Benfica Elite Training Camps Airport Transfer Information & Camp Frequently Asked Questions

For those arriving from overseas the camp provides a negotiated transfer service from Lisbon (LIS) Airport to the Camp Accommodations site. All transfers need to be pre-arranged. Flight arrivals are on Sundays in the morning and flight departures are on Saturdays after the closing ceremony in the afternoon.

After collecting their luggage, students proceed through customs. Students are then met by a representative of the camp, in the public arrival area, who will be displaying a prominant sign. From here students will be transported to the Accommodations site.

Participants must arrive on the first date of the camp and leave on the last date of the camp as mentioned on your registration.

Transfers will take place at regular intervals, the camp staff shall attempt to transfer you as soon as you arrive. If not, you might have to wait until the following arrival to combine the transfers.

On departure, students will be dropped off at their airline’s ticket counter.

Many airlines require children under the age of 16 to be escorted to the check-in desk at the airport on their return home. Please check if this is a requirement of your child’s airline as currently we do not offer this service. (Unaccompanied Minor, UM, check Airlines Services for UM)

Check local requirements for children travelling without their parents or legal guardian – each country has specific requirements and may require written consent and/or identity documents.

It is of vital importance that all necessary flight details are sent to Soccer Camps International with the booking information or as soon as available. The camp requires the exact flight information including dates, airlines, arrival and departure terminals, flight numbers, and flight times. This service must be booked no later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the course.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What age group can attend Benfica Elite Training Camps?

A: Benfica Elite Training Camps is open to boys from 13 – 18 years old and there is also one session for girls from 13 – 18 years old. Please note that campers must be within the relevant age restrictions to register for the camp and that campers whose age is outside of the above age limits cannot register for the camp. Camp participants need to be the relevant age throughout the duration of the course in order to register.

Q: My child is just outside the relevant age for a particular course. What can I do?

A: Unfortunately your child has to be of the relevant age throughout the duration of the course.

Q: Do I need to belong to a soccer club to register for the camp?

A: Campers must be registered/licensed (club) players to register for Benfica Elite Training Camps. This soccer program is only designed for those who play soccer in a soccer club at home and have a license in a club.

Q: What do I need to bring with me to camp?

A: You can find a list of what we recommend children bring with them HERE (PDF).

Q: What are the check-in and check-out times at camp?

A: Camp self check-in is on Sunday afternoon between 16:00pm (4:00pm) to 18:00pm (6:00pm) and self check-out is on Saturday in the early afternoon after lunch around 15:00pm (3:00pm).

Q: How can I get a trial with the Academy?

A: SL Benfica has a scouting network to identify talented youngsters. Players need to make an impression for their local club/team. You cannot apply for a trial through Benfica Elite Training Camps.

Q: What are the chances of meeting a player?

A: SL Benfica first team players will not be attending the Benfica Elite Training Camps.

Q: My child is attending on his own; will he be ok?

A: Yes, the majority of players attend without friends and family. Individuals will be placed in groups with players near the same age who are also on their own. The first session of every course is designed to help all individual players integrate to form a team and also make new friends.

Q: What to expect as far as camp culture based on the country of the camp?

A: Each camp provides a sports experience as well as a cultural experience. Many of the participants will experience something different from home as they will be in a foreign country with a different way of living. For most of the camps, participants will experience the local cuisine, special times for meals (early meals in northern Europe, late meals in southern Europe) as per the culture of the country, showers after training sessions, typical entertainment at the camp as per the country’s summer camp culture, early or late bedtimes based on the country’s living habits and more. If you feel that your child will have difficulties to adapt to a new way of living, then we recommend that you wait until your child is of an age where they will be ready to do so.

Q: Where is the residential camp based at?

A: The residential soccer camps have their soccer practice sessions take place at the Benfica Training Campus and the accommodations will be at the TRYP Lisboa Caparica Mar Hotel in triple rooms with ensuite bathroom. More information can be found on the Camp Location page.

Q: Are meals provided?

A: Three meals per day are included in the cost. All meals will be supervised by the Department of Nutrition of the club. They will be served according to your needs at the hotel and Academy center as a buffet.

Q: Do I receive a training kit?

A: Yes, campers will receive SL Benfica’s official training kits (for participants staying more than 1 week, they will only receive their kits (2) for the first week).

Q: How much pocket money will they need whilst on the camp?

A: It is suggested that each child brings some pocket change for telephone calls, soft drinks, souvenirs, and other things (75-150 Euros per week).

Q: Can I visit my child during the camp?

A: There is one day a week which is yet to be determined where the training session will be opened to the public so that family members of the camp participants will watch them practice. During the first day of their camp, the camp participants will be informed when the open training will happen and the schedule for the open training.

Q: Can I stay on site with my child?

A: Parents can stay in the same hotel as their child but not in the same room of course. You may also reserve a room in another hotel close to camp.

