Camp Blog

Why Device Breaks Are Game-Changers for Kids’ Wellbeing

23rd October 2024

In a world filled with screens, from smartphones to tablets, children are spending more time than ever indoors. While technology can be educational and entertaining, it also presents challenges, such as disrupted sleep, shortened attention spans, and increased anxiety. Taking a device break can provide a refreshing reset, allowing kids to embrace activities that promote social, emotional, and physical growth.

Unplugging from screens opens up a world of exploration and connection – especially when kids engage in outdoor adventures and group activities. Whether it’s a day at a local park or a fortnight here at Camp Suisse, getting outside offers numerous benefits that enrich young lives.

1. Boosting Emotional Wellbeing

Stepping away from screens and taking device breaks can have a significant impact on emotional health. Constant exposure to digital devices can overwhelm children, creating a sense of urgency and contributing to anxiety. By immersing themselves in nature and engaging in real-world experiences, kids can recharge their mental state and develop a deeper connection with the world around them.

Research shows that time spent outdoors can reduce stress levels and improve overall mood. Nature’s calming effects encourage relaxation and mindfulness, helping children feel more centered. Group activities, whether at camp or in a community setting, provide opportunities for kids to bond through shared experiences, boosting their spirits and enhancing their sense of belonging.

2. Cultivating Social Skills and Empathy

Engaging in face-to-face interactions is crucial for developing strong social skills. Many kids today primarily communicate through screens, which can limit their ability to build meaningful relationships. By taking device breaks and participating in outdoor activities, children can connect with peers in ways that develop empathy and understanding.

Settings like summer camps are perfect for encouraging real-life connections. Without digital distractions, kids learn to communicate, cooperate, and work as a team. These interactions not only help children develop emotional intelligence but also cultivate important life skills like conflict resolution and effective communication.

3. Stimulating Creativity and Innovation

When children step away from screens, they often find their imaginations can truly soar. Digital entertainment typically offers structured narratives, leaving little room for creativity. In contrast, hands-on activities, whether in nature or at a summer camp, invite kids to think outside the box and explore their innovative instincts.

From crafting projects to imaginative outdoor games, kids can experiment and learn through play. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, emphasizes that nature inspires creativity by engaging all the senses. By allowing their imaginations to flourish, children build self-confidence and trust in their own ideas.

4. Promoting Physical Wellness

Physical inactivity has become a pressing concern, with many children spending hours in front of screens. The World Health Organization recommends that kids engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day. Getting outside – whether it’s hiking, playing sports, or participating in camp activities – helps children stay active and develop a love for physical fitness.

Engaging in a variety of physical activities promotes strength, coordination, and balance. Plus, outdoor environments offer the benefits of fresh air and sunlight, essential for overall health. The combination of movement and nature not only enhances physical fitness but also contributes to overall wellbeing.

5. Nurturing Independence and Self-Assurance

Exploring new environments and activities encourages children to develop independence. Away from familiar settings, kids can make choices, tackle challenges, and take responsibility for their actions. Whether they’re navigating a hiking trail or trying a new skill at camp, these experiences empower children to explore their capabilities.

With each accomplishment – whether it’s climbing a tree or making new friends – children’s self-esteem grows. By stepping outside their comfort zones, children gain resilience and mastery over their environment, equipping them to face life’s challenges with optimism.

6. Deepening Environmental Awareness

Getting kids outside helps them form a deeper connection to the natural world. With growing concerns about climate change, instilling a love and respect for nature is more important than ever. Activities like hiking, exploring local parks, or participating in outdoor camps encourage children to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings.

Children who spend time outdoors are more likely to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors as they grow older. By developing this connection to nature, kids learn about conservation and the importance of protecting our planet for future generations.

Conclusion

In an age where screens dominate children’s lives, taking device breaks to engage in outdoor activities provides invaluable opportunities for growth. Whether through a day spent at the park or an adventurous fortnight here at Camp Suisse, the benefits of unplugging are profound. By embracing these moments, children can enhance their emotional wellbeing, nurture creativity, develop social skills, and cultivate a deeper connection with the world around them. Ultimately, encouraging kids to explore, play, and connect outside will help them thrive both now and in the future.

