It is an educational project organized by the Corporation of Former Students and Friends of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza together with the Francisco Giner de los Ríos Foundation, in collaboration with the Biodiversity Foundation.

Ana Leiva, director of the FB, visits, today, in Cantabria, the 2011 Holiday Camps organized by the Corporation of Former Students and Friends of the Free Institution of Education together with the Giner de los Ríos Foundation. The Biodiversity Foundation has collaborated in the training of the monitors who participate in this educational initiative.    

When the Institución Libre de Enseñanza launched the first edition of its Vacation Camps, in 1893, it conceived it as an educational project aimed at putting into practice values such as coexistence, respect and enjoyment of nature and art.

In the 33rd edition of the new stage of the colonies, this educational and recreational initiative pursues the same objectives, and games, continuous learning and fun in full contact with nature are its main premises.

About thirty boys and girls between 8 and 12 years old have been in Rasines, Cantabria (18 kilometers from Laredo) since July 6, where they will remain until July 26 carrying out, daily, multiple activities with the slogan of respect for the environment.

Knowledge of the native flora and fauna, as well as the landscape, are part of the objectives pursued by these Colonies, which propose excursions to the river, the beach, specialized centers and historical sites, as well as numerous routes and walks.

Workshops are also held focused on creative development, theatrical performances through puppets and dramatizations, and cooperative games that, in addition to entertaining, promote values such as respect and coexistence.

Reading, learning popular songs and taking care of healthy practices, such as food, hygiene and physical exercise, are other elements present in the day-to-day life of the Holiday Camps.

Everything they experienced during these three weeks in the countryside is being captured in a diary prepared by the children themselves, which they will take home as a souvenir of their summer holidays in Rasines.