21st June 2023
There’s no denying that an evening campfire is one of the most popular (yet simple) activities we offer here at Camp Suisse. As the day comes to a close, the sun sets over the mountains and evening folds in over the trees, nothing beats relaxing around the flames after a long day of bushcraft, sports and hiking. From songs and storytelling to melting a marshmallow or three with friends and catching up on the day’s learnings, it’s no wonder the kids (and us adults) love it.
To help you spark your own, we’re here with answers to your (burning) questions and step-by-step instructions on how to make a campfire, plus tips on fire lighting, safety, equipment and more. So without further ado, let’s get into it – we hope you’re as stoked as we are.
Whether you’re learning how to make a campfire at home or you’re here to find out how to build a simple campfire for a group of children, it’s best to make sure you’ve got all the equipment you’ll need to hand before setting off (and that it’s all in working order, of course). Below are a few items you’re likely to need to check off your shopping list before planning your campfire.
Whether you’re hosting a campfire for a group of children, your friends or family, safety always comes first. So, when learning how to make a campfire, consider the aspects of safety below.
Maybe the most key aspect to learning how to make a campfire is picking the right natural materials to burn and ensuring they’re in the right state (i.e. dry and snappable). And before gathering your wood (and the rest of the materials we’ll list below), be sure to double check you’ve got permission from the landowner to forage. Otherwise, you might need to prepare your combustibles ahead of time.
When learning how to make a campfire, you’ll need to choose how you’d like to light it. There are various ways – some more difficult than others – with many requiring equipment that makes lighting your fire a whole lot easier. Below are a few of the common methods to lighting a fire that you can choose from.
The next thing you’ll need to decide on when learning how to start a campfire and keep it going is the campfire format. This refers to the shape of your fire which is determined by how your firewood is positioned. We’ll explore a few common ways to arrange your logs below so that you can spark a fire that’ll last the whole evening (and impress your guests with consistent, luscious flames).
Assuming you’ve picked a safe spot, gathered all the equipment you need and picked your method of ignition and campfire format, follow the steps below on how to make a campfire at home or for children at a summer camp.
As we’ve mentioned, our campfires here at our summer camp are incredibly popular. Alongside that, our campers also love our bushcraft sessions where they learn how to make a campfire themselves. The sessions vary greatly depending on our learners’ abilities and ages, so below find a few tips and ideas that’ll help you teach children how to build a campfire.
Now you’re clued-up on how to make a campfire, it’s certainly worth knowing what to do in damp or wet conditions. It would be a real shame to completely cancel your campfire plans altogether due to the weather, so check out our tips below on getting a fire lit and blazing in not so ideal conditions.
Marshmallows certainly have their charm, but you’re guaranteed the wow factor if you’re able to make your flames change colour, and it’s not as complicated as you might think. Follow the step-by-step process below, adding your choice of chemicals for the colours you’re aiming for (just don’t inhale the smoke!).
Chemicals that make a campfire change colour:
Process for making your campfire change colour:
Safety tips for making your campfire change colour:
The campfire format can refer to a couple of things – those being the physical structure of your woodpile (whether that’s log cabin, platform or teepee etc.), or the format of your campfire session that involves storytelling, songs, chants and cooking.
A bonfire is essentially a very large campfire that requires a large open space (much more than a campfire), as the flames and therefore extreme heat reaches much further up into the air. Interestingly, the term ‘bonfire’ comes from ‘bone fire’ when bones were burnt as part of a large cultural celebration, although many argue that the ‘bon’ in ‘bonfire’ comes from the French word for ‘good’.
Gather the dry wood you’ll need (tinder, kindling and firewood), choose your campfire format (i.e. how you’re going to place your wood), and choose a few activities to entertain your guests (such as storytelling and singing).