The Magic of Outdoor Play: How Nature Nurtures Children’s Brains

16th October 2024

Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins at Play

Outdoor fun isn’t just about keeping active; it’s about growing happy, healthy minds too! Recent research shows that spending time outside significantly impacts how children’s brains regulate essential neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins – are key to improving mood, strengthening social bonds, reducing stress, and boosting overall wellbeing. Let’s dive into how outdoor play works wonders on young minds.

Dopamine: Motivation and Reward

Dopamine is the brain’s reward system hero! It drives feelings of pleasure and motivation. When children engage in activities that are fun and physically challenging – think climbing trees, racing along trails, or building epic dens – their brains light up with dopamine. It’s that spark of joy and accomplishment that makes them want to keep exploring and discovering new things. The more they engage in these exciting outdoor adventures, the stronger their motivation and learning pathways become.

Natural settings, full of sensory surprises like rustling leaves or fresh earthy smells, also help balance dopamine levels. This boost in focus and mental clarity is especially beneficial for children who struggle with hyperactivity. Nature’s unpredictability keeps kids curious and engaged, helping their brains regulate activity and rest more effectively.

Oxytocin: Social Bonding and Emotional Growth

Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin plays a huge role in how children form bonds and regulate emotions. Outdoor play is full of opportunities for cooperative, social interactions that encourage the release of oxytocin. Whether they’re teaming up for a game of capture the flag, working together to build a campfire, or simply sharing the thrill of a zipline, these group activities nurture trust and emotional connection.

Even simple moments like helping a friend up after a tumble or high-fiving after a goal strengthen these bonds. Physical touch, camaraderie, and teamwork trigger oxytocin, making children feel secure, loved, and emotionally balanced.

Serotonin: Boosting Mood and Wellbeing

Serotonin, known for stabilizing mood, is closely tied to time spent outdoors, especially when the sun is shining! Sunlight naturally stimulates serotonin production, helping kids feel happier, calmer, and more emotionally balanced. Running, jumping, and climbing during outdoor play also elevate serotonin levels, making physical activity a double win for both mind and body.

In today’s world, where screens often dominate children’s attention, getting outdoors is essential to counterbalance the sedentary lifestyle that can dampen mood and energy levels. Being in nature doesn’t just lift their spirits; it keeps emotional stability in check and prevents anxiety and other mood disorders.

Endorphins: Stress Relief and Pure Joy

Endorphins are the body’s natural stress busters and mood boosters. Outdoor play, filled with physical activities like biking, running, or even simple games of tag, leads to a burst of endorphins, creating feelings of joy, relaxation, and calm. It’s that “runner’s high” feeling that keeps children going, even after a day full of excitement.

Regular outdoor play equips kids to better manage stress. As endorphins elevate their mood and reduce anxiety, children learn to handle challenges with more resilience, feeling uplifted and ready for whatever comes their way.

The Bigger Picture: Building Resilience and Emotional Balance

The combined effects of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins from outdoor play create an incredible foundation for children’s emotional and psychological development. Outdoor play doesn’t just improve physical fitness; it nurtures young minds in a holistic way by:

1. Boosting Focus and Motivation (Dopamine): Kids stay more engaged, energised, and ready to learn after outdoor adventures.
2. Strengthening Social Skills and Empathy (Oxytocin): Teamwork and positive interactions help children develop stronger friendships and emotional intelligence.
3. Improving Mood and Preventing Anxiety (Serotonin): Natural light and physical activity keep children emotionally balanced and happy.
4. Relieving Stress and Promoting Joy (Endorphins): Endorphins bring about feelings of joy and relaxation, helping children manage stress and build resilience.

Conclusion

Nature is the perfect playground for both body and mind. The connection between outdoor play and neurotransmitter regulation in children’s brains is remarkable. Time spent in the great outdoors doesn’t just improve physical health – it nurtures mental wellbeing by regulating dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. Encouraging kids to explore the world outside provides a natural, effective way to support brain health, uplift their mood, and build emotional strength, helping them grow into happy, balanced individuals ready to take on life’s adventures!

