A summer of opportunities: camps and leisure activities for 8,000 vulnerable children in Catalonia

As every year, the CaixaProinfancia program, promoted by the "la Caixa" Foundation, is launching its summer activities program. During June, July, and August, more than 30,000 children throughout Spain—8,000 of them in Catalonia—are expected to participate free of charge in camps, day camps, urban day camps, and open centers. The initiative has an investment of 10 million euros and is carried out thanks to the collaboration of more than 300 social organizations across Spain. In Catalonia, around 100 social organizations are participating, with more than 3 million euros allocated. This collaborative network allows for the development of a range of summer activities that guarantees a safe and stimulating environment while fostering personal development through interaction, play, and learning. CaixaProinfancia, operating since 2007, seeks to guarantee the right to educational leisure for children living in poverty or social exclusion and contributes to promoting work-life balance during a particularly challenging time for many families. During the summer, many families—particularly those in vulnerable situations—face the difficulty of balancing their work responsibilities with childcare, which increases family stress and limits educational and recreational opportunities. Furthermore, in many cases, they cannot afford holidays or activities such as summer camps, highlighting the need for programs that guarantee equitable access to educational leisure and support families during the summer months. Summers that leave a lasting impression

The organizations linked to the CaixaProinfancia program highlight the essential role of summer activities as spaces for personal and social growth. These activities contribute to the development of key skills in areas such as autonomy, social interaction, self-esteem, and empathy. Through play, group activities, contact with nature, and a structured educational program, meaningful learning experiences are generated that participants integrate naturally. The program provides social organizations with a collection of games developed with the advice of specialists in values-based activities. This summer's offering includes five challenges inspired by the natural stages of crop growth, with the aim of reminding children of the importance of eating well and exercising to feel better and recharge their energy.

A network-based working model

The CaixaProinfancia program aims to break the cycle of inherited poverty through a comprehensive, networked intervention model. In addition to summer activities, it offers year-round educational support, psychotherapeutic care, family workshops, and assistance with food, child hygiene products, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and school supplies. In 2024, CaixaProinfancia served nearly 66,000 children and adolescents and 41,000 families in 148 municipalities across Spain. Since its inception, the program has supported more than 392,000 children and adolescents and 227,000 families. Currently, nearly 500 social organizations collaborate to implement and monitor the program, adapting interventions to the needs of each region and family.