Parent Guide to INDIGO

A child’s first trip away from home always comes with questions.
How will they get to camp? Who will meet them when they arrive? What if they feel homesick, don’t make friends straight away, or need some help?
At INDIGO, children gradually get used to their new surroundings, meet new people, make small decisions for themselves and learn to handle everyday situations independently. At the same time, there are always adults nearby who they can turn to whenever they need help or support. Our goal is not to control every step a child takes, but to give them the opportunity to become more independent while staying in a safe, caring and supportive environment.

Throughout the camp session, children are supported by our counsellors and the INDIGO team.
Counsellors are with the campers throughout the day, helping with everyday and organisational matters, staying nearby during activities and trips, and paying attention to how each child is settling into the new environment.
The camp director is responsible for the overall organisation of the session. If a situation cannot be resolved by a counsellor, a senior member of the INDIGO team steps in.
Before the camp, parents receive up-to-date contact details and information about how communication with the team is organised during the session.
We also recommend joining our Facebook group to keep up with camp news and get a glimpse of everyday life at INDIGO.

The way a child travels to camp depends on the chosen session and their travel route.
If a child is travelling independently, we agree all arrival details with the parents in advance, including the arrival time, meeting point and how the child will be handed over to the INDIGO team.
We can meet children at the airport, railway station or bus station. INDIGO counsellors are easy to recognise: they wear INDIGO T-shirts and carry camp flags. At the airport, we also have a large INDIGO banner, making it easy for children to spot us.
If a private transfer is required or there are any special arrangements regarding the journey, these are also agreed in advance.

Before the end of the camp session, our team helps each child prepare for their journey home and accompanies them according to the travel arrangements agreed in advance. Transfer schedules are organised based on the child’s travel tickets.
All details of the journey home are agreed with the parents and the INDIGO team before the trip.

We don’t expect every day at camp to go perfectly.
A child may get tired, miss home, feel a little lost in a new group or simply face one of the everyday situations that can happen when travelling.
What matters is that they know who they can turn to, and that the adults around them know when to step in and help.
If a Child Becomes Unwell or Gets Injured
If a child feels unwell, has a fall, gets a bruise or suffers another injury, the counsellors will respond immediately and inform the camp director. We will contact the parents, explain what has happened and discuss the next steps. If medical attention is needed, we will arrange a visit to a doctor and accompany the child.
Many of our counsellors complete first aid training required for working with children at camps.
Our goal is not simply to respond to a situation, but to make sure the child receives the help they need and feels well and supported.
If your child has any health conditions, allergies or regularly takes medication, please let our team know in advance.

The first few days in a new place can feel unfamiliar, especially when it’s a child’s first camp away from home.
A counsellor is there to help the child settle in, talk about anything that is worrying them, get involved in group life and gradually feel more comfortable in their new surroundings.
We don’t dismiss these feelings or expect a child to simply “pull themselves together” straight away.

Not every child finds it easy to make the first move.
In such cases, a counsellor helps the child naturally join in: inviting them to take part in a group activity, introducing them to other campers and noticing situations where they may feel more comfortable becoming part of the group.
At the same time, we don’t force children to make friends or try to create close relationships artificially.

If children are unable to resolve a situation themselves, a counsellor helps them calmly work through it.
If additional support is needed, a senior member of the team joins the conversation and, if necessary, the parents are involved as well.

We don’t believe that every situation can be solved with a single conversation or simply by encouraging a child to “join in and have fun with everyone”. If a child continues to struggle, finds it difficult to settle in, has repeated conflicts with other campers or needs additional support, the camp director will assess the situation and contact the parents.
We will discuss what is happening, what steps have already been taken and what can be done next.
We always aim to keep an open dialogue with parents, because working together helps us better understand what your child needs.
Every camp can have the kinds of situations that naturally come with being away from home and travelling with a group. What matters is that a child never has to deal with them alone and knows that help is always nearby.

During the camp session, children develop their own daily rhythm: friends, shared plans, trips, activities, evening conversations and small decisions they gradually learn to make for themselves.
At the same time, adults remain part of this everyday life. They are nearby and step in when their support is genuinely needed.
Children gradually take responsibility for their own belongings, clothes, personal hygiene and small everyday tasks.
Counsellors can remind, guide or help when necessary, but they don’t try to do everything for the child.
That’s how independence becomes a natural part of everyday life, rather than a separate “lesson”.

Accommodation arrangements vary depending on the camp session you choose.
On each session page, we provide separate information about:

• the accommodation location;
• rooms and sleeping arrangements;
• facilities and amenities;
• photos;
• specific features of the location.