Summer Camp Activities for Kids

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.

Classic summer camp activities

• Archery – A popular competitive sport amongst both children and adults, archery is a simple summer camp activity that can enhance balance, focus and coordination. Explore soft archery for younger children and beginners, moving onto a bow and arrow for older, more experienced archers.
• Football – It’s a timeless classic and a great way to bring the children at your camp together for a spot of competition, teamwork and time outdoors. The scope for football-themed games and the soft and technical skills that come with it are almost endless – the same can be said for other sports like tennis, volleyball and basketball.
• Art and crafts – Great for breaking up those physically intensive outdoor summer camp activities, experimenting with materials, textures and colours is not only fab for fostering creativity, but also self-expression and managing emotions.
• Hiking – Depending on the summer camp’s location, hiking can be a real winner – it’s a simple activity to organise, plus it’s the perfect way to explore the local area and ideal for teaching navigation.
• Dance – A great way to get kids moving and learning about a whole host of traditions from around the world, dance of all forms helps to improve coordination, balance and flexibility (and so much more).
• Scavenger hunts – These keep kids entertained, whatever the weather. Choose from themes you’re exploring at the camp and incorporate areas of their new living space or outdoor area you’d like your campers to get familiar with.
• Talent shows – While not everyone will be keen to perform, camp talent shows are fun for everyone – audience, circus acts, magicians and all.
• Gymnastics – Children at camp get the chance to develop strength, coordination and body control through gymnastics sessions. You’ll naturally be met with a variety of abilities, so why not encourage campers to teach one another or even perform for the rest of the group?
• Yoga – Yogis come in all shapes, sizes, abilities and ages, so there’s nothing to stop your campers stretching out after a day of hiking with a social media-worthy backdrop!
• Cooking – Some of your campers might be well-seasoned bakers, while others will never have set foot in a kitchen before. Their range of experience and expertise gives you room to explore basic cooking skills all the way through to campfire cooking (and naturally, a singsong to go alongside it).
• Climbing – Great for honing spatial and directional awareness, climbing (whether that’s indoor, outdoor, bouldering or roped) helps children learn how to positively manage fear in a safe and controlled way.
• Photography – Like Camp Suisse, the chances are your summer camp sits somewhere scenic, and learning the basics of photography is a fab way to help children appreciate the natural beauty around them.
• Water sports – Depending on the location of your camp, summer camp activities on a local lake or in the sea will be unforgettable for your campers – think paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing.

Summer camp activities: team building

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.

• Gutter run – Instead of throwing your guttering (or other plastic piping) away, turn them into a fun game for your campers. Working in teams of four to six and using a piece of guttering each, the aim is to transport a ball (tennis or ping pong work really well here) through the pipes and into a bucket at the finish line. Players need to run to the end of the guttering before the ball falls out and avoid dropping it on the floor before the end.
• Land skiing – Start with two planks of wood and attach a piece of rope to each end. The number of players depends on the size of your planks here – the more players, the harder the challenge! To play, line up the two planks (skis) parallel and have your campers stand with one leg on each. The aim of the game is to travel from the start to the finish line without stepping off the skis.
• Lava river – ‘The floor is lava’ is a classic, and this team building activity takes it up a notch, challenging balance, communication and cooperation skills. To play, you’ll need small squares of wood that are just big enough for your players to stand on. Using at least one less than the number of players, challenge your campers to travel across the lava river (otherwise known as the pavement) without setting a foot down. If your players find it too simple, challenge them by forbidding verbal communication or only allow one camper to talk throughout.
• Bomb disposal – This is a great summer camp activity if you love using a story line to get your campers hooked and engaged. There are multiple ways you can go about it, but the key is to challenge your campers to transport an object (which should look seriously hazardous, by the way) from one location to another using limited materials and restricted access to certain areas of the ground.
• Lower the pole – If you’re after a minimal setup team building activity, this one is great for killing time and making sure your campers are engaged. Using a lightweight pole, challenge your campers to lower it to the floor using only one finger each, keeping contact at all times. The game can be taken up a notch by enforcing silence throughout.
• Human knot – No points for guessing what this game entails – have your campers stand in a circle holding hands and instruct twists and turns that’ll result in (quite literally) a human knot. The challenge is for campers to release themselves back into a circle without letting go.

