Camp Journal
Nogrots…how will you spend yours?
20th June 2011
If you’ve ever spent a summer at Camp Suisse you’re sure to be familiar with the word ‘nogrot’- that bizarre and otherwise meaningless word that strikes excitement and joy into the hearts of our campers. If this word is new to your vocabulary it’s because it was coined right here at Camp Suisse; the brain child of ex-Camp Suisse Senior Staff member Rich Tippett. Nogrots have, over the past couple of years, become somewhat of an institution at Camp Suisse, with Campers doing their very best to get their mitts on these oh-so-precious rewards.
Still confused? Let me explain: here at Camp Suisse we operate a reward system called nogrots. Any camper who is seen to have achieved a great personal success or performed excellently in their language class can be rewarded with a nogrot- a voucher worth 20 cents that can be used in conjunction with real money at the souvenir shop. “Why nogrots?” you may ask. Well, reverse the order of the letters (minus the ‘s’) and there’s your answer- an anagram of Torgon, the home of Camp Suisse.
This year nogrots have undergone a major revamp; not only have they been given out as rewards for outstanding success and effort, this summer nogrots have become the official Camp Suisse currency. Out with the euro, the pound, the Swiss franc… and in with the nogrot! That’s right, the accepted currency on camp is now the nogrot. On arrival at camp campers have the opportunity to exchange their pocket money for nogrots, at an exchange rate of 20 cents to 1 nogrot, to be used as official currency for buying snacks, drinks and souvenirs.
The benefits are clear; small change is done away with, confusing exchange rates are a thing of the past and best of all, the souvenir shop is streamlined, making more time for campers to fully profit from the evening entertainment. The only question that remains- how will you spend yours?
Camp Suisse gets connected
In the globalised, fast changing, digital era in which we live it is becoming increasingly important to stay up-to-date with developments in technology and communication, but above all to be able to reach out to and be part of an ever growing online community. Here at Camp Suisse we recognise this need and the need to keep our campers, fans and clients up-to-date with all the goings-on here at camp. That’s why you can now find us Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on Youtube. That’s’ right our small Camp Suisse community is extending to the web. Be a part of it and stay updated with all the latest news, events, photos, videos and much more… Simply visit our webpage at www.campsuisse.com or click on the links below!
Camp Suisse Sponsorship
This summer Camp Suisse, in a bid to increase and extend participation in our Camp Mentor Programme, is launching a new and exciting sponsorship scheme. One outstanding and very lucky candidate will be sponsored by us here at Camp Suisse to participate in the Camp Mentor Programme, all the candidate must do is make their way to Switzerland and let us take care of the rest! The first beneficiary of the scheme will be 16 year old Anat Korol from Israel. A first-time Camper in summer 2010 Anat impressed both Group Leaders and Senior Staff alike with her bounding enthusiasm and motivation and her can-do attitude, which makes her addition to the Camp Mentor Programme a true pleasure for all here at Camp Suisse. Here’s what Anat had to say upon hearing the good news:
“I am delighted to contribute and put all my efforts and hard work in to helping everyone have a great summer.”
Well done Anat! We look forward to working with you over the summer.
Camp Mentor Program pilot study
Summer 2010 was an important year for Camp Suisse in many ways, not least because we welcomed to camp our first cohort of Camp Mentors on the pilot run of the Camp Mentor Programme. The programme came about from the countless requests we had from ex-campers to come back and work as part of the team. For the most part we deemed these candidates still too young to take on a role of great responsibility at camp, but at the same time we recognised the potential in many of them to make a valid contribution to the life of the camp. This is where the programme comes in. It offers ex-campers the chance to live between two worlds; that of camper and team member- a kind of working holiday. The Camp Mentors are each assigned a colour group, under the responsibility of a senior member of staff, to which they are attached for their time at camp. There to act as both mentors to the campers and a helping hand to the Group Leaders the Camp Mentors take on varying degrees of responsibility according to their abilities and desires- this ranges from accompanying groups on excursions to organising evening entertainments. With no contracted hours it is up to the Camp Mentor how much they wish to contribute to the role and how much they want to get out of it. The first intake comprised Gad, Rhys, Ella, and Grace. Our All of whom, I’m glad to say, came up trumps and made considerable efforts throughout the summer. Here’s what Grace had to say about her experience:
“I first went to Camp Suisse when I was 13 years old; I loved it so much that every summer since I’ve tried to make some sort of excuse to return again. Summer 2010 however, was slightly different. I was offered a place on the Mentor Programme which consisted of many things; helping to look after kids, assisting on excursions and generally helping the Group Leaders by being as proactive as possible. The Camp Mentor Programme aided my personal development. I really enjoyed being on this programme because it helped me prepare for becoming a Group Leader in the future. It helped me realise the importance of responsibility and I definitely left Camp Suisse more mature than when I first arrived. This was once again a great experience and I would most definitely love to return to Camp this summer or next.” – Grace Young
Thanks to the success of the pilot program we are pleased to announce that the Camp Mentor Program will continue into its second year in summer 2011.
