Camp Journal
Ecole Internationale de Genève – Classes 6A and 6C – Day Four
5th June 2014
The sun is shining on Camp Suisse and everyone is ready to start their day!
Class 6C went to the climbing wall first thing in the morning, there were some great climbers on show and plenty of people overcame their fears and improved dramatically.
Class 6A had made their way up to the archery range. After a quick demonstration by Activity Leader Rosie, the students took to their bow and arrows. Once a few practice rounds to improve their aim had been done, the class took part in a quick competition.
Mid-morning came and class 6A and 6C switched activities. Once they had finished for the morning it was hot dogs all around for lunch – delicious!
The Bush Craft Hike was planned for both classes in the afternoon, in this activity the students are taught how to put up hammocks, tarps and how to construct shelter. Nobody wanted to leave the woods as they were having so much fun, but more adventure awaited!
The students listened to the Activity Leader who was explaining about forest eco-systems and how they develop, Sphagnum moss and its uses in water filtration, Reindeer moss and its use for survival in extreme cases and Wood Sorrel and its apple like taste.
Back at Camp Suisse the students enjoyed a heart-warming Thai Green Curry for dinner, topic of conversation during dinner was the evening activity – the disco!
The last evening was spent dancing the night away until finally the penultimate day had come to an end!
Ecole Internationale de Genève – Classes 6B and 6D – Day Four
Wakey wakey, rise and shine!
The students enjoyed a nutritious breakfast and then made their way to the activities that had been planned for their morning.
Class 6B begun their day with team building exercises such as the crate climb and the spiders web (a series of rope criss-crossed over one another and the students have to climb through the gaps, without touching the rope).
The group orienteering exercise was carried out with great enthusiasm – with plenty of map reading and a treasure hunt using their new skills.
Meanwhile, Class 6D got their chance to go mountain biking. They put on their bicycle helmets, jumped on the bikes to spend the morning on the trails. Every student has improved tremendously and the confidence was clear to see!
After lunch Class 6B went to the climbing wall, the students were giving plenty of encouragement and support to each other.
Class 6D had bow and arrows at the ready and their aim was very good – plenty of bullseyes!
The classes swapped activities once everyone had had a go.
Back at Camp Suisse the students were excited for the evening activity and were putting on their glad-rags for the disco!
After a conga-line or two everyone had danced themselves out and were ready to recharge for another day.
Ecole Internationale de Genève – Classes 6A and 6C – Day Three
4th June 2014
The day started with Class 6C doing orienteering – the students were taught about compasses, navigations, different types of maps and plotting routes. The students put their new found skills into practice and navigated their way around Torgon, finding clues and completing quizzes.
On the other side of Camp Suisse, Class 6A were taking part in team building games which included the ever popular crate climb. Students stack crates on top of one another, whilst one person is stood on top of the crates (all safety harnessed in of course!).
Tummies were beginning to rumble, so everyone stopped for lunch of freshly baked bread, with a choice of tuna, cheese savoury and ham salad (not forgetting the extras like a chocolate bar and fruit). The students got to eat their lunch on the terrace and share stories of their day so far.
The afternoon had a lot in store. The students boarded the Camp Suisse coach which took them to Martingy. Class 6A enjoyed an informative tour by Activity Leader Fearghal around the Roman ruins – the students were given a fun and educational introduction to the history of the region. The tour ended in the amphitheatre with the gladiator battle between Group Leaders Jack and Mark, after a fierce battle Jack managed to overpower Mark, throwing in a few back flips!
Meanwhile Class 6C enjoyed the St Bernard Museum, it was a great opportunity to learn more about the famous breed, its role in mountain rescue and even a chance to get up close with a few beautiful St Bernard dogs. The classes swapped over activities during the afternoon, so nobody missed a thing.
Back at Camp Suisse the students enjoyed Lasagne and garlic bread for Dinner (the ice cream and waffle dessert being very popular!). The evening activities ranged from a nice unwinding film with hot chocolate or those with more energy to burn it as basketball and football.
Time for bed at 9:30pm so everyone is ready for another day!
Ecole Internationale de Genève – Classes 6B and 6D – Day Three
The mood in camp is high and the first activity for class 6B was mountain biking. The students spent the first part of the exercise learning how to maintain a bike to ensure it is safe and then an obstacle course to develop their skills.
Everyone was geared up and prepared to go! Up the mountain and back down to Torgon – Lihi and Sacha really excelled and came away from the activity with a sense of accomplishment.
Class 6D meanwhile was enjoying a day learning how to make hammocks and survival skills – perfect activity as the skies opened and down came the rain.
After lunch, the classes swapped the activities. 6D spent the afternoon rock climbing under the watchful eye of the Activity Leaders and Group Leaders, who passed on knowledge and a few jokes here and there! Francesca did so well and overcame her fear of heights with the support from her class.
Once everyone was with two feet firmly on the ground or back from the wilderness with new survival skills, it was time for a game of bingo or a chance to enjoy a film with a hot chocolate.
Bedtime was 9:30pm – a new adventure awaits the next day!
