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.
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:
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!
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.