Camp Journal
Reds get jazzy
8th July 2013
After the excitement of last night’s talent show it was up early for breakfast and off to the daily language and sport sessions. At 12.15 a very tired out Red group came back to refuel with a delightful lunch time buffet. Before the group knew it, it was time for their climbing session in the afternoon. After having exceeded their expectations on the climbing wall last week the Red Group were all very excited to be making a return to the wall, but this time in the outdoors. The group started with some warm up exercises before getting their harnesses and helmets on. The group learned how to belay and tie themselves in to the harness correctly. The members of Red Group were fearless when making their ascent.
The evening a special activity had been organised for the group. The group were lucky enough to visit the world renowned Montreux Jazz festival. The group soaked up the atmosphere and shopped at the stalls selling food and handmade items that overlooked the beautiful Lake Geneva. The afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable for all especially for Jacapo, Filippo and Farouk who went on the bungee-trampoline. A late dinner and an early night were in tow for the Red group before their camping expedition tomorrow.
blues go hiking!
Today was another sunny day at Camp Suisse. As always the Blue group started the day with language lessons and sports.
After a hearty lunch we prepared for the bush hike. After filling their bottle with fresh cold mountain water they split in to two groups and headed out in to the mountains.
Activity leaders Gemma, Fearghal and Becky taught the group about the diverse flora and fauna that exist in the mountains.
After a tiring hike we stopped for a afternoon tea and Fearghal showed the group how to filter dirty water. They all drank some of the filtered water and the group were all amazed at how clear the water had become.
They headed home for another fabulous 3 course meal at camp HQ finishing with delicious banana bread. In the evening the group had so much fun while they starred in their very own 3 minute version of their favourite film.
It’s photo time!
7th July 2013
As we all get spruced up for our Session One photos, many are practising their poses for the final flash!
Could not of had a better day to be getting our photos taken!
Olympics day at Camp Suisse!
Having completed their productive mornings of language and sports lessons, the campers of Red, Blue, Green and Yellow groups quickly munched through their lunch in time for camp photos. With this ordeal over, the campers grouped into eight different countries, each one mixing up the usual colour groups. The campers painted each others’ faces to match the flags of their newfound homelands. Following the opening ceremony and the lighting of the Olympic torch, the campers walked their now-familiar trek to the football pitch in the bright afternoon sun. The campers competed against each other in a variety of activities, ranging from a three-legged race to skittles. After a short break for afternoon tea of a chocolate croissant, the countries renewed their competitive vigor in an egg and spoon race and an obstacle course. The final points were awarded for the quality of the countries’ chants. The varied routines included cheering, somersaults, and in one case even the emission of flatulence. Once the scores were tallied, the bronze medal went to Germany, the silver to the UK, and the gold went to Brazil. All the campers loved their athletic afternoon in the sun.
In the evening, the campers showcased their hard work in their languages lessons at the 2013 Camp Suisse Languages Talent Show. The English, French, German, and Spanish students all produced entertaining shows for their friends. First prize went to the Spiaco Show, a celebrity chat show starring campers Jacapo and Spiros.
– Simon, Blue Group Leader (Team Germany captain!)
All the colours
6th July 2013
After a busy first week, the campers appreciated an extra hour in bed before a 9am breakfast. However, along with the sleep in came with a much needed room tidy hour and a quick lesson in how to make beds (fun when you stick your head in the duvet cases and pretend to be ghosts and scare your group leaders, thanks for that Fadi!!!). After the room inspection it was off to languages and sports for the rest of the morning.
After lunch, the reds, blues, greens and yellows all gathered in the patinoire before heading off for a small hike. The campers made their way across the new wobbly Torgon bridge, around the scenic lagoon, passed the picnic area and ending in the football pitch. Most enjoyed the walk although others felt like their group leaders weren’t working enough and decided to ride on their shoulders, like Tatjana did to poor Freddie!
Once at the football pitch the fun really begun after afternoon tea with groups of footballers going down one end of the pitch to play where a staff vs kids game formed with the campers showing us group leaders how it’s done!
At the other end those not so keen played parachute games, Frisbee and some classics like duck duck goose.
The campers made it back in time for shower hour for a quick chill out before a yummy pasta dinner and peach upside down cake. Then the reds and blues took part in a new exciting evening, hip hop dance off and the greens and yellows enjoyed a much needed chilled out hot chocolate and DVD night.
