Camp Journal
green group take 2
19th July 2013
After a fun packed morning of sports and languages Green group set off for their afternoon activity. Matt, Mari-Claire and Alex’s group took a short trip up the mountain to Plan De Croix for mountain biking whilst Katie H, Simon and Shona’s group took a journey down the mountain to Collombey for an outdoor climb.
The mountain bikes began with a quick gear and safety check before starting off on a few games. Helene and Tara won the slow race with their amazing control of their bikes. After a run on the tracks at Plan de Croix everyone was beginning to look like a Pro mountain bike ride, whizzing over the jumps and bumps.
Meanwhile, down at rock climbing Aiden was scaling the rock face like a champion. Everyone managed to have a go with both climbing and belaying their friends; displaying great team work!
All the greens made their way back to camp for a yummy dinner of BBQ. Lots of burgers and sausages for everyone!
Yellow and Blue go sledding!
Today our Yellows and Blues were woken up bright and early for a 6am breakfast to fuel them for a big day at the glacier. Upon arrival the campers took to the cable car which took them soaring to the 3000m snowy glacier where they were met by a pack of huskies. All of our campers were taken on a magical husky sled ride around the glacier. This was followed by an alpine rollercoaster where all the campers had to bottle their fears and decided themselves whether they were going to have a calm or rapid ride. In the afternoon the campers were taken to a relaxing retreat situated beautifully on the edge of Lake Geneva. Here our campers were able to relax in the sun with an ice cream, play football on the grass, take a swim in the outdoor heated pool or plunge into Lake Geneva from the 3m and 7m diving boards. Across both colour groups all campers thoroughly enjoyed their day and group leaders were particularly impressed by Franka’s excellent swimming skills!
Bring on tomorrow!
Whites take a hike!
The 20 campers in the White group spent the afternoon outdoors on the bush craft. The bush craft hike involved a hike around the woodlands of Torgon where Gemma and Ingrid passed on their knowledge regarding bush craft in the local area, including information on antiseptic moss and lime stone. Whilt the campers all listened intently a demonstration on water filtration was also given which resulted in drinkable water tasted by all campers. All the campers at this stage deserved a lay down, so to end the bush craft hike it was concluded with a lesson on how to set up a hammock. Using the correct knots, campers were split into groups and given their own hammock to put up. The ultimate test was then to get in the hammock without it falling down!
It was a fun and enjoyable learning experience for all white group members.
Red and Blue go bananas!
18th July 2013
Despite the possible forecast of thunder storms our hardy Red and Blue group made their way down the mountain to the beach. However once arriving at the beach the warm pre storm weather made for perfect banana boating weather and the kids couldn’t wait to jump into the cool lake. While the groups went off for their trips on the boat the others swam in the lake or went up and down the slide at the swimming pool in between trips to the tuck shop for some yummy ice creams.
Whilst some chilled at the side you could hear the screams of laughter from those on the banana boat as the kids and staff struggled to stay on as they bounced over the waves. The kids also enjoyed laughing at the staff as they tried to scramble back on to the boat. Lina and Leith laughed hysterically with photographer Mark in the speed boat, as Amun and Tina’s had their inelegant attempts to get back on the boat.
After a fun day there was a lot of snores coming from the bus as they made their way back up to camp in time for shower hour. As they returned to camp with rumbling tummies, they all enjoyed the thai green curry which left some, like Guido and Nicky, reaching for the water jug but.
Evening activities included a quiz led by language teacher Bart before some well needed sleep for the next days activities.
Bring on tomorrow!
White group rocks it in Montreux!
To start off the day all the groups attended their daily routine of sports and language classes. It’s after lunch when the real fun begins!
