Preparing for your teen to attend a sleep-away camp in Spain can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While the experience will undoubtedly be fun and enriching, it comes with unique cultural nuances and expectations that will differ from camps in the US. Understanding these differences ahead of time can help you and your teen make the most of this adventure. Here’s what to expect:
Cultural Differences: Embracing a Communal Mindset
Spanish culture tends to be more communal than American culture. As a high-context culture, communication in Spain is indirect, and personal boundaries are more relaxed, sometimes to the point of seeming nonexistent. For Americans, who are accustomed to a low-context culture that values direct communication, privacy, and independence, this can lead to misunderstandings.
At camp, these cultural differences can be seen by mixed-gender sharing of cabins and bathrooms, freely sitting on each other’s beds, and being physically close—such as hugging or hanging on a new acquaintance. Your teen might find their belongings, especially toiletries, sunblock, and snacks, are considered communal property, as Spanish campers freely share items. This communal mindset fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and belonging, though it may initially be jarring to American teens and require conscious awareness to adjust.
Common cross-cultural misunderstandings revolve around verbal “teasing” and “stealing.” In Spain, verbal teasing is part of the social fabric, used to maintain community values. Unlike Americans, Spaniards typically do not take this personally. Similarly, the concept of “stealing” can be misunderstood; Spaniards view many belongings as communal property. This mindset extends to the preference for physical closeness, rarely with the sexual undertones or aggression often found in American interactions.
Physical aggression is unacceptable in Spain, considered as an extreme reaction. There isn’t really the concept of personal space or ownership to defend as these are not recognized in the same way by Spanish society. A physical fight will be swiftly punished harshly, even first offenses or if a misunderstanding and your teen will be asked to leave camp immediately. Understanding these cultural norms can help your teen navigate interactions more smoothly and know when to adapt versus when to assert their boundaries, easing their transition into Spanish teen life.
Schedule: A Balance of Structure and Free Time
The daily schedule at a Spanish sleep-away camp is well-structured yet allows for ample free time. To begin, the parts of the day are different than what an American might be used to. In Spain, mañana (morning) is often used until 2pm. Tarde (afternoon) is then from lunch 2pm until 7pm. Noche (evening) is used from 8pm – 2am.
Typically, a camp day begins with a light breakfast around 8:00 – 9:00 AM, followed by morning activities such as team games, sports or anything requiring being under the sun. Snacks may be provided, and those will be handed out by the counselors around 11am. Lunch, the main meal of the day, is served around 2:00-3:00 PM and is usually followed by a siesta—a period of rest for 1-2 hours during the hottest part of the day. This allows teens a moment to unwind, socialize, or contact their parents.
Afternoon activities resume around 4:00-5:00 PM, usually focusing on indoor or shaded games, pool time, specific lessons, or creative activities centered around the camp theme. Dinner is usually a lighter spread of food and served around 8:00-9:00 PM. Evenings after dinner might include a variety of social activities such as dancing, sing-a-longs, talent shows, or movie nights. Free time is often given at the end of the night before lights out at 11pm- 12am.
Activities: Familiar Games with a Cultural Twist
Spanish summer camps offer a wide range of games and activities that promote team building and social interaction. Teens can participate in traditional sports like fútbol (soccer), baloncesto (basketball), and voleibol (volleyball). Adventure activities such as hiking and zip-lining take advantage of Spain’s beautiful natural landscapes. Field activities like pilla-pilla (tag), obstacle courses, la cuerda (tug-of-war), and sardina (“sardines” or reverse hide-and-seek) are common at almost every camp.
Creative activities such as theater skits and traditional camp crafts like friendship bracelets and coloring are great for those who want quieter activities. Special workshops or field trips are usually held once a week and the highlight of the camp experience, where campers spend the entire day away from camp.
Meals: Spanish Camp Food
Spanish camps offer a taste of local cuisine, which can be different from American camp food. Meal service is often organized by age, with younger kids going first, or by cabin numbers drawn by lottery for older kids. Vegetables play a minor role if any in most Spanish cuisine, often being stewed or cooked into sauces rather than being eaten fresh as side dishes or full salads as eaten in the US. Fruit is more common, usually being consumed fresh or as juice.
