for Schools Innovative and exciting Educational, Recreational and Sports programmes for schools Education Through Recreation more than just a motto

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1 for Schools 2010/11 SWITZERLAND, ENGLAND & FRANCE Innovative and exciting Educational, Recreational and Sports programmes for schools OUTDOOR EDUCATION in the Swiss Alps and the Ardèche River in France combining studies of the environment, conservation, outdoor survival skills, nature and challenging activities DISCOVER SWITZERLAND from your Swiss mountain base with this innovative programme that includes learning sessions on the environment, nature and conservation, fun activities and exciting excursions SKI & STUDY IN THE SWISS ALPS Combine winter sports and language learning in English or French with exciting activities, interesting local excursions, and optional visits to London or Paris SPORTS TOURS TO ENGLAND Soccer Cricket Rugby Play two matches against local schools, enjoy watching a TOP first-class match from reserved seats, high-quality coaching sessions, sightseeing in London and in Shakespeare country Education Through Recreation more than just a motto

2 About Village Camps Village Camps is a long established, Swiss-based company specialising in organising educational, sports and recreational programmes for international schools and students for almost 40 years. During this time Village Camps has arranged hundreds of camps, tours and specially-customized programmes for many thousands of young people travelling all over the world, principally from the independent schools sector. LOOKING AFTER YOU An experienced Village Camps management team looks after you on-the-spot throughout your stay. From the moment you arrive until you depart, our friendly, experienced counsellor team will be with your group providing effective supervision and strong guidance for each student. Village Camps comprehensive recruitment process and intensive training courses, perfected over almost 40 years, is an assurance that the very best trained personnel are caring for the students in your group. The arrangements for VC Sports Tours to the UK are a little different, with a top Sports Tour Manager accompanying you throughout the entire stay, organising and supervising the daily programme, evening entertainment and generally supporting the group leaders. CHOOSE THE ACTIVITIES AND LENGTH OF STAY Village Camps offers a range of educational, sporting and recreational programmes to suit your specific needs and preferred programme. You can choose your daily activities from the various options that we set out in these pages so that with our experienced help you can build a tailor-made programme geared to your precise requirements. This is particularly relevant for schools travelling in term-time that need to link their activities to a specific school curriculum. PRICES As soon as you have decided on the length of your stay, the programme content and can give an estimate of your likely numbers, we supply you with a firm, all-inclusive price. Simply call or us with your request and we will get back to you with a proposed schedule and a price. We are here to help you put together a valuable and memorable experience for your students! CONTACT US! Village Camps for Schools 14 rue de la Morâche, CH-1260 Nyon, Switzerland Tel: Fax: schools@villagecamps.com CONTENTS PAGE About Leysin and the Alpine Learning Centre Excursions 3 Outdoor Education Programme in Leysin and the Ardèche 4 Discover Switzerland programme Leysin 6 Ski & Study Winter Sports and Language Learning 8 UK Sports Tours Football, Rugby and Cricket 10 Summer Residential and Day Camps 12 Professional, reliable and on-the-spot throughout your stay! For complete information on all our programmes please visit 3

3 LEYSIN The traditional alpine village of Leysin is the long-established base for Village Camps in Switzerland. For almost 40 years, Village Camps has organised sports and recreational programmes for schools and students from all over the world. Leysin, with its allthe-year-round international schools and colleges is considered to be the Alpine educational capital of Switzerland. The village stands in a glorious mountain position high above Lake Geneva with spectacular views across to the French Alps with the dramatic Dents du Midi mountain range in the foreground and Mont Blanc in the distance. Leysin enjoys long hours of sunshine both in the summer and winter, yet is only 90 minutes from Geneva International Airport and 30 minutes from the attractive lakeside resort of Montreux. As well as a picturesque mountain setting, the village has an impressive range of first class leisure facilities and an efficient and sophisticated local infrastructure that helps Village Camps to offer top quality programmes. Over the years, many thousands of students have spent memorable holidays in this stunning setting. THE ALPINE LEARNING CENTRE Village Camps has recently acquired its own operating base in Leysin, perfectly situated in a commanding position just above the centre of the village, a short walk or three minute shuttle ride away. Our centre welcomes up to 180 students, staff and counsellors with accommodation in comfortable, spacious rooms for up to four students, all with full ensuite facilities or a shower. There are breathtaking views over the Rhône Valley to the French Alps in the distance. The Centre has a large modern dining room and great in-house facilities including classrooms, meeting rooms, a large and well-equipped theatre, dance studio, internet café, tuck-shop, arts and crafts room and common game rooms with table tennis, foosball and board games. In addition to the excellent facilities of the Alpine Learning Centre, close by is quite an amazing range of further facilities available to students in two modern, well-equipped sports centres (see list below). And outside, in the fresh, clear mountain air and usually sunny weather are trekking trails, a natural rock-climbing training area, cycling paths, adventure trails, campfire, river for rafting and a welcoming mountain hut for overnight stays. FACILITIES INCLUDE z Indoor swimming pool z Full size ice-skating rink z Tennis courts, carpet and clay z Multi-sports hall z Mini golf course z Squash courts z Football pitch z Mountain hut z Archery range z Basketball courts z Beach volleyball court z Fitness gym z Ropes course z Climbing wall EXCURSIONS z Cable-car or cog railway ride. z Les Diablerets and its glacier. z The salt mine in the Rhône Valley town of Bex. z Gruyère traditional Swiss village and famous cheese factory. z Montreux and the Château de Chillon. z Lausanne on Lake Geneva and the Olympic Museum. z Geneva visiting the lake, the Old Town, the United Nations and Red Cross buildings. z Zermatt, the famous ski resort on the Italian border with the Matterhorn towering above. 3