The Andrew Woinarski Foundation
As you may or may not know we here at Camp Suisse are the very proud supporters of the Andrew Woinarski Schools Foundation. A charity very close to our hearts, the foundation, set up in the name of a very dear friend and ex-colleague, continues the work begun by Andrew in schools during his travels to Thailand and Laos. The foundation, now in its sixth year, has gone from strength to strength led by his sister Alex and brother-in-law Tony with the support of sponsors and fundraisers. Now somewhat of a Camp Suisse tradition, each year we do our best to inform campers about the foundation’s life changing work and offer them the chance to give what they can in support of those children and teenagers in Thailand and Laos less fortunate than themselves. To this effect, over the past three summers Camp Suisse campers, along with contributions from us here at Camp Suisse, have raised a total of 3000 Swiss Francs (£2000/$2500), an outstanding effort I’m sure you’ll agree! And a sum very much appreciated by the foundation and its beneficiaries. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have donated so kindly to this cause and appreciate your continued support. The projects that have been set up and supported by the Andrew Woinarski foundation make this, we believe, a truly worthwhile cause to support. As a small snapshot of the fantastic work they do- to date they have constructed four new schools and have raised enough funds for work to begin on two more in 2011!
Postcard competition 2010
During summer Camp Suisse 2010 we launched our first ever Postcard competition. The brief: send us your best snaps of camp by post, email, carrier pigeon, however you prefer, to be in with a chance of having your image transformed into an official Camp Suisse postcard to be sold at the souvenir shop in summer 2011. The task of choosing the winner and the four runners up was made all the more difficult by the massive response we received. We’d like to take
this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who sent us your pics, they were all fantastic in their own right, some astounding landscape shots, some artistic nature shots and some just out right hilarious shots of campers having fun out and about at camp. With no further ado we’d like to relieve you of you anticipation and reveal the four runners up and the winner whose photograph will be made into a postcard. In no particular order the four runners up
are Ben Goodwin, Vijan Ghedia, Mona Thurairatnam and James Hinks. Well done and thank you to you all, you’ll be hearing from us very soon! The winning photo was chosen not only for its pleasing aesthetics and accomplished technique, but because it captures some of the spirit of Camp Suisse. Massive congratulations therefore go to our winner Otman Aitalkaboud from Lebanon for his outstanding entry. Look out for his postcard on sale this summer!
The Camp Suisse E-newsletter has finally arrived!
The Camp Suisse E-newsletter has finally arrived!
A great way to keep in touch with campers and staff old and new, keeping you updated with all the happenings here at Camp as we look forward to welcoming you all to Torgon for summer Camp Suisse–style!!! All three sessions for 2011 are filling up quickly with more returning campers (and staff!) than ever before.
In addition, we are proud to be able to offer sponsorship for Anat Korol from Israel to participate in our Camp Mentor Scheme after her outstanding commitment to camp 2010, so well done Anat.
We are proud to extend our charity work further this year by becoming the very proud official sponsor of SurannasSteppingStone.co.uk. 4 year old Suranna (or ‘Poppy’ as she is affectionately known to us) is very close to our hearts and we will support her parents all the way to that potentially life-changing operation in the US.
