Summer camps in Spain did not begin in the twentieth century or with modern leisure culture: their roots go back to the nineteenth century, when they were known as school colonies and were born with an educational and social purpose. This article looks at their origin, the first experiences, how they became established and how they have evolved to the present day.
The Origin: 1887, San Vicente de la Barquera
The first summer camp on record in Spain took place in 1887 in San Vicente de la Barquera, with just 18 participants. It was organised by Manuel Bartolomé Cossío, a prominent member of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza (ILE).
The aim of those early school colonies was virtually identical to that of today’s camps: leisure education, well-rounded development and personal discovery. The great difference was the social context: they were aimed primarily at improving the hygienic and educational conditions of children from the poorest urban classes during the height of the industrial era.
Why the School Colonies Were Born
Cossío and other members of the ILE understood that taking children out of working-class districts for a short period in summer and putting them in contact with nature was itself an educational act. Activities until then unknown to many were introduced: walks in the countryside, group activities, bathing in the sea, outdoor physical exercise.
Education Through Leisure
Learning outside the classroom through play, community life and nature. A pioneering idea at the time, entirely relevant today.
Health and Hygiene
Improving the physical condition of children and providing them with a healthy environment away from the industrial atmosphere of the cities.
Well-Rounded Development
Working on social skills, independence and self-knowledge in a setting of community life and outdoor activity.
Open to All
The school colonies were conceived from the outset for the most disadvantaged children, not as an elite privilege.
From School Colony to Social Phenomenon: The Second Republic
What began in 1887 with 18 participants was, decades later, completely established. In 1932, during the Second Republic, 294 colonies were held in 46 provinces with more than 30,000 participants. The colonies had become a pillar of Spanish society and a recognised cornerstone of non-formal education.
From School Colonies to Today’s Camps
More than 150 years later, summer camps are still going strong in Spain and have evolved in form, activities and philosophy, yet they retain the original educational core: community life, contact with nature, learning through experience and personal development. What has changed is the range on offer — multi-adventure, languages, surfing, sport, technology, ecology — and the professionalisation of the activity leader team.
Natuaventura: 20 Years in the Recent History of Summer Camps
Within that long historical line, Natuaventura has been organising camps since 2004. More than 20 consecutive years of camps in Madrid, Ávila, Cantabria, Cuenca and Alicante, with more than 2,000 participants every summer and a team of activity leaders that is constantly renewed by many former campers.
The spirit that Cossío described in 1887 — leisure education, well-rounded development, contact with nature — remains the heartbeat of every one of our turns.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Origin of Summer Camps in Spain
When did the first summer camp in Spain take place?
The first camp on record took place in 1887 in San Vicente de la Barquera, with 18 participants. It was organised by Manuel Bartolomé Cossío, a member of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza.
Why were they called «school colonies»?
The term reflected their pedagogical origins: they were initiatives linked to the school and to non-formal education. The word «camp» became popular much later, as outdoor activities and sport were added.
Which institution pioneered the first colonies?
The Institución Libre de Enseñanza (ILE) was the pioneer. Its mission was to reform Spanish education and it understood from very early on that summer was an educational opportunity, not just a time for rest.
How widespread were the colonies before the Civil War?
By 1932, 294 colonies were being organised in 46 provinces with more than 30,000 participants. They were a fully consolidated social phenomenon.
How do today’s camps differ from the original colonies?
The educational core remains, but the range on offer is much more varied (multi-adventure, languages, surfing, sport, technology) and activity leader teams are professionalised, with specific qualifications in leisure and recreation and, in many cases, in languages.
Over 20 Years of Camp History
Natuaventura has been organising summer camps since 2004. Browse our catalogue and choose the destination that best suits your child.
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