4 Personal development and working as a team z Fun games, challenges and competitions that build the foundations of trust, co-operation and teamwork with teachers, students and counsellors all working together. z Students begin to see each other in a different light in this new setting. z Problem-solving methods and co-operation to find solutions. Where are we? z The basic principles of working a compass as a team with compass games, map work, navigational exercises and an orienteering course. Outdoor Education Ages 8-18 THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN LEYSIN AND ON THE ARDÈCHE RIVER A hands-on programme in the Swiss Alps or on the Ardèche River in southern France that helps teachers and students build a bond of trust and encourages teamwork. Projects are designed to investigate some of the great conservation and environmental challenges facing the world today and are combined with teaching outdoor living skills, a variety of challenging activities and an interesting selection of local excursions. The programme can be as short as five days to especially suit Swiss and other European schools using this trip as an in-term integral component of their curriculum. However, this flexible programme attracts many schools from more distant international destinations that choose to stay for up to ten days. The precise programme, which can be refined on-site, is planned in advance, taking into account the ages of the students and the specific curriculum of each school. THE MOST POPULAR ACTIVITIES Every activity is designed to involve and engage the teachers and students working with our knowledgeable, experienced counsellor team. To maximise student interest, the serious programme aims are achieved through intriguing games and character-building challenges, all with a valid educational purpose even where it is perceived as a fun activity. These are some of the most popular workshops and activities from which you can choose, in what is a very flexible programme, developed individually to meet your specific needs: The environment z the environment and man s impact upon it. z recycling and a study of energy and water supply including the hands-on monitoring of meters. z links with nature and the interdependence of plants, animals and humans, studied through our Earthworks session. z Conservation saving our precious but limited resources. Summit Quest z Students, in counsellor groups, set off for a full-day trek using their newly acquired navigational skills. In the alpine meadows and forests, students take part in environmental awareness games that focus on wildlife, habitats, food chains and the human impact on the local environment. Living with nature and survival skills z Survival techniques with hands-on learning about shelter building, fire building, outdoor cooking and the basic skills of surviving in the wilderness and, maybe an opportunity to spend the night in their shelter! z The overnight experience is used to increase the students sensory awareness and their understanding of the natural world. The counselors and specialists you manage to find each year are such good role models for our students. Moreover, we feel that the overall organization is efficient and that you listen when we have suggestions. Village Camps has yet again given us an invaluable, positive and dynamic start to the new school year. John Ivett IS Lausanne 4 For complete information on all our programmes please visit

5 LEYSIN SWITZERLAND Adventure Activities z Rock-climbing a comprehensive introduction with qualified experts using a suitable local site. After understanding the safety rules and basic techniques, using modern equipment and under expert guidance, students tackle climbs in line with their abilities and experience. z Mountain-biking available to older groups. z High ropes course. z Forest adventure trails. z Rafting (13+ years old). Excursions For a full description of excursions from Leysin please see page 3. Best trip I have been on in 20 years of teaching!! Kudos to everyone in the organization!!! Les Olson - AIS Lagos Where we stay In Switzerland our main base is the well equipped village of Leysin, in a spectacular setting in the Vaudoise Alps, high above Lake Geneva. Groups stay in the Village Camps owned Alpine Learning Centre. For a full description of Leysin, its facilities and the Alpine Learning Centre, please see page 3. Village Camps also has a base in the Valais mountain village of Anzère positioned above Sion. Available dates September-November and April-June. allowing the students to push their limits, learning about working as a team, having fun and learning life skills in a safe but challenging environment. Andy Woods St. Johns School, Brussells ARDECHE RIVER FRANCE Adventure Activities z a very special walk through the most ancient pre-historic caves in Europe with the help of headlamps. z Canoeing after instruction and practice, an exhilarating two-day 30 km descent in the spectacular scenery of the River Ardèche with an overnight bivouac under-the-stars. z Rock-climbing with qualified specialists at a site close to camp. z Gorge-walking. z Ropes-course. z Canyoning. z Mountain-biking. Excursions z Aqualand and the Montélimar nougat factory. z Vallon Pont d Arc on market day. Where we stay Our base is on the banks of the Ardèche River in one of the best riverside positions. This impressive site, privately owned and managed by Village Camps, has large all-weather tents with spring mattress beds, and ground cover. The main central building has a covered terrace with river views, a dining room and kitchens. The shower and toilet block has separate facilities for boys and girls. Available dates May and June. Prices Contact us so that we can help plan a programme to suit your needs and supply you with a quotation. 5

