Posts Categorised by 'Blue Group'
Bushcraft Hike -Blue Group
19th July 2012
What a gloriously sunny day at Camp Suisse! After a spot of languages and sport, the Blue and Red group headed off to Lake Geneva for some water sport fun while the White and Yellows prepared for archery and wall climbing. Meanwhile, the Green group set off into the beautiful mountains of Torgon.
After being split into two groups, half of Blue group set off on their Bushcraft hike, which was led by either Calum and Kirsty or by Tom and Rachel. Group one built animal shelters of which some even had a swimming pool! Meanwhile Tom shared his expert knowledge in the natural delights surrounding us including the antiseptic properties of moss. He claims that Reindeer moss was used during the Crimean war as a natural packing agent for wounded soldiers on the battle field. It can also be used as a make shift filter to make water potable and so after a short demonstration the group were required to build their own water filter using a plastic bottle, rocks, twigs and the moss.
After a lengthy period in the woods, Blue group headed back to camp for a swift shower and plentiful helpings of Mexican Fajitas. After campers eagerly scoffed up their pineapple upside down cake, the cameras started rolling in the 3 minute film after dinner activity. Our aspiring Spielbergs directed and acted a 3 minute summary of their favourite movie using what props they could salvage in their surroundings. Be sure to keep a check on our YouTube channel – Campsuisse1 to see how they got along.
A Snowy Scorcher – Blue
18th July 2012
Wow! What a day for the Blue group. An early 6am start was more than worth it for a morning of husky dog sledding at Glacier 3000 where they experienced the stunning panoramic views of the Alps including the Matterhorn. For some, Ore and Anthony among others, it was their first experience of the snow, and what a wonderful time they had, whizzing around on the sledge.
Despite their snowy morning, though, temperatures were soaring down at the lake a scorching afternoon was spent by the fabulous lake side swimming pool at Villeneuve. Many of the steely nerved group members jumped off the 7 metre diving boards into the lake, while others remained firmly on land to enjoy the beaming sunrays.
The campers were spoiled for a choice of chocolate mousse or ice cream before embarking on their evening entertainment. Kin Hubbard once said ‘the safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket’. The campers were nevertheless prepared to put on their poker faces for the Camp Suisse charity casino night in support of the Andrew Woinarski foundation, Camp Suisse’s chosen charity. By 10pm, after such a long and exciting day, campers wearily headed to bed with barely any energy left to complain, within minutes the only sound that could be heard was that of contented sleeping campers. Banana boating tomorrow!
Stream Scrambling With The Blues
17th July 2012
Time flew by for the Blue group during the sun soaked morning. So after a healthy dollop of ketchup along with their hotdogs and potato salad, the Blues were more than ready for the afternoon activities, which were for the first part Ghyll Scrambling and for the second part orienteering. After gingerly entering the water and despite several shrieks and gasps from the campers due to the very cold river, it did not take long for the Blues to get stuck in to the rope walking, tyre crawling and dunking challenges. After a quick bite of afternoon tea and a change of clothes and it was orienteering time. Compasses at the ready and they were off.. though not always in the right direction! After dinner, a music quiz was the evening entertainment and then time for bed in preparation of our glacier trip tomorrow!
Hitting On Target With The Blues
16th July 2012
The Blue group bounced in to breakfast, excited to begin their first full day on site. Bags packed ready to go, budding Roger Federers and Venus Williams smashed out some super serves and wicked volleys in morning sports.
The afternoon held promise of Archery, and so full of pasta, Blue group took a session in perfecting their bow hand. Before long, arrows were searing through the air and the Blue group were aiming on target! Quivers and bows down, there was just time for some afternoon tea before they swung back in to the afternoon activities. The Blues had plenty of practice the day previously and so they were fully prepped for rapid ascent of the indoor wall. Activity instructor Calum upped the stakes by introducing blindfolds to the climbing campers. They were required to climb the wall while blindfolded and add their names to a piece of paper at the top of the wall.
The Reds and Blues joined together in their exploration of the centre in search clues that would lead them to the prize of the Torgona hunt. Team ‘exploding muffins’ emerged victorious, scoring a whopping 23 points, but competition was stiff and everyone enjoyed themselves.
“LABYRINTHE COME IN” – BLUE AND RED GROUP
15th July 2012
Red Group
After getting to know each other on the first evening, the Reds woke up full of enthusiasm for their first full day at Camp. After a hearty breakfast of cereal, toast, yoghurt and of course chocolate spread, they split into two groups for languages and sport.
