English, sufficient to follow instructions and interact with colleagues
- Are you interested in discovering Lisbon, Sintra and the Setúbal coast as part of the experience?
- Look for a program with a real variety of activities, not specialization in a single sport
The Palmela camp contrasts with the more technical profile of Soccer sports exchange in Portugal, offering multidisciplinary adventure instead of specialized training.
FAQ
Does the program require prior surfing skill?
No. Surf instruction begins with the basics, with certified coaches who accompany the young person from the first contact with the board to the progression on the waves of Ericeira. Full equipment is provided by the program.
What is coasteering and what is the appropriate age range?
Coasteering is the exploration of cliffs and natural pools by the sea, with swimming, rock climbing and controlled jumps. The activity is conducted with complete safety equipment by experienced instructors and is suitable for young people aged 13 and over with regular physical condition.
Do tours to Lisbon and Sintra have an additional cost?
No. Cultural itineraries, including Lisbon, Sintra and the local caves, are part of the camp's regular schedule, at no additional cost.
What is the difference between the 1-week format and the 2-week format?
The 1-week session covers Session 1 with a range of aquatic and cultural activities. The 2-week sessions allow for a wider combination of activities, including all water sports, land adventure, and cultural itineraries. For maximum enjoyment, 2-week sessions are recommended.
Is Portugal safe for a young person traveling alone?
Yes. Portugal is among the safest countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index. St Peter's International School has a 24-hour monitoring structure in a residential format and regular communication with families. Be Easy follows the participant's arrival and departure logistics.
Be Easy: Boutique exchange consultancy
Be Easy advises families at every stage of the exchange project, from profile alignment to documentary preparation and trip logistics. If the summer camp at St Peter's International School sparked your family's interest, contact us and unlock an extraordinary future for your child.