6 Discover Switzerland Ages An intriguing and varied programme based in Leysin - Exciting excursions to this most spectacular part of Switzerland, great selection of sports and outdoor activities, introduction to environmental education, all conducted entirely in English reinforcing language skills. The excursions are designed to meet the educational objectives of each school with visits to places of cultural and environmental interest while the schedule always includes some fun visits and shopping time. Through their stay, students improve language skills and return home with an increased proficiency in their spoken English. Choose your preferred activities: Château de Chillon The Mountain Environment and Natural World z The environment and man s impact upon it. z Conservation and saving precious, limited resources. z A trek through meadows and forests with environmental awareness games that focus on flora and fauna, wildlife habitats, food chains and the human impact on the local environment. z Leadership activities such as team-building and problem solving. z Where are we? The basic principles of working a compass as a team with compass games, map work, navigational exercises and an orienteering course. 6

7 Activities in and around Leysin z Mountain biking. z Rafting. z Forest adventure trails. z Basketball. z Ropes course. z Rock and wall climbing. z Swimming. z Ice skating. z Tennis. z Volleyball. z Football. Excursions z In Leysin take a cable car or cog railway ride. z Montreux and the famous Château de Chillon. z Gruyère cheese factory or Nestlé chocolate factory. z Geneva, the Old Town, lake and United Nations building. z Les Diablerets and the permanent snow of its glacier. z The Olympic Museum and the Lausanne lakeside. z The salt-mine in the valley town of Bex. z A highlight the famous ski resort of Zermatt with breathtaking views of the spectacular Matterhorn. Evening programmes Our highly trained, friendly counsellors accompany you throughout and organise an evening programme with local visits, innovative games, sports activities and challenges. Thanks to everyone at Village Camps for making our Switzerland & France Discovery Programme such an amazing experience. We have had very positive feedback from parents and look forward to next year Ranjan, Trailblazers, India Where we stay Leysin is the perfect venue with its stunning mountain setting and wide-ranging amenities. Accommodation is in the Alpine Learning Centre in Leysin, mainly in rooms for up to four students. For further details on Leysin, its full facilities and the Centre, please see page 3. Available in March-June and September-November. Prices Contact us so that we can help plan your programme and supply you with a quotation. 7

8 Winter Sports Ages WINTER SPORTS & LANGUAGE LEARNING z The winning SKI & STUDY programme! z Available in English or French z Choose to stay 2 to 4 weeks This programme takes place from January through March and is conducted in your chosen language of English or French combining a busy and innovative approach to language learning inn the mornings with skiing and other winter sports in the afternoons. Students also enjoy exciting local visits, sports and special evening events carefully planned by our experienced, friendly counsellors. English or French Language Programme This highly successful and proven programme, designed for groups, concentrates mainly on the spoken word, using techniques based on participation, role playing, projects, comprehension, all part of a serious but fun approach. Our courses have achieved unprecedented and quite stunning results, so we know it works! On arrival, students are assessed and placed into groups of 8 to 10, according to age and ability. On weekday mornings students work on acquiring new language skills for a total of 15 hours per week. During the skiing sessions, the evening activities and on the weekend excursions, the chosen language continues to be spoken. With this immersion in the language, rapid progress is assured and the enthusiastic students return home with impressively improved conversational skills. Snow is assured! The skiing in Leysin is part of the famous Glacier-Alpes Vaudoises circuit, which includes 60kms of pistes and 16 lifts in Leysin and several other nearby ski-villages, notably the world-renowned resorts of Gstaad and Les Diablerets, which boast reliable perma-snow and glacier skiing. The ski-pass covers the lifts and the regular bus services that shuttle between the villages. There are excellent beginner slopes in Leysin both at village level and on the higher snowfields at the top of the Berneuse Express gondola. From here students soon negotiate the beginner and intermediate wide, sweeping runs above, and then through the trees, back to the base station. By the end of the stay, many young skiers tackle the more challenging black runs with confidence. There is time for tobogganing, sledging, a snow-shoe trek and other winter activities, as well as visits to Leysin s two sports centres and possibly an opportunity to see a live, floodlit, competitive ice-hockey match. Accommodation & Excursions For full details of accommodation at the Village Camps Alpine Learning Centre and a list of excursions please see to page 3. Prices Contact us so that we can help plan your programme and supply you with an all-inclusive quotation. Skiing in Leysin Leysin, with its international schools and colleges, is not only regarded as the Alpine educational capital of Switzerland, but is also a great place to ski with ideal conditions especially for beginners and intermediate-level skiers. The village stands at a height of 1200 metres in a sunny position above Lake Geneva with spectacular views across the Rhône Valley to the French Alps and Mont Blanc in the distance. Skiing takes place every weekday afternoon for approximately three hours under the supervision and guidance of our carefully selected, qualified instructors and counsellors. 8

