Frequently Asked Questions

 

Questions

ABOUT TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

  1. How do children arrive at camp?
  2. Can you organise or suggest a flight for my child?
  3. If I fly to Geneva with my child, can I come and have a look at the camp?
  4. If I accompany my child to camp, can I stay the night nearby?
  5. Are accompanied transfers to and from Geneva airport (or train station) included in the price?
  6. How does Camp Suisse transfer campers to resort?
  7. Are there any preferred arrival or departure times?
  8. What if my child is travelling alone?

 

ABOUT REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

  1. How do I pay for the camp?
  2. Can I pay in Euros?
  3. Can I pay in Pounds Sterling?
  4. I paid the required deposit amount but my confirmation document shows I have paid less. Why is this?
  5. Do we need to organise travel insurance?

 

ABOUT THE CAMP

  1. Is it possible to enrol for four weeks? Is the programme repeated and would it be boring the second time round?
  2. Which countries do campers come from?
  3. Are campers divided up into groups for activities?
  4. What is the ratio of staff to campers?
  5. Can my child email or call me from camp? How can I get in touch with them?
  6. What is the accommodation like?
  7. What if my child becomes ill or upset during the night?
  8. What if my child becomes ill or homesick during the day?
  9. Is the night-time accommodation manned? Is it secure?
  10. If my child is coming to camp with a friend or sibling can we request they be in a room or group together?
  11. Can I visit my child during their stay?
  12. Is there a set programme which the children follow?
  13. How is a typical day divided up?
  14. How much language study is included and what level are the classes?
  15. Are campers able to choose which activities they do?
  16. Is there any facility for laundry of clothes?
  17. Will Camp Suisse return items of lost property my child leaves behind?

 

 

Answers

ABOUT TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

1. How do children arrive at camp?

We collect campers from Geneva Airport or from Geneva or Aigle train station, and then accompany them to Camp Suisse. Alternatively, you may drop your children at camp in person.

2. Can you organise or suggest a flight for my child?

No. Camp Suisse does not offer flights for international campers, nor are we affiliated with any airline. You should arrange your child’s travel to Geneva airport. Your child will be sent a Camp Suisse t-shirt in the post and if worn for arrivals day, it will enable them to easily identify other campers on their way to Camp Suisse as well as help our staff to greet them at the airport.

3. If I fly to Geneva with my child, can I come and have a look at the camp?

Absolutely; you are more than welcome to travel on to Torgon and drop your child at camp. You may have a drink and a bite to eat courtesy of Camp Suisse and have a look around our facilities. If you would like an airport transfer we, in most cases, are able to offer this service to you for a fee of 75 CHF per adult each way (the transfer fee for children is included in the price of the camp). Please note however that airport transfers for parents will depend on the availability of seats at the time and our main priority is to transfer our campers to camp in the most efficient manner possible.

4. If I accompany my child to camp, can I stay the night nearby?

Sure. The most convenient accommodation for you is in Aigle which is approximately half an hour from camp by road. There are buses that run from here to camp, however, they are not very frequent.  For the timetable of buses please see www.sbb.ch/en. Alternatively, Montreux is a very beautiful and famous area on the shores of Lake Geneva and would make a great base if you wish to explore this region of Switzerland whilst your youngster is at camp. You can access Montreux from Aigle by train.

5. Are accompanied transfers to and from Geneva airport (or train station) included in the price?

Yes. We simply require that you provide us with your child’s travel details at least three weeks prior to the camp. This will ensure that we are able to meet campers and transfer them to resort in a timely and efficient manner. You will be issued with a ‘travel details’ form to complete in the months leading up to camp.

6. How does Camp Suisse transfer campers to resort?

We will transfer your child either by car, minibus, coach, or train; depending on timings and numbers. In all cases campers are accompanied by friendly and helpful Camp Suisse staff. If campers are required to wait for any length of time (over an hour) for other campers to arrive, they will be taken to a café for a cold drink or hot chocolate courtesy of Camp Suisse and will be accompanied throughout their wait. Of course we aim to keep such waits to a minimum.
Transfers from Geneva airport to Camp Suisse in Torgon can take up to two hours by train or one and a half hours by road.

