Figo's School Holiday Camps

Figo's Soccer School Holiday Camps: Soccer for all levels in childhood

Figo's Soccer School Holiday Camps are a great starting point for children who want to train in soccer with professional and personalized guidance. If your children are passionate about soccer, try offering them a morning, a full day, or consecutive days of active and healthy holidays. They will leave inspired for life, with a champion's attitude that transcends the limits of the field!

Figo's Football School, founded in 2009 by Luís Figo and João Guerra, is today the largest football school in Portugal, present in dozens of locations from north to south of the country. It has developed an exclusive methodology, created by Luís Figo in collaboration with Professors José Peseiro, Júlio Garganta, and Rui Pacheco. The organization adapts its training to different ages and experience levels, promoting inclusive, playful, and formative football instruction. In the summer camps they organize (which usually take place at Easter and in the summer), children are always occupied with technical training, games, team challenges, and social interaction, accompanied by qualified coaches. The priority? To integrate the child and allow them to evolve at their own pace and without rushing, taking advantage of the lessons with the greatest ease and enthusiasm!

Figo's School Holiday Camps transform enthusiasm for sports into a fun and structured learning experience.

The Figo Soccer School coordination team plans and organizes the holidays with the aim of making the children feel welcomed and valued. In this interview, they share a little about what happens on the field... and what comes out of it.

Figo's School Holiday Camps – Interview with the Coordination Team

How did Figo's Little School come about, and what inspired its creation?

Figo's Football School was founded in 2009 by Luís Figo and João Guerra as part of the global Dream Football platform. From the beginning, the mission was clear: to provide equal opportunities in football, allowing any child, regardless of their social background, to have access to quality training and learn to enjoy the game in a fun way.

The project began with training videos designed to be done at home, using simple everyday objects, without the need for fields or professional equipment. This approach allowed football to reach children who did not have access to clubs or academies.

The success led to the content being featured on Portuguese television, notably on Canal Panda, and, in 2011, to the opening of the first physical academies. This marked the beginning of the expansion of A Escolinha do Figo, which is now present in more than 50 locations in Portugal, making it the largest football school in the country.

What makes your summer camp unique?

What distinguishes Figo's Little School is the balance between a well-structured methodology and a truly fun environment. We work on technical skills, but always in a positive context where children feel comfortable experimenting and learning.

At our summer camp, we create a safe, welcoming, and motivating space where each child is respected at their own pace and encouraged to grow.

What types of activities are included in your services?

The activities are adapted to different age groups and include technical football training, team games, coordination exercises, team challenges, and recreational time.

At summer camps, mini-tournaments and group games are among the favorite activities, as they allow children to play, apply what they have learned, and socialize. There is also time for free play, which is essential for creativity and autonomy.

Tell us about a particularly memorable feedback experience..

One of the pieces of feedback that most struck us was from a family who told us that their son, who initially came to camp with some resistance, ended the week asking to come back the following year. Seeing this change in such a short time confirms that we are creating an environment where children feel safe, motivated, and happy.

What are the most noticeable differences between the first and last day?

On the first day, it's common for some children to arrive shy or insecure. Throughout the week, we see a clear transformation: they gain confidence, make new friends, become more autonomous and participative. It's a visible, often surprising, evolution.

How has the partnership with Pumpkin and ColóniasdeFérias.pt contributed to your goals?

These partnerships are important to give visibility to the project and clearly communicate what A Escolinha do Figo is. Through Pumpkin and ColóniasdeFérias.pt we are able to explain our methodology, organization and values well, facilitating the families' decision and reinforcing confidence in the project.

What has been the biggest challenge and the greatest pleasure in managing a summer camp?

The biggest challenge is ensuring that all children, with their different paces and personalities, have a positive experience. It requires constant attention and adaptability. The greatest reward is seeing their enthusiasm at the end of the week and realizing that we helped create memories and learning experiences that will last a lifetime.

We know that children learn a lot from you… And you? What are the most valuable lessons you learn from them?