9 OPTIONAL 5 TO 8 DAY VISITS BY AIR OR TGV TRAIN TO LONDON OR PARIS Whilst in Europe, the option to fly to one of Europe s greatest capitals will be a great experience. Students will have a wonderful programme of guided sightseeing and the perfect opportunity to use their newly acquired language skills! You can choose any number of days in London or Paris with 5-8 days the popular choices. Flights to London or train travel to Paris are from Geneva, just 90 minutes drive from Leysin. We normally require a minimum of 15 students for these optional visits. Village Camps Arrangements Accommodation is at a hotel in the London or Paris area in rooms for 3 or 4 students, all with private facilities. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Each group is accompanied by a Village Camps tour manager throughout the stay. London Excursion Choices In London Eiffel Tower 1. Full or half days accompanied visit programmes to London travelling by London Underground. z Full day visiting Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard Westminster Abbey Houses of Parliament Big Ben Trafalgar Square St Paul s Cathedral River Thames boat trip. z Full day visiting Madame Tussaud s and the Planetarium in the morning and London Zoo in the afternoon. z Tower of London, Tower Bridge and River boat trip to Greenwich. The Tower of London z Imperial War Museum OR Natural History Museum or Science Museum. z Afternoon shopping in the new state-of-the-art Westfield Shopping Centre. By Coach 2. Windsor Castle visiting the castle, town centre and Runnymede. 3. Stratford-on-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare and Warwick Castle, a 1000 year-old moated castle built by William the Conqueror in Paris Excursion Choices In Paris 1. Full or half-days accompanied visit programme to Paris travelling by Metro. z Champs Elysées Arc de Triomphe Place de la Concorde Opera Tuileries Gardens Louvre Museum. z Latin Quarter and Ile de la Cité Notre Dame Cathedral la Sainte Chapelle Ile St Louis Sorbonne University Luxembourg Gardens. z Bateaux Mouches sightseeing river trip and the Eiffel Tower. z Montmartre and the church of the Sacré Coeur. By coach 2. The Château and Gardens of Versailles. 3. Day at Eurodisney (by train). 9

10 Day 4 FULL DAY YOUR FIRST MATCH see page 11 for details. Day 5 Full day excursion to London visiting the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, St Paul s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge with a boat trip on the River Thames. Day 6 FULL DAY ATTEND A FIRST CLASS MATCH IN RESERVED SEATS see page 11 for details. Day 7 FULL DAY YOUR SECOND MATCH see page 11 for details. Sports Quiz with prizes in the evening. Sports Tours Ages FOOTBALL RUGBY CRICKET TOURS TO ENGLAND z Completely inclusive 6 to 11 day sports packages to England. z Stay 7 nights in Sussex within easy reach of Brighton and London and 3 nights in the Oxford area. z Two well organised competitive sports fixtures Football, Cricket or Rugby hosted by selected British schools or clubs. z Professional top quality coaching sessions. z Reserved seats for a first class Premiership football or rugby match or, for cricket, a county game or Test Match. z A guided visit to Wembley Stadium (football) or Twickenham Stadium (rugby) or the Lords Cricket Ground and the MCC Museum. z Visit the famous sights of London, Oxford, Stratford-on- Avon and Warwick Castle. z Flexible itineraries, travelling by executive coach, available throughout your stay. z Accompanied by an experienced Senior Tour Manager who stays with you throughout. Day 8 Leave the hotel for a day in London with a choice of a visit to the Science Museum, Imperial War Museum or the Tower of London and afternoon shopping at the new state-ofthe-art Westfield Shopping Centre. Accommodation in the Oxford area. Day 9 Morning guided visit around the ancient university city of Oxford; drive to the famous Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Day 10 Morning visit to nearby Stratford-on-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare and Warwick Castle, a 1,000 year old moated-castle built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. Farewell dinner and the end-of-tour awards ceremony. Day 11 Drive to London Airport for your return flight. FOR ALL GROUPS Sample 11-day itinerary Day 1 Arrive London Airport for transfer to your hotel close to Brighton and within easy driving distance of London. Day 2 MORNING SPORTS VISIT see page 11 for details followed by afternoon to Windsor Castle and Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed by King John in Day 3 MORNING COACHING SESSION see page 11 for details followed by afternoon visit to the seaside town of Brighton with an optional visit to the famous Royal Pavilion. Evening cinema visit. 10 For complete information on all our programmes please visit

