Explorer International Kids' and Teens' Camps
International Winter and Summer Kids' and Teens' Camps in Slovenia and Austria for 6-17 year olds
EXPLORER CAMP LIFE
A 'Home away from Home' where your children
can be themselvesand find that inner spark
DAILY SCHEDULE
Our goal at Explorer Camps is to provide a well-structured and balanced day that mixes choice, group work and downtime to ensure our campers have the best possible day.
Morning Briefing:
Each morning the whole camp comes together to hear about the day ahead, then groups break off to discuss the finer details so campers can understand the specifics of their trips plus make their Afternoon Choices before they go get ready for the Group Morning Activity.
Group Morning Activity:
Done completely within their group / age groups focusing on stepping outside of their comfort zones amongst their peers while building strong connections / friendships. Twice a week groups take a 1/2 trip away from the campsite either to a white water activity or a hike / bike ride which includes a full lunch.
Downtime:
Campers are given two 60 min periods of supervised free time which means they can simply relax in their houses or choose one of the 4+ activities on offer.
Afternoon Choice:
All groups are present on-site for this period, which means there are usually 10+ activities for campers to choose from which can include group activities such as biking, SUPing etc., offsite such as rock climbing, or on-site which includes cooking lessons, archery, tie dye, escape rooms, bracelet making etc.
Evening Reflection:
An opportunity for campers to discuss their day, concerns, wishes etc. under the expert guidance of their Counselor who empowers children to speak up and also acts on any points brought up.
Tribe Wars:
The campers are split up into three completly mixed aged groups where they have challenges against each other earning points towards the ultimate prize!
Campers’ Corner
Age groups come together one last time to end the day on a high and reconnect one last time playing some low energy connection activities designed to build and strengthen bongs amongst each other.
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children can be themselves
and find that inner spark
ACCOMMODATION
Campers stay in luxury self-contained mobile houses not seen at any camp in this region. They build a real togetherness amongst children of the same age , sex and group , and empower Counselors to be able to support group dynamics, behaviour and also connections.
Each house has the following incredible qualities:
- A maximum of 6 children per house
- 3 separate rooms for sleeping
- 2 private bathrooms
- A fridge plus glasses
- Fully air conditioned
- Large covered terrace
- Cabinet space for clothes
- Fly screen windows
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children can be themselves
and find that inner spark
MORNING GROUPS
– Friendship is the GOLD of Explorer Camps –
Our mission is to create true long-lasting connections between your children so they leave camp happier surrounded by new international friendships. A key part of this are our small age-specific group sizes with approximately 12 children in each group which empowers our staff to give a truly personal experience for your children.
Each Morning Group Activity is done ONLY in their age groups which means they stay together to build important bonds amongst each other. Each day is different, as are weeks, which builds variety plus ensures there is something for everyone on camp.
What makes these Morning Group activities so special?
- Approximately 12 children per group
- At least 2 staff members per group
- Staff members are trained in Experiential Learning, so they guide your children through the activity
- Each activity has a focus on FUN but also learning important life skills
- Prior to each activity is a briefing, and after it is a debriefing which helps campers think through experiences
- Once a week each group has a Team Building (TB) activity which builds incredible life skills
- Twice a week each group has a 1/2 day trip away from the campsite which includes lunch
- A strong focus on building friendship
The groups are not restricted to ONLY in the morning, as many afternoon activities such as SUPing, biking, hiking etc. are done as a group. On top of that, many evening activities are also done as a group too!
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children develop real long-lasting life skills
DAILY DOWNTIME
While it is important for campers to have a structured play time at different times of the day, it is also equally important to provide opportunities for our children to use their own imagination and organisation skills. It has become clear since COVID that children are finding it difficult using their free-time away from gadgets, so being an electronic free camp this free time is essential in supporting them in being screen free.
There are two 60 minute sessions officially dedicated to Downtime, however there is also additional opportunites after meals, and during the Morning and Afternoon Reflections. While we provide our campers with potentially engaging activities, we also encourage them to take some time to themselves to rest, sleep, read a book etc. as this is equally important for many of our campers.
How do our Counselors do this during Downtime?
- Constant and adequate supervision at all times
- A variety of activities campers can join in
- A ‘Chill Out’ corner at camp which is constantly supervised and stocked with games
- A supervised ‘Arts & Crafts’ pavillion where our creative campers can spend their time
- House games where Counselors run activities on the terraces of houses
- Encourage campers to rest and take some time for themselves
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children build real-life international friendhips
OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES
Even though Explorer Camps has a whole world of activities and fun at its doorstep, your children still venture a little further to experience even more! The Velenje region has obviously Velenje Lake but also is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges with stunning valleys and scenery so we aim to take your children as often as possible into these beauitful areas.
Each week we take your children on TWO half-day trips where they come back to camp in time for the Afternoon Choice activity. Each trip is with ONLY their groups to further strengthen bonds and connections with some of these trips including:
Each group every week goes to Save River to enjoy one of our white water activities such Sit On Top kayak, Mini-Raft, Raft, Bellyak, or Aquatreking. Each week is different to avoid repetition, with the type of water activity depending on the level of the water. This includes lunch and free-time to play football, basketball, beach volleyball etc. at Camp Menina.