Q: Are there specific Goalkeeping courses?

A: There are specific Goalkeeper training during the courses available. Just select the Goalkeeper Training Option during online registration. Goalkeepers will have a dedicated part of the training sessions before the beginning of the team training session, then will join the team training and games.

Q: Does the child need a ‘Child Tourist/Visitor Visa’ to attend the soccer camp?

A: IMPORTANT:  Please note, you are solely responsible for obtaining all needed travel documents including but not limited to a valid passport and any appropriate tourist travel visas for the person attending the soccer camp, the Participant.  You must contact the appropriate consulate office for entry requirements and visa requirements for the country where the selected camp is located.  Once you have registered your child with us, and have paid for the camp in full, upon your written request, we will be pleased to provide a letter confirming enrolment for the specific Participant. This letter may be required by certain consulates for the ‘Child Tourist/Visitor Visa’.  (NOTE: We can only issue the letter for the Participant not for any other person.)  Please be advised that consulate’s visa application processes can take many months.  The more you wait, the more chances you have to be denied the required ‘Child Tourist/Visitor Visa’ for your child and certain camps will not issue a refund.  Please check the terms for the camp.

Q: Do I need insurance?

A: Standard minimum insurance in included in your camp. See details on the Camp Prices page but if you want additional coverage we recommend that you do take out insurance to cover personal belongings, illness, and injury. No refunds will be issued if illness or injury prevents individuals from participation or cuts short their stay on the course.

Q: Will I be in the same room as my friend?

A: Accommodation will be mainly in triple rooms with en-suite toilets and showers. Bed linen will be provided. Should you wish to share with a friend or relative please indicate this when you make your booking online. Please note that we cannot guarantee any room share requests. Please visit the Camp Location page for more information.

Q: How many weeks can my child attend for?

A: Campers may register for a maximum of two consecutive weeks (there are 2 consecutives weeks available). However, we usually recommend that campers do not register for more than two consecutive weeks due to the busy training schedule throughout the week and after two weeks children tend to get tired, homesick, or possibly injured.

Q: When is the closing date for applications?

A: Applications are open until there are no slots left. Slots are limited and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a session is filled, then it is closed for sale.

Q: What documents do I need to fill out?

A: To validate your registration, you will receive a follow-up email regarding the requested documents below which will need to be provided at least one month before the start of camp:

• Filled out and signed statement of responsibility form
• Parent passport copy

Q: When can I phone my child?

A: Campers are not allowed to use their mobile phones during training, meals, lectures, or any activities. Campers may be able to use their mobile phones for about two hours after dinner. Your child will let you know the best time for you to contact him after his camp session has started. Wi-Fi is available at the hotel and Academy.

Q: What are the camp’s telephone numbers?

A: Camp telephone numbers will be provided in your camp welcome packet a few weeks before the start of camp for registered campers.

Q: Will I be able to phone my child on his mobile phone?

A: Mobile phones are not allowed to be used during training, meals, lectures, or any of the activities. Mobile phone usage outside of pre-set permitted times may result in camp staff taking away the mobile phone until the end of camp.

Q: Is a laundry service available?

A: Normally there will be two trainings per day and the kit used for the trainings will be provided by the camp. There is a Kit man on staff who does laundry for the campers so that when campers reach the Academy to train, they may have clean kits available. Campers must clearly label their name on their soccer kit with a marker so that the kit does not get mixed up with the kits of other campers. For your personal clothes, the hotel can do a laundry for you for a fee which you will need to pay on site directly to the hotel.

Q: My child has to follow a specific diet for health reasons. Is it possible?

A: If your child has any special dietary requirements, if you did not mention it when you registered online, please inform us as soon as possible. Most diets can be catered for by prior arrangement.

Q: My child takes prescription medication – should I inform you about this?

A: Yes, please be sure to indicate in the online application form any medication that your son is taking or if he is following a treatment. We will update the medical staff at the disposal at the camp who will follow your son. It is important that we receive accurate information about any pre-existing medical conditions your child may have. Should you not have already informed us of a medical condition when you registered online please do so as soon as possible. Please note that Benfica Elite Training Camps accepts students on the assumption that they are in good health. If your child needs to bring any medication with them please give us full information about dosage, time to take the medication, and storage information.

Q: Is there anybody supervising the participants during the night?

A: There is camp staff on site 24 hours per day.

Q: My child is participating for two consecutive sessions in the Summer Camp. Will the staff take care of him during the weekend between one session to the other?

A: For campers staying two consecutive sessions, there will be staff staying with the children during the weekend between the sessions.

Q: What languages do the coaches speak at camp?

A: Benfica Elite Training Camps sessions are taught in Portuguese and English as many foreign participants come from all over the world. For many years, we have had participants coming from all over the world and a lot of them do not speak the native language where the camp is based but acclimate very well to the camp as there has not been any language barrier in the past.