The team for 2011 is shaping up nicely with over 30 returning staff and as usual a number of new faces will be making their debuts in the Camp Suisse team! A big thanks to all candidates who made the trip to our London and Leeds interview sessions during the year, we met hoards of fantastic people and look forward to working with those successful candidates.
All that’s left to say is that we hope you enjoy our E-newsletter!
Ten benefits of summer camp
Benefit #10: Problem solving
Through the many and varied tasks undertaken at camp, from putting up tents to reaching the top of the climbing wall, campers can expect to constantly be developing and putting into action their skills of problem solving.
Benefit #9: Team Work
Not least during the team-building sessions, but throughout campers’ entire stay at camp team work will be of the essence, working together on any number of tasks to motivate each other and reach agreements and compromises to find the best solutions together.
Benefit #8: Independence
Of course being away from mum and dad means you’ll be more independent. Here at Camp Suisse we cultivate and encourage independent thinking. For most campers the change is visible and they leave camp with a renewed sense of personal power and independence.
Benefit #7: Responsibility
Along with independence comes a sense of responsibility. Being away from your parents/guardians is already an enormous responsibility, however, at camp you’ll be given a great deal more; be it getting your kit ready for the next day, being on-time for your activities and meals, keeping your bedroom tidy… the list is endless! This sets the basis for a more mature, self-reliant outlook which can be transferred to life at home.
Benefit #6: Character Building
We here at Camp Suisse are champions of success and achievement. No challenge is too big or too small and success at all levels is something to aim for and celebrate. Campers will discover new skills and talents, overcome fears and anxieties helping them to become well-rounded individuals.
Benefit #5: Confidence
Summer Camp is the perfect environment to discover both strengths and weaknesses and to build on all of these whilst learning from peers. In the supportive atmosphere of camp campers of a shy temperament or low self-esteem find they excel in activities they never imagined they would.
Benefit #4: Learning & Education
You’re signed up for a language class, but the learning doesn’t stop there! Surrounded by such an international mixture of youngsters campers learn about new countries, languages and cultures. On activities new practical skills are learnt and through all of this, campers appropriate new life skills.
Benefit #3: Fun & Lifelong memories
It sounds obvious but camp is a whole load of fun.. and then some! From the new friends campers make to the new experiences they have, our mission at Camp Suisse is to make sure all campers have an unforgettable summer, creating friendships and memories that will last a life time.
Benefit #2: Positive Role Models
In our celebrity-obsessed society role models of questionable suitability come and go. Our Group Leaders provide positive role models amid a sea of confusion. Chosen for their well-balanced personalities, boundless experience and positive attitudes.. they’re the stars on camp.
Benefit #1: Cultural Exchange
Above all the most unique aspect of Camp Suisse is the multi-ethnic, multi-national nature of its campers. Hailing from all parts of the world campers have the chance to share their outlooks, experiences, opinions and beliefs whilst at the same time exploring those of other campers.
SchoolÛªs OutÛ_ for some at least!
1st June 2011
Before the hubbub of the international sessions, the first part of summer here at Camp Suisse has always been dedicated to our school groups. As we’ve been raving on this year we’re bigger and better than ever, meaning not only an extra international session but more school groups too! We’re look forward to welcoming groups both new and old; from the UK, our long-time friends St. Ivo School and new to us this year the Devon Youth Football Association, from right here in Switzerland the Ecole Internationale de Genève, the Geneva English School and the International School of Schaffhausen and from Frankfurt in Germany the Strothoff International School.
We are thrilled to be welcoming you to Camp Suisse 2011 and look forward to meeting you over the next few weeks! Bon voyage.
The forecASHt looks good (that’d be the ash forecast…!)
29th May 2011
I just hope we aren’t speaking too soon, touch wood and all that, when we say the volcanic ash cloud threatening UK plane departures seems to be subsiding. So long as the Icelandic volcano decides not to wake up for the next couple of months it looks like we’re in the clear! So let’s push aside our worries enjoy the sense of relief and let the one week countdown to camp begin! One week from tomorrow we’ll be flinging our doors open to the first campers of the season. New to Camp Suisse next week we’ll be welcoming Ecole International de Geneve!!
