Day Three – Ecole International de Genève!

3rd June 2015

Today classes 6A & 6B had a very early start as they headed off up the mountain for an Icy adventure on the Glacier! Once the bus had dropped the very excited campers off everyone took a cable car high up the mountain to Glacier 3000! Welcomed by perfect conditions the classes got to ride around on a sled pulled by Huskies! The excitement didn’t end there as next it was time to whizz down the speedy alpine roller coaster! Wheee!

After a morning of giggles and glacier experiences 6A were then taken down to Martigny (or “Octoduriens” as it was once known in Ancient Rome) where they enjoyed the afternoon walking around exploring the Roman Ruins and soaking up the glorious sunshine!

Meanwhile back at Camp Suisse HQ Groups 6C & 6D where having a very sporty day! For 6C in the morning was mountain biking. The class began by learning how to maintain a bike and check its safe to go. Next they conquered the obstacle course and when everyone felt confident enough they went whizzing off round our track with our activity and group leaders!
On our sports pitch 6D had a football coaching session from Emma, one of our activity leaders, who taught the kids a trick or two! Ronaldo eat your heart out! After a short break for a refreshing beverage it was straight into a hockey session!After meeting back at the Camp HQ for some yummy sandwiches on the terrace the two teams then switched, 6C taking on Football & Hockey, whilst 6D tried their hand at mountain biking!

Another fun-filled day for the students of Ecole International de Genève, who are now looking forward to enjoying a feast of Lasagna, Breaded Mushrooms and Waffles for dinner!

Day Two – Ecole International de Genève!

2nd June 2015

Bringing ShelterBox to life http://www.shelterbox.org 

When Camp Suisse was asked to design an activity day that really gave the students of Year 6 LGB an experiential learning experience of ShelterBox  and what it was all about, we jumped at the opportunity with both feet!

Divided up into six groups, the students learnt a variety of new skills throughout the day as well as participating in many team challenges at the same time; making fires, cooking on trangias, setting up camp using tarps and tents, building shelters using only natural resources, crossing rivers, developing navigation skills using maps and compasses as well as learning about a whole range of local flora and fauna along the way.

Bringing the reality of what ShelterBox and natural disasters are all about, in a great fun and controlled environment, resulted in a really amazing day for everyone involved.  It is safe to say the students learnt many new skills and now feel more connected with the ShelterBox charity they are supporting and the Camp Suisse staff really enjoyed sharing their knowledge of the outdoors and the local area with such an enthusiastic group.

After such a long day in the Torgon sun, 6A and 6B continued the non-stop fun with a variety of team building games after dinner whilst 6C and 6D enjoyed a DVD and some down time.

Wednesday the fun continues with 6A and 6B heading off the glacier and the Roman Ruins in Martigny, whilst 6C and 6D will be mountain biking through the woods and playing sports.
Stay tuned for more updates!!!

Day One – Ecole International de Genève!

1st June 2015

Today is the first day of fun with the students of Ecole Internationale de Genève! Classes 6A & 6B were met bright and early by Jack and Abiy, two of our group leaders, who whisked them off to the Callier Chocolate Factory! The students enjoyed an interactive tour of the history of the Cocoa Bean and got to see the different production stages of Callier chocolate. After smelling the delicious scents all morning the groups were finally put out of there misery and were allowed a taste the chocolate! Yummy!

Meanwhile, classes 6C & 6D made their way straight to Camp Suisse HQ in Torgon where they were greeted with home-made lemonade and scrumptious hot dogs! 6C then headed off for an action packed Archery session whilst 6D conquered our climbing wall. Then it was time for a changeover, 6C tried our climbing wall whilst 6D mastered Archery!

With the arrival of 6A & B at Camp HQ everyone got the opportunity to settle into their new rooms and unpack. Once everything was in order we all headed to the Diner for a feast of Nachos & Burritos courtesy of our Camp Chefs!

After dinner everyone went on the Torgona Hunt, answering questions about Camp Suisse and Torgon!

 
There has been a real buzz in the air tonight, with everyone very excited for what lies ahead over the next 4 days! It’s been a cracking first day, long may it continue!

Staff Training 2015 – Day Seven

31st May 2015

Today is all systems go!! Our first campers arrive tomorrow and everyone is busy getting everything ready for their arrival. The Cleaning staff have been working hard making sure both of our modern chalets are lovely and clean. The Activity leaders have been up the mountain today with all of our newly serviced mountain bikes in preparation for the campers to learn some riding skills on our bike tracks. They have also set up all of our Archery boards ready for a bullseye bonanza! The Group leaders have been whisked away on our Camp Suisse truck to visit the remaining ruins of the Roman settlement in the market town of Martigny. This is a key part in the Roman History day that we will get our campers involved in and is great fun as well as being educational. All in all there is excitement in the air ready to welcome our new guests!    