Academia Anjo enjoy Montreux jazz festival
5th July 2013
When the sun rose yesterday morning everyone was looking forward to a suberb day, travelling around the valley visiting all the best places. First thing in the morning we enjoyed the rides and slides at Aquaparc. We spent time in the sun riding around the calming lazy river in big blue rubber rings. The wave pool was also enjoyed by all the campers, floating up and down like being in the sea. Next we had our picnic lunch, then headed further along Lake Geneva to the park at Villeneuve where we had our English lesson outside in the shade of the shinning sun. Rotating around three different stations, we did freeze-frames, interviews and little plays of the activities we have enjoyed this week. We hopped back on the coach and headed to the Montreux Jazz Festival! Everybody enjoyed walking around the jewellery and clothes stalls followed by a refreshing ice-cream, on the edge of Lake Geneva whilst listening to jazz artists playing on the way.
We returned to camp for a BBQ on the wooden decking, before going to our rooms to pack for the departure tomorrow. Tuvimos un gran día!
Blue and Yellow visit the huskies at Glacier 3000!
An early 6:15am start for the Blue and Yellow campers, yet this did not detract from their moral as they were all extremely excited to be going on an outing to the Glacier 3000. The campers filled their tummies and off they went, kitted out and raring to go. One hour’s drive later and the campers had reached their destination, they were jubilant about the prospect of meeting the Husky dogs at 3000 meters above ground level.
As the campers were walking towards the howling Husky dogs, who were obviously excited for the arrival of our campers – the sun was glistening on the snow and for those campers like Maya and Nada who have never seen snow before, it was a breath-taking experience allowing them to admire the views and have fun making their first snow ball, tactfully eyeing up which group leader to aim for….
After meeting the Husky dogs, the campers got the opportunity to glide in the snow on the sled, being pulled by the excitable Husky’s. The campers all got off the sled grinning like Cheshire cat’s; it was an experience they will never forget.
From gliding through the snow to flying down the mountain on the roller coaster at full speed – the campers were allowed to experience the twists and turns of the mountain roller coaster. Ayman managed to lose his hat whilst rocketing down the roller coaster, and Mahmood the front passenger was grinning with gritted teeth, trying to show he wasn’t scared – however inside secretly screaming with the adrenaline of the sharp twists and turns in the sunshine down the mountain side.
After all the excitement that the Glacier 3000 brought, it was time for the campers to head to the Villeneuve pool on the outskirts of Montreux. The campers basked in the sunshine, whilst splashing in the pool – and for the more daring campers … diving off the seven metre diving board into the lake.
All in all an overwhelming fun filled day, tiring out our Blue and Yellow campers from all the excitement of an unforgettable day.
Theresa – Yellow group leader
Schools go chocolate!
4th July 2013
Yesterday morning at Camp Suisse, the skies were a little grey but moral was still high, after all it was the day to visit two factories near the beautiful town of Gruyere to discover how cheese and Cailler chocolate are made!
We hopped on the coach down the valley, first was the fantastic story, tour and taster room inside the Chocolate Factory of Cailler. My favourite was the Frigor range; another favourite was the Galak white chocolate. We had our picnic in the park next to the fountain before the short bus ride to the La Maison du Gruyere. We saw cheese being made as we had our tour using an audio phone. The taster pack we received at the end (after a little visit to the shop) contained 6, 8 and 10 month old cheese! I liked the 8 month square the best, not too strong!
Language lessons were back at camp and we talked through our day in English before continuing our studies further to improve our knowledge of the language. Dinner was a delicious lasagne with fresh green salad, beetroot and potato salad, with garlic bread on the side. Dessert was my favourite of the week – waffles and ice-cream! The Egyptian school also at Camp Suisse this week depart this morning, so we enjoyed the Disco last night to celebrate a fantastic week! A variety of music was played with some Spanish tunes and Egyptian dances which everybody loved!
Looking forward to a fantastic day of the Roman tours today, with our in-house historian Fearghal.
Academia Anjo discover the Roman Ruins
Roman Tours around Martingy the AA group enjoyed another lovely breakfast with the sun shining at Camp Suisse before heading down the valley to Martingy: a Roman town in the heart of Switzerland. They visited the markets, where they bought souvenirs and presents for themselves. Everybody enjoyed a yummy packed lunch in the centre of town next to a giant chess board, before heading off for their Roman tour delivered by Fearghal from the Activities team. He was fantastic in explaining how the Roman’s lived and worked 2000 years ago and answered any questions they had with his depth of knowledge of this period of history. Returning to Camp Suisse for their language lessons, the group continued to improve their English skills before dinner comprising of breaded mushrooms, Thai green curry and eton mess for dessert. This evening the group were challenged to find out who killed Murder Mystery victim.
There were twelve suspects, played by a few different members of staff from all the different departments of camp. It was really exciting going around Camp completing numerous challenges to obtain clues! In the end, we discovered that it was Mr Brumwell, one team made up of blue and red campers were the only team who actually guessed correctly!
Time for bed now, always looking forward to a great day tomorrow!
