Exploring nature (7-11 y.o.) Full days AM&PM

FULL-DAY OUTDOOR CAMP FOR 7-11 YEAR-OLDS!

It’s Spring time! For all nature lovers, animal lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, this 5-day camp (without overnight stays) is for you!

Throughout the week, children aged 7 to 11 will explore the surrounding area to discover Mother Nature! A programme that is instructive, fun and full of surprises, supervised by 2 ASAM certified professional mountain guides.

Monday – In the Versoix woods! The first day is all about getting to know each other, and bonding through fun and playful team-building games. Children will set off on a walk through the Versoix woods to discover native trees and learn how to tell them apart by their bark – an invaluable skill for any nature explorer! They will then use plants to make crowns for the ladies and belts for the young men!
Walk: 3.5Km / 1h15

Tuesday – It’s in Chancy! In the forest of Chancy, children will reproduce the characteristics of a forest village, using the skills and strengths of each participant. Around a fire, they’ll take a moment to reflect and exchange ideas, imagining and building structures with what’s around them. They’ll create large-format plant art to decorate their village, making it warm and atypical. And to bring it to life, role-playing games will be organised, each kid with a specific character and situation… in short, imagination and creativity will be at the heart of this day, and a small show will be organised in the forest.

During the day, in groups of 3, children will be given a short 15-minute training session on the use of the Swiss Army knife. A demonstration and clear instructions will be given on safety and how to use the tool. Each child will have to demonstrate that he/she has understood the instructions in order to receive his/her “Swiss Army Knife Certificate”. Please note that for obvious safety reasons, except during this moment, no knives will be carried during the camp. For those who have already received this certificate in 2024, the next stage of cutting awaits them to obtain the Swiss Army Knife No. 2 certificate!
Walk 2km / 40min

Wednesday – Col de la Givrine! At 9 am, children board the IIL school bus for the Col de la Givrine (1 hour drive) for a day of wildlife immersion. With bags on their backs and shoes securely fastened, the day begins with a hike, at an altitude of 1200m, through paths and pastures, in search of animal tracks and clues. Is it a dog? is it a wolf? how can you tell them apart? Will the children be discreet enough to have the opportunity to meet wild quadrupedes? They will then have the chance to visit a peatland and learn about its fragility and exceptional biotope.
Walk: 6-7Km / 2h to 2h30

Thursday – Chancy, it’s that way! Young explorers will learn to orient themselves, and discover the basics of NESW (North, East, South, West). They’ll learn how to read a map, orient themselves with a compass and use the elements around them to find out where they are. Thus equipped, they will set off in search of the point indicated on their map. After an adventure through forest paths, if they’ve read the map correctly, they’ll arrive at the Grill Corner! Lunch will be an opportunity to set up camp and recharge their batteries in the heart of nature. Kids will make a fire and roast saveloys and marshmallows ! A perfect opportunity to master the art of fire and prepare delicious grilled meats in the great outdoors! The afternoon will be devoted to games around the river, to help them understand its precious existence.
Walking time: 1h30

Friday – A green day at Moulin Vert!
The Moulin Vert reserve boasts the richest biodiversity in the canton of Geneva. Part of the day will be devoted to the fascinating migration of butterflies, a story that is both marvellous and sometimes awe-inspiring. Equipped with butterfly nets and insect boxes, budding explorers will set off in search of beautiful specimens. Using laminated educational cards, they’ll learn how to identify them. A picnic lunch will be served on the ruins of the old mill. On the way back, children will stop off at the observation points, where migratory birds stop off year after year. It’s also an opportunity for them to discover the amphibians and other animals that live in this ecosystem all year round. What will they see?
The day ends with a walk along the Rhône through the forest to the vertical wall of the Versoix dam.
Walking time: 1h30

An adventurous week of exploration, fresh air and nature! Budding explorers, grab your backpack and water bottle, open your eyes and ears wide, and join the “Exploring Nature” camp!

Prerequisites – Important !
Children must bring a backpack (minimum 20l), which they will carry, and which must be big enough to hold a picnic, 1.5l water bottle (for the day, as we don’t often come across water points), a spare pair of socks, weather-appropriate items (sweater, rain jacket, neck warmer… everything must fit in the backpack or attached to the backpack). Hand-held coolers and small bags are not recommended, as children must be able to keep their hands free, and carry their own bag!

Children should also be equipped with waterproof shoes with raised soles (not smooth ones). Books, electronic games and any other items are not recommended as they are very heavy to carry!

Finally, even though we’re in the middle of nature, for safety and supervision reasons we’ll be obliged to impose playground limits on your children. We kindly ask you to make your children aware of the need to respect these instructions. These also include not running with sticks, not throwing rocks, etc. Thank you for your cooperation, as safety is of paramount importance to us.

(Please note that the programme and order of outings may be modified according to the weather. In the event of heavy rain, alternative indoor or covered activities are planned).

Practical information

Families should drop off and pick up their children at IIL (Institut International de Lancy).
An IIL school bus will pick up and drop off the children every day to/from the planned destination.

8:30am-8:55am : welcome/registration of the children at IIL

9am: departure to the planned destination with IIL bus

9:30am-4:00pm: Exploring nature camp

4:15pm: return to IIL with IIL bus

5pm: end of camp. Parents are kindly asked to pick up their children at the IIL entrance gate

Late pick-up option possible, up to 6pm: +75chf/week

Lunch is NOT included. Please provide your child with a packed lunch and a bottle of water marked with his/her name. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided by IIL Camps and included in the price.