ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the development of educational camps in Brazil, as well as the use of outdoor recreation in their programmes. It explores the existence of many camps with different objectives in Brazil, such as leisure camps, religious camps and football camps. The chapter focuses on those camps with an educational philosophy and programme. Therefore, in this context, Brazilian educational camps address educational outdoor activities in the holiday seasons for children aged 6–17 years. M. A. Vivolo-Filho further defined educational camps as places with a safe and organised physical structure that provides recreational activities and learning experiences, as well as using specialised staff to facilitate these experiences. In May 1999, associacao brasileira de acampamentos educacionais (ABAE) was founded. The ABAE was created to facilitate the collaboration between camp owners and to provide opportunities for sharing experiences. L. A. Chamlian observed that the professional profile of educational camp counsellors included an educational commitment, and having the ability to emphasise ethical values.