DESAYUNO. Breakfast typically consists of light items with many teens skipping breakfast altogether:
- White toast or small pastries
- Cheese, tomato and ham
- Cereal with yogurt and fruit
- Juice, coffee or hot chocolate.
COMIDA OR ALMUERZA. Lunch, the most substantial meal of the day, may include dishes such as:
- Pasta or pizza
- Paella, lentil stew, or grilled meats
- Simple iceberg lettuce or tomato onion salads
- White bread or crackers.
CENA. Dinner is lighter, often featuring appetizer-style dishes (tapas) like:
- Spanish tortilla, croquettes, sausages or fish sticks,
- French fries and white bread
POSTRES. Homemade desserts are often available only after dinner: Plain cake, gelato, or fruit.
MERIENDA. Snacks, when offered by the camp, might include: fruit, yogurt, churros, or popsicles.
Food from the dining room is often strictly regulated, teens are allowed to return for seconds after everyone has been served. However, campers are not allowed to take packaged crackers or fruit with them for snacking later.
For my American teens who never really got used to the late lunches, we pack a big bag of snacks to last the entire week, so that they could tuck in their pockets and eat quickly when needed.
Granola or protein bars (not chocolate as it melts in the heat!), dried mini sausages, and nut mixes provide both protein and carbs for a boost of energy and can keep without refrigeration.
Camps usually offer a Canteen where teens can purchase junk food, candy, soda, and ice cream (limited to one or two per camper per day) during siesta time and occasionally after dinner. This is super popular of course, and items sell out quickly each day. Payment is usually only accepted by coins (€1 or €2).
Tech Policies: Limited Screen Time
Most Spanish camps have specific tech policies, but they are usually only lightly enforced. In more expensive camps, most campers have their own phones or computers and use them during free times. In lower priced camps, few Spanish teens have their own devices and therefore don’t bring them to camp. Those who do are asked to turn them in to counselors, who allow limited use during rest time or at the end of the evening.
Many Spanish teens readily comply with these policies. Those who choose not to often keep their phones hidden and are not punished. The general atmosphere of social interaction means most teens do not feel the need to escape onto their phones or computers, as the Spanish greatly prefer socializing in person. Posting about strangers to social media is not generally accepted behavior among teens and reserved mostly for selfies and close friend circles.
When teens do communicate by phone, it is usually within group chats using What’s App. It can be seen as small milestone by an American teen to be included or added to a What’s app group. Texting in Spanish has evolved into it’s own language, read our guide here to help your teen be able to follow along and interact correctly.
Teen Behavior: Navigating Social Norms
Spanish culture has an element of formality in large groups and regarding public behavior. Teens exhibit a blend of innocence and maturity in ways often contrary to Americans. It is wise to prepare your teen to be mindful of what they talk about, as a casual reference could shock their peers. Conversely, they may be lightly teased about topics Spanish teens consider normal but are not usually discussed by teens in American culture.
Spanish teens usually maintain a respectful attitude around adults, avoiding blatant defiance or vulgar behavior or language. However, amongst themselves the conversations can cover quite mature topics and vulgar language. Sexuality is a popular topic, even though their knowledge of actual facts can be rather limited and experience is even less common. Smoking and drinking alcohol are more socially acceptable in Spain among teens as legal age is 18 years old. Starting at 16 years and older these behaviors might be present at camp, however they are generally monitored and regulated by the staff.
One of the biggest takeaways your teen will experience at camp is learning the current popular culture for TV, music, games, influencers and slang of Spanish teens. Since your teen will actually be living with Spanish kids, they can ask questions and seek explanations about words or behaviors that otherwise isn’t possible with friendships made during the school year. The Spanish are private about their home life and space. Being at camp is a loophole around this usual restriction. Hence an excellent preparation for navigating Spanish high school later in September.
Conclusion: Preparing for a Unique Experience
Sending your teen to a Spanish sleep-away camp is a wonderful opportunity for them to immerse themselves in a new culture, practice making friends, and develop their informal language skills. Understanding the cultural differences and what to expect can help your teen adapt more easily and enjoy their time at camp.
To make the transition smoother, download our free packing checklist to ensure your teen is well-prepared for their Spanish adventure. With the right preparation, your teen can look forward to an unforgettable summer in Spain!