Registration opens on March 7th, 2026
Nature-oriented residential summer camps in Campo do Vale
The New Discoveries Association offers residential summer camps to the community during the summer vacations. Young people experience days together, developing skills of inclusion and community learning, creating healthy bonds with themselves, the group and nature, while benefiting from the space of the farm and the surrounding environment.
Our residential summer camps last between 7 and 12 days, depending on the shift. Participants camp in the grounds of our facilities near Odiáxere, surrounded by the natural beauty of Quinta Vale da Lama overlooking the estuary, the Atlantic Ocean and the Serra de Monchique.
Images and moments from our daily activities.
We cultivate friendships in fun and challenging days, through:
Adventure and exploration activities
Climbing, hiking and scavenger hunts through nature, treasure hunts, guidance and night exploration games.
Group and community activities
Trust and team building games, cooperative games, group decision making, reflection circles, team games and traditional Portuguese games;
Creativity and innovation activities
Crafts, theater, music, dance, use of natural materials, creative writing and story circles;
Sustainability and regeneration activities
Taking care of gardens, crops, composting, jam making, soap making, introduction to Permaculture design and transformation of learning spaces, natural building.
Here's a sample schedule of summer camp activities
Why participate in a Novas Descobertas Summer Camp?
Enables participants tocome into contact and to coexist harmoniously with the environment and the surrounding countryside.
Promotes the practice of physical activity and a dynamic and positive lifestyle.
Developsautonomy, responsibility and respect for others;
Provides a range of activities that reflect and respond to the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of children and young people by providing them with individual and collective activities that are appropriate to different age groups and levels of development.
Encourages the discovery of new cultures and values, initiatives and creativity;
Promotes learning from experience / practical experience;
Promotes increased self-esteemand behavioral changes associated with healthy living habits and respect for the environment.
Important details
For whom
Children and young people aged 8 to 17.
No. of
participants
Minimum: 12
Maximum: 35
Languages
Main: Portuguese
Secondary: English
Where
At Quinta Vale da Lama - in the activity area - Campo do Vale.
In a camping system, with activities throughout the farm (Odiáxere Lagos).
Here's how to get to Campo do Vale - Quinta do Vale da Lama (Google Maps)
Dates and times
Summer edition 2026:
- Shift I: June 27 to July 5 (9 days) 👉 12-17 years old
- Shift II: July 11-17 (7 days) 👉 8-12 grade
- Shift III: July 23 to August 3 (12 days) 👉 12-17 years old
- Shift IV: August 9-17 (9 days) 👉 10-17 years old
- Shift V: August 23-29 (7 days) 👉 8-14 years old
- Shift VI*: 3 to 9 September (7 days) 👉 10-17 years
* This shift has 15 places with direct registration at Novas Descobertas and 20 places funded by IPDJ (cost: 96€), with registration required through IPDJ. For these places, prior registration is required at https://bdu.ipdj.gov.pt/ and subsequent registration in https://programasjuventude.ipdj.gov.pt/ferias (campo NOVAS DESCOBERTAS VI). For further information, please contact the IPDJ Regional Directorate (289 891 820).
Arrival at the Summer Camps must be between 2pm and 5pm on the first day. On the last day, departure will be between 11am and 1pm.
These times are subject to change and will be confirmed by email.
Registration is open continuously until places run out.
Shifts that are sold out will be marked.
Prices
Registration is by shift.
Normal price
| SHIFT | DURATION | PRICE | BROTHERS |
| I and IV | 9 days | 360€ | 345€ |
| II, V and VI | 7 days | 330€ | 315€ |
| III | 12 days | 470€ | 455€ |
Note: the sibling discount is only valid within the same tax household.
Price for AND Members
| SHIFT | DURATION | PRICE | BROTHERS |
| I and IV | 9 days | 335€ | 320€ |
| II, V and VI | 7 days | 305€ | 290€ |
| III | 12 days | 445€ | 430€ |
⚠️ Dues up to date required
The member discount is granted to the full member or any member of his or her tax household, in accordance with Article 7, Chapter II of the Statutes. Articles of Association.
Note: the sibling discount is only valid within the same tax household.
👉 Not a member yet? Become a member of the New Discoveries Association here.
Social grants
Associação Novas descobertas offers free or reduced-rate places for families in situations of greater economic vulnerability.
The application is made on the registration form by selecting the “Social Scholarships” option.
Analysis of the application depends on the submission of supporting documentation, as indicated on the form itself.
Application deadline for social grants for residential summer camps: April 1st to June 1st
All the conditions can be found at Summer Camps and OTL Regulations.
This amount includes
- Accommodation and 5 meals a day
- All summer camp activities
- Daily cleaning of rooms
- Civil liability and personal accident insurance
- Transportation on field days
- Qualified teaching staff and monitors
- First aid guaranteed
This price does not include
- Transportation to and from the summer camp site
- Tent and sleeping bag
- Sunscreen, medicines and other materials for personal use
Contact for registration:
Andreia Gaspar
+351 967 620 397 * / info@novasdescobertas.org
Novas Descobertas Office
282 697 862 **
* Call to fixed mobile network / * Call to national fixed network
Essential contacts for parents during the Summer Camp Novas Descobertas 👉 Click here to view and download
How to participate
Step 1
Fill in the ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
👉 The registration opens on march 7th, 2026
Step 2
Wait for an email from Associação Novas Descobertas confirming your online registration and indicating the amount of the deposit to be made. Do not make any payment without receiving this email.
Step 3
Read the following documents (click to download):
- What to bring to summer camps 2026
- Contact Guide for Parents Summer Camps
- Summer Camps Novas Descobertas Regulations:
Full version | Short version (does not replace careful reading of the full version) - Pedagogical Plan for Summer Camps
Step 4
Complete the remaining payment up to 2 weeks before the start of the camp.