7. Are there any preferred arrival or departure times?

 By plane (or train)

Arrivals day: arriving in Geneva between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.
Departure day: departing Geneva between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm.
If it is inconvenient or impractical for you to meet these preferred times, please contact us and we will do our best to arrange a transfer at the required time. Please note this will incur an additional cost. If you are travelling from a destination with limited flights available, please contact us to discuss your options.

By car

Arrivals day: between 10 am and 4 pm
Departure day: before midday.
These are preferred times only. You are more than welcome to arrive with your child at any time on arrivals day and collect your child at any time on departure day. If you plan to arrive (or depart) outside of the above times, please just let us know.

8. What if my child is travelling alone?

Many of the commercial airlines (excluding budget carriers) operate very efficient and reasonably priced ‘solo-flyer / unaccompanied minor’ programmes.
In this case you see the camper(s) off at the departure airport and we collect them from a representative of the airline in Geneva.

The airline will ask you when booking for the name and contact details of the individual who will be meeting your child in Geneva. Please give the name of ‘Julie Tyler’ and the telephone number +44 (0) 845 5191 031. The contact address (where your child will be staying) is ‘International Camp Suisse, La Jorette, Torgon, CH 1899’.

Should my child arrive on the first day of camp or the day before?
Session 1 2012 arrival day: Saturday 30th June
Session 1 2012 departure day: Friday 13th July

Session 2 2012 arrival day: Saturday 14th July
Session 2 2012 departure day: Friday 27th July

Session 3 2012 arrival day: Saturday 28th July

Session 3 2012 departure day: Friday 10th August

'One week programme' 2012 arrival day: Saturday 28th July

'One week programme' 2012 departure day: Saturday 4th August

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ABOUT PAYMENT

1. How do I pay for the camp?

You can pay by Visa, Visa debit or Mastercard via our website (registration section). Payments by card attract a 2% processing fee. Otherwise, you may pay by cheque (made payable to ‘International Camp Suisse’) or by bank transfer. If you indicate on your registration form that you would like to pay by bank transfer, the appropriate bank details will be issued to you by email once we receive your completed form. 

A deposit of CHF 1000 per two week session or CHF 500 per one week session is due at the time of booking and the balance is due in full by 31 May 2012. If you book after 31 May 2012, payment in full is due at the time of booking.

2. Can I pay in Euros?

Sorry, no. For 2012 we are no longer accepting payments by Euro.

3. Can I pay in Pounds Sterling?

Yes. You may pay in Pounds Sterling by bank transfer only. Please contact us on +44 (0) 845 5191 031 or email us at info@campsuisse.com to obtain the price and appropriate bank details. A deposit of CHF 1000 or sterling equivalent is due at the time of booking and the balance is due by 31 May 2012. If you book after 31 May 2012, payment in full is due at the time of booking.

4. I paid the required deposit amount but my confirmation document shows I have paid less. Why is this?

Usually this is because you have sent a payment by international bank transfer and your bank has charged the fees to Camp Suisse, rather than to you. When sending a deposit by international bank transfer please be sure to mark ‘OUR’ in the fees section (sender pays fees), otherwise Camp Suisse will incur your bank charges and the deposit received by us will be less than the required amount of CHF 1000 per two week session or CHF 500 per one week session. In this case we will add the difference to the balance amount due on 31 May. If this does not answer your query, please contact us.

5. Do we need to organise travel insurance?

Yes. It is essential that insurance cover is in place for all campers. A standard travel insurance policy, if available, is usually adequate. The key points are that insured activities extend to rock climbing and mountain biking and that the policy includes third party or public liability cover (this will offer protection in the event that, for example, campers cause damage to facilities). In addition, it is essential to have insurance cover against unforeseen cancellation or curtailment of the holiday as Camp Suisse is unable to make any refunds of the camp fee in the event that the client is unable to travel for any reason. We must have sight of your travel insurance policy - please send it through to us at the same time as your 'Travel Arrangements' form to info@campsuisse.com. A policy tailor-made for Camp Suisse holidays can be purchased via Travel and General Insurance Services Ltd. Please note that currently this policy is only available to EU residents. For more information email: insurance@tagconnect.co.uk. 

