Healing for Humanity

Summer Camp for Grown Ups

Monday 14th to Friday 18th September

The most extraordinary week of your life.

5 days in south west France, at the foothills of the Pyrénées, on the stunning Clos de Gaye estate

An opportunity to come together with people from all over the world (after the kids have gone back to school!), to play, connect, relax, learn something new, get inspired, eat well and dream….

We are living through exceptional times. The news is coming at us 24/7, the threat of war, economic instability, climate change and humanitarian crises seem never-ending. It’s a struggle to hold onto our sense of hope and our belief in the innate goodness of our fellow man, despair and the apparent inevitability of self-destruction threatening to tear our world apart.

In times like these, we need a renewed sense of who we each are. To come together with others and affirm our inherent dignity and worth and our humanity. To rise up against the apparent inevitability of conflict, separation, division and hatred of ‘the other’. To believe in the possibility of a new way of being, and seeing, the promise of a different sort of world. To truly know and see each other’s ‘humanness’ and capacity for renewal, to know that out of times of great crisis comes, too, the opportunity to build something better.

Imagine…..

  • Global Leadership through the Arts

    …bringing people together from all over the world to take part in an extraordinary collection of arts-based workshops, performances, talks, discussions to change the world

    fun at summer camp in south west france
  • World Class Food and Drink

    ... locally-grown, healthy, organic food, cooked by our in-house chefs and local producers, bringing you the best in French classical cooking and globally-inspired cuisine

    summer camp for global families
  • Engaging with nature

    ... exploring the beautiful Pyrénéean region, lakes, mountains, the Atlantic beaches and famed Basque coast

    summer camp in beautiful pyrenees in south west france
  • Personal Development

    ... taking time to improve your personal leadership - resilience, empathy, critical thinking and problem solving, creativity, communication and collaboration, social and cultural awareness

    summer camp with global families
  • Building New Relationships

    ….making new friends, expanding your community of trust, strengthening global bonds

    building new relationships
  • Valuable Time For Yourself

    …read, rest, relax, sleep….make time for you.

    time for yourself

Monday 14th to Friday 18th September 2026

Summer camp will be lead by Caroline Watson, visionary founder of The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership, and the Global Arts Impact Agenda. An award-winning entrepreneur, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum (Davos) and a talented performer herself, using the arts to effect large-scale social change across the world, Caroline is the owner of Clos de Gaye and a masterful hostess and creator of extraordinary experiences.

Caroline Watson, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Harvard, Yale, INSEAD, Oxford

Coach and leadership development expert to global heads of state, corporate executives and world leaders.

Unfolding leadership potential

Caroline will host a series of workshops on the following topics:

Building a Future For Us All:  Where We Are Now, Where We Want To Go, How Do We Get There?

In this innovative ‘Frozen Picture’ workshop, come together with others to reflect on the challenges facing us as a global community and the actions we can each take to build a better world.  You’ll come away feeling inspired, energized and ready to build on the foundations of a relaxing and inspirational summer camp experience, able to make your contribution to the future wellbeing of our planet!

Purpose and Vision: New Horizons for your Leadership

Digging deep and getting clarity on our values and what we stand for are the cornerstones of building a career and a meaningful family and personal life, built on a sense of purpose and vision, allowing us to achieve outsize goals and ensuring we live with integrity in line with our values

Leadership Presence and Compelling Communication

Building on our founder’s background as an actress, we help you work on ways to improve your presentation skills, build your self-confidence when giving talks or raising funds, and understand how to compel others to follow or hire you!

Building a ‘Portfolio Life’: Finding more Joy, Career Progression and Economic Resiliencein an Uncertain World

Whether you are an artist, creative, young visionary, or looking to pivot in your career and eager to make your mark on the world, it’s a daunting time to launch out with so much uncertainty in our world.  Now is the time to dig deep into what it is you have to say in the world and to build a ‘portfolio’ of activity that plays to your strengths and interests and enable you to support the life you want to live.

Cross-cultural Communications:  Mastering the Challenges of Life as a Global Citizen

How do we speak so others will listen?  How do we communicate in a language other than our own?  How can we get across what we need in a respectful, kind and joyful way?  Living across different cultures can be a challenge so it’s imperative we develop the tools and techniques to successfully achieve what we need to do in our day to day life, whilst listening and learning to what other countries and cultures can teach us too.

Negotiation and Conflict Management Skills –  Getting What You Need With Confidence and Respect

Whether it’s managing difficult conversations, asking for a pay rise or asserting your independence from friends and family, this workshop uses Forum Theatre as a technique to ‘rehearse for real life’ conflict resolution skills to get you through even the toughest of negotiations with grace, diplomacy - and results!

