Ask a teenager what they expect from summer camp, and freedom will probably be somewhere near the top of the list.

Ask their parents, and you may get a rather different answer!

Teenagers want independence, while parents understandably want to know that somebody is looking after them. Finding the right balance between the two is one of the more interesting challenges of organising a summer camp for teenagers.

Teenagers Need Boundaries, But Also Respect

Some years ago, a teenage boy at Lenguaventura told us something that has stayed with us.

He explained that young people need clear boundaries. They understand that rules are necessary. But what really matters, he said, is how adults communicate those rules.

When adults speak to teenagers as though they were little children, it can make them angry and unwilling to cooperate. However, treating them with respect, listen to their opinions and explaining decisions makes teenagers much more willing to accept what is expected of them.

We thought that was a remarkably mature observation, and one worth remembering.

It also reminds us that disagreements aren’t always about the rules themselves. Sometimes they are about the way those rules are communicated.

What Does Controlled Freedom Mean?

On another occasion, a mother thanked us for what she called the “controlled freedom” we gave the teenagers at Lenguaventura.

She appreciated that her child could enjoy a certain amount of independence while still being part of an organised and supervised program.

We liked her expression because it describes the balance we are trying to achieve.

Teenagers don’t want every minute of their day controlled by adults. They enjoy having time to themselves, making small decisions and spending time with their friends without somebody constantly directing what they should do next.

But freedom at summer camp doesn’t mean that everybody can simply come and go as they please.

There are schedules, responsibilities and rules that apply to everyone. And there are adults present who know when to give teenagers some space and when to step in.

Rules Make More Sense When Teenagers Understand Them

Rules are part of living together, particularly when young people from different countries and backgrounds share the same accommodation and daily routines.

Naturally, not everybody has the same habits or expectations. What seems perfectly normal to one teenager may be unfamiliar to another.

That’s why communication matters.

Explaining why a rule exists is often more effective than simply insisting that it must be followed. And listening to a teenager’s point of view doesn’t mean that the rules suddenly become negotiable.

Some boundaries are firm, especially when they concern the wellbeing of others.

There is a difference between asking teenagers to follow rules simply because they are told to and helping them understand why those rules matter.

Finding the Balance Between Freedom and Supervision

At Lenguaventura, the daily programme provides a clear structure, with language lessons or alternative morning activities, water sports, excursions and shared evening activities.

Within that structure, teenagers also have time to relax, enjoy one another’s company and make some of their own choices.

Parents who would like to know more about how supervision and daily life are organised can find further details in our Information for Parents section on our website .

The aim isn’t to supervise every conversation or organise every free moment. Nor is it to leave teenagers entirely to themselves.

The years between 14 and 17 are a fascinating but sometimes challenging stage of life. Teenagers want to be taken seriously and make their own decisions, yet they don’t always stop to consider the possible consequences of those decisions.

And that is where adults have an important role to play: knowing when to step back and give them space, and when to intervene, even if that isn’t always appreciated at the time.

Finding that balance isn’t always easy, but it’s an essential part of working with teenagers. Teenagers appreciate being trusted. Parents appreciate knowing that trust comes with clear boundaries. And perhaps that is exactly what the mother meant when she thanked us for giving her child “controlled freedom”.