Make a homemade campfire starter using:
4th June 2023
The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to summer camp activities for kids – from countless bushcraft skills to sports, art, crafts and more, to say there’s something for everyone is certainly no understatement. And as a summer camp of over 20 years, we at Camp Suisse are rather well seasoned when it comes to summer camp activities, if we do say so ourselves. So, whether you’re entertaining a group this summer yourself or you simply want to find out how your child might be spending their time at camp this year, get yourself comfortable and explore our summer camp activities list below.
The benefits of team building activities at your summer camp are invaluable – helping children to bond, form friendships and develop cooperation skills that’ll serve them for life, they’re well worth including in any camp activity programme. Without any further ado, let’s take a look at a few of the summer camp team building activities and bonding games our campers enjoy, and a few yours may, too.
While the activities your child will be getting up to over summer will vary, summer camp wouldn’t be summer camp without a variety of outdoor games. Below are a few games for summer and classic summer camp activities – many of which our campers enjoy here at Camp Suisse.
Summer camp is a great chance for your child to get in touch with nature, but you’ll find that most camps will mix things up with indoor activities, as well as those that result in muddy knees and well-loved hiking shoes! Below are a few indoor activities you might expect your child to get up to when it’s time for a break from the sun (or rain!).
Science experiments are a fab way to get children interested in the subject – packed with wow factor, the noises, colours and sensory value these activities offer make them a great option when choosing indoor summer camp activities for kids (and trust us, there’s a lot more where these come from).
It’s no secret that campers love a spot of art and crafting – a fab option for helping children get creative, these art-based summer camp activities for kids are guaranteed fun and (naturally) result in a homemade camp keepsake.
With a number of summer camps being situated in some of the world’s most beautiful spots nature has to offer, it would be an opportunity missed to forget about exploring local flora and fauna. Below are just a few plant and animal-themed summer camp activity ideas that work wonders for engaging children in learning about the natural world around them.
It wouldn’t be camp without learning a few essential survival skills, and something that stands out for our campers here at Camp Suisse are the bushcraft sessions. Marking their time at camp around the fire and building shelters are some of the most memorable moments for our campers, so below, explore a few of the woodland survival-based activities you might expect your little ones to talk non-stop about when they return home.
Between campfires, navigating their way through the mountains and building a shelter fit for a (fairy) king, children love simple summer camp activities as much as the next task. Here at Camp Suisse, there’s always something for every child to be getting up to, so explore a few camp gaming ideas below that ensure no one is left twiddling their thumbs between sessions at camp.
The saying olden but golden certainly applies here – there’s a reason the activities below have stood the test of time, whether it’s the best summer camp activities you’re after or ways to entertain your children and their friends over summer.
While a child’s time at summer camp should certainly be action-packed, it’s important to make sure the activities planned are varied, non-repetitive and give campers the opportunity to bond with one another.
Classic indoor board games (that are great for rainy days at camp) include Twister, Cluedo, 4 in a row, Jenga and Monopoly. While children come to camp to get immersed in the outdoors, any successful summer camp will have indoor games to hand to fill time between sessions.
Dealing with your child’s homesickness at summer camp is never easy, but a few ways to combat it are to prepare ahead by getting them used to time away from home for short stints prior to camp, informing camp staff, arranging phone or video calls home, or sending them to camp alongside a school friend.
When it comes to making camp fun for kids, we’d encourage selecting the broadest range of activities – think indoor, outdoor, equipment, non-equipment, competitive and non-competitive, grouped, paired, and themed around your local area or a camp storyline.
4th May 2023
One of Camp Suisse’s familiar faces, Jimena, has been working on a project at her school in Paris, talking about her time at camp with us!
Jimena first came to Camp Suisse in the summer of 2020 and was awarded the crown of ‘Queen of Camp’; a title given to one camper per session who has shown the best participation in camp activities and enthusiasm for all parts of camp life.
For Jimena there are many parts of camp that are her favourite; from chocolate tasting at Cailler Chocolate Factory, to the excitement of seeing the huskies on the Glacier 3000 to banana boating on the beautiful Lake Geneva.
