Posts Categorised by 'Red Group'
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!
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.
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!)
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.
First Day of Session One
30th June 2013
Camp Suisse’s first international group of 2013 were woken up bright and early for an 8am breakfast to fuel them through their morning language test and first sports sessions of football, tennis, basketball or climbing.
After their morning sessions came a delightful variety of lunch options such as a paninis, jacket potatoes or sandwiches. Then the Blue and Red groups made their way straight to the Camp Suisse coach to take them to one of the campers’ favourite activities, LABRINTH!!
Groups split up with their group leaders to try and navigate their way around the maze with Emma’s group managing to find all 10 of the checkpoints. After the maze came some time to play on other labyrinth attractions with JP running up and down the slides like a yoyo.
Once the children arrived back in Torgon it was time for shower hour before some lovely sweet sour chicken followed by an ice cream sundae – yum!
To use up some of their energy, the campers began their evening activity, Torgona hunt. This entails searching the Camp Suisse site looking for answers to riddles and questions. After the hunt, they made their way to the chalets for a good night sleep in preparation for tomorrows adventures.
Departure Day
10th August 2012
The church bells chiming for the 5:30 call signalled with it the start of that dreaded day here in Torgon: the final departure day of the season.As children awoke early, there was a cloud of sorrow lingering in the cloudless sky as the sun rose over the Swiss mountains. For few could believe that some 3 months after it all began, the summer of 2012 was drawing to a close. So many memories created, friends made and experiences that will last a lifetime all happened here at Camp Suisse and we’re incredibly grateful to all of the campers and staff for making it happen.What are the highlights of camp this year for myself? Who would ever be able to forget the sheer volumes of snow that were found at the Glacier for the first international session, or the bitter cold and wind-chill accompanying it? Then fast forward one month to see the same location practically without snow and basking in temperatures that meant we were able to bask in the magnificent glory of the mountain-top views with just a t-shirt on. Talk about a special location to take a group photo! One of the things that has really impressed me this year though is the way that the campers have dealt with the variety of challenges that have been handed to them. Whether these were team building games, mathematical challenges or something simple like organising a football game for the staff against the campers, there has been nothing that has proved impossible. The team spirit and helpful nature of the campers in the yellow group when helping the younger campers onto the chairlifts almost brought a tear of pride to the eye, for it was remarkable how mature they were proving to be. Although the phrase “an old head on young shoulders” may be tossed around too often, it was particularly poignant to mention here.Another highlight for myself has to be the wonderful staff that decided to work for us this summer. Whilst the summer may well prove to be a long and tiring one, we staff enjoy an unforgettable and incomparable opportunity to take in such wondrous sights under the slight condition of having to work. The staff this summer have all contributed enormously, made their mark and have helped us to reflect back on what we can call our most successful season ever. We can only just say a huge thank you to the staff members who have helped create memories (both for staff and for campers) that will hopefully endure as long as the mountains around us do.From the superb sports sessions in the morning to the educational and interactive language classes, mornings in Torgon were never rife with boredom and although campers may have gotten used to their surroundings, the variety of our extensive programme here meant that there was always something different for them to partake in. Afternoons though brought with them something amazing, different and adventurous. Whether these were coordinated by our very own adventure specialists or on excursions with the group leaders (and coach drivers!) the dinner tables were rarely short of conversation of an evening, with many campers eager to share with anyone willing to listen an in-depth synopsis of the day’s activities.What’s left though for the remaining staff to do? High up on the priority list is a full-scale investigation into our programme for this year, to see which activities were most enjoyed and to see where we believe that our programme can be bettered for the summer of 2012 and onwards. The Camp Suisse ethic isn’t one that rests on its laurels because we know that despite our winning formula, we want to improve upon it for next summer so that for those people who wish to return (including Charlotte, Juliette and Martin who will return free of charge as part of the Queen/King of Camp competition) then there will be a different challenge for them to overcome. Then, as the floors are scrubbed and all of the mirrors have been polished, the doors to Camp Suisse will be locked, remaining staff will return to their homes and many will start to think of ideas ready for the next summer.
Once again, a huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this summer the most magical of experiences for everyone who has taken part. You most certainly shall not be forgotten.
All Groups Go Camping
8th August 2012
A reasonable hike took all groups to their camping spot, a refuge deeper in to the mountains. This is a popular excursion that allows campers to experience some camping in true rustic spirit. Their meals are cooked and consumed in the outdoors, while they are also needed to hunt for suitable wood to build a camp fire to provide the heart and soul of their outdoor living. They entertain themselves with ping pong and table football tournaments and later in the evening share their stories while indulging in toasted marshmallows.Take a look at all the photos on our Facebook page International Camp Suisse
