Youth Movements Are Filling Up: 2,747 Camps Organized This Summer

Youth movements in Belgium are experiencing a surge in participation this summer, with a total of 2,747 camps organized by recognized federations. Of these, 2,161 will take place within Belgium, while 586 are scheduled abroad.

The Federation of Scouts, the largest youth organization in French-speaking Belgium, is leading the charge with 1,759 camps planned. These camps will accommodate nearly 52,000 young people. The majority of these will be indoor stays (936), followed by tent camps (537), and 286 will be mobile or "itinérant" camps.

Other major youth organizations are also reporting high numbers. The Guides will hold 572 camps, including 222 indoor, 160 tent, and 286 mobile camps. Pluralistic Scouts and Guides will organize 146 stays in Belgium, with 81 in tents, 44 indoors, and 21 a mix of both. The Patro will host 270 camps over the summer months.

Popular destinations within Belgium for Scout camps include Luxembourg (448 camps) and Liège (325), followed by Namur and Hainaut. The Guides also favor Luxembourg and Liège, with Hainaut also being a popular choice. While some pre-camps have already begun, the main season kicks off next week with the school holidays. Despite forecasts of potential heatwaves in early July, organizers are confident and have not announced any cancellations.