Aside from the variety of activities offered, Jimena also says that the location of Les Crosets adds to her camp experience. She loves how easy it is to get to the Palladium Sports Centre in Champéry by gondola, that you can drink water straight from the tap and that Geneva Airport is only a three-hour train ride away from Paris.
These experiences were so impactful for Jimena that in 2022 her friend Riya came to Camp Suisse with her, along with Riya’s relative, Uma. The three girls loved their time at Camp, with Jimena saying that having her friends with her “made camp even better.”
Jimena really embodies what Camp Suisse is all about: having new experiences, immersing yourself in new cultures and making memories that stay with you for a lifetime.
Thank you, Jimena, for sharing your favourite memories of camp with your school and with us! We loved having you!
3rd May 2023
Switzerland as a holiday destination is hard to beat. Here are 4 reasons why the Swiss outdoors could be your kids’ Happy Place.
1. Safety: Switzerland is repeatedly cited as one of the most stable and secure countries in the world. Parents can have peace of mind that no matter whether their child is exploring the scenic Swiss Alps, chomping on chocolate, or discovering the charm of the Swiss cities, they are in one of the safest places they could possibly be.
2. Luscious Landscapes: Switzerland boasts a wealth of views and new experiences for youngsters. Its stunning mountains and lakes offer new perspectives. Its natural beauty is hard to rival, and the dramatic contrast seen between seasons is something everyone should experience in a lifetime
3. Respect: respect, they say, is hard to gain and easy to lose. The outdoors in Switzerland is an incredible environment for kids to learn the importance of looking after their surroundings and leaving them better than they found them. The outdoor learning offered in the Swiss landscape teaches the importance of respect for those around you, and the environment, in a really impactful way.
4. Amazing Adventures: with its plethora of trees, valleys, forests, Switzerland is the outdoor playground for children, no matter their age, skill set or confidence. From zip-lining through the trees to outdoor chess to lakeside swimming pools and climbing walls, in Switzerland every child can learn, grow, and break out of their comfort zone. Possibilities for hiking and mountain biking, camping and swimming provide the best playground for our young adventurers who love the freedom of being outside. This can be achieved during day camps, residential camps, or family holidays!
An International Summer camp in Europe can tick all these boxes.
Q: What’s so good about Switzerland?
A: Well, its flag’s a big plus 🙂
26th April 2023
Helen has been running the Camp Suisse kitchen since joining the team in Torgon back in 2019. She is a big character with an even bigger heart and brings an abundance of energy and fun to the team. You’re just as likely to see her on the judging panel of Camp Suisse’s got talent or joining the kids out on a day trip as in the kitchen. She is proud to keep our active campers and staff fed and also, by the way, makes the best southern fried chicken…
1) Where are you living at the moment? What do you do there? Where have you lived in the past?
I grew up and currently live in a town called Carnforth, on the coast, North West of England, commonly known as the gateway to the Lake District. In 2008 I completed my chef apprenticeship at Pinelake Resort, where I work as a chef between my summer seasons at Camp Suisse. I have lived in France and Switzerland and this will be my 5th year at Camp Suisse! I spend every Autumn in the U.S.A visiting friends in Orlando and Tennessee.
2) Favourite thing about Camp Suisse?
My favourite thing about Camp Suisse is the people; meeting and working with people from all around the world!
3) Most Suisse thing you have ever done?
My favourite Suisse day; taking a boat ride round Lake Geneva, eating fondue, followed by a clog train up the mountain to see the marmots.
4) Favourite meal at camp?
It’s hard to pick just one meal, I’d probably say prom night is my favourite night to cater. We make a selection of canapés, homemade burgers, followed by waffle mountain! All our dishes are home made using fresh ingredients and my passion is being able to adapt the menu for people with allergies and special dietary requirements.
5) Favourite activity at Camp?
Favourite activity would be visiting the Cailler chocolate factory and paddle boarding on Lake Geneva.
