It was in the 1940s that the encampment movement began to emerge in Brazil. The idea of spending the holidays in this kind of rural leisure complex —and still far from their parents—became a real consumer dream for São Paulo children and adolescents.
Many camps have sprung up since then, in various parts of the state. Rumi de Ranieri, director of the Ranieri camp, in São Lourenço da Serra (SP), says that his father and uncle knew this type of tourism for over 70 years.
“They liked it so much that they came back several times, became monitors and ended up founding their own enterprise in 1977”, says Ranieri, director of one of the best-known camps in Brazil.
Inspired by the North American model, all projects have contact with nature as a principle. They are vast properties, where natural attractions such as lakes and trails gain reinforcements such as zip lines, mud tracks, water skiing and tree climbing.
The campers sleep in bunk beds, in large collective dormitories. But customer demands have changed a lot over the years, according to Ranieri.
“In the past, families were mainly looking for sports activities. Today, the educational and recreational part has much more appeal.”
The children of chef Paula Camara, 38, are keen to spend their July vacations at RepLago, in Leme (SP), where their mother also took advantage of breaks from classes. Daniel, 10, is already habitu. Larissa, 6, debuted on the last Children’s Day, repeated the dose in January and can’t wait to return.
“He loves the activities themselves, while the relationship with her friends is the most important aspect for her,” says her mother.
“Playing in the water is the most fun. On vacation, I want to swim in the lake, go on the aqua jump and the banana boat. If it rains, I take my umbrella and go to the gym, to jump on the trampoline and play on the wall. climbing”, says Larissa.
“At camp, I have fun and learn a lot of things that I can use in life. Every season, I come back a little different, I go very happy in July. I want to meet new friends and release some emotions, like the anger of having taken a bad grade and having had tests and more tests during the whole semester”, says Daniel.
Exercising independence is often the main challenge for minors, which is why some camps prefer that parents avoid making contact with their children during the seasons. “A single phone call can put an entire season at risk,” warns Ranieri.
For teenagers, the most difficult thing is to stay away from the cell phone. Not by chance, the managers propose intense programming, with many competitions, and dispute who has the best attractions.
Prices this year are steep and vary greatly depending on the establishment. Numerous teams with specialized professionals, 24-hour medical care, five meals a day and round-trip transportation to São Paulo help to increase the rates. But they don’t seem to be scaring the captive public, since part of the classes is already closed.
The July vacation seasons, lasting from four to seven days, start on the 2nd and end on the 30th. Check the prices and schedule of each camp and be aware: the establishments accept payment in installments and usually offer discounts for veteran campers and brothers.
campsite
Located in Charqueada (SP), 182 km from São Paulo, its main attraction is the Jurassicamp—after solving puzzles and crossing secret passages, children arrive at the mechanized dinosaur replicas. 4D recycling plant, water park, zip line and costume party are part of the holiday program for children and teenagers from six to 16 years old.
When: from the 10th to the 16th, and from the 17th to the 23rd of July.
How much: R$ 3,769 per season, in cash, with transportation from São Paulo and Campinas.
NR
It has two units: one in Sapucaí-Mirim (MG) and another in Santo Antônio do Pinhal (SP), both less than 200 km from the capital. Visitors from five to 16 years old find a zip line over the dam, a reptile zoo, a 100-meter long water slide and the trench, a 200-meter tunnel. The Donas da Rua season, at the São Paulo unit, offers a week of women’s soccer training for girls aged between eight and 18.
When: in 4 to 10; from the 11th to the 17th and from the 18th to the 24th of July.
How much: from R$ 4,881 in cash.
Big store
The oldest in Brazil, it occupies an area of 25 hectares in São Bento do Sapucaí (SP), 200 km from São Paulo, within the Mantiqueira Environmental Protection Area. It welcomes visitors ages six to 17 for activities such as fishing and kayaking on the lake, diving in the island pool and competitions in the Tower of Challenges.
When: from 2 to 6; from 8 to 14; from 16 to 22; and from the 24th to the 30th of July.
How much: BRL 3,255.00 (first week) and BRL 4,700 (other seasons); with round-trip transfer to São Paulo. Departures from Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte at R$ 300 per person (minimum group of 15 people.
Ranieri
In an area of 1 million m² surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, children and adolescents from six to 16 years old play in the Splash Ball, a giant slingshot for balloon war, participate in theater and dance workshops, play human foosball, practice canoeing and finish the day with singing around the campfire. From São Lourenço da Serra (SP) to the capital, it is 55 km.
When: 9th to 16th of July.
How much: R$ 3,700 per season, in cash, with transfer.
RepLago
It is located in Leme, 188 km from the capital. Children and teenagers from five to 16 years old have fun on equipment such as Aqua Jump, Banana Boat, tree climbing trail, climbing wall and zip line over the lake. Music studio, arts studio and night games complete the program.
When: from 4 to 9; from 10 to 15; and from the 16th to the 22nd of July.
How much: R$5,352 in the first two seasons, in cash, and R$6,244 in the last week.
Wagon Site
It is located in Tatuí (SP), 143 km from São Paulo, and has attractions inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Júlio Verne, Monteiro Lobato and Steven Spielberg. Dinosaur fossil, Formula 1 track (pedal-powered vehicles), puppy zoo, Indiana Jones trail and caravel ride are part of the program for children and teenagers from 5 to 16 years old.
When: from the 10th to the 16th, and from the 17th to the 23rd of July
How much: R$ 7,259 per season, in cash, with round-trip transfer
