Tourism platforms indicate record interest in Bulgarian children's camps in summer 2025 with two main trends expected in the coming months. Firstly, there is growing demand for active adventure camps that focus on developing practical skills in nature and providing a digital detox for children. Secondly, there is increasing interest in 'workations' (a portmanteau of 'work' and 'vacation'), where parents can work remotely from resort villages or mountain guest houses while their children participate in organised activities on site.

In the Eastern Rhodopes, Mihaela Kircheva and her husband have been running children's camps for 20 years. They have two base camps: a guest house at the Studen Kladenets dam and an attractive farm in the village of Tankovo. In this interview, Mihaela talks about the concept and the activities organised for children.

'When kids step away from their usual city lives, they discover a lot more about themselves and those around them. Our camps are phone-free. Children only have one hour a day to talk to their parents. They spend the rest of the time having adventures and learning to kayak, windsurf and ride a bike. We also go birdwatching with a colleague of ours who is an ornithologist and comes from Haskovo to show the children the different species of birds in the area."

There is an emphasis on group work and physical activities such as climbing to the peak of the Yumruk Skala nature reserve and the Moniak fortress, kayaking around the Studen Kladenets reservoir and observing wildlife.

'Everything is done through play," says Michaela. 'Don’t imagine a boring lecture. On the contrary, it’s fun, engaging and humorous.The kids can’t wait for the next camp — it’s been like that for years. Some return every summer. We now even have 13- and 14-year-olds asking us to organise horse riding for next year. Most of the children who come here have parents who travel often. They’re open-minded and worldly, and they generally come from well-educated, slightly more affluent families.”

Alongside this model, so-called family working holidays are also gaining popularity. Milena Vusheva, a client manager at a major tourism platform, explains that many guesthouses now offer children’s activities while parents work remotely from their rooms or the garden on a 'workation' basis.

'While parents work, children have fun and learn in engaging ways,” says Vusheva. 'Many guesthouses with amenities like pools, jacuzzis, and spacious gardens are now embracing this type of tourism. During the day, kids can enjoy activities such as horse riding (offered as an extra service), or even take part in mini MasterChef-style competitions — kneading dough, preparing fruit salads, and learning how to make healthy meals with organic ingredients. Some places also introduce children to rural life.”

Whether it’s a nature-based summer camp with a digital detox, a short family holiday with outdoor games while mum and dad work remotely, carefree days in the countryside with grandparents, or a summer spent in the city in front of a screen — Bulgarian schoolchildren’s holidays can look very different. It all depends on the family budget and how each family defines a meaningful break during the long, hot months.

Further reading: