Camp Journal
EIG – Something smells good!
4th June 2012
After an early arrival at the school to meet a very excited group of youngsters, we divided the classes between two coaches and headed off for the Suisse heritage medieval town of Gruyre and the world famous Cailler chocolate factory.
Coach 2 arrived at the Chocolate Factory in Broc at around 11.30. Well on schedule and with just enough time for us to sweep in and out of the many and varied selections of Swiss chocolate in the Cailler shop (of course each purchase a gift for a family member or loved one…). The classes were divided evenly into three groups and ushered through to the ‘check in area’ before the official chocolate factory tour began.
Expectations of a Willy-Wonka-Style experience soon evaporated and students were immersed in an interactive tale of the history of chocolate, dating back to its Aztec origins. Might I add that every room was filled with the scent of different cocoa beans and chocolaty aromas… while there was no chocolate river to be found our sensory organs were on their own voyage of discovery!
After a whistle-stop tour starting from the discovery of that oh-so-precious bean to the Swiss ingenuity of adding it to milk to form the all too familiar taste of milk chocolate that we know and love today we got to see and feel first-hand the raw materials that go into making each and every piece.
Jaws were having to be physically picked up off the floor when we finally got a glimpse of the awe-inspiring roboticised methods of production – one machine in particular moved finished bars from one conveyor belt to another, recognising if a piece was unsuitable and sending it immediately to the waste bin.
Then came [arguably] the best bit…the tasting room! We got to sample all the different types of chocolate Cailler has to offer, all of them DELICIOUS! We left the factory feeling very full and with bags stuffed full of Cailler goodies!
After a quick play in the park we hopped back onto the bus and headed the short distance to the stunning town of Gruyère for our picnic lunch. We had a lovely lunch next to the château – lucky for us the rain stayed off! Gruyère (famous for its cheese) is a beautiful old town with parts of it dating back to the Bronze Age. The 13th century château perched on top of the hill overlooks the town.
Bellies full, we made the long journey up the winding road to Camp Suisse in Torgon and were given a warm welcome by all the Camp Suisse staff. We were shown to our rooms and given a tour of the centre. After a scrummy Mexican fajita wrap dinner we got ready for evening activity; some of us decided to take part in an action packed 5-a-side football tournament whilst the rest of us got our groove on and sang our hearts out at karaoke (watch out Beyoncé)!
After such a busy day we were more than ready for bed and so headed down to the chalets to our much awaited beds which was soon followed by a very welcome lights out.
What a wonderfully chocolaty first day at Camp Suisse! I wonder what the rest of the week has in store for us!
We’re in the Sunday Times!
28th May 2012
Hello everyone, have a read of our feature in the Sunday Times!!
The best holidays for kids only…. Looking for the perfect trip for you and the kids? Don’t bother. Pack them off on their own summer adventure Jeremy Lazell Published: 27 May 2012
Once upon a time, the summer holidays stretched and yawned like a six-week prison sentence — and that was just for parents. Now, kids-only summer camps give you the chance to unwind at home, or on your own holiday, while they climb, ride, surf, sail, fish, dog-sled along glaciers, learn how to DJ, train to become spies — and make lots of new mates. They won’t be stuck for things to talk about when school starts, and you might just finish reading that book.
Alpine action, Switzerland International Camp Suisse (0845 519 1031, www.campsuisse.com) draws children from more than 40 countries to its camp in Torgon, a pretty Alpine resort 3,600ft above Lake Geneva. Run by Brits, with English as the first language, it offers one- or two-week programmes for children aged 7-17, with eight hours of language tuition and a menu of adventures, including rock-climbing, river-rafting and husky-sledding on a glacier. A week costs £910pp, a fortnight £1,780pp, full-board, including transfers, but not flights. Airlines flying to Geneva with an unaccompanied-minor service include British Airways (0844 493 0787, ba.com) and Swiss International Air (0845 601 0956, swiss.com); this costs £32 extra each way.
Camp Set Up and Team Building Continues…
27th May 2012
The set up of the centre is coming together at Camp Suisse. Today we were taking part in team building events to get to know our colleagues better so that we can improve our organisational skills and you can see how much fun we had by taking a look at some more photos of these events on our Facebook page International Camp Suisse We took part in 4 different exciting activities including; the multi person plank walk, stacking a tower of crates to send 1 member of staff to the top, electric wire and setting up a system to take a group photograph without touching the camera.
