October 31, 2025

Camp Santa Úrsula vs. Options Abroad: Why Choose a Camp in Mexico?

Introduction: A Closer, More Complete Learning Experience

Choosing the right place for your children to spend an unforgettable summer is an important decision. In recent years, many families have considered sending their children to camps abroad, believing that an international experience may offer more value. However, summer camps in Mexico have evolved significantly and now provide programs that are equally complete, safe, and enriching—without the challenges of traveling overseas.

Camp Santa Úrsula, with over 40 years of experience, stands as one of the most respected names in this field. With programs designed for both children and teenagers, the camp combines fun, learning, and personal growth in a natural and safe environment. Choosing a summer camp in Mexico, such as Santa Úrsula, represents not only proximity and trust but also a genuine opportunity for emotional, physical, and social development.

International Camps: Attractive, Yet with Real Challenges

International camps can offer cultural variety and exposure to new languages, but they also present significant challenges for children and teens who are still shaping their identities.

Costs and Logistics

Attending a camp outside Mexico involves a considerable expense: airfare, international insurance, visa processing, and additional living costs. The total can easily exceed USD $5,000 per week, not including preparation time or the distance separating parents and participants.

In contrast, a camp in Mexico—like Camp Santa Úrsula—offers top-tier facilities, trained staff, and comprehensive programming that fosters values, teamwork, and personal development, without the heavy logistical costs of an international experience.

Safety and Personalized Support

While international camps may have good safety protocols, distance and language barriers can make communication between parents, children, and organizers more complicated.

Camps in Mexico, on the other hand, provide personalized attention and continuous contact with families, offering peace of mind throughout the experience.

At Camp Santa Úrsula, safety is a top priority: 24-hour supervision, on-site medical staff, and programs designed according to high standards of protection and well-being. This close support is one of the camp’s key advantages over programs abroad.

Benefits of Choosing a Camp in Mexico

The benefits of staying in Mexico go far beyond convenience or cost. They represent an opportunity to connect with nature, strengthen identity, and nurture social and emotional skills within a culturally familiar environment.

Connection with Nature and the Environment

Camp Santa Úrsula’s location in San Luis Potosí allows participants to experience life surrounded by nature—mountains, green spaces, and an ecosystem that encourages exploration. This direct contact with the environment promotes respect for nature, independence, and curiosity—something difficult to replicate in urban or foreign settings.

Activities like climbing, swimming, zip-lining, gardening, and farming not only build physical skills but also strengthen confidence and a sense of personal achievement.

Cultural Identity and Belonging

A summer camp in Mexico offers the chance to reinforce a sense of belonging. Children and teens connect with peers from different regions of the country, learning values of respect and collaboration while discovering the cultural richness that unites them.

At Camp Santa Úrsula, these connections translate into lasting friendships, shared experiences, and a genuine pride in Mexican traditions and landscapes. In contrast, international programs often focus on academic or recreational goals without the emotional connection that comes from sharing the same cultural background.

Communication Without Barriers

One of the greatest benefits of camps in Mexico is the ability to communicate freely in a shared language, which supports emotional expression and the creation of authentic bonds. For younger children, this is essential—they can express themselves confidently without relying on translation or cultural adaptation.

At Santa Úrsula, both children and teens participate in activities designed to promote communication, empathy, and teamwork—the foundations of human development.

Accessibility and Family Proximity

Proximity is another key factor. Staying within the same country allows parents to maintain constant contact with the organization, receive updates, and rest assured that, in case of any situation, the response will be immediate.

Additionally, without the barriers of distance, many families can visit the camp or attend closing events, strengthening the bond between parents and children. This emotional and logistical closeness is one of the main reasons why Camp Santa Úrsula remains a favorite among generations of Mexican families.

Education, Fun, and Holistic Development

Learning at camp goes far beyond physical or recreational skills. The best camps in Mexico combine fun with comprehensive personal growth.

Educational Focus

While many international camps focus on language practice or academics, Camp Santa Úrsula offers a well-rounded development model: combining physical challenges, artistic activities, experiential workshops, and group dynamics that foster creativity, responsibility, and cooperation.

From children’s programs to the Evolution format for teens, the goal is clear—to form confident, empathetic, and environmentally conscious individuals.

Programs Designed for Every Stage

  • Children’s Camps: Encourage autonomy and confidence through games, sports, and outdoor activities.
  • Teen Camps: Promote reflection, decision-making, and leadership through adventure, group dynamics, and introspection.

This stage-based design allows participants to grow within the same environment, maintaining continuity in their personal development year after year.

Community and Continuity

One of the greatest advantages of choosing a summer camp in Mexico, like Santa Úrsula, is that relationships don’t end when the program does. Many former campers return as staff or ambassadors, creating a strong community that lasts beyond the summer.

In international programs, distance and language often hinder that continuity. In Mexico, however, those bonds grow stronger, becoming a lasting network of friendship and support.

Emotional and Educational Value: What Truly Matters

The true benefits of a camp in Mexico aren’t measured solely by the activities, but by the changes they inspire—independence, empathy, teamwork, and respect for others.

At Santa Úrsula, these values are nurtured naturally through sports, outdoor living, and meaningful connection. Children return home more self-assured, with a deeper understanding of collaboration and mutual respect.

Parents consistently highlight the camp’s safety, organization, and the positive transformation they see in their children after the experience.

