Youth Leadership.
Extraordinary summer camp programmes for young people aged 16 - 30 to help inspire their sense of purpose, develop their leadership skills, support their understanding of global issues and empower their contribution to the world
June 2026
Summer Camps for Young People
It’s a tough time to navigate the world as a young person. The threats of AI to job security and building your career, to finding your place in a world of tumult and economic instability, to building the necessary skills of creativity, resilience and entrepreneurialism to forge a ‘portfolio’ life, it’s never been more important to have the support and inspiration to launch out onto the world stage and play your own unique role.
Our founder, Caroline Watson, is passionate about supporting young people on their journey to self-discovery and knows a thing or two personally about the mental and physical barriers that can often threaten to stand in the way of you finding your own voice. As a young person with creative and artistic dreams, and a strong streak of entrepreneurialism, she had to navigate the ups and downs of forging a unique path in the world, often facing opposition from those around her in following her dreams.
Caroline believes that the current challenges we are facing in the world offer an opportunity for young people to lead in unique and compelling ways, whilst also building the necessary entrepreneurial skills to navigate huge uncertainty in the future of work. With courage and conviction, Caroline will inspire you to realise you are in control of your own destiny and have you leaving the camp fully believing in your potential for an amazing life!
You will come away with
An introduction to the human-centered, 21st century skills of creative thinking and resilience, flexibility and agility, leadership and social influence, curiosity and lifelong learning, that you will need to navigate the future and what you can do to continually learn and improve on those skills throughout your life
A deeper knowledge and appreciation of how important an entrepreneurial mindset is going to be for the future of work and what you can do to build your entrepreneurial ‘muscle’ to be prepared
An understanding of your ‘artistic’ and creative voice, whether that’s literally navigating a creative career, or using the tools of an artist to let go and be comfortable with uncertainty, ambiguity and change, to feel empowered and inspired to imagine a different future as the ‘architect’ of a beautiful life.
Support to take charge of your mental health and well-being, and tools to give you agency over your future and the direction of our world, being an ‘activist’ for the changes we need to see
A deeper awareness of the enormous potential you hold within yourself and the self-confidence and belief to know you can achieve anything you set out to do
A practical roadmap for the next steps in your life and career, with the leadership skills to communicate clearly what you want and have to offer
Solid skills in website development, personal branding and storytelling, and an understanding of how to use social media in a productive and empowered way to build your personal and professional presence
A CV or resume of your skills and vision for your career that could be used in interviews etc.
Practice in interview technique and how to project authority and confidence to enable you to be taken seriously as a professional
And, of course, having had a restorative and regenerating rest in a beautiful location that will feed your soul and remind you of the awe and majesty of the natural world!
Welcome to Clos de Gaye!
Clos de Gaye (pronounced ‘guy’) means ‘Place of Joy’ and it is at once 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 European culture and values, with a renewed way of thinking about its relationship with the rest of the world, restoring humanity to everyone.
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
— Mary Oliver