The weather is stunning in Torgon and we are eager to welcome our first campers who arrive tomorrow!
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM…
23rd May 2012
Just 7 days to go!! The Camp Suisse team are extremely excited to welcome the first campers of the 2012 season, which are due to descend upon us on the 30th May.We are counting down as operations at Camp Suisse are hotting up and the village of Torgon prepares itself for a summer packed full of exciting activities and fun times. Be sure to report back here soon for more tantilising updates about preparations being carried out for the 
summer ahead at Camp Suisse. Like our Facebook page International Camp Suisse for additional hot news pieces! See you soon..
And the staff are here!… Jodie
20th May 2012
After a 10 hour journey from Nottingham to Torgon with a suitcase packed for three whole months, I finally made it.Having come through an airport dedicated to John Lennon and an airport seemingly dedicated to cleanliness, I had the most scenic train journey I have ever been on, around the coast of the stunning Lake Geneva.The training and hard work began today and I already feel at home (although the unpacking hasn’t begun yet!), however very much unlike home, the sun is shining and I’ve seen no rain yet.Upon arrival in Torgon I have been greeted by lovely staff, breath-taking views and delicious food!! I am excited to be involved in the set up process of camp, and cannot wait for everyone to arrive over the next few weeks and find out what the next three months has to offer.
And the staff are here!…. Cory
18th May 2012
After the many travel links and connections between trains, buses and an aeroplane, I have finally landed myself in Torgon. The angular silhouette in the sky that the mountains of the Rhône valley cut is a world away from the vast grey liquid horizon that provides a border for us in the South West of the United Kingdom. Despite this though, the wind rushing through the Alpine trees is ever reminiscent of the sound of the Atlantic waves crashing against the rocks. I am pleased to discover that summer has descended upon Torgon, where the sun’s heat is pleasantly warm and the birds’ song provides a chirpy background buzz. My name is Cory and I will be working with Jodie to provide all children, staff and parents alike with the utmost service of camp administration. Today, we have been getting to grips with the process of registration of all our campers. Tomorrow we will be setting up the equipment in the office and from then we will be ready for all types of administration activity.
Where are they now? – Katie Shepherd
16th May 2012
Next in this series of catch-ups with some of our longest serving staff members we head on over to UK, stopping off in the capital to hear from Camp Coordinator Katie Shepherd (Sheps) to see how she’s been keeping busy away from camp and what she’s got in store for us in summer 2012.
Katie Shepherd (Sheps)
‘Hey everyone… Sheps here! I’m writing this whilst beavering away in my office in central London. Yes, a far cry from leading evening dance classes and running around the Alps in camo gear on Mission Day. I’ve spent this year working very hard for a golf travel company and while the experience I’ve gained has been fantastic, sitting in an office looking at the rain all day really makes me miss running around in the sun in Torgon!
Apart from working, I’ve been going to more Salsa and Ceroc lessons which should make evening entertainment dance sessions even more fun… get ready to move those hips!
Unfortunately, as I have a ‘real job’ -boring!- I won’t be at Camp Suisse for as much time as I’d like this year, but never fear I’ll still be out there for a good long stretch. I just can’t stay away!
Having had a sneaky insight into what is planned for Camp Suisse 2012, it is looking bigger and better than ever which means I’m even more devastated I can’t be there for the whole time! The Activities Team have got some amazing new activities planned, new evening entertainment ideas are brewing and of course what would Camp Suisse be without the best disco in Torgon… The Camp Suisse ‘Disco Disco Disco’!
On that note, I’ve been spending rather a bit of time staring out of my London office window thinking up the next big staff performance for the Talent Show. Last year we gave you the Spice Girls, 5ive and Souldja Boy…but what’s next I hear you shout?! Well you’ll just have to be there to find out!
Well that’s enough from me; I need to return to work, although having written this and gotten all excited about the summer it isn’t going to be easy concentrating on those golf holidays! See you back in Torgon this summer for Camp Suisse 2012!’
Where are they now – Phil Haynes
25th April 2012
In the continuation of this series we head to Treviso in northern Italy to see what Resort Manager Phil Haynes has been getting up to over the course of the year and how he’s been contributing to the preparations for summer 2012.