 

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ABOUT THE CAMP

1. Is it possible to enrol for four or six weeks? Is the program repeated and would it be boring the second or third time round?

Many campers register for multiple sessions. Some activities are repeated and many are not. There are so many activities available to our campers that it is impossible to fit them all into any two-week session. The most popular activities (Glacier day (sessions 1 and 2) / river rafting (session 3), banana boating, mountain biking, adventure park, overnight camping) are repeated each session. The most crucial aspect of creating the culture and experience that is a camp session is of course the individuals involved and for this reason every single camp session is unique.

2. Which countries do campers come from?

Camp Suisse is proud to attract youngsters from absolutely all over the world. The top 10 (most represented) nationalities in 2011 were: British, French, American, Italian, Saudi Arabian, Swiss, Indian, Spanish, Nigerian and German. Other nationalities included: Iranian, Libyan, Dutch, Swedish, Brazilian, Russian, Chinese, Turkish, Irish, Kazakstani, Romanian, Latvian, Japanese, Kuwaiti, Mexican, Guinean, Yugoslavian.

3. Are campers divided up into groups for activities?

Yes. Children are divided into groups of around 6 - 8, based on their age. Each group is a mix of boys and girls and is assigned a Camp Suisse staff member or ‘Group Leader’ who is responsible for their wellbeing whilst at camp. The groups undertake most of the activities with groups of similar ages.

4. What is the ratio of staff to campers?

Excluding domestic and kitchen staff, around one staff member to four children. There is a group leader for each group (of 6-8 youngsters). There are additional ‘activity leaders’ and ‘sports coaches’ for relevant activities. In addition there are support staff who fulfill a broad range of duties as required, kitchen staff, a camp nurse, maintenance staff and language teachers.

5. Can my child email or call me from camp? How can I get in touch with them?

Campers can use the public (coin operated) phone in Torgon. There is no internet access for campers but if you would like to pass an email message on to your child we will be happy to oblige. There is a policy of not allowing access to personal mobile phones during activities. Campers may request to use their phones at certain appropriate times to send or receive text messages or to make calls. You will be issued with contact details for your child in the weeks approaching camp, including emergency contact details.

6. What is the accommodation like?

Campers sleep in one of two purpose-built accommodation chalets. Rooms are modern, sleep 2 to 4 people, and all have en-suite bathroom facilities. Girls and boys are housed in separate buildings each with key-coded security locks. Each camp session includes one or two nights camping in tents at our alpine outpost.

7. What if my child becomes ill or upset during the night?

Each building has Camp Suisse staff living in situ and the 'evening team' settles campers down for the night at bedtime alongside the night guards.  The night guards live in the chalets, in rooms close by to all campers, and are always on hand to assist and comfort campers throughout the night.

8. What if my child becomes ill or homesick during the day?

Illness: We have access to excellent medical facilities. We have first aid facilities and a Camp Nurse on site and there is a ‘walk-in’ children’s hospital nearby.

Homesickness: We are very astute at recognising, understanding and dealing with homesickness. We will work with your child and with you as a parent to help assist and guide your child through any difficult adjustment period. We will be absolutely open and honest with you when it comes to making the decision regarding whether your child should leave camp early as a result. 

If you would like to discuss these issues in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us.

9. Is the night-time accommodation manned? Is it secure?

The accommodation buildings are locked securely at night with a number-coded keypad. This ensures that exit is possible in the event of emergency but that they are secured from entry from the outside. There are Camp Suisse staff present in each building every night. Other staff sleep within 20m of the campers’ chalets. It is worth noting that Torgon is a quiet, small, remote village and that aside from Camp Suisse there is little activity. The centre is private and is not open to through-traffic or visitors at any time.

