When a family starts looking for a summer camp, two words appear almost every time: multi-adventure and surf. Both formats share the same philosophy (outdoors, group, activity leaders) but offer different experiences. This is the guide to understanding what each one involves and who it suits best.
What is a multi-adventure camp
A multi-adventure camp is one in which the group rotates through a range of physical, outdoor activities throughout the stay: climbing, archery, mountain hikes, natural swimming pools, ropes course, treasure hunts and themed evenings. The idea is that no two days are alike and every participant tries disciplines they have probably never experienced before.
What is a surf camp
A surf camp centres on learning to surf with an official surf school, generally 4 to 5 days of structured lessons within the stay. It is complemented by multi-adventure, beach time, excursions and evening activities, but the star attraction is the water. The location is usually coastal and the minimum age is somewhat higher for safety reasons at sea.
Comparison table
| Aspect | Multi-adventure | Surf |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Rotation of mountain activities | Surf course with official school |
| Typical location | Mountains, valley, rural facility | Coast with suitable surf beaches |
| Minimum age (approx.) | 6–7 years | 13 years for 10-day format |
| Specific equipment | Climbing wall, bows and arrows, targets | Board and wetsuit (included) |
| Controlled risk | Heights and navigation | Sea, waves, currents |
Typical activities in each
Multi-adventure
- Climbing wall
- Archery
- Mountain hikes and trekking
- Ropes course and zip line
- Natural swimming pools and river bathing
- Inflatable games, treasure hunts and themed evenings
Surf
- 4–5 day surf course with official school
- Board and wetsuit included
- Beach and sand games
- Complementary multi-adventure activities
- Cultural excursions (Santillana, Santoña)
- Beach Olympics and evening activities
Which profile suits each?
Multi-adventure
For children from age 6–7 who enjoy the countryside, varied physical activity and group life. It is the classic entry point to summer camps.
Surf
For pre-teens and teenagers (from 13 in the 10-day format, from 7 in the family fortnight) who are already independent and are looking for a specific skill to take away with them.
Examples from the Natuaventura catalogue
For multi-adventure we organise camps in Sierra Norte de Madrid, Sierra de Gredos (Hoyos del Collado and Navarredonda), Cuenca (Casillas de Ranera), Alicante (Finca Daroca, Ibi) and Cantabria (Villar). For surf, we run the Santander camps at the Albergue Montecorona (Calle Aviche 37, Santander), both in 10-day format for ages 13–17 and in a fortnight format for ages 7–17. All camps share a 1 leader per 8 participants ratio, 4 meals a day with in-house cooking, and maximum groups of 40–50 participants.
Frequently asked questions
Can my 8-year-old go to a surf camp?
Yes, in the fortnight format at Santander (from age 7). The surf course is adapted to age and ability level.
Is knowing how to swim essential for surfing?
Yes. The surf school requires participants to be able to swim independently. For multi-adventure, swimming is not required for all activities.
What should I bring to a surf camp?
Boards and wetsuits are provided by the organisation. You only need to bring swimming costumes, a towel and high-factor sun cream.
Is multi-adventure risky?
Activities are carried out with certified equipment and qualified activity leaders. Risk is managed, not eliminated entirely, but safety standards are extremely high.
Can surfing be combined with English?
In the current Natuaventura catalogue, surf camps are run in Spanish. For English immersion, there are Sierra Madrid English and Navatormes English camps.
Ready to choose your format?
Browse Natuaventura’s multi-adventure and surf camps: locations, dates, ages and prices.
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