Camp Journal
Red and Blues camping!
24th July 2013
The Red and Blue group set out on their hike after lunch to their camping destination, viewing beautiful scenery whilst collecting various types of wild flowers. After reaching camp and settling in to their rooms all Reds and Blues sat down for a delicious barbeque. After we collected wood and the camp fire was lit, the songs and activities began!
From roasting marshmallows, singing songs, eating barbequed bananas and chocolate, it was a pleasant night for all.
Once the activities winded down, all the campers were ready to snuggle into their sleeping bags ready for tomorrows festivites: ‘Mission Day’ followed by ‘Disco Night!’
I am sure all the campers are looking forward to getting dressed up for the disco!
Yellow and Whites camping!
As session two comes to a close, the Yellow and White group headed off to Torgon Ski Club lodge where the camping (glamping) trip got underway. The group left base in the afternoon ready to tackle a 3-4 hour hike up the mountain. Upon arrival, everyone settled in and then walked to the Swiss/French border overlooking the French town Chatel. The views from the border were nothing but stunning! Sausages and burgers were then served prior to roasting marshmallows in front of a camp fire. Camp fire fun and games began with a Camp Suisse talent show as all campers put on a fine display of creative acts and performances. A short yet comical impressionist show was also given by staff as they imitated their group members. However, campers then got their own back as it was their turn to imitate the staff- a hilarious end to a great night!
Greens take up camp for the night followed by Banana Boating!
23rd July 2013
Waking up to the sunrise yesterday morning, a beautiful day began! Sports and languages lessons in the morning: I played basketball with some of the campers, Sadio Fenner from the Green group lead a great team of three Blue campers helping them learn the rules of the game and their skills on the court. After lunch we got our overnight kit together and hiked to the camping site. Jenna, Helene, Carma, Tobi and myself all sang songs along the way and I even taught Carma the phoenetic alphabet! Once we arrived at camping, we split into two groups: James, Katie, Shona and Gemma walked to the French border with 22 campers. Matt, MC, Marie, and myself helped the the other 20 adventurers collect wood for the campfire that night. Lucas and his friends were chief gatherers until we had a really large pile of various sized fuel for the fire. Dinner was a BBQ outside with the beautiful scenery down the valley from Torgon. Later when the sun was setting Marie and Gemma from the Acitivities team lit a campfire and all the campers sang songs including the Animal fair song, the Tarzan song and the Crocodile song. Deni especially loved the Tarzan song with the banana peeling line at the end!
As a treat we had a little bit of the later night and lights out was at 10.30pm! Breakfast was served outside too, at 8.30am: we had cereal, beans and toast refuelling before heading back down to Camp Suisse to repack, have buffet lunch then go banana boating! The white group came banana boating with the Greens! All who were keen had a ride on the banana, it was great fun with the sun shining and everybody smiling! Amelia and Sophie had a blast splashing into the water off the banana.
-Nicky, Head of Colour
Whites and Greens take on Dracula and Bananas!
It was another super sunny day at Camp Suisse. After kids had finished their language and sports it was time for the delicious lunch buffet. After the White group had filled their bellies – it was time to go banana boating! The weather seemed to be kind to us as the group headed down the mountain with the Green Group. After dividing into groups everyone had their turn at riding the banana boat. Everyone enjoyed the banana boating and not a single group member avoided falling off of the banana boat or the afternoon rain shower. Although, noone seemed to notice that it was raining, since they were busy playing in the water or eating ice cream. The White group managed to get back just in time for shower hour and the long awaited trip to Jaky’s Discount shop. After everyone had stocked up with local goodies and ate dinner, it was time for Dracula Hunt. The hunt took place at the football pitch, which had been invaded by different sorts of monsters and helpers. The groups managed to save the day by getting rid of the King of the dammed, Dracula!
Yellows hit a rock
The Yellow group began the day with a fun filled morning, shooting hoops and smashing balls in the glorious sunshine, along with language classes. The active start to the day continued, as the campers were in for an afternoon of practie: to be as great as Tarzan with his amazing climbing skills, taking on Collombey Rock Face. The campers were stuck in straight away, Matt making it to the top at speed. The enthusiasm and positive attitude of the campers was clear to see, as campers like Morgan and Luca who are not a fan of heights still gave it a go, and made it to the top – yippeeeee!
To end the day Yellow group were in for an evening of playing detective, trying to find Dracula, faced with scary obstacles and tasks along the way. An enjoyable day for the yellow campers. Great effort. Wooooo – Team Yellow!