View accommodation details → Choose your session

Accommodation arrangements vary depending on the camp session you choose.
On each session page, we provide separate information about:

• the accommodation location;
• rooms and sleeping arrangements;
• facilities and amenities;
• photos;
• specific features of the location.

View accommodation details → Choose your session

Depending on the length of the camp session and the facilities available at each location, we provide laundry facilities for campers.
You can find details about laundry and the specific arrangements at each camp on the relevant camp page. We also recommend packing enough clothes for the entire session and labelling your child’s belongings.
View accommodation details → Choose your session

At INDIGO Brilliant camps, we do not impose strict restrictions on mobile phone use. Children can stay in touch with their parents and contact their families whenever they need to.
At the beginning of each session, we create group Telegram chats for the campers. These chats are used to share the daily programme, important organisational information and updates, as well as for communication within the group. The chat stays with the campers after the camp, so they can keep in touch with their new friends.
During some activities, phones can be distracting or prevent children from fully taking part, so our team may ask campers to put their phones away for the duration of the activity.
Our aim is not to separate children from their parents, but to help them become genuinely involved in camp life while still being able to stay connected with home.
Parents receive information in advance about how to contact the INDIGO team and where to find important updates during the camp.

We recommend budgeting around €5 per day for an ice cream, a drink or a small souvenir.
During trips, if lunch is not included in the programme, €10–20 per day is usually enough, depending on the planned expenses.
There is no need to give children a large amount of pocket money. All main meals are provided at camp, and we do not recommend giving children significant amounts of cash “just in case”.

If your child needs to take regular medication or has any health-related needs, please let our team know in advance.
Before the camp session begins, we will agree on the necessary information about any medication and how it should be taken.
It is also important to let us know in advance about any allergies, dietary restrictions or other individual needs that may be relevant during the trip.

Children are responsible for keeping track of their own belongings, so we recommend labelling clothes and other personal items before the trip.
We also recommend leaving expensive jewellery, electronics and other unnecessary valuables at home.
We have prepared detailed packing recommendations to help you get your child ready for camp.
What to Pack for Camp →

Meals are organised according to the arrangements at each individual camp session.
On each session page, parents can find information about how meals are organised at that particular location, including:

• where main meals are served;
• how breakfast, lunch and dinner are organised;
• what is provided during trips;
• any specific arrangements at the location.

If your child has any allergies, food intolerances or other dietary requirements, please let our team know in advance.
Find out more about meals → on your chosen session page

After booking, parents receive all the essential organisational information and know what needs to be prepared before the trip.
To make sure nothing is forgotten, simply go through the main points:
✅ Documents
Check your child’s travel documents and the entry requirements for the country where the camp takes place.
✅ Travel
Send the team your child’s up-to-date travel details, including tickets and arrival time. If your child is travelling independently, agree the meeting arrangements with us in advance.
✅ Insurance
Arrange suitable travel medical insurance for the entire trip.
✅ Health
Let our team know about any allergies, health needs or medication your child may require.
✅ Packing
Pack everything your child will need using the packing list for the chosen session.

• What to Pack for Camp →

Especially before a child’s first trip away from home, it can be helpful to talk through a few simple things in advance:

• who they can turn to if something is worrying them;
• that it’s completely normal to miss home at first;
• that they don’t have to make friends with everyone straight away;
• that it’s always okay to ask for help;
• that they will now be responsible for some of their own belongings and decisions.

There’s no need to go through every possible difficulty with your child in advance.
What matters much more is giving them a simple feeling of confidence:
“You can do this. And if you need anything, there will always be adults nearby who you can turn to.”

After your child’s place has been confirmed and the application form has been completed and signed, parents will receive an invoice for a €500 deposit by email. This deposit confirms your child’s place at camp.
In May–June 2027, parents will receive the final invoice, taking into account any applicable discounts. The remaining balance must then be paid according to the camp’s payment terms.
Before the trip, please review all the practical information on our website to make sure you are fully prepared for camp. This includes the packing list, required documents, travel and transfer information, arrangements for meeting your child and other important details. Please also make sure to send us any information that is still missing.
The INDIGO team stays in touch and is here to help you prepare for the trip, so that by the time the camp begins, parents have a clear understanding of what needs to be done, when and how.

You don’t need to know all the details or find all the answers on your own.
If you’re choosing INDIGO for the first time, tell us a little about your child and what matters most to you when choosing a camp.
We’ll help you understand what to look for when choosing a camp session and what might be important to consider in your particular situation.
Ask a Question →
View Camp Sessions →