Ecole Internationale de Genève – Classes 6B and 6D – Day Two
3rd June 2014
Early morning wake up call for a 6:15am breakfast!
Today the students were lucky enough to go up to Glacier 3000! After the coach ride from camp they got to have a ride in a cable car right to the top of the glacier. Everyone was very excited because waiting for them there, were husky dogs ready to take them sledding! Taking it in turns every person had a ride – hold on tight!
Next up there was time for snowman building and a snow ball fight! Once the students had made their frosty friends and had enough of duck and covering from the snowballs, they enjoyed a packed lunch on a balcony surrounded by the panoramic views across the valley.
In the afternoon it was back down on the cable cars and a visit to an old Roman stronghold called Martigny. A look around the St Bernard Dog Museum gave an interesting look into the history of the dog breed and the students had the chance to meet and pet some St Bernard dogs in the kennel.
Everyone then took part in some group building games in the Roman ruins and were given a tour by Activity Leader Fearghal which concluded at the amphitheatre. This is where the crowds gathered for a gladiator battle between Group Leaders Kirstie and Harry, there was plenty of booing and cheering from the crowd!
It had been a long and exciting day, so back at Camp Suisse the students enjoyed a filling dinner of fajitas and rice, then a chance to settle down to watch a film (Madagascar) and have a relaxing hot chocolate, delicious!
At 9:30pm it was lights out for another action packed day ahead!
Ecole Internationale de Genève – Classes 6A and 6C- Day Two
An fun day ahead for the students today!
First of all, there was plenty of choice at breakfast which included toast, eggs, fruit, cereal, yoghurt and fruit juice. The students in class 6A had plenty of energy now to go mountain biking! Before setting off, everyone was taught how to give a bicycle an ‘M’ check (to make sure it was safe to use) and then it was putting helmets on and time to make their way to the practice area.
The students split into teams which provided the opportunity to take tests to improve their abilities and play games for awareness and communication. The Activity Leaders had set up some obstacle trails to boost everyone’s confidence and just for extra fun! Now it was time to do the real thing and the students enjoyed coming back down the mountain via different trails – a great ride was had by all!
Meanwhile, Class 6C had been taking part in different sport activities throughout the morning like football and basketball. A real opportunity to shoot some hoops and keep fit.
After lunch all the classes swapped over so 6C got the chance to spend their afternoon on the mountain bike trails while 6A had an afternoon of sport at Camp Suisse.
For the evening entertainment for these two classes it was eyes down for a game of bingo! Some lucky students won some Camp Suisse prizes!
Then at 9:30pm it was time for bed after an energetic day ready to see what day three has in store!
Ecole Internationale de Genève – Day One
2nd June 2014
Today is the first day of a fun adventure with the students of Ecole Internationale de Genève! The Group Leaders welcomed the students and teachers on board our Camp Suisse coaches to begin their journey, next stop Gruyères!
Classes 6A and 6C were in the mood for chocolate, being the first to go to the Cailler Chocolate Factory. The students enjoyed an interactive tour about the history of the cocoa bean, from its use by the ancient Aztecs, to revolutionary France and finally a chance to see it being made in the current day. The delicious smell of chocolate was finally too much temptation and everyone was invited to have a taste!
Meanwhile, classes 6B and 6D explored the medieval town of Gruyères and took in the historic surroundings such as the château and cobble streets. Then it was time for a packed lunch, specially made by the Camp Suisse Chef.
Time for a change over. So classes 6A and 6C burned off the chocolate with a walk around the old town of Gruyères and the classes 6B and 6D began their tour of Cailler Chocolate Factory.
With exploration and chocolate tours finished, everyone then headed back to the coaches and set off for the camp. Despite the students being tired from their day, they still found the energy for a good singsong on the way back and soon found themselves arriving at International Camp Suisse in Torgon.
A quick refreshment of homemade lemonade, then everyone got to see their new rooms and unpack. There was a real buzz in the air! Once everyone had settled, it was dinner time (chicken pie with pasta, salad, potatoes and not forgetting the green beans!).
The day ended with the Torgona Hunt. Students raced against the clock to answer 30 questions about Camp Suisse and the village Torgon – winners are yet to be announced! Smiles and laughter all around.
A great first day, we all cannot wait to see what tomorrow will bring!
Staff Training 2014 – Day Eight
1st June 2014
What a whirlwind this week has been! Everyone had today to relax and unwind, some people went mountain biking and others to a rock face for a climb. It has only been a short time since the new Camp Suisse staff arrived but already we call it home. We are all ready and raring to go tomorrow and welcome campers from the Ecole Internationale de Genève.
Staff Training 2014 – Day Seven
31st May 2014
A very early start today with the Activity Leaders and Group Leaders heading to the glacier and husking dog sledging. There is never a dull moment at Camp Suisse with an over-night stay at the Ski Lodge with a camp fire and sing-alongs!
Staff Training 2014 – Day Six
30th May 2014
All the teams are beavering away today and Camp Suisse is a wonderful place with smiles all around and the sun is high in the sky. The afternoon was spent enjoying some group bonding games, great fun! Staff are really settling into their roles and looking forward to welcoming campers.
