Posts Categorised by 'Blue Group'
Blues and their bikes
15th July 2013
This morning was our first chance to get started with our language lessons. Equally we got started on our sports courses, with the climbers receiving their Camp Suisse log books ready to take on our indoor wall. Lunch from the Camp Suisse buffet bars refuelled us with the massive choice of pasta, hot dogs, sandwiches, paninis or jacket potatos all with a choice of fillings and/or salad!
After being fitted with helmets and gloves we headed in the minibus upto Plan de Croix – our special mountain biking venue. After testing our cycling skills with some tricky games and challenges (the bike control challenge being won by Ben!), we moved onto the off-road trails purpose built by our Activities team. With some campers zooming along with great confidence, others were a bit shaky to start, but a big shout out goes to Teni, Alana and Ava who all worked really hard and showed massive improvements throughout the afternoon. After all the practice, we headed on down the mountain to test out our skills on the mountain bike trails of Torgon. What an adrenaline filled day! After our chicken pie dinner and peach crumble, we had the great choice of Zumba or sports at the football pitch for the evening.
Red and blue go to the labyrinth!
14th July 2013
The Swiss sun soared high in the sky to welcome the campers of Camp Suisse on their first day at Camp. Routines, procedures and rules had to be laid down so after campers awoke at 7:15 for breakfast, it was time for French and Spanish language students to take their assessment tests to determine their levels of mastery in their respective languages. English and German students went off to their selected sports before everyone swapped over.
Everyone chose their favourite from the five options on offer for lunch after which Group Leaders assembled everyone for the afternoon trip to the Labryinth Adventure maze. The mad dash of each group trying to find as many targets as possible before their competitors echoed around the maze. The fun and laughter continued with the groups enjoying the slides, bouncy castles and various other attractions on offer at the Labyrinth.
An unusually late afternoon then ensued with the Reds and Blues. Gifts and sweets were bought at the stalls of Montreux Jazz Festival with the peaceful lakeside setting, sunshine and background music providing the perfect ending to a first day.
SESSION TWO ARRIVALS DAY
13th July 2013
SESSION TWO ARE YOU READY?!?
We are all looking forward to welcoming you to Camp Suisse 2013!
Let the good times begin!
First Day of Session Two
As the campers all rolled in over a number of hours, many were getting to know their new group members or reuniting with returners.
For those who arrived before dinner, the activies that were offered were the climbing wall, tennis, sports at the football pitch and in the patinoire, as well as some good old table tennis!!
Many were anxious at the thought of not knowing anyone, but we can now say – noone seems to have inhibitions!
All in all a positive start to our new journey.
Watch this space!
Departures day!
12th July 2013
It is a sad time for all of us here at Camp Suisse!
To all the session one campers, the memories created here will stick with us for the rest of our lives.
It has been a pleasure meeting all of you and we hope you have enjoyed yourselves as much as we did!
From all the staff here at Camp Suisse, we wish you a safe journey home and hope to see you again next Summer!
MISSION DAY
11th July 2013
As the sun continued to shine at Camp Suisse, all colour groups gathered for Mission Day before lunch. Mission Day is known to cause excitement around camp for both staff and campers alike as the day involves carrying out a series of different tasks or “missions”. These missions were part of a military affair as campers were split into five squadrons that competed against each other – Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo. With two squadron leaders commanding each group, points were awarded to squadrons depending upon how well they performed in each mission. In preparation of the afternoon activities, each squadron created and rehearsed chants and marches which were demonstrated in between missions to put fear into the eyes of enemy squadrons. Groups also applied camouflage to complete the army look. After lunch, the missions got underway. Vehicle mobility training included a timed relay around a course that tested everyones mountain biking skills. Target practice involved the use of bow and arrows as accuracy was needed to aim for the selected targets. The third mission, navigation skills, was based around orienteering as squadrons had to navigate to certain check points to collect letters. Groups then had to spell as many words as possible out of the letters they’d received. Vertical infiltration training took place on the climbing wall which contained challenging tasks such as climbing in the dark with the use of head torches. Finally, survival training demanded the use of adventurous bush craft methods. This entailed the art of building and camouflaging shelters as well as making a fire. It was a close battle between all five squadrons but team Bravo, headed by squadron leaders Matt and Jess, came out on top after winning the most amount of points in total. Overall, all campers enjoyed the thrill of Mission Day which strengthened the positive vibe around Camp Suisse as the end of session one approaches!
red and blues camping!
10th July 2013
After their normal sport/language morning routine the red and blue group assembled in the patinoire sports hall for a quick kit check before setting off on the hike to… CAMPING! Or, as Seif pointed out, more glamping as the groups would be sleeping over in the Torgon Ski Club chalet just above Plan de Croix. Although hiking wasn’t everyone’s favourite activity, Tatjana and Ella improvised, making the most of their group leaders by getting piggy backs over the flat parts of the walk!! However the activity leaders also had to improvise when the road was blocked by some unimpressed looking cows with their young calves! Then, as if the walk hadn’t been exciting enough as the campers approached the chalet they were met by loud thunder and some distant flashes of thunder which the campers found amusing but a noticeable increase in walking pace was noted! Thankfully the weather improved in time for the bbq dinner and the ground was dry enough to be able to collect some wood for a cosy campfire constructed by Liam and Fearghal for roasting some marshmallows. The campers also learnt some entertaining new songs, the favourite definitely being Emma’s fruit salad song!!
After the fire the sleepy campers climbed into their sleeping bags in bunks for a good sleep before the hike back down to Camp Suisse the next morning.
Red and Blue have gone camping!
9th July 2013
Red and Blue have taken to the mountain to enjoy a night out camping.
Watch this space!
blues go hiking!
8th July 2013
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.
Olympics day at Camp Suisse!
7th July 2013
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!)