Campers potentially hike once depending on which week they will be attending. It includes a scenic walk to a nearby mountain overlooking Lake Velenje and Explorer Camps, and lunch at the summit.
The teen and tween groups (depending on the height of the tweens) potentially bike once depending on which week they will be attending. It involves a bike around the lake, and to a point overlooking the valley where they have lunch.
Every week Teens and Tweens have the option of either doing Horse Riding or Paintball. It’s also possible for those horse enthusiasts to do additional horse riding classes if they so wish.
While we have a number of scheduled Morning Group off-site activities. we also have a number of Afternoon Choice ones also. They include mini-golf, ziplining, and adventure park (all for Discoverers), rock climbing, town visits, scavenger hunts, basketball etc.
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children step outside of their confort zones
and develop self-confidence, independence and determination
DAILY MEALS
At the centre of all Explorer Camps are our meals as they’re not only an important part of keeping our children safe and healthy, but also an opportunity to bring campers together to connect and learn more life skills. The individual dietary needs of our children area always taken into account, and it is a common request for vegetarian and gluten free meals for example.
On camp, your children have a large covered dining room where they have 3 meals a day unless they are away for a 1/2 day trip. This dining room:
- Can seat over 100 people
- Has a large fully functional kitchen
- Two fridges
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Complete cutlery and crockery for camp
- Sound system
- Toliet
All meals are self-service ensuring that our campers recieve plenty of options and variety so they never go hungry. In saying this, our team support in encouraging your children in their eating patterns so they dish the food to them at lunch and dinner.
On top of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner there are daily snacks comprising of fruits, yogurts, and sandwiches which are available to our campers throughout the day.
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children step outside of their confort zones
and develop self-confidence, independence and determination
AFTERNOON CHOICE
Choice is a HUGE part of Explorer Camps as your children need to be able to create their own schedule. Every morning we outline the choices of that day so that they can decide individually or as a group on what they would prefer to do.
While we have some off-site activities such as Stand Up Paddling, Horse Riding, and Rock Climbing, a lot of our Afternoon Choice activities are done on-site or at ‘Home Base’ as we call it on camp.
Each day we aim to provide a minimum of 10 options every afternoon, with there being 8+ at Home Base each time. These include:
- Tie Dye
- Learning to cook
- Archery
- Knife Throw
- Paintball (for Teens AND Tweens)
- Bracelet making
- Escape Rooms
- Football / Volleyball
- Paint Wars
- Chess tournaments
- Arts & Crafts
- STEM activities such as building bridges, towers, planes
- Axe throw
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children step outside of their confort zones
and develop self-confidence, independence and determination
TRIBE WARS
Tribe War is wildly popular at Explorer Camps. At the beginning of camp, campers are split into the Blue Team, Red and Green Team. All campers – from our Discoverers to our oldest Pathfinders are thoughtfully preassigned to one team or the other, with an eye to fairness, harmony and fun. At Explorer Camps, the teams are led by staff captains as well as Pathfinders lieutenants who help organise and lead the tribe.
During the week challenges are held between the tribes whether it be an individual, pair, or group of campers competing to win points. It cultimates in the “Tribe War” day which happens once a week, and involves a series of tasks during the afternoon and evening activities with the final Tribe War Winner being crowned and enjoying an Iceacream Party!
Some of the potential activities are:
- Paint fight
- Swimming race
- Relays
- Kayaking challenge
- Cooking competition
- Min-to-win it
- STEM creations
NOT 'JUST' A CAMP
- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME -
Where your children step outside of their confort zones
and develop self-confidence, independence and determination
ADDITIONAL COST ACTIVITIES
All of these incredible activities are at an additional cost, and include transfer to and from the activity plus additional supervision from the Explorer team. We outsource these activities with very reputable companies with a long history of professional and safe approaches to running their programs.
CANYONING
Price = 70€*
Age = 10+ (depends on water conditions)
It is a trip through the canyon on Sava River where with experienced guides and of course suitable equipment, campers overcome 500 meters of altitude difference. They descend through gorges, waterfalls, and pools to the finish line in the core of the canyon.
PARAGLIDING
Price = 165€*
Age = 8+
Campers go to the nearby mountain range with is approximately 1300ms, and 30 mins from the camp site. Upon arrival at the take off location, campers go through the basics of tandem paragliding with a licenced guide. They then have an approximate 20 minute tandem paraglide which is all filmed and sent to parents.
SCUBA DIVING
Price = 60€*
Age = 8+ (and healthy)
Scuba Diving is done directly at the campsite 2 minutes walk at Lake Velenje. Expert divers demonstrate the basics of diving and ensure it is a fun experience for those brave enough to do it. the whole course takes about 60 mins and is NOT certified but is just the basics.
HORSE RIDING
Price = 20€
Age = ALL
Even though the campers can go once during the week as a chioce between horse riding and paintball, if they would like to go an additional time they can join a different group.
*Activities depend on weather conditions at the time and may be cancelled at the last minute with full refund giving, and the price may change closer to the camps.