6) The mountains or the lake? And why?
The lake is beautiful but I would always choose the mountains. I love living high in the clouds listening to the bells of the Swiss cows as I fall asleep. Very peaceful.
7) If you were offered a place on a one-way trip to Mars, would you take it?
I would love to travel to Mars for the experience but would need tickets so my friends and family could join me.
8) Apart from Camp Suisse, what has been your favourite job to date?
As well as being a chef, I have worked in entertainment. Working alongside Santa, in Mrs Claus’ kitchen, baking and decorating cookies, and reading stories, this was a very rewarding experience and a magical position.
17th April 2023
Learning a second language at a summer camp gives children exposure to an additional language in an authentic, fun, and immersive way that cannot be replicated in a conventional educational environment.
Firstly, learning a language is so much more than being able to read or to speak; it is about connecting to and understanding a country’s culture; its people, its way of life. Learning an additional language at summer camp allows children to make these connections through their own eyes, in their own way, and at their own pace.
The process is also so much fun. At a summer camp, children learn a language by doing what they do best: being children, amongst other youngsters sharing the same experience. The combination of language learning and camp activities appropriate to their age group means that the progress children make is much more authentic, enjoyable, and long-term. Instead of language development being viewed as a chore, it becomes fun, eye opening and positive.
Finally, and equally as importantly, learning a second language at camp builds a child’s social skills, their confidence and gently pushes them outside of their comfort zone. Not only can children communicate with many more people of their age and establish and maintain the friendships they made whilst at camp, but they also become more confident individuals and feel able to manage more unfamiliar situations they find themselves in.
Learning a second language at a summer camp provides opportunities that are impossible to experience elsewhere. It opens doors to relationships with other youngsters who do not share the same first language. This is such a culturally enriching and valuable experience for a young person.
The environment is more natural, engaging, and more conducive to a positive learning experience. Your child will be leaving summer camp a more fulfilled individual, with a renewed sense of confidence and achievement that will stay with them long after the camp has ended.
22nd March 2023
Here at Camp Suisse, we have a long tradition of providing our campers with the utmost in adrenalin-fuelled adventure, and for over a decade, mountain biking has been a cornerstone of the Camp Suisse experience. However, we work hard to ensure that no two Camp Suisse adventures are alike and so, after a brief sabbatical, whilst our team scoped out new terrain, we are happy to announce that 2023 is the year we all get back on the bike!
Join us on two wheels this summer and discover all that the Swiss alps have to offer! Learn new skills, make new friends, and marvel at the breath-taking landscape. At our base, 1600m up in Les Crosets, you will be taught by our qualified, caring, and experienced instructors, well versed in all the tips and tricks you need to start your journey cruising through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.
21st March 2023
Joining the Camp Suisse team as an Activity Leader in 2015, Steve was an instant hit among staff and campers and soon became our Activity Leader Manager. An engineer, qualified secondary school teacher and recent graduate in physiotherapy, Steve is currently our year-round Activities Manager. Steve has had a huge impact on our activities programme and played a pivotal role in launching The Ed-Venture Award for our school trips here at Camp Suisse.
1) Where are you living at the moment? What do you do there? Where have you lived in the past?
I live in Sheffield and I am a physiotherapist, I’ve previously lived in the UAE, Scotland, England and France for a while.
2) Favourite thing about Camp Suisse?
It has to be living in the shadow of the dents du midi in Switzerland.
3) Most Suisse thing you have ever done?
Eating cheese in a restaurant whilst watching the goats that made the cheese get milked.
4) Favourite Camp excursion?
Glacier 3000, who doesn’t love a winter wonderland complete with huskies!
5) Favourite activity at Camp?
Art jamming by the cookie café on top of one of the peaks in Les Crosets
6) The mountains or the lake? And why?
Mountains, water sports aren’t really my thing and I enjoy how small the mountains make me feel.
7) If you were offered a place on a one-way trip to Mars, would you take it?
