International Camps Network

Program Reviews

Marwan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fundamental & Core Experience - I miss it so much!

It's hard to describe all of my - or even some of my - favourite moments at camp because of a few reasons, namely, the sheer amount and quality of those memories. However, I truly believe the camp experience was fundamental to my upbringing throughout my teenage years (being a camper and a counsellor between the ages of 17 - 19). I also believe my experiences were fundamental to how I was shaped as a young adult, from a professional standpoint, where I was given responsibilities beyond my capacity at the time, and from a personal standpoint, where I had to cooperate with dozens of nationalities, cultures, and upbringings. I credit much of openness, charisma, and professional success to the time I spent in Europe instead of lounging around back home with not much to do. I wouldn't change a thing about my experience.

One of my core memories is the first teamer training I went through. At that point, I had never left for an extended period of time, and 3 months sounded daunting. After a few days of rigorous training, it seemed like I had left my old life behind, barefoot, in the mud, zipping around, climbing from tree to tree, executing flawless dishcos and cooking some questionably good meals. Jan's first boom-shika-boom (I hope I spelled that correctly) is forever ingrained in my memory.

However, not to focus on one isolated incident, many memories spring to mind: the Austrian mountains, the English Castles, the Danish plains, the German forests and Neuburg's Schlossfest (not knowing about the existence of Schlossfest is a recipe for a delightful surprise). The list goes on and on and on. I remember leading 2 leadership in a row, with 2 hikes in a row, that's 200+ KM of walking in 8 days, with not a single bite to eat. The more I write, the more I remember, and the more nostalgic I feel.

All in all, I do wish I could go back in time to truly appreciate my time there and relive every second. Thank you Camp Europe. You've changed my life.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Waking up in Neuburg An Der Donau, walking into the city, where every single person was wearing medieval armour. I thought I was dreaming still, and felt so exposed without any protection from all these knights! Little did I know, there was an event called Schlossfest every few years, that took place in that little town, that was when I learned.
Pros
  • Life-lasting friendships
  • Incredible travel locations
  • Nostalgic memories that would fill a lifetime
Cons
  • High Responsibility
  • High Agency
  • Completely unfamiliar and new experiences
Thom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience

The perfect place to make friends from all over the world and work with children from all walks of life. I have learnt so much about so many different activities, from archery and fire making to water sports and climbing. The week of training gave me confidence to run activities and deal with all the day to day life on camp.

There are a great varieties of locations ranging all over german and the uk giving me the opportunity to see different part of Europe during my trip.

I cant wait to get back to camp to see everyone again.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The perfct thing to do if it is you first time travelling. you will meet so many amazing people and have new friends to travel with in off weeks
Rudee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good old outdoors

Camp Adventure is a magnetic summer camp experience, you always come back to it, you find your summers are not filled without it.

I have been a camp counsellor for several years now but it is truthfully much more than that; from English teacher to high ropes instructor and seasoned 130km hiker.

If you like a bit of rough and tumble and the good old outdoors, you’re in the right place.

The team are great people who genuinely love their work and know how to lead and motivate a team. They inspire me every time I’m there and that’s what also makes it so magnetic.

Leaders like this make you want to contribute positively to your team and also ensure that the campers have the best experience possible, and by default so do you.

It’s like a family event if you are all from all over the place and don’t speak the same language.

It’s like a free detox retreat too, who needs a phone!

What was your funniest moment?
Too many funny moments, funny moments as a camp counsellor on duty, teenage boys can say very funny things. But also funny moments at the end of the day when the campers are tucked in, I’ve spent many nights laughing with my colleagues, one one that comes to mind is a competitive pillow fight finishing almost in an asthma attack!
Pros
  • Detox- being outdoors
  • Working with children
  • Builds problem solving
Cons
  • Long hours
Scott
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Showing up

This is the perfect place for someone who wants to travel abroad and meet and experience the culture and community without knowing how to do it. You’ll be able to meet people without the fear of trying to meet people. You’ll get to travel to a place where everyone you meet becomes your friend, and have an experience that cannot be met any other way. This is perfect for a cheaper way to live in another country, and not have to worry about it. I loved this experience and would not change anything about it. The only regret you may have is you didn’t stay for longer. This is the only time where you’d get to stay longer and it become cheaper, or, if you are there for long enough, where you make money.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The first most nerve racking moment comes leading up to the moment you first step up into camp. It was my first time traveling abroad alone, and I found myself staying in Hamburg in a hostile. I was nervous because I didn’t speak German and had no clue what to expect or do while I had two nights there. I got into my room and sat in my bed nervous to even speak to anyone else. Worried about what camp would be like. The first night, I walked around the city and got a bite to eat, then came back and sat in bed. The next day. I walked around the city again, trying to just figure out how I was gonna travel tomorrow. But when I got back. Two people had join the room, and we had struck up a conversation. They were from another country in Europe, and were traveling around different cities. And we ended up getting drinks. As we were talking about or lives and getting to know each other before they went out for the night. I realised in that moment that I had nothing to worry about. Because conversations and friends will just happen. You don’t have to be outgoing, or try. You just have to show up. The friends are the ones who show up too. So by the time I arrived in this small town in Germany, even though I was the first one on the platform waiting for camp to pick everyone up, I felt less nervous. Slowly, more and more people showed up, and we all started talking since it was very obvious we were all heading into camp for training. And before we even left the platform in the many cars to camp. We were already chatting as if we’d been friends for a long time. Telling stories and learning what got each of us here. The most important part wasn’t about being anything, or who you were. The most important part was just that you showed up. That’s all it took.
Pros
  • The people
  • Time
  • Experience
Cons
  • The craving for wanting more
  • You feel like there’s not enough time in the day
Aenna-Malin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience with great people!

