Camp Journal
Greens go to Parc Aventure & Learn Languages!
10th August 2018
The morning kicked off with languages, as per usual, but based on the evening activity (see below), a lot of singing in different languages could be heard from the classrooms echoing throughout the tiny town of Torgon.
After languages, the Greens (and Yellows) went to Parc Aventure in the valley. A big park in the forrest where campers can go with zip lines from tree to tree and release their inner swinging monkey. It was good fun and some good flying action throughout.
Back at camp, the evening activity was kicked off by the Blues and Reds’ superb Language Talent Show showcasing their newly learned languages. This was then followed by a good session of karaoke in different languages on behalf the Greens and Yellows. Those morning practices came in handy. German rap, Spanish Latin songs, and some good French and English pop, were the highlights of the evening.
Bart, Group Leader
Un día en el glaciar
9th August 2018
Para el Green Group el día comenzó un poco antes de lo habitual, a las 6:15 de la mañana. Después de un magnífico desayuno y con las pilas recargadas, nuestro grupo se reunió para comprobar que teníamos lo necesario para el día de hoy. Nos dirigimos al autobús, que nos llevaría hasta el glaciar (Glacier 3000). Tras subir hasta la cima en dos teleféricos distintos, jugamos deslizándonos con los trineos por la pista de nieve. Después nos encontramos con los huskies. Dimos un paseo caminando con los perros por el glaciar. Tras la actividad, almorzamos y nos dirigimos hacia el pico más alto del glaciar (a 3000 metros de altura), al cual se llega a través un puente colgante. Una vez terminamos, nos subimos a la montaña rusa, la que se encuentra a mayor altura en toda Europa. Finalizamos la actividad con algunas compras antes de dirigirnos de nuevo hacia el autobús que nos traería de vuelta al campamento.
Maria, lider de grupo
For the green group the day started a little earlier than usual, at 6:15 in the morning. After a breakfast and with recharged batteries, our group met to see if they had what they needed for the day. We went to the bus, which would take us to the glacier (Glacier 3000). After climbing to the top in two different cable cars, wewent sledging on the snow field. After we met the huskies. We took a walk with the dogs on the glacier. After the activity, we have lunch and headed towards the highest peak of the glacier, which is reached by a suspension bridge. Once we finished, we enjoyed the roller coaster, which is the highest in Europe. We ended the activity with some shopping in the gift shop before heading to the bus that would bring us back to the camp.
Maria, group leader
Blues go to the Chocolate Factory!
6th August 2018
On Sunday, the blues had a break from their language lessons and had a full day out on excursions Caillier chocolate factory, the home of Swiss milk chocolate. After become professional Caillier tasters, most of the group (bar Edvard and Callum who took the healthy option) bought enough chocolate to last the rest of the week in the gift shop.
After lunch, both Dec and Lydia’s group spent the rest of the afternoon in Gruyère – the birthplace of fondu. Dec’s group almost all bought crepes (using their french) and watched a busking harpist by the chateau.
Given it was one of the warmest days of the summer(over 30C), most of the chocolate had turned into soup by the time we had made it to camp. Luckily, the boys asked the kitchen staff nicely to let them put their chocolate in the fridge, saving the day.
Declan, Group Leader
Languages & a Hike for the Yellows
Another day dawned bright and sunny at Camp Suisse, and so another day of adventuring and fun began. After a healthy breakfast, the yellow group separated into their languages classes to learn plenty of new and exciting topics in French, German, Spanish or English. After some vocabulary, grammar, speaking and games, they grabbed a sandwich and lathered themselves in sun cream ready for the day ahead. We made our way to Plan de Croix, where we hopped on the chairlift and enjoyed the beautiful views over the Swiss mountains on our way to the Col de Don and the French border. From there, we could see all across the Alps to the Mont Blanc, rising tall in all its snowy glory. We had lunch at the top, then slowly started the descent back to camp, encountering cows, farms and many stunning views along the way. Once back, the yellows jumped onto the climbing wall to perfect their mountaineering skills, with some of them really showing off their monkey skills! Shower hour and hearty dinner revived the campers, who then enjoyed a competitive and exhilarating game of Capture the Flag. Tune in next time for more fun and excitement with Camp Suisse’s Yellow Group!
