Overview
This is the operator's adventure camp for 12- to 16-year-olds: a new outdoor challenge every day, all run in English by native-speaking instructors and teachers, and always after a proper safety briefing.
The week starts at the villa with archery and the climbing wall. On Tuesday the group takes a bus to a mountain site: an afternoon hike, bushcraft — lighting a fire — a barbecue and a night camping under the stars. Wednesday brings a hike to a cave and an afternoon caving, building shelters, dinner at a mountain refuge and a second night in the tents. On Thursday they pack up camp and go whitewater rafting before heading back for a night pool party. Friday is a ferry to an island for an escape room in its castle, orienteering and a tamburello tournament, and the week ends with a glow-in-the-dark disco.
Most days also include an English lesson — at base camp, or at the mountain campsite — in classes of 4 to 6 at each camper's level, following a Cambridge-based course that keeps the focus on speaking; 12 hours over the week. Native speakers and advanced students can choose Outdoor Education instead: environmental topics through talks, debates and hands-on projects. Parents get a report at the end of the week.
Base camp is Monteluce, a 16th-century villa above Lake Chiusi on the border of Umbria and Tuscany, with a pool, a football pitch and a veranda for hanging out between adventures. Up to 35 teens a week, from all over the world.
What's included
A day at camp
- Sunday Campers arrive in the afternoon: check-in, orientation, trust-fall ice breakers and a campfire
- Monday Archery and an English lesson, then the pool and the climbing wall; quiz night
- Tuesday English lesson, call home, then a bus to the mountain site: hiking, bushcraft (lighting a fire), a barbecue dinner and camping under the stars
- Wednesday English lesson at the mountain campsite, a hike to a cave and an afternoon caving, bushcraft (building a shelter), dinner at a mountain refuge and a second night camping
- Thursday Pack up the campsite, bus to the river for whitewater rafting, call home and showers back at base; night pool party
- Friday English lesson, then a ferry to an island castle for an escape room, orienteering and a tamburello tournament; glow-in-the-dark disco
- Saturday A last English lesson and arts & crafts, lunch, and campers leave. Those staying two weeks have a special activity: mountain biking, pool time and more
Where campers stay
Campers live at Monteluce, a 16th-century villa overlooking Lake Chiusi, in an elegant tree-lined park. The villa has kept its old charm — frescoes, wooden beams and terracotta floors — and the bedrooms, with 2 to 6 beds and a private bathroom each, are spread over its two floors. Rooms are cleaned daily, have night lights and no keys in the doors, and counselors sleep in the rooms next door. Outside there's a swimming pool in a quiet corner of the garden, a grass football pitch, a basketball court and plenty of space for open-air living; inside, two dining rooms and multi-purpose rooms for lessons and rainy days. Friends of the same gender can ask to share a room.
Meals
Three meals a day, freshly prepared by Italian cooks with local produce — a balanced Mediterranean menu planned with a nutritionist, with a touch of Anglo-American food, especially at breakfast. Allergies, special diets and religious requirements are all catered for if you tell us when booking.
Excursions
More photos
Frequently asked questions
Does my teen need to be sporty?
No — a basic level of fitness helps, but a positive attitude and a willingness to try new things matter more. Most of the activities are new to almost everyone, and every one starts with a briefing on technique and safety. The one essential requirement is being able to swim.
What are the camping nights like?
On Tuesday the group travels by bus to a mountain site, hikes, learns bushcraft and sleeps out under the stars; on Wednesday they hike to a cave, build shelters, eat dinner at a mountain refuge and camp a second night, before packing up for rafting on Thursday. Instructors stay with them throughout, and lunches on these days are packed. Bring a light sleeping bag, a camping mat, proper trekking shoes, a medium-sized backpack and a good weatherproof jacket.
What if my teen doesn't speak much English?
That's fine — every level is welcome. Campers are tested on arrival and join a class of 4 to 6 at their level, and all activities and briefings are in English, so it soon feels natural. Native speakers and advanced students can swap the English lessons for Outdoor Education, which looks at the environment, science and nature through talks, debates and hands-on projects.
Who looks after the campers?
A team of native-English-speaking teachers and qualified outdoor instructors, most of whom teach for the operator year-round and many of whom have worked at the camp for years. There's one staff member for every five campers, all directors and counselors are trained in first aid and CPR, a local doctor is on call, and hospital facilities are about 20 minutes away.
What happens if my teen stays two weeks?
Yes, and many do. On the Saturday between weeks, campers who stay on have lunch together and a special activity — mountain biking, pool time and more. On Sunday they go on a supervised day trip to Rome or Florence, included in the price: a guided tour in English, lunch in a local trattoria and an afternoon walk through the centre. The two cities alternate, so campers staying three weeks see both. Laundry machines are available, so there's no need to over-pack.
How does my child get to camp?
Most families from abroad use the camp's transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) or Roma Termini train station: in 2027 it costs €135 each way from the airport or €125 from the station. Staff meet campers on arrival and, at the end of camp, take them back and help with check-in. Book flights that land on Sunday between 10:00 and 14:00 and leave on Saturday between 18:00 and 20:00 (trains: arrive 10:00–14:30, leave 16:30–18:30); other times are quoted separately. If your child has to arrive on Saturday or leave on Sunday, there's an extra night at the operator's supervised student residence in central Rome for €370, transfers included. Bringing your child by car? Drop-off is on Sunday between 15:30 and 17:00 and pick-up on Saturday between 14:30 and 16:30. Flights aren't included.
Can my child bring a phone?
Phones are kept safe and charged in the camp office and switched on only for calls home: on arrival on Sunday, on Tuesday and Thursday, and at departure on Saturday — so you can talk every other day. If your child has no phone, you can call the camp lines at those times. The camp director can be reached 24/7 on the camp line if you need to check in.
Can it be combined with the other teen camps?
Yes — many teens from abroad stay two weeks and combine two of the operator's camps for 12–16-year-olds: the Adventure Camp and the Culture Camp start from the same villa in Umbria, and the Sailing Camp sets off from the coast south of Rome. 2027 combinations: Adventure + Culture Camp (2 weeks, €3,340; Jun 13–26, Jun 20–Jul 3, Jun 27–Jul 10, Jul 4–17, Jul 11–24 or Jul 18–31) · Adventure + Sailing Camp (2 weeks, €3,340; Jun 20–Jul 3, Jun 27–Jul 10, Jul 4–17 or Jul 11–24). All three together make a 3-week package for €5,230 — places are limited and the dates are still to be confirmed, so ask us. The early-booking discount applies to these too.
Is there a discount for booking early?
Yes: 12% off for bookings made by 31 December 2026 — a week then costs €1,275 instead of €1,450 — and 10% off by 31 March 2027. The price on this page is the full price.
Can we visit during the week?
No — to keep the group's energy and sense of community, the camp doesn't allow visits from parents or anyone else during camp. It's a small, close group, and visits would be hard on campers whose families can't come. The week goes by fast, and you can always check in with the camp director by phone.
Does my child need a visa?
Not with an EU passport — Italy is in the EU and the Schengen area. Your child needs their own valid passport or national identity card. Some countries also ask for a signed parental consent letter when a child travels without their parents, so check what yours requires. For any other passport, ask us and we'll find out what applies.
What if we need to change dates or cancel?
Changing to other weeks is usually possible if there's space. If you cancel, the camp's terms are: 30 days or more before camp starts — full refund; 30 to 15 days before — 50% back; less than 15 days before — no refund. There's no refund for days missed if a camper leaves early. Ask us about travel insurance that covers cancellation.