Camp Adventure helps you to get the best of both worlds:

A) Supervising a group of kids/teenagers and taking part in activities with them

B)Making new friends from all over the world

What I adore so much about camp adventure is that you get to know children and teenagers from all over the world which you help to foster new skills, competencies or offer an insight into new experiences. Hence, living and working at camp provided you with a special environment too where you can reflect upon your strengths and weaknesses.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Surviving London without my phone getting snatched away —FYI all of the children’s phones survived as well.
Pros
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Experiences in Teaching
  • Teamwork
Cons
  • Long days of working
  • Hectic
  • Can become chaotic
Hugo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unreal

Camp Europe was honestly a great experience. I met loads of people from all over the world, made good friends, and had a lot of laughs along the way. Camp life is busy and sometimes challenging, but that’s part of what makes it memorable. Living and working together with people from different countries creates a really fun atmosphere, and the experience pushes you out of your comfort zone in a good way. There were plenty of moments you’ll always remember, whether it was activities with the kids, evenings with other staff, or just the overall camp energy.

Overall, it’s a solid experience if you’re open-minded, enjoy meeting new people, and don’t mind getting stuck in. Definitely something I’m glad I did. One of the best parts of the experience was how quickly everyone bonded. You arrive not knowing anyone, and within days you’re surrounded by people who feel like friends you’ve known for years. Because everyone is away from home and sharing the same routines, conversations and friendships form very naturally. There’s always someone to talk to, whether it’s during activities, meals, or late evenings after a long day.

The work itself keeps you busy, but it’s also rewarding. Seeing the kids enjoy themselves, improve, and gain confidence makes the effort feel worth it. Every day is different, and there’s rarely a dull moment. Even when things are tiring, there’s a sense that you’re part of something bigger, and that shared experience brings people closer together.

Outside of work, there are plenty of moments that make the experience special, like joking around with other staff, sharing stories from different countries, and learning about different cultures. You definitely come away with new perspectives and memories that stick with you long after the camp ends.

Overall, Camp Europe is about the people you meet, the memories you make, and the personal growth that comes from stepping into something unfamiliar. It’s not always easy, but it’s genuinely fun, social, and unforgettable.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go to all the camp fires in the evening
Pros
  • Great social experience
  • Personal growth
  • Memorable experience
Cons
  • None
  • None
  • None
Ivan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fun Fun Fun

Camp is a place where you not only meet new people but you make friends that last forever and it is honestly so much fun. You will learn so much about other places and different people. You also learn a lot about yourself, it’s a break away from reality in the middle of nowhere and you’re kinda just free to be you and have fun! You learn a lot about english , spanish, german heck so many different languages i can’t even remember. You meet so many people it is actually insane. One week you learn 40 names the next week 40 new names

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
While I was doing the fishing program me and a few kids actually cooked one of the fish we caught in the lake… and yeah, ate it.
Pros
  • Discovery
  • Growth
  • Fun
Cons
  • Cold
  • Cold
  • Cold
Yiling
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life long friends and memories

6 months full of love, growth, happiness! I was feeling so loved by kids and friends and it is the best feeling ever. The camp always makes you feel at home and I miss it already! I also grew so much both in professional skills and personal development, which I really appreciate since they make me who I am now. The journey was a bit challenging but totally worth it when you look back at it. I will always remember all the joy I gained from these six months! And if you get the chance to experience this program, don’t hesitate to do so!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Be more open to more challenges and things that I want to try out
Pros
  • Amazing friends
  • New skills
  • Nature
Cons
  • A bit long working hours
  • Insufficient showers
  • Sleeping conditions may not be ideal
Sergio
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Camp: Where Memories Are Made

Some of my favorite moments at camp were the canoe trip in Regen and the hike. I also really enjoyed the day trip to Munich. I had the opportunity to do HR training in Walsrode and take the lifeguard test, which was an amazing experience. One of the best memories at camp was when I went to Gadow for one week and had to carry my small suitcase through the forest because I didn’t have a backpack. I also went several times to Silberberg and tried both roller coasters. However, I would say that meeting new people from different countries was the best thing ever, as well as discovering some of the best camp games, like the blow dart game and the odds game. Once, I lost and had to sleep on a trampoline. This year definitely won’t be my last one at camp, but first I need to achieve my goal of becoming a CG. After that, it will be a pleasure to come back to camp to work and see some friends.

What was your funniest moment?
When I lost odds during a day off and had to eat an ice cream like a toddler. It was during a day trip in Silberberg. It was so funny and we took some photos to had a good memory. But they started to call me Junior.
Pros
  • Meeting new people and playing camp games.
  • Great activities and trips.
  • Opportunity to learn and grow
Cons
  • Travelling with two suitcases is not a great option.
Darrien
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exceeded all Expectations

I am South African and before this I had never been outside the country before, I was nervous about the experience and wasn't quite sure what to expect. Camp Europe made it super easy by giving me all the details on when and where to go on every step of the journey. They were also super welcoming despite me not speaking any German whatsoever. I loved all the different activities offered, everything from Archery to Bracelet Making. Getting to learn & soak in all the different cultures and languages was my highlight. Truly unforgettable.