The White group set down the mountain for some rock climbing. They were divided into 4 groups and with their informative briefing from the activity leaders they had no trouble belaying each other up the rock. Everyone was feeling cheery, where not even the slighted rain stopped people from climbing, that when told it was time to leave Aidan and Harry still wanted to continue. Next it was time for Montreux Jazz Festival. In smaller groups the whites were strolling amongst the stalls, inspecting everything the jazz festival festival had to offer. Most of the girls bought matching bracelets and necklaces. The boys were into ‘finally’ getting some proper ice-cream. After gathering everyone together in the midst of the festival it was time for the white group to head back to Camp Suisse for a late supper.
Greens learn all about the flora in the mountains!
After a hearty breakfast this morning, sports and language sessions were enjoyed by all. In basketball we learnt about different postions and the importance of passing within the team. Helene in the climbing wall team was determined to achieve the Red route on the smiley face wall, and with help from the fantastic Craig from the Activities team, I’m sure she will before the end of the week!
The buffet lunch is always a great success, within many different hot and cold options to choose from, and the tuckshop after is popular too, with a few campers now sporting the colourful yellow hoodies and unique Camp Suisse bags. In the afternoon the Green group split into two: Taff and Gemma lead our nature walk whilst Marie and Chris from the Activities team took the other group. The sun was shining as we walked in the mountains and had twenty different on-the-go lessons about sphagnum moss, glaciation and alpages for example. Everybody learnt something new including the group leaders and Taff, a fountain of knowledge himself!
A 3-minute video was the creative evening entertainment. Mark the photographer helped with the scene selection and filming, the other evening entertainment crew supported the Greens and Yellows in the imaginative mindmapping of different films to create a three minute video of their favourite movie.
Yellows shoot through the wall!
The day started off with sports and languages, the positive attitude and enthusiasm from the morning continued through to the afternoon activities. Yellow group began by practising their Robin Hood skills during archery. The boys boasted that they had this is in ‘the bag,’ however it was Benedetta who showed all the boys up by hitting the bulls eye and popping the balloon.
The campers then moved onto climbing. From the word ‘go’ it was clear to see we had a certain Spiderman in the room…Matt. Although for others like Abdelelah the challenge seemed more daunting. However once he gave it a go there was no stopping him!
All round it was a very enjoyable fay for our Yellow campers!
Green Group get their nature on!
Yellows take on the slides at Aqua Parc
17th July 2013
Another day over at camp Suisse and another bunch of happy ‘yellow’ campers.
From football, tennis, basketball and climbing to the languages of German, English, French, and Spanish; all the yellow group seem to be settling in well! Alex Haug is already famous for his tennis ability whereas BIDO is being rewarded NOGROTS (Camp Suisse money) for his great work in French.
After lunch it was time to head off to a place where one can go to experience all the fun you can create with water….AQUA PARC!!!!!! All the kids loved the slides, only some braved the booster loop and the girls struggled to remove themselves from the lazy lagoon. Dried off and after doing every slide and ride possible it was Motreux Jazz Festival time!!!!!
The weather was uncertain as the clouds were rolling over lake Geneva but this did not stop the campers from tasting some yummy cuisine and buying those ever special souvenirs for loved ones back home. Everyone especially loved the view of the lake and the array of talent that the buskers were showcasing.
A quick sprint to the bus as it started to pour with rain and another day at camp Suisse achieved!
White group do a bit of mountain biking!
Today the White group had an exciting afternoon mountain biking with Chris, Marie and Ingrid. As we set off after lunch on the mini bus to Plan de Croix, the sky became dark and thundery clouds started to gather around the mountain. Despite the rumbles of thunder and rain the white group had fun trying out their mountain biking skills. They tested their balance and stability through some fun games. The groups then tested their abilities through trying the different mountain bike routes; going over obstacles and whizzing around tight corners. Duncan did extremely well after overcoming his fear of cycling. By the end he was flying down the routes. The groups then came back down to Torgon, the advanced campers taking the more complicated route down the mountain. Many were asking to do it again because they enjoyed it so much!
-Eilidh, Group Leader