Unfortunately a light smattering of rain meant they were unable to go outside, but were instead treated to an introduction to climbing on the indoor wall. Everyone learned lots about climbing technique with the activity gurus Tom and Chris. By the end of the session almost everyone was able to scale to the very top of the wall, and all are excited to return later in the week to practice their skills. Halfway through the morning the groups swapped so that those that had done languages went climbing, and the climbers underwent their language assessment. After a thoroughly engaging morning all campers were ready for some lunch!
With sandwiches, muesli and chocolate bars and juice lining their stomachs they boarded the bus to the Labyrinthe Aventure. After descending the mountain they were all eager to embrace the challenges of the giant maze. Going around in groups, Stef’s group seemed happy to escape over the wall without finishing. Chloe’s group got somewhat lost in the depths of the maze but eventually made it out, but the undoubted winners were Billy’s group who worked together brilliantly to discover the proper way out. Afterwards everyone enjoyed some free time to go on the slides, funny bikes, engage in gladiatorial combat and work on their balancing skills. A fantastic time was enjoyed by all, and when it was time to return to the bus some campers had to be dragged away from the entertainment! Upon returning to camp there was just time to have shower, tidy rooms and play some ping pong before dinner.
The evening entertainment consisted of a thrilling game of bingo, culminating in Beatriz and Marina winning exclusive Camp Suisse key rings. By 9pm campers were ready to brush their teeth, roll into their pyjamas and put their heads down for some well earned rest! Tomorrow promises to be an equally a-maze-ing day with more languages, sports and our first crack at Mountain Biking!
Blue Group
Day 1 of session 2 kicked off with a bang when 33 excitable Blues woke up to the stunning view of the Alps from their bedroom windows. They eagerly ate their breakfast, before embarking on their first language lessons. Campers took foreign language lessons in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish with our expert language teachers while the other half took a turn from the traditional to scale up to the
dizzying heights of the indoor climbing wall.
The Labyrinth was the biggest maze they had ever seen and the Blues united with the Reds to crack the challenge with everyone determined to reach the middle. So they raced around looking for castles and treasure chests, campers also had fun playing on the giant bouncy castles, slides and zip wires.
Happy Hiking
7th July 2012
A previous thundery night had cleared the sky for bright Saturday in Torgon. Languages and sport preceded an afternoon hike for the whole camp. Everyone took the chairlift up the mountain, with the Yellow groups buddying up with some of the smaller members of camp.
A swift pace set by activities Jim ensured good progress was made, and we were soon at the half way mark for a well-deserved water break. Scaling fields, mud, rocky paths and occasional cow in an opposite field, the group, before long, gathered as a whole for afternoon tea on the football pitch where a great sense of achievement was felt by all.
Following shower hour and dinner, the campers had time to prepare for the forthcoming talent show – ideas ran wild, so who knows what awaits the audience tomorrow night!
Olympics days dawns on us tomorrow so our campers had better be recharging their batteries for some gold medal performances!
Biking – Blue Group
6th July 2012
Even after the fantastic thunderstorm during the night, all campers slept well and awoke to a glorious sunny day. We were happy to take part in a 45-minute session of hockey skills then practised our climbing skills on the inside wall. 
Everyone loved the fish finger sarnies with fries, salad and cheese toasties. Mountain biking was the afternoon activity, which began very sunny but then as we were returning to camp a flash shower doused us on our bikes, luckily it was then 5.30pm – so time for a lovely hot shower. Giant Scrabble completed the day and the winners are to be announced tomorrow.
Ghyll Scrambling Adventure – Blue Group
5th July 2012
After a break yesterday the children were keen to get back to their language classes.Basketball followed where they definitely worked up an appetite. The jacket potatoes were greatly enjoyed with the majority going back for seconds! The fun-filled afternoon kicked off with some navigation skills inside while the rain passed, then it was off to the woods for the monkey game! In teams they all set off in
various directions with the challenge to find the hidden monkeys.Following afternoon tea back at the centre we excitedly made our way to the river. When scrambling up the river there was a sense of nervousness, which on the way back down had completely disappeared, and was replaced with exhilarated children. ‘I feel so alive’ was my favourite quote from a 10 year old boy after having crawled through a tyre on the river.A nice warm shower was hugely appreciated, and after dinner it was laundry time and maybe a little bit more karaoke!
