To mark the 150th anniversary of summer camps and the 90th anniversary of paid vacation, an Ifop survey of the French public shows that group vacation programs for children and young people continue to enjoy a very positive image in the public eye. Far from being seen as a relic of the past, they are now widely recognized as educational, social, and personal experiences that benefit both children and society.
An experience deeply rooted in French culture and still widely valued
With 44% of French people having participated in such camps at some point in their lives, summer camps are first and foremost a tradition deeply rooted in the country’s social and family history. This transgenerational experience fosters a very favorable perception. While three-quarters of the French population report having a positive view of group summer camps, this proportion rises to 89% among former participants—proof that the camp experience most often leaves a lasting positive impression.
Support for these camps is not based solely on nostalgia. In fact, while slightly fewer 18- to 24-year-olds have had this experience (39%), they nonetheless hold the most favorable view of it (89%), a sign that summer camps continue to resonate with younger generations as attractive and valued experiences.
Stays with Multiple Benefits for Children, Parents, and Society
Group vacation camps are primarily seen as opportunities for discovery and broadening horizons. 91% of French people believe they allow children and young people to discover new and varied activities, while 88% believe they encourage the exploration of new places, cultures, or languages. In a context where vacations can also be marked by boredom or a sedentary lifestyle, these camps are also recognized by 91% of respondents for their ability to promote physical activity and physical well-being, as well as by 84% for helping children disconnect from screens.
Beyond this very tangible aspect, group trips are also seen as important opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth. The French recognize their role in fostering independence—87% believe they help children become more independent—but also in building a sense of personal balance: 85% believe they foster self-confidence, 79% believe they promote psychological well-being, and 75% believe they help with emotional regulation. At a time when the mental health of children and adolescents has become a central issue, these findings highlight the value of these experiences outside the family and school settings, which allow children to grow and discover themselves in new ways.
These individual benefits are complemented by a strong collective dimension. In a society grappling with challenges to social cohesion, summer camps and other vacation camps thus emerge as places for learning about community, where children gain very concrete experience in living together, cooperating, and respecting differences. In fact, 90% of French people believe that these camps promote learning about community life, social bonds, and interaction with others. Furthermore, 91% believe they help develop the ability to live together, 89% believe they foster sociability and interpersonal skills, 87% believe they promote tolerance and acceptance of differences, and 81% believe they encourage social diversity.
This relational and civic dimension gives group trips educational value in their own right. In fact, 79% of French people believe that these trips offer an educational setting that complements school, confirming that they are not merely leisure activities but also opportunities for informal learning, where social skills and practical knowledge are passed on.
Finally, these trips also meet very practical needs for families. 80% of French people believe they make it easier for parents to organize vacations by providing a solution to childcare challenges, the mismatch between parental leave and school breaks, or the need for a break. They thus appear to be a useful resource for children, but also invaluable for parents.
A social role that the French wish to recognize more fully
Given these perceived benefits, public opinion appears very supportive of greater recognition of the role of group vacation camps in public policy: 81% of French people believe they should be given a more prominent place in policies supporting children and youth. This expectation is particularly strong among young adults, with 96% of 18- to 24-year-olds in agreement.
Beyond their historical roots and the collective memory they evoke, group vacation camps appear to be initiatives that remain relevant in addressing certain contemporary challenges: offering children opportunities for discovery and a break from screens, fostering their independence and their physical and psychological well-being, teaching them how to live in a group, promoting social diversity, and supporting families.
As these camps celebrate 150 years of history, the French recognize their value more than ever.