Summer camp activities: outdoor

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.

• Rocket launcher
• Frisbee
• Ball games
• Hiking
• Races
• Nature scavenger hunts
• Water balloon dodgeball
• Parachute games
• B1 football
• Giant scrabble
• Camp Olympics
• Solar oven cooking
• Tending to a camp vegetable patch
• Quizzes around the local area
• Life-sized board games (such as human noughts and crosses or checkers)
• Homemade outdoor twister (your campers can have fun building the pitch themselves)
• Bicycle games (think slow races to test bike control, bicycle limbo, what’s the time Mr. Bike?)

Summer camp activities: indoor

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!).

• Camp-themed escape rooms
• Myth-busting games
• Cress growing
• Herb planting
• Woodwork (making picture frames, mini sculptures or even bookmarks)
• Homemade bird feeders
• Balloon tennis
• Homemade indoor golf
• Storytelling
• Quizzes and game shows
• Writing and editing a camp newspaper
• Inventions (setting a theme and having teams design a new gadget)
• Hallway maze (create barriers across a hallway using string or toilet paper – the challenge is to cross the hallway without touching it)

Summer camp activities: science experiments for kids

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).

• Volcano making
• Fireworks in a glass
• Homemade lava lamps
• Elephant toothpaste
• Slime making
• Light refraction
• Penny cleaning
• Flower colouring

Summer camp activities: art and craft

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.

• T shirt spray painting
• Tie-dyeing
• Woodland crafting (think decorating pinecones, foraged collages and woodland printing)
• Land art (using foraged materials only)
• Bracelet making
• Dream catcher making
• Card making
• Poster design
• Paper plate crafting (challenge your campers to make the animals that live in your local area or hats for an upcoming camp event)
• Paper crafting (paper flowers are always a winner, but the possibilities are almost endless here)
• Origami
• Crayon rubbing (using foraged materials for patterns)

Summer camp activities: animals and plants

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.

• Food chain charades
• Evolution (the aim is to evolve the furthest in the group by playing multiple games of rock, paper, scissors)
• Garden making (using foraged materials to demonstrate their understanding of what plants need to grow)
• Flora crown making
• Wreath making
• Plant collecting (using a hula hoop)
• Herbarium making
• Flower pressing
• Flower life cycle charades
• Hikes and foraging

Summer camp activities: survival and bushcraft

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.

• Fire lighting
• Campfires with songs and stories
• Campfire cooking
• Shelter building (mini shelters for fairies of forest elves work for smaller children)
• Water filtration
• Foraging (and cooking)
• Navigation (using a compass, mapping and map reading)
• Compass making

Summer camp games

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.

• Wink murder
• Time bomb
• Splat
• Duck duck goose
• Ninja
• Tag
• Musical chairs
• Musical statues
• Capture the flag
• Crab football
• Memory circle games (this works well with ‘at the shop I bought’, categories or remembering dances)
• What’s the time Mr Wolf?
• Parachute games
• Cat and mouse
• Blindman’s bluff

Blast from the past summer camp activities

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.

• Egg and spoon race
• Sack race
• Wheelbarrow race
• Three-legged race
• Hula hoop race
• Hockey slalom race
• Beanbag toss
• Relay races
• Egg drop challenge
• Tug of war

Summer camp activities: FAQs

How can I make summer camp fun?

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.

What are some indoor board games?

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.

How do I not get homesick at summer camp?

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.

What kids’ games can be played at summer camp?

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.

Thank you Jimena!

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!

Our 4 Reasons Why The Outdoors In Switzerland Is Great For Kids

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 🙂

Meet Helen – Camp Suisse Head Chef

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.

Benefits of a Language Summer Camp

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.

Mountain biking is BACK!

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.

Steve – Activities Manager

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.

NEW ACTIVITY – Rafting on the Rhône

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.