Cover Summer camps set in the idyllic Swiss scenery feature a balanced, holistic programme of learning and enriching experiences
Summer camps set in the idyllic Swiss scenery feature a balanced, holistic programme of learning and enriching experiences
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Where transformative education meets Alpine adventures—a summer spent learning, playing and exploring in Switzerland could be the ultimate incredible immersive learning experience for your children
We know that travel expands the mind, and that new experiences are crucial for the mental, social and emotional development of children and teenagers. Centuries ago, the European elite travelling on the Orient Express would drop their children off in Switzerland before embarking on their train journey. This gave birth to the time-honoured tradition of Swiss boarding schools, institutions known for their educational excellence built on the fundamentals of Swiss education.
Today there’s a way to combine that transformative power of travel with the holistic principles of Swiss education, without the commitment of sending your children to full-on boarding school. The answer: Summer camps set in the idyllic Swiss scenery that feature a balanced, holistic programme of learning and enriching experiences.
Read more: Opinion: The rising appeal of Swiss boarding education
Many Swiss summer camps focus on time spend in the outdoors, learning new skills by applying them in practice
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The foundations of Swiss education
Much of what we know about Swiss education—and indeed, modern education as a whole—is built on the thinkings of Swiss educational reformer Johann Pestalozzi. In the 1800s Pestalozzi proposed a new educational method that recognised the holistic needs of children in education, looking to creativity and the arts to aid in their emotional, social and cognitive wellbeing.
This has become famously known as the ‘head, heart and hands’ approach. Pestalozzi believed that education should nurture the whole child, encompassing intellectual, emotional, and practical development. To that end, he brought in play as a crucial element of learning, creativity through drawing and music, and experiences through outdoor activities and exercises. Key to Pestalozzi’s methodology was the importance of children having direct experience of the world, through natural objects used in teaching and spending time in the outdoors, learning through practical tasks as well as theoretical lessons. Sensory experiences and hands-on learning are crucial to the Pestalozzi approach—the educator is the very reason these elements are now widespread in our contemporary education system, built on his belief that children learn best through direct interaction with their environment.
Swiss summer camps are a unique chance to experience the Swiss way of life and education, through an immersive two to four-week period. The summer camps are designed for children between the ages of eight and 15, and with a number of reputable institutions offering these camps, each with their own unique programme and focuses, there are camps available to suit many different interests, personalities and outcomes.
A tailored learning experience
The camps, scattered across the beautiful Swiss landscape, most commonly structure their days around ‘traditional’ learning in the mornings, and activities and excursions in the afternoon. This can look like a morning timetabled with immersive language classes, interactive problem-solving sessions, structured prep for IB, IGCSE or SAT assessments, or even leadership courses that tackle public speaking, time management strategies, non-verbal communication techniques and more. The programmes offered account for a wide range of interests, age groups and temperaments, with many classes focusing on project-based learning.
Viktor first attended summer camp at Beau Soleil at the age of 11, and has returned to the summer camp programme multiple times since. “While some aspects of the camp remained the same, such as the three hours of language classes and free time, the overall experience evolved each year,” he explains. “Campers are divided into three groups: Juniors, Teens, and Seniors based on age. As you move into different groups, the activities change, tailored specifically to each age range. Older campers also get more free time after evening activities, allowing for stronger connections with others. The reason for this is that as you grow older, you become more responsible and more aware of the friendships you're forming.”
Above There is a wide variety of Swiss camp programmes that cater to different age groups and interests
There is a wide variety of Swiss camp programmes that cater to different age groups and interests
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Parent Yuka has sent her son to Le Rosey’s summer camp twice, once at the age of eight and once at 12 years old. “I thought [summer camp] is a very good opportunity for my child as he can try many new things via this camp,” she explains. “Compared to other summer camps, I think Le Rosey summer camp offers more choices since they have two campuses. At the Rolle campus, my son was able to do various activities such as golf, wakeboarding and other sports. Whilst in Gstaad he went hiking and did activities which required teamwork.”
In the afternoons, children put down their books and take to the outdoors. An abundance of activities await here, set as they are in the perfect environment for water sports, mountain sports and more.
“The variety of activities at Beau Soleil was fantastic, often pushing campers out of their comfort zones,” Viktor says. “Some of my favourites included the ropes course, water skiing, karting, and most notably, the bridge swing. Occasionally, we visited Montreux, where we had free time to explore and shop.” Some camps may focus exclusively on learning through outdoor sports and activities, forgoing a traditional classroom setup entirely. Others may use the outdoors as a venue for creativity as well as sports, introducing campgoers to arts and activities like nature sketching and outdoor sculpture.
“Every activity at Beau Soleil was designed to give us something valuable to take away, even if we didn’t realise it at the time,” Viktor says. “For instance, when we went rafting, we had to work as a team to navigate the river. When we went camping, we had to set up our own tents. That experience not only strengthened our teamwork but also improved our communication skills.” On the weekends, camps will often arrange special excursions to local sights and attractions, introducing campgoers to unique experiences in the area.
There are even further travel opportunities built into the summer camp programmes. “Le Rosey offers a chance for your children to visit Kenya—this was one of the reasons why I sent my son,” Yuka shares. “As a parent, I would like my kids to explore new places and learn other cultures, and by sending him to Kenya with Le Rosey, I felt much safer.”
From the enduring legacy of Pestalozzi to the vibrant experiences recounted by campers like Viktor, it’s clear that Swiss summer camps offer more than just a holiday. They provide a unique opportunity to immerse children in a tradition of educational excellence, blending intellectual growth with the invigorating power of the Swiss Alps.
Above Some camps may focus exclusively on learning through outdoor sports and activities, forgoing a traditional classroom setup entirely
Some camps may focus exclusively on learning through outdoor sports and activities, forgoing a traditional classroom setup entirely
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“After attending the summer camp, my son became more independent,” Yuka shares. “He also started managing his own time and became organised. From living with others during the camp, he is also now better at cooperating with others and became better at team work. The fact that he became more independent and a team worker at the same time amazed me.”
Whether through structured learning in the mornings, exhilarating outdoor adventures in the afternoons, or cultural excursions on weekends, these camps cultivate well-rounded individuals, fostering independence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of learning. For parents seeking a transformative experience that nurtures both mind and spirit, the hills of Switzerland offer an unparalleled educational adventure.
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Credits
Photography: Swiss Learning
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Emma Chong is the Managing Editor of Tatler Malaysia, overseeing the editorial direction and vision for the print, digital and social media arms of the title. She has over 15 years experience in fashion and lifestyle publishing, and has led print and digital editorial teams at ELLE Malaysia, Time Out Kuala Lumpur, The Luxe Nomad and more.
Outside of work, Emma spends her time wrangling children (only her own) and boosting the Malaysian economy through her support of local fashion and homeware brands.