Phil Haynes
‘Well, apart from filling up on pasta, pizza and all the other culinary delights this region has to offer, most of my time has been filled with teaching English to a variety of Italian learners from 6 year old beginners to 60 year old… beginners, and all that’s in between. With some of the biggest hurdles in the English language overcome, such as the correct pronunciation of ‘kitchen’ and ‘chicken’ or ‘hungry’ and ‘angry’, I’m beginning to wind down as my students prepare for their end of year exams.
In just a few weeks’ time, however, I’ll be winding myself back up with a vengeance as I make my way back to Torgon (for what will be my 4th summer) to lend a hand as the schools’ sessions begin and the preparations for the international sessions are stepped up a notch.
At the end of summer, while most Camp Suissers settle back into their normal lives, I’m lucky enough to be kept doubly busy working remotely from my trusty Camp Suisse laptop on various Camp Suisse-related projects. If you’ve ever visited our Facebook page, and if you haven’t then I strongly suggest taking a peek, you’ll see regular updates, news, photos, videos, etc. well, this, among other things, is part of what I do; keeping us up to speed in a fast changing digital/social media era.
A lot of what we do during the down season is about evaluating everything that took place the previous summer- taking on board feedback from staff and campers and their families- and looking at what improvements/changes can be made in order to make the following summer even better than the last. I can tell you now that in summer 2012 we’re on for a big year! And, although I’ll be sad to say ‘arrivederci’ to my Italian life, I cannot wait for the summer ahead!’
Charity update… the last step!
9th March 2012
Last summer we took a break from our usual charity (the Andrew Woinarski Foundation) to support a cause that needed our urgent help. Four year old Suranna Gleeson suffers from Cerebral Palsy Diplegia which means she has great difficulties walking. She wanted to raise £50,000 to allow her to fly to the US to undergo a potentially life-changing operation and greatly improve her chances of walking unaided.
So, during the course of the summer, Camp Suisse campers and staff – including Camp Director Rich who is still traumatised by his ‘Racooning’ experience – all rallied together to raise as much money as possible. We’d like to thank all of our Camp Suissers who contributed to our efforts last summer. With your help, we raised just under £3000 for Suranna in a matter of weeks – a fantastic achievement that should make everyone proud. Since the summer Suranna’s mum, Kerry, and her team of dedicated fundraisers have been relentless in their efforts of reaching their £50,000 target. Among the many generous donors, players from Suranna’s favourite football team – Liverpool FC – joined in the fundraising efforts, boosting the total raised to a whopping £48,629. Liverpool’s Glen Johnson and his wife Laura led the footballers’ fundraising efforts, as they pledged a massive £6,000. What at first seemed like an Everest-sized challenge is now a mere molehill away from completion. The summit is very much in view and it’s now more than ever that Suranna needs that extra little push to get her to the top. All our good luck, support, best wishes and motivational whooping cheers are coming your way Suranna…YOU CAN DO IT! You can track Suranna’s progress on her website and follow her on twitter @Surannastepping.
You speak. We listen.
8th March 2012
“Amazing… One of the best times of my life” (Isaac, aged 14).
We believe in what we do and take great pride in doing it. We’re our biggest fans but also our biggest critics. That’s why your comments are so important. We listen carefully to the reams of feedback (both good and not-so-good) that we receive each year from campers and their parents.
This means are constantly evaluating what we do and always improving the experience of all the young people who flood through our doors every summer. Understanding the difficulties that parents and guardians face in deciding which camp to send their young ones to, we make no habit of hiding the not-so-positive feedback we receive – it’s about giving you the chance to fully assess our suitability.
For this reason we publish a selection of feedback on our website every year. It’s a warts-and-all look into Camp Suisse by the people who have been there, done it and of course got the Camp Suisse T-shirt. We ask the pertinent questions in regard to our staff, food, activities, programme, facilities and even the weather. You can see it for yourself under ‘About the Camp’ and ‘Feedback‘.
In addition, since the close of camp back in August our crafty cameraman Glen has been putting the final touches to last summer’s video. It’s an action packed rollercoaster ride through some of the summer’s highlights featuring snippets of interviews with our campers. Here’s a taster of what they had to say:
What do you feel you achieved?
Succeed in more things – like archery and climbing… Staying two weeks without my parents! Being more active – during summer I’d just be sitting at home…
How was the food?
The food is three times better than at school! There are two choices, not just one…
Will we see you again next year?
I’d die to come back again!
The 2011 video is live now on our YouTube page…. check it out!
