In recent months, an important step forward has been taken in strengthening collaboration across Europe’s camp ecosystem.
Following two online senior leadership meetings in March 2026, European leaders came together in Brevik, Sweden, for in-person convening, joined by colleagues from the United States.
This gathering marked a key milestone in the ongoing effort to develop a strong, connected European network of camp professionals, with a shared focus on sustainability, strategic advancement, and increasing both impact and quality.
This moment did not emerge in isolation.
Between 2012 and 2019, the YMCA Europe Camping Programme Group played an essential role in connecting actors across the field and shaping early collaboration efforts. More recently, Campacity has continued this work by creating meaningful spaces for dialogue and exchange.
Between 2024 to 2026, Campacity brought together, annually, camp leaders from across Europe and the United States. These gatherings highlighted both the potential and the need for a more structured and intentional European collaboration, strengthening the global dimension and impact of camps.
A clear conclusion emerged: Europe needs a dedicated platform for its camp network, as well as a shared vision to guide its development.
The meetings described above are a direct response to that need.
The Brevik convening created a space where leaders could engage openly, reflect together, and learn from one another. Campacity has been instrumental in holding this space, enabling honest exchange, collective thinking, and the strengthening of relationships across countries and contexts.
A particularly valuable dimension of the meeting was the exchange with senior leaders from the United States. Their experience in building a nationwide perspective offered important insights into how aligned strategies can strengthen local impact, providing both inspiration and practical direction for the European context.
Camp creates safe spaces where individuals feel seen and heard. It fosters a strong sense of belonging, builds bridges across communities, and contributes to meaningful social impact. These elements are not only central to individual programs but are also foundational for building a resilient and collaborative European and global network.
Alongside these relational and strategic efforts, the comprehensive survey conducted by YMCA Europe together with European camp leaders, has recently provided a new mapping of camp infrastructures and program realities across Europe.
This updated overview offers, for the first time in many years, a clearer understanding of the diversity, strengths, and challenges within the European camp landscape. It serves as a critical resource for informed decision-making and future planning.
As colleagues across Europe continue shaping and planning the future of this collaboration, the process is now entering a new phase, one defined by co-creation, intention, structure, coordination.
With a shared vision, growing alignment, and concrete next steps, the European camp ecosystem is entering a new stage of development, one that holds significant potential for deeper impact, stronger collaboration, and sustainable growth.
The work continues. Together.