Caroline will also be joined by two exceptional artists and creative leaders, sharing their skills and experience

Jennifer Foster

Soprano Jennifer Foster will lead a singing workshop for those needing a better understanding of breath and the power of their voice, as well as serenading us over a dinner concert under the stars

Gina Badenoch

Photographer and social entrepreneur Gina Badenoch will guide participants through a sensory photography workshop and blindfolded lunch to explore the role the senses have in unleashing the power of the imagination.

And all this whilst staying on the stunning Clos de Gaye estate in south west France, in the foothills of the Pyrénées, on the border with Spain….

Welcome to Clos de Gaye!

Clos de Gaye (pronounced ‘guy’) means ‘Place of Joy’, a space being transformed into a private home, a residential retreat, a creative and artistic workspace, organic farm, community kitchen, restaurant and tea house, and a convening ground for global leaders, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and all those charged with the care and governance of our planet. Think of it as the meeting point between the Bloomsbury set’s Charleston and Camp David.   It is a place to stay, to play, to share and to transform our world.

The spirit of Clos de Gaye is one of contribution, generosity and accountability.  Those that have a seat of the table have arrived there through hard work and a genuine desire to be of service to the world.  Time spent here is for you to reflect on what has been achieved so far and to be a springboard into future leadership and the continued desire to be a force for good in the world.

Deep in the heart of the French countryside, embedded in the ‘old world’ rises a new way of thinking about the future. The best of European heritage, beauty and aesthetic, with interiors from all over the world, reflecting our founder’s upbringing in Asia, and bringing energy, dynamism and a sense of inclusion of the new world.

An opportunity to reclaim the very best of who we each are, with a renewed way of thinking about our relationship with the rest of the world, restoring humanity to everyone.

A place where AI, mobile phones and Powerpoint presentations are BANNED!

Are you ready to be human again?

This isn’t just any summer camp

This experience will transform your understanding of yourself and the world, empower your creativity and sense of agency, enlarge your view of what’s possible in the world, extend your sphere of influence and capacity for change and transformation, help you discover your innate creativity and artistry, enlarge your community to encompass those from around the world and, most importantly inspire a sense of hope and possibility about what we can all do together.

It’s about beauty, depth, substance, and Soul

“Caroline is a wonderful events organizer, her multifaceted skill sets, combining her talents as an actor and leadership expert, shines through in every detail she orchestrates. Caroline’s passion, strong sense of inclusion, impeccable organizational skills, and innate flair for hospitality ensure that every event is a seamless and rewarding experience……Caroline's events are expertly curated adventures that leave a lasting impact.”

— Shirley Liu, L’Oréal Paris

Sample Day Schedule

  • 8am Breakfast

    Croissants, Pain au Chocolat, fresh fruit and coffee overlooking the Pyrénées

  • 10am - 12pm Singing Workshop with Jennie Foster

    Learn about the power of your voice and how a sense of beauty and lyricism can make you a more compelling speaker

  • 1pm Lunch

    Salads, local cheese, saucisson, fresh bread and all good seasonal produce from the local Béarn region

  • 2- 4pm Leading with Purpose

    Corporate leadership consultant and owner of Clos de Gaye, Caroline Watson, guides you through this leadership development workshop to help you stay true to your vision and sense of purpose

  • 4 - 5pm Afternoon Tea in the Rose Garden

    Lemon Drizzle, Victoria Sponge or a chocolate brownie? Enjoy this English tradition of afternoon tea amongst the roses at Clos de Gaye

  • 5 - 7pm Free time

    Take some time to hang out with your new friends, go for a walk through the fields, enjoy quiet time in the library of Clos de Gaye, or catch up with work in our co-working space

  • 7pm Dinner under the Trees

    Feasting and friendship, dining and discussion, and changing the world…..

  • 8 - 9.30pm Music and Magic

    Enjoy an impromptu performance from our resident artists or a staged show as part of our International Festival for the Arts and Social Change

  • 9.30 - 11pm Campfire and Stargazing

    What is your star wish going to be?

  • 11pm And So To Bed

    Sweet dreams!

Each camp includes one trip to the Pyrénées and one day trip to the stunning Basque Coast. We will likely also include a visit to the Chateau of Pau or a local wine producer as September is harvest time in the Jurancon region.

Accommodation is available in the Manor House, Rose Cottage and in our luxury bell and ‘stargazer’ tents on the field of Fischer’s Farm. These are wonderful special experiences that would create a lifetime of memories.

The campsite comes equipped with compostable toilets and stunning views over the Pyrénées, but you will also have access to toilets and showers in the main house too. This is very much ‘glamping’ and full of the comforts of home.

All meals are prepared using fresh, local, and often organic ingredients, sourced either from our cottage garden or from local providers in the Béarn and Basque regions. Halal, kosher or other dietary needs can be catered for on request.

Clos de Gaye is situated in the Jurancon wine region and there will be thoughtful pairings of wine and other non-alcoholic drinks with each meal.

