Celebrating 5 Years of Pitumarca Camp
Just over a month ago, we wrapped up our 2025 Pitumarca Camp - marking five incredible years of bringing children and teens together in the heart of the Andes to learn, play, and grow.
This year, 60 campers ages 7–16 joined us from the communities of Pampachiri, Ccapaccchapi, Ilave, Chillca, and Uchullucllo. For many, it was their first time climbing in the stunning Kantur Suyllana park, using brand-new equipment provided through a Petzl Foundation grant earlier this year. Seeing the kids conquer their first routes with wide smiles and newfound confidence was a highlight for us all.
But climbing was just one piece of the week. Each day was also filled with hands-on workshops:
Cooking and nutrition classes using local ingredients
Art and creativity as a way to express oneself
Team sports that encouraged collaboration and opened conversations on gender equality
These activities created space for campers to connect with one another, build new skills, and reflect on important values that guide us both inside and outside of camp.
Camper Highlight: Melany Aracely
One camper who especially stood out this year was Melany Aracely, who has participated in Pitumarca Camp for the last three years. Melany shared that she loves Valley Camp because it’s a place where kids can truly have fun without being tied to their phones or social media. For her, camp is a chance to free her mind, connect with nature, and learn values woven into our daily morning circles, especially the importance of trusting yourself and others, and connecting with your emotions.
Stories like Melany’s remind us why Pitumarca Camp matters. Each year, we see how camp becomes more than just a week of activities. It’s a place where young people discover their potential and grow in confidence, resilience, and community.
Families at the Heart of Camp
Our work in Pitumarca is always in collaboration with the community. During camp, families come together to prepare a traditional meal cooked over firewood. These shared meals reflect the warmth, generosity, and strong connections that make Pitumarca Camp so special. We are grateful for the parents’ involvement and the way their collaboration helps bring camp to life.
Our Dedicated Team
Behind every camp experience is a passionate team. This year, we were fortunate to have 18 staff members who brought their energy, talent, and heart to Pitumarca. Our team reflected diversity from across Latin America - Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia - as well as regions throughout Peru, including Tarapoto and Arequipa.
What we value most, however, is the strong presence of local staff from Cusco. Eleven Cusqueños joined us this year, seven of whom speak Quechua as their native language. Their voices, culture, and knowledge rooted in the Andes make the camp experience richer and more meaningful for our campers.
Looking Ahead
We are still in the process of evaluating this year’s program, but the joy, energy, and reflections we witnessed already speak volumes. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our community.
From all of us at Valley Camp Peru: thank you for being part of this journey. Your generosity helps us continue creating opportunities for young people to explore the outdoors, learn new skills, and grow into tomorrow’s leaders.
Get Involved
Want to support Pitumarca Camp and programs like it? You can donate here to help provide scholarships and resources for future camps. We’re also always looking for energetic, compassionate volunteers to join our team - your presence and enthusiasm can make a real difference.