“My son came back different—more independent and confident. We noticed it in how he interacts with others.” — Parent testimonial

“For us, it was a complete experience. We knew he was in good hands, and every activity had a purpose.” — Parent testimonial

The Value of the Local in a Globalized World

Choosing a summer camp in Mexico doesn’t mean sacrificing international quality. It means choosing purposeful experiences—where participants learn to value their surroundings, strengthen their roots, and build lasting memories in their own country.

Programs like those at Camp Santa Úrsula show that it’s possible to combine educational excellence, fun, and human development without crossing borders. In a world that feels increasingly global, the local remains a space for authentic growth.

Conclusion: Choosing with Purpose and Proximity

Choosing a camp in Mexico like Camp Santa Úrsula is much more than a matter of geographic convenience. It’s a decision that prioritizes the holistic development of children and teenagers—combining safety, professional guidance, and meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact.

With over four decades of experience shaping generations, Camp Santa Úrsula proves that educational and human quality doesn’t depend on distance but on purpose. Its programs—designed for every stage of growth—encourage autonomy, empathy, and teamwork in a natural environment that invites exploration and learning.

While international programs may offer a change of scenery, Santa Úrsula provides something deeper: a space for self-discovery, identity, and genuine connection. Here, adventure becomes learning—and every summer, an experience that transcends time.

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Upcoming experiences

Adventures, learning and friendship await you at Camp Santa Úrsula!

Camp Santa Ursula Summer Camp
July 5 to 18

Summer Camp 1

Immerse yourself in two weeks full of fun, learning and exciting adventures at our first summer camp. From exciting outdoor activities to creative workshops.

The Camp is exclusively for boys and girls from 7 to 15 years old.
Sign up!
Camp Santa Ursula Summer Camp
July 10 to 18

Summer Camp 2

The fun continues with our second summer camp! From July 20 to 28, your children will have the opportunity to explore our activities, challenge their limits and immerse themselves in exciting adventures.

The Camp is exclusively for boys and girls from 7 to 15 years old.
Sign up!
Campamento de Verano Camp Santa Ursula
25 al 31 de julio

Campamento de Verano Evolution

Nuevo Campamento
Del 25 al 31 de julio, no solo se desconectan del celular, sino que se reconectan consigo mismos entre actividades de aventura, liderazgo y reflexión.

Camp Evolution es exclusivamente para adolescentes de 15 a 17 años de edad.
¡Inscríbete!
Explore a place where every day is a new adventure!
With nearly 50 years of experience, we have witnessed the transformation in the lives of thousands of boys and girls aged 7 to 15, creating memories that last forever.
sign up now
What our campers think

“From the reception area everything is excellently well maintained, my daughter has had one of the best experiences, since her first day she felt taken care of.”

Liliana S.

Mama Camper

“My son was super happy!! He came out telling me that it was better than Disney! And that he wants to come back next year.”

Gabriela E.

Mama Camper

“The arrival at the camp was very interactive and they made sure that the boys and girls would relax and feel at home. The office service is always attentive and very quick to respond.”

Begoña

Mama Camper

“The place is beautiful and every activity is safe. The food and desserts taste great. My son returned very happy to have gone and he had a great time.”

Álvaro S.

Papa Camper

“The camp met our expectations one hundred percent! My youngest son was happy all 15 days and doesn't hesitate to return next year. He learned to be more independent.”

Veronica M.

Mama Camper

Frequently Asked Questions about the camp

We answer all your questions!

What is the age range for children to sign up for camp?

In the Camps we only welcome boys and girls from 7 to 15 years of age.

Who takes care of the children?

The children are cared for by an instructor and an assistant, together with instructors specialized in various activities and camp managers who are on the lookout for all campers.

If my child goes with a friend can they be together?

Yes, as long as the children are the same age and both they and the parents agree. Although we can't commit to more than 3 campers on the same team.

Do the rooms or cabins have their own bathrooms?

The vast majority of rooms or cabins have their own bathroom.

Do you help young children bathe and dress?

No, we ask that you consider that children should be independent in activities such as bathing, dressing, combing their hair, going to the bathroom and taking care of their things. Instructors are waiting, but cannot take care of each child individually.

How is communication with children? Can we talk to them?

Calls are not allowed. The communication is through messages on the camp page, delivered daily at breakfast time or the first activity in the morning. Children respond to these messages in letters that are taken photos and sent to the parents' emails.

If my child is carrying medications, how do they manage them?

We have medical staff who administer medications. Parents should write down the information in the registry and hand in medications when leaving their children at the camp.

What do you do in case of an accident? Do they warn us?

The protocols are followed. In case of minor injuries, there is no warning so as not to worry parents. There's a paramedic in the camp. In more serious cases, parents are contacted before taking the child to the hospital.

Do you have any health insurance?

Yes, we have accident insurance that covers up to $150,000.00.

How safe is the camp? Do you have any systems in place?

The camp is safe, with measures such as electric fences, closed circuit television, among others.

What are the foods like? Can you briefly describe what they eat?

  • Breakfast: Fruits, juices, smoothies, milk, cereal, eggs, beans, chilaquiles, waffles, hot cakes, sweet bread.
  • Food: Salads, vegetables, soup, cream, chicken, fish, beef or pork, flavored waters and dessert.
  • Dinner: Salad, cereal, sweet bread, pizzas, club sandwiches, muffins, milk, flavored water, tacos.
  • Refreshments (mid-morning and mid-afternoon): Flavoured water, fruit, vegetables, whole wheat crackers, sandwiches, wraps, popsicles, jellies, and so on.
Continue reading...
October 31, 2025
Camp Santa Úrsula vs. Options Abroad: Why Choose a Camp in Mexico?
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