10. If my child is coming to camp with a friend or sibling can we request they be in a room or group together?

Of course you may. Simply pick up the phone or send us an email with your requests and we will do our very best to accommodate them. Alternatively, please use the ‘additional comments’ space on the booking form to note a request.

Camp Suisse does, however, encourage campers to broaden their horizons in meeting and interacting with people from different parts of the world and different backgrounds; for this reason we prefer to room campers separately from friends and siblings, especially if there is an age difference.

11. Can I visit my child during their stay?

It is our absolute pleasure to receive visitors at any time and especially when we have campers in resort. However, it can be disruptive for the other campers for whom a parental visit is not an option. For this reason, (and especially if your child is staying for four weeks) we suggest that if you need to spend time with your child during the camp, you collect them and take them out for the day rather than joining them at camp. It is necessary that you arrange such a visit with us in advance so that we can ensure your child is available and prepared.

12. Is there a set programme which the children follow?

The programme for the camp session is set in principle prior to camp. Specific timings and the order of events will vary according to the weather, feedback from groups and of course the age of your child.

13. How is a typical day divided up?

Breakfast is nearly always at 8am. After this, the day is divided up into 1½ hour sessions. Language classes take place in the mornings, straight after breakfast.

After language classes, the day’s activity sessions will be made up from a long list of great activities including but not limited to: mountain biking, mini-olympics, archery, orienteering, hiking, indoor climbing, outdoor rock climbing, tennis, hockey, basketball, football, swimming, arts, crafts, music, team building & leadership games, or else an out-of-resort excursion (always included in the camp fee)

Excursions include a selection from: a visit to Glacier 3000 at Les Diablerets for husky dog sledding, the alpine roller-coaster and snow-shoeing (sessions one and two only), the Montreux Jazz Festival (session one only), river rafting, climbing at the tree top adventure course, outdoor thermal spas, banana boating on Lake Geneva, camping at our alpine outpost, the cheese and chocolate factories of Gruyères, Labyrinth Adventure (games and giant maze), International Olympic Museum & headquarters in Lausanne, the ‘Aquaparc’ water park.. and many more.

Dinner is usually at 18.30 and an evening entertainment takes place after dinner.  Evening activities include he Camp Suisse Talent Show, 'Torgona Hunt', casino, bingo, hot chocolate soirees, themed evenings, murder mystery games, karaoke nights, barbeques with party games, DVD nights and sports sessions.

14. How much language study is included and what level are the classes?

Classes last for an hour and a half and each camp session typically includes nine classes. Classes take place in the mornings, after breakfast. We ask for an indication of ability level from parents on the registration form, but campers are assessed by the languages team on the first day of camp and allocated to a class accordingly. We have no hesitation in moving campers after the first few lessons if we feel they are not suited to their original group for any reason. We offer tuition at all levels (from complete beginner to very advanced) and our methods are lively, fun and extremely worthwhile. Focus is placed on building each individual’s confidence through regular use and practise of language skills.

15. Are campers able to choose which activities they do?

Generally campers do not get to choose which activities they do, however our group leaders work very closely with our youngsters and they will listen to feedback to gauge which activities the group will enjoy. This is especially relevant for particular sports which may be incredibly popular or unpopular. A camper will be encouraged to participate fully in all available activities but will never be forced to do anything to which they have a real objection.  We also have an afternoon session called 'Choose Your Own Adventure' where campers are able to choose which activity they would like to revisit.

16. Is there any facility for laundry of clothes?

Yes. Campers may send items of clothing for washing once during the two-week period. It is essential that all items are name labelled (except underwear which is washed in a labelled net bag). We are of course unable to send to the laundry garments which do not have a name label.

17. Will Camp Suisse return items of lost property my child leaves behind?

If you are prompt enough in requesting return of a lost item, and if we have located it, Camp Suisse will gladly return it to you. Otherwise, items of lost property and clothing are given to a (very grateful) local children’s charity.

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