Our spaces are unique, artistic and soulful.

Pricing Options

  • Furnished Bell Tent

    Our beautiful tents with futon beds, chairs and charming little touches to make you feel at home

    4999 euros - up to 2 people

    5999 euros - up to 3 people

  • Luxury Stargazer Tent

    A luxury option, lie in bed and enjoy your own nightly star show in the comfort of a proper bed, an experience like no other

    7999 euros (up to 2 people sharing)

  • Manor House at Clos de Gaye

    Double and shared rooms, fully equipped with desk space and cooling systems, pricing from 8999 to 14999 euros

    Enquire with us for more detail

  • Rose Cottage

    Enjoy your own private gite in the heart of the action, fully equipped with private living room, office space and cooling system

    12999 for up to 3 people

What’s included in the ticket price?

Each guest will enjoy:

All workshops, performances, talks and discussions, and day trips to the Pyrénées and Basque Coast

Accommodation as chosen (see above)

Continental breakfast, buffet lunch and evening dinner with other participants, wine included

Coffees, teas and soft drinks available throughout the day

Afternoon Tea and Cake

FAQs

FAQs

Any questions? Feel free to reach out to us through the link below. We are happy to help you think through your trip!

The most extraordinary experience of your life.

Awe. Transformation. Impact

“I can't really put into words what [the programme] has done for me. It has been life-changing”

Past participant, Middle East

Getting Here

From your home to Clos de Gaye

Clos de Gaye is situated less than 20 minutes away from both Pau airport and train station in south west France. We are also 50 minutes away from Tarbes/Lourdes airport that has regular connections from many cities in Europe. Biarritz, Bordeaux and Toulouse are all between 1 - 2 hours drive or train ride with multiple flight options available there.

In keeping with our vision to have a positive impact on the world, we encourage international visitors to start their journey at Gare Montparnasse in Paris, so you can use train travel to ‘set the scene’ on your journey and reduce your carbon footprint as well as enjoying a few days in the beautiful City of Light.

We suggest that you aim for a plane or train to arrive in Paris on the morning of the retreat date, and to take either the 10am train or the 2pm train from Montparnasse to arrive in time for dinner or afternoon tea.

Transfers from the train station to Clos de Gaye can be arranged ahead of time and the transfer time takes less than 20 minutes.

We also kindly ask all international visitors to offset the carbon from their plane travel from their origin to their final destination at Clos de Gaye through a reputable carbon-offsetting scheme.

Dates

Monday 14th to Friday 18th September 2026

Come together with people from around the world to take part in transformative workshops, discussions, performances and experiences that will change the world.

All of our summer camps and retreats at Clos de Gaye are carefully curated experiences to get the right mix of people. If you are interested in applying to attend one of the camps, please reach out to us at the link below.

Good to Know

As a family-friendly space, we have a strict no alcohol policy outside of mealtimes (when wine is provided). Drug use, even cannabis, is strictly prohibited and will result in guests being asked to leave if breaching those rules.

For fire and safety reasons, we kindly ask guests not to smoke around the campsite nor inside the buildings. A small space will be allocated for smokers as needed.

We are in a residential area and ask that you are respectful of our neighbours and the beautiful countryside we live in by clearing up any mess you leave and depositing it in the recycling boxes, and by refraining from too much noise after 10pm.

As a socially-entrepreneurial for-profit company, choosing to purchase a camp or retreat at The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership creates employment opportunities for artists and creatives, supports low-income and marginalised communities to also take part in extraordinary experiences at Clos de Gaye and elsewhere in the world, and enables us to support the ‘higher order’ leadership of current and future leaders, bringing about profound and transformative impact to our world.

Possible side trips to add to your itinerary

  • Paris

    City of Lights, one of the most romantic capitals in the world. An easy train ride from Paris with lots to see and do, we recommend a few days stop here en route to Clos de Gaye when flying internationally.

  • Toulouse

    Just two hours from Clos de Gaye, this gorgeous ‘pink city’ is unique in France for its distinct architecture and vibrant and youthful spirit. Our partnership with the Hotel des Arts provides a wonderful addition to your stay with us.

  • Spain and the Basque Coast

    With it’s dramatic landscape and Michelin-award winning cuisine, the Basque coast and the towns of Bayonne and Biarritz, St Jean de Luz and the Spanish city of San Sebastian make for a stunning driving holiday to finish off your trip.

  • Bordeaux and the Landes Region

    Stunning French city in the heart of the famed wine region, world class dining, and the possibility to visit vineyards, chateaux and the surrounding Dordogne and Landes region

  • I wouldn’t recommend improving anything [about the camp}. What’s there to improve?

    Past participant

Ready to join us for this extraordinary experience?

Secure your spot now!

Because our world needs a new kind of leadership