Absolutely.
8) Apart from Camp Suisse, what has been your favourite job to date?
I enjoyed working behind a bar talking to people and serving.
23rd February 2023
Here at Camp Suisse, we are constantly evolving and developing our activity offerings. To the great excitement of both staff and campers, to keep moving with the turbulent times and to seek to make the most of the rapid change, we have added rafting to our activity program!
Armed with paddles, their fellow raft mates and a qualified and experienced instructor our campers embark on their first voyage down the Rhône, the biggest feed river of the Mediterranean. Under the watchful eyes of their instructors and group leaders, campers will learn new skills, make new friendships, and marvel at the magnificent Swiss alps from a truly unique perspective.
Experienced, qualified, and knowledgeable guides will help campers navigate their way down the river, tailoring the experience to suit both the white-water thrill seekers and those looking for a gentler ride.
24th June 2021
Joan first worked for Camp Suisse in 2019 and instantly made his impact with both staff and campers. His caring attitude, attention to detail and empathetic approach make Joan not only a delight to work with but also an excellent teacher. This year Joan will be heading up the Camp Suisse language team, using his expertise and excellent social skills to create unique learning experiences and aiding his team of language teachers in providing quality lessons.
It may sound weird — most people wouldn’t consider being a waiter as the job of one’s life — but I remember when I moved to England and worked in a pub for almost a year. For me it was exciting; a new culture, a new country, new people, I had English lessons every day which I got paid for! And most importantly, I had a lot of fun!
I still live near Valencia (in Spain), but when the COVID situation gets better, I plan to move abroad. Where to? Time (and work) will tell.
Having filets de perche and a cheese fondue by the Lake Geneva on my day off.
Absolutely all of them, I am a true enthusiast and I love and appreciate all languages and dialects. At the moment I study some foreign languages (although far from perfection to be honest haha) but I really enjoy learning languages and I don’t rule out the possibility of learning new ones eventually in the future. Each language is a window to new possibilities and ways of understanding and connecting with this world. There is not a language better than any other.
Being in touch with people from all over the world in such a nice atmosphere and environment. It really is the perfect place to share many great moments and experiences you will never forget!
Hmm, very, very hard to say! I would probably go for Lac de Taney, which is a great mountain excursion where you can enjoy an overnight by the Lac de Taney. Yoga, storytelling, bonfire, laughs, a dip in the lake, these are just a few examples of the possibilities that this trip offers! I would say it is one of the places where both campers and staff bond the most!
Last day’s meal – the prom dinner! I’m not going to tell you though, so if you want to know, just come to Camp Suisse! 😉
Dinner at the Italian restaurant next to Camp Suisse. Real Neapolitan pizza, the owners are from Naples and they are very friendly. It’s a different kind of evening where we all enjoy ourselves and relax. And if combined with a mountain biking afternoon, it just makes the perfect day!
I would be a chameleon, capable of adapting to everything, although I’m much more sociable haha.
10. Is Cereal a soup?
Haha what a debate! No, the answer is no. Cereal is not a soup. Cereal is just cereal. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of soup is: “liquid food made by cooking vegetables, meat, etc. with water”. So, what does cereal have to do with it? Nothing.
Having hands for feet would definitely be much better. Just have a look at the evolutionary chain or ask a monkey and you will see why!
I would – if there was to be a new species or a different form of culture to talk to. Too boring if I had to be there by myself, don’t you think? Also, there is something quite important to consider: is it too cold? I always feel the cold too much haha.
Both are excellent options, although very different. That is the nice thing about this camp: there is a great variety of things to do, you NEVER get bored! I suppose it depends on the day. I have to say that I love both beach and mountain but if I have to choose, maybe the glacier is my option: seeing snow in the summer, getting on the gondola lift, having a ride on the roller coaster, and contemplating the views are just amazing and campers love it too! From there you can see three countries: Italy, Switzerland and the Mont Blanc in France!