Charlie B, Group Leader
Yellows go to the Chocolate Factory!
3rd August 2018
Today was a very exciting day for the Yellows as they went to Cailler Chocolate Factory for a morning of language learning and chocolate-tasting combined. The campers completed a language questionnaire in their target-language whilst learning about how chocolate is made at Cailler before being able to eat their body weight in chocolate and being able to buy some too!
The afternoon saw them have some free time to explore Gruyère, looking in the gift shops, buying cheese and having some ice cream before coming back to camp. What a great day for all!
Hannah, Group Leader
Swiss Day for the Greens!
In the year 1291, three cantons signed a charter of peace, creating the core of what would later become Switzerland, and today it is celebrated with traditional music, food, and lots of good energy.
The Green Group, similarly, also had what can be named a ‘traditional’ Camp Suisse day. They started with a good breakfast – they needed it to recover from the excursion all the way to Lac Tanney on Monday, followed by some strong swimming in Lake Geneva on Tuesday.
With some exceptional sunshine and fresh air, the morning continued with the discovery of new bushcraft survival skills. The campers were introduced not only to simple map reading, but also to the correct use of compasses, how to measure distances, and being able to locate trails. This was followed by making shelters and beds using almost entirely material found in the woods. The campers are now fully equipped with survival skills.
Lunch was followed by the first English, French, German, and Spanish lessons for the Green Group. Assigned to their classes, and with their new notebooks, the campers started to converse and learn in their chosen target languages.
After the lessons, the campers went down to Torgon square to see for themselves how the Swiss celebrate their national holiday, and they weren’t disappointed, as they returned with Swiss flags painted all over their faces. Unfortunately there was also a traditional Camp Suisse thunderstorm looming over the centre, forcing the campers to have their evening activity inside. It was also a good opportunity to chill after the very active last days.
Bart von Malssen, Group Leader
The Yellows Celebrate Swiss Day!
The sun dawned bright and early as the yellow group rose from a deep sleep. After a healthy breakfast, they set off up to the football pitch where they released the young Robin Hoods and Katniss Everdeens inside them with some fantastic archery. Whilst not shooting arrows, the yellows enjoyed a few games of pétanque, and a fabulously out-of-tune Disney sing along. When they were all archery’d-out, we walked back to camp for lunch, followed by their first language classes! Depending on the level and langage, this was a mix of introductions, new vocabulary, questionnaires, and games to consolidate their vocabulary. With French, Spanish, German and English still ringing in their ears, the yellows headed out to Torgon square to enjoy the Swiss Day festivities, before digging into a delicious tartiflette for dinner. And finally, a handball tournament to finish off the day, let’s hope they all try their hardest and lead their teams to victory! Tune in tomorrow for another day of fun and enjoyment with the Yellows at Camp Suisse 2018!
Charlie, Group Leader
Hiking & Camping
1st August 2018
Monday lunchtime the reds and blues set off on the hike to camping. With a long hike ahead we stopped for lunch at the picnic area on route. After a few hours we eventually made it up the steep path to the refuge where we stayed for the night. When we got there the kids had a well earned BBQ dinner and a rest. After dinner we all hiked up to the French border and did a nature observation down into the valley in France. Once we walked back down to camping we had chocolate bananas, camp stories and songs to finish off a tough but enjoyable day.
Yellows have a sporty first day!
30th July 2018
The first full day at camp for the Yellow Group was very full on and very sporty! The morning consisted of sports on the football pitch before an hour of languages and the campers’ first International lunch! The afternoon involved a few hours of mountain biking with the campers competing various mountain biking trails of varying difficulties in the beautiful sunshine. Dinner time soon arrived before the campers rested their knowledge at the Camp Suisse Quiz!
Hannah, Group Leader
The Reds have a go at climbing!
25th July 2018
This morning saw the Reds have a go at rock climbing. After playing some games to get them used to climbing on the wall, the campers had the opportunity to try out different climbs of varying difficulty before having to climb up the wall in groups and draw a picture.
After their first taste of drawing at the climbing wall, the campers had a go at art jamming and created some beautiful paintings of the backdrop.
This afternoon saw the red group have their language lessons before playing some very intense games of splat. What a busy day for all!
Hannah, Group Leader