White and Yellows test their limits
22nd July 2013
Today the White and Yellow groups had an amazing time off the mountain at Parc Aventure. The two groups joined together to have fun swinging from the tree tops on the various ropes courses. After everyone was briefed and kitted out with the harnesses, the groups rushed off excitedly to try out the “easier” yellow and green routes. The braver and more advanced tackled the harder blue and red routes. Kenji and Harry were like little monkeys scampering through the branches and Jordan was giving everyone some hints and tips as they went around, being a great mentor to anyone in difficulty. Although there were some minor mishaps everyone bravely tested their limits and overcame their fear of heights. Even Kai the night guard was giving it a go who is petrified of heights. The highlight of the day seemed to be the 250m long zip wire. Everyone was flying across it and rushing back to do it again. Parc Aventure was a real hit with the Whites and Yellows.
OLYMPICS DAY!
21st July 2013
The sun shone down on camp this Sunday making it a lovely day for the annual session 2 Camp Suisse Olympics. All the campers were split into teams after lunch with a country allocated to each team.Then, in camp Olympic tradition, it was time to paint flags on faces and banners (some flags such as Brazil and Kenya gave some countries more of an artistic challenge) and made up some war chants for each country as they prepared to compete. Then it was off to the football field for a variety of games from where campers would be able to demonstrate their skill, speed and strength such as 3 legged race, sack race and the bean bag toss. Some officials debated as signs of possible cheating were shown in the egg and spoon race but in sporting spirit the teams were only penalised their points rather than excluded. After the games it was onto everyone’s favourite… the chant off!! This involves each country demonstrating their own personalised Olympic chant with renditions of ‘Call Me Maybe’ from team Japan and the Lion King from team Kenya. However, the winners of the day with the most enthusiasm for each activity and their team country was….. AUSTRAILIA!!! The worthy winners were announced during dinner with Ireland and USA taking second and third. After dinner it was time for the language talent show where campers demonstrated songs, dances and plays for the rest of the camp. The most entertaining award of the night was given to Bart and his group.
Mid-Session Chilling!
20th July 2013
Today started in a chilled-out fashion with campers and staff enjoying a one hour lie-in followed by a leisurely breakfast. We all then embarked upon a ‘big clean’, leaving bedrooms looking spotless.Language lessons were in full flow from 11am with campers rehearsing for the talent show tomorrow evening. Some groups were heard enthusiastically practicing songs, others rehearsing plays but some groups were keeping their talent show plans a surprise until tomorrow’s eagerly-awaited event. At lunch we welcomed some new arrivals to the camp from Moscow and we all then posed for camp photos, some serious and some funny with piggy backs and wheelbarrows featuring among some groups! All groups then prepared themselves for a leisurely hike, starting with a sea of red t-shirts crossing the suspension bridge which was rocking from side to side! We then took a stroll through the forest to the football pitch where we took part in a variety of activities whilst enjoying the sunshine. Both campers and staff enjoyed making friendship bracelets and others engaged in a friendly kick-about in preparation for this evening’s “staff versus campers” football match… (Sports coaches were feeling particularly competitive in an attempt to keep their pride in the next football coaching session!) A great time was had by all today and at dinner campers were refreshed and revitalised after a little relaxation, ready to embark upon a second fun-filled week at camp….!
Reds go climbing!
19th July 2013
Today after our usual morning of sports and language classes, we had an exciting afternoon ahead…It was our turn to tackle archery and the indoor climbing wall. We started with archery in the sun. Fafali and Tekena took an early lead having done it before, but by the end of the session we were all pretty good at hitting the bosses (targets). After a quick break for afternoon tea we headed for the climbing wall. Some of the group climbed up to the top of the walls almost immediately, especially Kaho and Alex. Others made more tentative steps but persevered despite their fears. We were all proud of Leith when he conquered his fear and climbed up the wall!We ended the day with a yummy BBQ outside, then an exciting game of Bingo.After such a full week, we will all be glad to sleep in an extra hour in bed tomorrow!
GREENS TAKE ON THE MOUNTAIN
The afternoon Simon, Katie and Shona’s groups headed off to some outdoor climbing. We drove down the mountain and arrived at our destination, excited and ready to go. After some funky dance moves during the warm-up from Fearghal, this was followed by demonstrations from Ian and Taff on what to do on our climb. Then it was our turn!
We divided into groups and tackled a climb each. Team work was essential as everyone had a job from climbing and belaying to smiling and giving instructions on how to get up. Everyone in Green group made a huge effort and conquered many climbs. Some of the boys also progressed to more challenging climbs. The time flew and soon it was time to head back to camp.
Dinner tonight was a delicious BBQ on the decking. Unfortunately it did start to rain, although no one seemed to mind as they made their way inside for ice-cream!
Next it was on to a casino night for the Greens!