11 FOOTBALL GROUPS HIGHLIGHTS Day 2 Tour of the new WEMBLEY STADIUM or choose a visit to the Arsenal Emirates Stadium or to Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea. These tours include a visit to the Trophy Room, dressing rooms, the dugout and the pitch. Day 3 Morning coaching session with a top coach covering tactics, individual skills, teamwork, penalties, free kicks and goalkeeping followed by elite session for the school sports staff with the coach coaching the coaches. Day 4 Game 1 the first football fixture against a school team. Travel by coach for the match. Meet the opposing players after the game, enjoy a light meal and exchange pennants. Day 6 A BIG day see a first class English Premiership game from reserved seats or attend a European Cup fixture. Day 7 Game 2 a morning coaching or practice session with the second match in the afternoon. Available from September through May. RUGBY GROUPS HIGHLIGHTS Day 2 Tour of TWICKENHAM RUGBY STADIUM, home of English Rugby. Visit the stadium, dressing rooms, trophy room, museum and shop. Day 3 Morning coaching session with a top class coach and a former rugby international player covering forwards play, backs play, scrummaging, set moves, kicking out of hand and goal kicking followed by an elite session where the coach coaches the coaches. Day 4 Game 1 the first rugby match against an English school team. Travel for a late morning warm-up session and then the match. Friendly evening, exchanging pennants. Day 6 A BIG day reserved seats at a first class Guiness Premiership Match or European Heineken match. Day 7 Game 2 a morning coaching/practice session with the second match in the afternoon. Available September through April. CRICKET GROUPS HIGHLIGHTS Day 2 Tour of LORDS CRICKET GROUND, visiting the museum, see the Ashes, dressing rooms, the famous Long Room and the wicket. Day 3 Morning nets, probably at a county cricket ground with a coach and a former Test player assisting with the coaching. The coach then coaches the coaches in an elite session. Day 4 Match 1 time for a net before the first cricket match against an English school. Lunch, tea and after match snack, and exchange of pennants. Day 6 A BIG Day reserved seats at a first-class County Match, a Test Match or a Twenty-20 game. Day 7 Match 2 a net before lunch followed by the second match in the afternoon. Available from May through to September. 6 Day Itinerary For groups that prefer a shorter tour, simply choose your daily programmes from the 11 day itinerary. Important Information z Schools may bring teams of different age groups as part of the same party. z Further visits can be arranged to other parts of the UK or to Paris, the capital of France, with guided sightseeing and a visit to Eurodisney as an option. z The daily order of the programme may be different from the Sample. PRICES Contact us so that we can help plan a programme to suit your needs and supply you with a fully inclusive quotation. 11

12 Summer Camps Residential Camps for 7-18 year olds in Switzerland England France Austria Canada China Village Camps has operated its internationally renowned Summer Camp programme for almost 40 years, appealing to children and families from all over the world specialising in: Language programmes in English, French and German Performing Arts Creative Arts Leadership Training Camp (LTC) Football Tennis Golf Basketball Horse Riding Junior Camp Film Academy. Day Camps in Geneva and Lausanne for Mini Campers (4-6 years old), Juniors (7-9 years old) and Seniors (10-13 years old) The camps operate Monday to Fridays from to offering great programmes of activities and visits with two or three counsellors supervising groups of young campers. Find out more about the Village Camps SUMMER RESIDENTIAL CAMPS and the GENEVA AND LAUSANNE DAY CAMPS by visiting our comprehensive website: Education Through Recreation more than just a motto 14 rue de la Morâche, CH-1260 Nyon, Switzerland Tel: Fax: schools@villagecamps.com