Staff Training 2015 – Day Five

29th May 2015

Today the weather is hotter than ever! This morning the activity and group leaders team have been out on their bikes in the glorious sunshine! This afternoon the staff have been out on a hike all together to the camping lodge where our campers will be staying for an overnight adventure. The sights of the gorgeous swiss alps have put everyone in high spirits and everyone is looking forward to welcoming our first campers to enjoy these experiences with us!

Staff Training 2015 – Day Four

28th May 2015

Things are certainly hotting up at Camp Suisse today with the sunshine out in full force! Taking advantage of the tanning time our activity and group leaders team have headed off for some mountain bike training whilst the catering team have been busy baking cakes. Later on there is more team building games planned and scrumptious fajitas for dinner!

Staff Training 2015 – Day Three

27th May 2015

The sun is shining and the staff are well underway in their training for this years summer camp! The Chefs and Catering team have been busy sharpening up on their knife skills and prepping the food ready for our first campers next week. The Cleaning team have been polishing up on their rigorous cleaning duties. The Group leaders and Activity leaders have been exploring outside on a “Mountain Day” and have been putting up hammocks in the woods and brushing up on their survival skills to teach our campers. Last but certainly not least the administration team have been busy setting up behind the scenes. Everyone is looking forward to a yummy dinner this evening ready to start tomorrows training! Bring it on! 

Fun, frolics and furious un-packing

26th May 2015

 We’re almost finished preparing Camp Suisse 2015 to open its doors to hundreds of campers from across the world. With language courses, mountain activities and sports galore, we’re looking forward to another awesome summer here in the beautiful Swiss Alps.

If you were coming to camp this summer, what would you look forward to the most? Maybe scaling our 9 metre climbing wall? Improving your French? Or even camping in the forest? Let us know…

Cultural Immersion: The Importance of Exposing Children to New Languages and Traditions

31st January 2015

Cultural Immersion: The Importance of Exposing Children to New Languages and Traditions

Introduction

In today’s interconnected world, fostering cultural awareness in children is essential. Immersing young minds in diverse languages and traditions not only broadens their horizons but also enhances cognitive and social development.

The Role of Language in Cultural Understanding

Learning a new language enhances empathy and global awareness. It allows children to view the world from different perspectives and appreciate the nuances of various cultures. For instance, mastering French can open doors to understanding the rich history and customs of France.

Camp Suisse: A Gateway to Multilingualism and Cultural Exploration

At Camp Suisse, children have the opportunity to enrol in language courses in French, English, German, and Spanish. These classes are designed to be interactive and engaging, ensuring that learning is both effective and enjoyable. Beyond the classroom, the camp offers cultural excursions where campers can practice their language skills in real-world settings, deepening their understanding of different cultures.

Family Adventures with Siblu: Embracing Local Cultures in France

Siblu’s holiday parks in France provide families with authentic cultural experiences. For example, a stay at Les Embruns in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region immerses visitors in the local traditions of the south-west coast. Similarly, exploring Normandy offers a glimpse into its rich history and culinary delights. Each park is strategically located to allow families to engage with local traditions, cuisine, and communities, providing a comprehensive cultural immersion.

Bridging Experiences: From Camp Suisse to Siblu Holidays

Families can create a holistic cultural journey by combining the structured language learning and cultural excursions at Camp Suisse with the immersive local experiences offered by Siblu’s holiday parks. For instance, after a session at Camp Suisse, families might choose to visit a Siblu park in France, allowing children to practice their newly acquired language skills in everyday situations and deepen their appreciation of French culture.

Practical Tips for Parents: Fostering Cultural Appreciation at Home and Abroad

• At Home: Encourage language learning through interactive apps or by watching films in the target language. Celebrate international festivals and cook traditional dishes from various countries to spark curiosity.
• Abroad: Choose travel destinations that offer cultural programmes for children. Participate in local events, visit museums, and interact with residents to provide a hands-on learning experience.

Conclusion

Exposing children to new languages and cultures offers lifelong advantages, from enhanced cognitive abilities to a deeper appreciation of global diversity. Programmes like Camp Suisse and holiday experiences with Siblu serve as excellent platforms to enrich a child’s global perspective, preparing them for a more connected and understanding world.

Goodbye, Au revoir, AdiÌ_s!

16th August 2014

That’s a wrap! We waved farewell to our campers from Session C and the last of Camp Suisse 2014!

It has been a great week and we made even more memories with some amazing kids and teens! On the final night we had a disco, where everyone got into the groove and put some of their new dance moves taken from the dance class into action.

So it’s now all quiet here at Camp Suisse but we can’t wait to start all over again and see you next year!