Frequently Asked Questions

The ratio is one senior counsellor and one trainee counsellor for every 8 children. Each counsellor is also supported by a trainee counsellor who helps with all the room duties while completing their training.

Yes. All our counsellors hold the official leisure-time counsellor qualification, which includes specific first-aid training.

Yes. All campers, camp staff, counsellors and trainee counsellors are covered by our accident insurance. You can request the details of both the accident and the civil liability cover by emailing us at info@layoscamp.com

International campers who do not live in Spain, or who do not have a Spanish health card, must take out our international camper insurance. Many years of experience have taught us that this is the only way to guarantee immediate care at the hospitals near each camp.

1. All medical information about a camper must be sent by email to the office before the camp starts, using the camper's medical form.

2. The camp has an infirmary open 24h. The person in charge of the infirmary makes sure that campers on medication take it when they should. You can speak to them before and during the camp to clear up any doubt or add an observation. We recommend doing so in special cases: diabetes, cognitive disorders, conditions that may affect how the camp goes, and so on. Calls with the infirmary before the start are arranged by the office.

3. If a camper has to be given medication from the camp — for inflammation, a headache, a mild allergy or similar — the parents are always informed beforehand by telephone.

4. Campers' medicines arrive in their camp suitcase. Their counsellor, who has the medical information for each camper in their room, checks that the medicines received match the information given by the parents, and hands all the medicines for their room over to the infirmary.

5. The infirmary also has a fridge for medicines that need it (growth hormone, for example).

1. Allergies require thorough control both when the food is prepared and during the meal itself. Several safety filters are therefore needed.

2. The person in charge of the infirmary makes sure campers' food allergies are reviewed every day together with the kitchen team, who work with us all year round.

3. Severe allergies, with immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels above 3.5, must be reported at the time of booking and will require a telephone conversation with the camp management, in order to assess the risk and add whatever protocols each case needs.

4. At mealtimes, counsellors eat with the campers from their room and make sure there is no cross-contamination with campers who have allergies.

5. Campers with food allergies are the first into the dining hall and have their trays ready. They do not eat at separate tables.

6. The menu for coeliacs and other food intolerances is planned and prepared with great care, so that it is as close as possible to the menu the other campers get.

All sports activities take place in small groups of 8 children and are run by two counsellors. The coordinators supervise the counsellors while the activities are running, to check and make sure they are delivered safely and enjoyably.

1. At Layos we round out our programmes with activities our own counsellors cannot run. These activities are selected by the camp management, with the aim of offering the highest possible quality.

2. In the camp's general terms you will find the list of activities and subcontracted companies for each programme. If you do not want a camper to do a particular activity, you need to let the office know by email. All of these companies have signed a collaboration agreement with the camp guaranteeing that the necessary safety protocols are followed, that the equipment is in good condition and that their instructors' qualifications are current. Below is the list of subcontractors, camp by camp.

1. Tarifa: kitesurfing, windsurfing, windfoiling or paddle surfing (Ozu); climbing and canoe trips (Osmunda); whale watching (Turmares); windsurfing (Laduna); surfing or skating (Surfer Tarifa). 2. Toledo Junior: zip lines (Baños del Sagrario). 3. Gredos: zip lines (Valle del Jerte Parque Aventura), horse riding (Ecupasil), canoeing or kayaking (Aventurera). 4. Sotogrande - Tarifa: sailing (Real Club Marítimo de Sotogrande); padel and tennis (Club Octógono); climbing and kayak trips (Osmunda); windsurfing (Laduna); surfing or skating (Surfer Tarifa). 5. Somo-Santander: surfing, paddle surfing, skating (Plea Surf School).

1. Zero-tolerance bullying policy: we have a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying in any of its forms. Any incident of this kind is dealt with immediately and seriously.

2. Setting limits: the camp rules are explained to campers on the first day by the coordinators, and the counsellors read the room rules aloud. Children need to know what behaviour is expected of them so they do not get into trouble. We make sure they know the rules, that they understand the rules exist for their safety, and that they are perfectly compatible with having fun at camp.

3. Ongoing training for our team: all our counsellors and staff are extensively trained in conflict-resolution techniques and in handling bullying situations. They have received specific training in effective communication, peaceful problem-solving and mediation, so they can step in appropriately when a situation arises.

4. Fostering a positive, collaborative environment: from day one we work to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and inclusion. Our activities are designed to promote teamwork, empathy and healthy coexistence between everyone, which reduces the chance of conflict.

5. Early intervention: we act quickly on any conflict. Our counsellors are alert and trained to step in as soon as they notice tension, so it can be resolved fairly and calmly. We listen to both sides and look for solutions based on respect and mutual understanding.

