Camp Journal
Update from the Yellow Group
5th July 2019
Sunday – Treetop adventures
Getting settled into their new groups, they got to know each other through games and activities led by their Group Leader. We’re always amazed by the incredible number of nationalities and languages represented at Camp, and we love to see the number of international friendships that are forged at the very beggining of the session.
After a short Language Quiz to determine the composition of the language classes, the Yellow group headed off to Parc Adventure in the afternoon. With 10 treetop adventure courses, 5 ziplipes (two over 150m!), climbing walls, and a freefall tower, it’s an adventure lover’s paradise! Campers spent the afternoon swinging, zipping, clambering, twisting, and jumping, before returning to the Alpine centre for a well deserved meal and a rest.
If that wasn’t enough, they joined forces with the Green group in the evening for a huge game of Capture the Flag on our football pitch. What a start to Camp!
Monday – Getting back to Nature
The shelter building competition saw the tribes competing to construct a sturdy, waterproof shelter that could accommodate all 8 group members, before being put to the test with the Hurricane and Thunderstorm challenges!
After a hearty lunch at Camp, campers were welcomed by their language teachers to their first language classes. They finished their second day at camp with an indoor hockey tournament before heading to bed.
Wednesday – Sub Zero
We started the day by taking two cable cars 3000 metres up to one of the most famous glaciers in Switzerland, the Tsanfleuron. On arrival we took the Ice Express chairlift to the face of the glacier, where we spent time sledding and sliding on the icy white snow. Before we got too chilly, we were lucky enough to take a ride with the Husky Dogs around the glacier – what an incredible experience.
In the afternoon, we took a ride on the worlds highest alpine coaster, before taking a dizzying walk across the world’s highest bridge between two mountain peaks – what a record breaking day!
Louis Brown
Yellow Group Leader
The early camper goes to the Glacier
At 6:30 am the Red and Blue campers left their beds and went to Glacier 3000. After one hour and a half in the bus we finally reached our destination. The blue and the red group went on a roller coaster, had a snowball fight and played with the sleigh. Once back in the camp, the campers relaxed, watching a movie with a mug of chocolate and some marshmallows before going to bed.
Survival, celebration and sweet dance moves!
7th June 2019
Alas, the winds of change have come too soon. The weather was a ghastly grey when our campers awoke this morning. Their spirits kept up, however, and they donned their best or next best waterproof coats and headed out to the rain.
Today, the children were taking part in activities based on their on-going charity work with Together for Better Days. This charity provides quality relief to refugees while working to create long-term solutions to the largest problems around the refugee crisis. We worked in small groups and navigated around the local area, learning different skills necessary for survival. From filtering water to building fires, practising first aid to constructing shelters, the campers had a really hands-on day gaining a better understanding of the crisis. Spirits were not dampened by the rain. After several hundred rounds of ‘Reese’s Peanut butter Cup’, along with getting to light actual fires, meant the children stayed enthusiastic and warm all day long.
A scrumptious dinner of fajitas and Eton mess was the perfect last supper for our campers. Normally a quiet, civilised meal not!, dinner turned into a bit of a party as the children gladly raised their voices to help Mr James celebrate his 21st* birthday.
The day was brought to a finish when 80+ children flocked into the centre for Camp Suisse’s iconic disco night. Intense preparation and practice was finally realised when the group showed off their sweet dance moves. Everybody was dressed to impress, and with DJ Dawson on the decks, it was all we needed for a great discotheque.
Tomorrow will see the children visiting different places of interest in the area. Without giving too much away, classes 6A and 6C are in for a sweet treat. And 6B and 6D? Well, we don’t want to ruin the surprise, but they could be roman around Martigny again soon. They’ll be tired as dogs after this trip!
Biking, hiking and BBQing!
6th June 2019
Today was another day of exploration for the children at Camp Suisse.