Children remind us daily of the importance of enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience. They teach us that learning should be light and motivating, and that every small achievement counts.

What advice would you give to parents who are enrolling their child in their first summer camp?

Trust the process and give the child time. Adaptation is part of growing up and is normal in the first few days. When parents convey calm and confidence, the child feels safer to explore, participate, and enjoy the experience in a new and stimulating environment.

Are there any stories of friendship or overcoming challenges that you would like to share?

It's common to see reserved children arrive alone and leave integrated into a group, with friends and more confidence. Often, it's the small victories, like gaining the courage to participate or communicate, that become the most memorable stories.

What are your plans for the future of Figo's Little School?

We want to continue growing sustainably, without losing our identity or the quality of the work we do every day. The focus is on consolidating the teams, investing in coach training, and reaching more children, while maintaining a consistent methodology and a close relationship with each family and each student.

Now that we know a little about the role of coordination, it's time to learn about the perspective of the Operational Technical Team. While the coordination team plans, the operational technical team is in action every day. At Escolinha do Figo, these professionals closely monitor the children, guide the training sessions, ensure a safe and fun environment, and help each child learn, integrate, and make the most of the Escolinha do Figo Holiday Camps.

Figo's School Holiday Camps – Interview with the Operational Technical Team

What are the children's favorite activities?

Children especially enjoy mini-tournaments and team challenges because they give them space to play, cooperate, make decisions, and experience football in a free and natural way.

Are there any rituals or activities that help children cope with missing their parents?

Yes. We place a lot of emphasis on group dynamics and close relationships with each child. We talk to them, understand how they are feeling, and maintain a clear routine throughout the day. When they feel supported and involved, the homesickness naturally fades away.

What do we learn most from children?

We learn from children the importance of enthusiasm, persistence, and being part of a group. They remind us every day that small victories count and that learning can, and should, be experienced with joy.

What is the biggest challenge and the greatest pleasure of working at a summer camp?

The biggest challenge is keeping up with different needs and paces. The greatest pleasure is seeing the children's joy, the friendships that emerge, and the individual growth of each one throughout the week.

Is there a particular story of friendship or overcoming adversity that has touched you especially?

It's common to see children who arrive more reserved develop strong bonds over the course of the week. Small changes in their confidence and how they relate to others are the stories that most impact us.

Complete this sentence: "After a week here, the children leave ___________."

More confident, prepared to apply what they have learned and continue to evolve on and off the field.

The role of Figo's School Summer Camps in child development.

Os Figo's School Holiday Camps They play a valuable role in child development, combining the practice of football with a complete educational journey that involves various dimensions of the human being. The activities are designed to promote well-being at all levels – emotional, social and mental. Structured training and team dynamics contribute to numerous benefits:

Physical development: improved coordination, endurance, and body awareness through regular soccer practice.
Social skills: learning communication, cooperation, and respect for rules, which are fundamental for teamwork.
Emotional skills: developing resilience, decision-making ability, and emotion management. It's important to know how to win with humility and lose with maturity!
Sense of belonging: building a collective identity with common goals and strengthening friendships.
Lasting impact: learning experiences that extend beyond the playing field and contribute to character development and social life.
Role of the technical team: close monitoring, guidance and constant motivation, helping each child to transform difficulties into opportunities for growth, as an essential part of non-formal education.

Figo's School Summer Camps: Dates and Locations

We are currently awaiting the dates and locations for the Figo Football School's Summer Camps. Check back soon so you can proceed with your registration! Camps are scheduled for the summer at the following locations:

In the Lisbon area, the following locations offer holiday camps run by the Figo Soccer School:

In Central and Northern Portugal, the following options are available:

Want to explore others? football summer campsThere are several alternative programs, perfect for sparking digital talent from an early age.

Not all children see themselves drawn to sports – and that's perfectly natural. Fortunately, the range of summer camps is increasingly varied, adapted to different interests and personalities. The children's school holidays will be a blast with these programs from... Easter Holiday quality Summer Holiday Camps!