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Our Founder's Story

Carlos Alcalá Marcos

One Childhood in Nature

Sharing Fun and Friends

I was seven years old and a Beaver Scout — the youngest section of the group.

During a summer camp, I asked to my Scout leader what the responsibilities of each section were within the group.

After she explained them, I asked:

"So, what do Beavers do?"

"You make all of us happy with your joy"

Two Decades of Movement

The Body as Artistic Expression

I started dancing breakdance when I was twelve.

Pro-Tip for mothers of ADHD teenagers:

"Help them find a creative, physical form of artistic expression."

After-university, I danced contemporary, directed a musical with sixty kids, and eventually founded my own physical theater company: Raining Rosas.

Three Titles in Psychology

A Mind Thirsty of Understanding

In high school I earned my first perfect grade in psychology.

I loved understand people:

"Why we are the way we are?"

My Bachelor's thesis explored social networks and human connections.

After a profound spiritual experience, I became curious about how to enjoy life to the fullest.

So, I pursued in two Masters in Positive Psychology to study the science of happiness and spirituality.

Four Spiritual Experiences

A Soul Seeking Enlightenment

At twenty-one, science was my religion. I was a skeptic atheist.

But one evening, alone in my room without technology, I had a mystical experience that changed my life.

I discover Taoism and became an ascetic.

Later, I traveled to India and became a Yogi.

Then, through Buddhist meditation, I experienced an ego loss.

Finally, I explored psychedelics—and lost my fear of death.

Five Combined Identities

Goodbye Peter Pan

A nature lover travelling the world
A performing artist directing musicals
A psychologist studying happiness
A spiritual seeker searching for peace
A frustrated writer with Peter Pan syndrome

It was time to grow up and find a "real job".

That's how I became a Ph.D. researcher in Belgium.

I explored how exposure to nature makes us feel happier and more connected to the divine.

Want to discover more?

In 2021, I published my first book:

13 Letters Since 2013

In it, I share my most powerful stories and the biggest lessons I learned throughout my twenties.

Get Your Copy Here

The Playing Camp Story

From Burnout to Purpose

Now, it's my turn to tell you how Playing Camp is becoming a world movement for joy, love and peace.

Living a Lie

A Researcher Trapped in his Own Study

As you know, Carlos was pursuing a Ph.D. in positive psychology.

But he wasn't a happy man.

He spent days alone in his office, studying the effects of nature on spiritual experiences.

He felt completely disconnected from himself and his friends.

His life was a lie: researching happiness and nature while living in misery inside an office.

Only one life

Predictable Burnout

His Ph.D. advisor used to tell Carlos that he shouldn't work that much because "There's only one life".

He was soooo right.

So right, that before the pandemic he decided to quit.

During the lockdown, he had a powerful insight:

"Why do we spend all our lives working and not having fun?

If I die tomorrow: would I have enjoyed?

Or did I spend my years in front of a screen?"

Ancestral Awakening

African Adventure

He decided to prioritize impact.

Carlos moved to Zambia and co-founded an NGO with his friends.

He was teaching underpriviledge kids from the neighborhood — but it was during the recess that he discover a deeper truth:

"Those kids, playing with sticks, leaves and stones weren't the poorest people on Earth. They lived surrounded by infinite, accessible abundance!

It wasn't through studying connection, happiness or nature that we become enlightened.

It was through playing with one another that we learn to enjoy life, moment by moment."

Fearless Dreamer

Bringing Play Back to Adulthood

Carlos had found his purpose.

He created the Playing Camp Experience, a non-verbal workshop filled with theater and dance games to help adults reconnect with their inner child.

In a rush of excitement, he planned a tour across several European capitals.

He invested much of his savings, but, only a few participants showed up.

He wasn't making any money—he was on the edge of going broke.

It wasn't a business. It was a beautiful, but very expensive, passion.

Serious Business

If Robots Work...?

Carlos started working for a podcast that aligned with his values—"Selling With Love".

He learn copywriting, marketing and sales as digital nomad.

One day, in Bali, he discovered ChatGPT.

"Wait... this thing writes faster than me?"

His job — like everyone else’s — was suddenly at risk.

So, he become an expert on AI.

But, he knew that wouldn't last long forever.

Either the machines would take over, or they'd give us endless free time.

In both cases, there was only one answer: PLAYING while it lasts.

Pillow Fights in Bali

Humans Play!

After a deep conversation, Carlos remembered his favorite childhood game — pillow fights with his brothers!

Using guerrilla marketing, he organized the island’s first Pillow Fight.

He grabbed the pillows from his bed and started beach battles in Bali.

Soon, he hosted more Playing Camp sessions in Asia for digital nomads.

But then he wondered:

"Who needs to play the most?"

Not the nomads sipping coconuts — but the workers stuck in offices, staring at screens all day.

Recess at the Workplace

What was your favorite moment at school?

Carlos had no idea what B2B even meant.

He flew back to Madrid, determined to learn how to sell to companies.

He went to hundreds of networking events, asking everyone the same question:

“When you were in school, what was your favorite moment of the day?”

“Playtime!”

“Exactly. So imagine a world where kids grow up, start working… and never have recess again. Wouldn’t that affect their happiness?”

From that insight, Carlos began sharing his knowledge of AI, sales, communication, and wellbeing in companies and business schools.

Soon, he was leading team-building experiences with organizations like Airbus, Four Seasons, and many others across Spain and Germany.

World Liberation

Life Is a Game. We Play with Joy

Nowadays, Carlos keeps bringing play into offices — transforming workplaces with innovative solutions.

But we're not stopping there.

Every day, play enthusiasts from around the world join our mission.

While Carlos speaks on stages about the benefits of daily play, our team keeps growing — brining play to NGOs, schools, homeless shelters, elderly homes, and refugee camps.

We’re building a global movement of joy, love and peace.

And you — yes, you — are invited.

One Playing Camp at a time, let's change lives all over the planet.

Wanna join us?

Let’s play!