6. Mediation and conflict resolution: for minor disagreements we use a mediation approach between the children involved. That means we provide a safe space for both to say how they feel and reach an agreement, supervised by a counsellor.

7. Direct communication with parents: if the conflict persists, or if it is a more serious case of bullying, we contact the parents of the children involved immediately. We believe working together with families is key to solving the problem and safeguarding every child's wellbeing.

8. Clear, graduated consequences: if a child repeats bullying behaviour, we apply clear and fair consequences, which may include warnings, restrictions on activities and, in extreme cases, the possibility of the child being sent home from camp. The safety and wellbeing of the group always come first.

9. Constant supervision: our counsellors keep up active, constant supervision during all activities and rest periods, to prevent any kind of bullying or conflict. That way children are always looked after and an atmosphere of respect is maintained.

You can see the camp schedule in the information provided when you book and on our website. If anything is unclear, you can always call the office.

1. Shared rooms of 4, 6 and 8 campers at all our camps, except Tarifa and Sotogrande-Tarifa, which share the same site and sleep in individual tents. You can see the rooms and tents, with photos and videos, in the camp information.

2. Campers are placed in rooms of 8, separated by sex and age. Each room is looked after by 2 counsellors from our official Castillo de Layos school: one fully qualified, the other completing their practical placement.

1. Campers wear the uniform; it is compulsory. We hand it over on the first day of camp to avoid problems with sizes, and their counsellors label it. The minimum is 3 T-shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, 3 pairs of socks and 1 sweatshirt. The total price is 160 €. There is a daily laundry service; the children collect their own laundry, supervised by their counsellors.

2. Individual uniform items can be ordered separately. You can check the prices on the website.

3. Any uniform from previous years can be brought to Layos, as long as it is a Layos Camp one.

Layos offers coach transport included, from Madrid to all its camps. The departure details, times and location are provided once the booking is made. The coaches leave from the Hipercor car park in Pozuelo on the first day of camp and return to the same place on the last day. We send parents an “arrival confirmation” by email.

1. For campers who need it, we arrange a transfer to and from the airport or station in Madrid. Flights must be approved by the office for the transfer to be guaranteed.

2. This service costs an extra 70 € per camper, provided the flights or trains arrive within the time window recommended by the camp.

3. For pick-ups from the airport or train station outside the recommended window, please contact the office directly by telephone.

We want every child to complete their stay and we work tirelessly to make that happen. That said, if the child decides to leave the camp with the approval of their parents or guardians, the amounts already paid are not refunded.

1. You can speak to your children from the third full day of camp. From day one you can speak to your child's counsellor by calling the camp, and they will put you straight through. We recommend sticking to 4 calls (2 per week per family), even if you are calling their own mobile.

2. We recommend bringing a mobile phone, to make communication with your children easier and to avoid the camp phone lines becoming saturated. Counsellors collect the phones on the first day and keep them in their personal lockers. From day 4 of camp, counsellors give the children their phones only during calling hours. We recommend sticking to 4 calls (2 per week per family), even if you are calling their own mobile.

1. Campers are divided into three age groups for activities: the Eagles (6-9 years), the Crows (10-12 years) and the Juniors (13-15 years). Once they have rotated through all the activities, they freely choose which ones they want to do. Activities are led by leisure-time counsellors (trained at our own official school) or by sports instructors. There are two counsellors for every 8 children: one qualified, one on placement.

2. Activities are approached differently for each age group. That way every camper gets the most out of the sports on offer.

We prepare the food with fresh, top-quality produce. A healthy, balanced diet. Where there are allergies, intolerances or special diets, all the necessary protocols are followed. You must tell us when you book.

1. Each room is looked after by 2 counsellors from our official Castillo de Layos school: one fully qualified, the other completing their practical placement.

2. One coordinator per age group leads the counsellors so that the organisation meets the highest standards. Two infirmary supervisors (medical students in their MIR residency stage) are also with us.

3. At Layos we also have a first-time-away supervisor. Her only job is to check, together with parents and counsellors, that the campers who are more sensitive or homesick, or who simply are not feeling as well as they should, find in her someone to help them sort things out.

4. In recent years, at parents' request, we have added a photographer, whose job is to update the fortnight's photo album every day. You will have access to it during the camp, and it features only those children who have permission to appear on social media.

5. Finally, we are still a family business: there is always a member of the family in charge of the programme, to make sure everything goes well.

Since 1999 we have been training young people who want to spend part of their time working as counsellors at camps, after-school activities and leisure programmes. That gives us in-depth knowledge of our teams. For the summer fortnights we do not hire any counsellor who has not worked with us before. Many of our former campers now train at our official Leisure-Time Counsellor school and go on to become the counsellors on our programmes. All of them are assessed and chosen for their teaching vocation and their sporting, artistic or nature skills. And all of them are assessed continuously, every time they work at camp.