Our mountain bike coaches were really impressed with the children in classes 6A and 6C who took to the trails today. All the children challenged themselves and tried things they weren’t confident in; Neel and Caesar learned how to ride a bike! They also tried their hand at archery and climbing, with archery being the crowd favourite. In the climbing wall, some children were nervous to start, but by the end of the session had gained a lot of confidence; Tanya was even able to make it to the top of the wall!
Classes 6B and 6D, meanwhile, could be seen pacing around camp with navigators Katy and Emily. By the end of the afternoon, they were all able to use a map and compass, create their own small area maps and navigate their way around the Camp Suisse woods. These classes also learned a new sport: tag rugby. Although there were a few tired kids for this one, most were really enthusiastic to practise their skills and eventually compete in an exhilarating rugby match, with the red team taking the victory.
Dinner was a proper event tonight, as the whole camp hiked to the picnic area in the woods for an epic BBQ. The children loved the fire-roasted sausages, and Helen’s amazing cookies went down a treat for dessert.
Activities and adventures in Torgon!
5th June 2019
Classes 6a and 6c spent the day orienteering and practising navigation ahead of their Refugee education day on Thursday. We learned how to use a map and compass, navigated their way around the local area, and even made their own maps! This learning will be important later in the week when they are challenged to navigate their route around camp on Thursday. After a delicious lunch of paninis and salads, the children were introduced to tag rugby by James (a native Aussie). This non-contact sport was enjoyable for everyone and the children were glad to spend the afternoon in the sun and fresh air. After a hearty dinner of fish and chips, the children were treated to a classic Camp Suisse campfire.
Luckily, last night’s bad weather passed, and we were able to go ahead with our adventure filled day as planned. Class 6b started the day becoming novice archers with our resident expert, Emily. We followed this with a trip to the climbing wall, where the children reached for new heights with instructors Katy and Steve. 6d were also adventurous to the max and spent the morning on the mountain bike trails around Torgon. After lots of practice and preparation with our mountain bike instructors Declan, Anthony and Luke, we gained confidence and almost all took on the challenge of the trails. After lunch and a rest, 6b took over on bikes and 6d marched off to the Archery Range. The Camp Suisse catering team were appreciated at dinner time when 80 hungry children came knocking!
Very old ruins, big fluffy dogs and heaps of chocolate.
4th June 2019
Classes 6a and 6c spent the day exploring the historic town of Martigny. We learnt all about Martigny’s history, from the Gaulish heritage and Roman Occupation to the origins of St Bernard’s pass. The Roman ruins were in fine form with the sun beaming down and blue skies above. In the amphitheatre classes were treated to a titanic contest between the Camp Suisse gladiators which ended triumphantly when Katy delivered a sword shattering blow and took victory. The St Bernard Museum was also greeted with much enthusiasm, especially as 7 puppies were currently in residence. Just as the time came to head back to the Camp Suisse centre the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down. Thankfully it was a short trip to welcome drinks at the Camp Suisse restaurant and an electrifying game of bingo afterwards.
Classes 6b and 6d spent the day on a sweet adventure. Together with the Camp Suisse activity leaders: Hannah, Margaux and Dani they explored Switzerland’s premier chocolate experience at Maison Cailler. From the historical origins in Aztec cocoa ceremonies to the delights of today, a fantastic day packed full learning and chocolate was had by all. After exploring Maison Cailler, we headed to the camp Suisse centre narrowly avoiding the rain and finished off the afternoon with games in the sports hall!
A double whammy for the Reds!
16th August 2018
It’s a double whammy for red group today! Yesterday morning, after a fantastic time spent learning languages and playing sports, the red group set off up the mountain to camping. Although it initially rained a little and made everyone rather soggy, the sun eventually peeped out from behind the clouds and brightened the beautiful landscape. After a filling BBQ, the campers set off on their mission to hike to France. Approaching the border, they encountered many Swiss cows, and enjoyed hoping from Switzerland to France. They made their way back down to find chocolate-filled bananas and a roaring fire waiting for them. After some fun story telling, they headed to bed in the big shared dorm, what an experience so high in the mountains! The next day (this morning) dawned bright and sunny and after a healthy breakfast, the red group made their way back to camp. We arrived in time to have a shower and chill before lunch, after which the red group had another language lesson followed by climbing, they have all turned out to be real little monkeys! Once dinner was digested, the campers split to enjoy bingo and football before bed, they really need an early night tonight as we’ll be up very early for tomorrow’s trip to the glacier! Sign in tomorrow for another day of fun with Camp Suisse’s red group.
Charlie B, Red Group Leader
Banana Boating for the Reds!
13th August 2018
The Red group awoke to bright sunshine and blue skies on their first morning at camp. After a healthy and filling breakfast, they separated into their language classes to learn some new words. After learning some vocabulary and phrases, they consolidated their knowledge by playing fun games and practiced their all-important oral communication skills. This was followed by team building games, which challenged them to work as a group to find a way to complete each task, which was great fun and forged some lovely friendships. Then for the fun part of the day: banana boating! We hopped on the bus down to Villeneuve beach, where the campers got into groups and enjoyed touring round Lake Geneva on the banana boat, with just a few falls into the clear warm water! The reds also enjoyed swimming in the lake, jumping off the pontoon, splashing in the pool, and a cool ice cream from the shop before heading back to camp. After shower hour and dinner, they wondered up to the football pitch and its stunning view of the surrounding mountains to play some sports before bed. What a busy and fun first day at camp, tune in tomorrow for more excitement with Camp Suisse’s red group!
Charlie B, Group Leader
Last Day for the Yellows
10th August 2018
The yellows awoke bright and early to yet more sun and a bright blue sky. We made the most of the weather and did Torgona Hunt in the language class, a question-hunt around Torgon village in the target language. It’s great fun, and helps to get to know the tiny mountain village better! After a quick kit check, we headed down the mountain to Villeneuve Plage. Unfortunately the clouds rolled in and a storm stared brewing, so banana boating was cancelled for safety reasons, but we still enjoyed a fantastic afternoon on the almost deserted beach by the lake, having fun diving off the high board and into the lake, swimming in the pool, and playing table-tennis, football and frisbee in the grass. After a spot of shopping to get out of the rain, we headed back up the windy mountain road to camp. Now, time for a shower and packing before PROM! The centre was closed to campers all afternoon, so the look on their faces as they walked in was one of amazement and surprise: the centre had been completely transformed into an enchanted forest! After a special dinner, we held the final group meeting, in which we handed out the Camp Certificates and each camper received a little speech. And then, back into the dining hall to dance the night away! Session 3 was great fun, and the yellows incredibly fun but also well behaved, a rare mix! Thank you to all yellows, this is not goodbye but merely see you next year!
Charlotte, Group Leader
Glacier & Dracula for the Yellows!
What. A. Day. Probably the longest day in Camp Suisse of this session.
A very early morning start with breakfast at 6:15 am for the Yellows (and Greens). A total bus drive of 90 minutes to get down from the mountain, across the valley, and up the mountain on the other side to visit Glacier 3000.
Off the bus and three chairlifts later, the campers started with some excellent sledging down the snow slope. The bumps and falls only made this more fun! Then the campers went ‘walking the dogs’ – but these weren’t ordinary dogs, but trained huskies. By the looks of it, it wasn’t really clear whether the campers were walking the huskies, or the other way around. In any case, it was good fun!
Lunch break at 3000m of altitude provided some spectacular views, and so did the walk on the hanging bridge. This was then followed by a ride on the world’s highest alpine coast ride, which created some good excitement and adrenaline rushes.
Once back at camp, shower was followed by dinner, and then the evening activity: Dracula! A treasure hunt in the forrest at night, where the campers were surrounded by vampires and werewolves, and had to use their team building skills to collect the materials to banish Dracula, who had been haunting Torgon. A lot of rain and a few thunderbolts really set the scene. Everybody was exceptionally wet from the rain, but it was completely worth it.
Bart, Group Leader
