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

FULL-DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN AGED 7-11!

It’s springtime! For all lovers of nature, animals, and outdoor activities, this full-day camp over 5 days (no overnight stays) is made for you!

Throughout the week, children aged 7 to 11 will explore the surroundings and discover Mother Nature. An educational, fun, and surprise-filled program, supervised by two professional mountain leaders (AMM) certified by ASAM.

Monday: In the Versoix Woods, discovering Animals!

Walk: 3.5 km / 1h15

A first day to get to know one another and build connections through fun, playful, and highly educational team-building games! Children will head out into the woods to discover the Geneva’s local wildlife. They will learn the difference between deer and bovines, gain a new perspective on badgers, and certainly want to become as clever as foxes! Antlers, horns, and other items will be available for observation, and a super-fun rally game awaits them to let off steam while learning lots about local wildlife.

Tuesday: My wooden hut in Chancy!

Walk: 1 km

Morning objective: building a village in the heart of the Chancy forest. Each child will be able to contribute ideas, talents, and creativity. After a time of listening and shared reflection, they will imagine and build original structures using natural materials found around them. Together, they will create large pieces of plant-based art to decorate their village and give it a unique, welcoming charm. To bring it to life, role-playing games will be organised, each child with their own character and situation. In short, imagination and creativity will be at the heart of the day, and a small performance will be held in the forest.

During the day, in pairs, children will receive a short 15-minute training session on how to use a Swiss Army knife. A demonstration and clear safety instructions will be given on proper handling. Each child must show they understand the rules to receive their “Swiss Army Knife Certificate.” Those who already received the certificate in 2025 will move on to a next cutting challenge to earn the Swiss Army Knife PLUS Certificate!
Please note: for obvious safety reasons, any use of the Swiss Army knife outside this training will only be allowed under close supervision by one of the leaders.

Wednesday: Foraging, BBQ, and Creation in Chancy!

Walk: 3 km / 1h30

Our adventurers will set off to discover the surrounding flora. Bag in hand, they will gather, cook, and taste the treasures nature has to offer, precious knowledge to pass on and never forget! Our sharp-eyed little lynxes will learn to recognise nutritious plants that are easy to identify.

After this tasting full of flavors, it’s adventure time! Children will learn how to light a fire to grill a delicious cervelat sausage, pulled from the backpack and skewered on a carefully chosen stick. And to finish the feast in style, why not enjoy an irresistible chocolate banana? Yum!

The afternoon will be dedicated to creativity. Children will decorate their pilgrim’s staff: after carefully choosing it and removing the bark, they can decorate, color, and shape it to their liking. A beautiful object, both a camp souvenir and a companion for future outdoor adventures!

Thursday: Insect Discovery Day at the Moulin Vert Nature Reserve!

Walk: 1h30

The Moulin Vert Reserve boasts the richest biodiversity in the canton of Geneva. Part of the day will focus on the fascinating migration of butterflies, a story both wonderful and sometimes astonishing. Equipped with butterfly nets and insect boxes, budding naturalists will go in search of beautiful specimens. Using laminated educational cards and books, they will learn how to identify them. Any tiny creature that sparks curiosity can be observed with a magnifying glass. They will discover the unexpected beauty of these tiny beings and the ingenuity they use to survive in a vast world.

Lunch will be a picnic on the ruins of the old mill. On the way back, children will stop at observation points where migratory birds return year after year to rest.

This reserve offers an idyllic, calm, and rejuvenating setting, an endless source of inspiration for the imagination. Children will be invited to represent the animals they observed using natural elements, through a land art approach.

The day will end with a walk along the Rhône River through the forest, all the way to the vertical wall of the Versoix dam.

Friday: keep your bearings at Col de la Givrine!

Walk: 2h30

A great adventure awaits children for this last day in the hills of La Givrine. With map and compass in hand, our young explorers will learn how to orient themselves and discover the basics of NESW (North, East, South, West). How to read a map, use a compass, and rely on surrounding elements to know where you are. Objective: reach the picnic and grilling area!

In the afternoon, it’s challenge time! Divided into two teams, children will use orientation equipment to place markers in the woods. Once set, each team will have to find the other team’s markers. How does a compass work? Where is North on a map? What do the small green or black dots and the lines mean? Fun and simple concepts they’ll learn to help them find their way and never get lost again.

A full week of exploration, fresh air, and nature! Adventurer friend, grab your backpack, your water bottle, open your eyes and ears wide, and join the fun of this “Exploring nature” Camp!

Requirements

Children must bring at minimum a 20-liter backpack, which they will carry themselves and must be large enough to contain:

• a picnic lunch everyday

• a water bottle of at least 1.5 liters (for the whole day, as we do not always pass water points)

• one pair of spare socks

They must wear clothing appropriate for the weather (sweater, rain jacket, neck warmer, etc.).

Everything must fit inside or be attached to the backpack (in warm weather). Mountain leaders will not carry children’s belongings.
Please note: hand-held coolers and small bags are not recommended. Children must have their hands free and carry their own backpack.

Children must also wear waterproof shoes with textured (non-smooth) soles. Books, electronic games, or other unnecessary items are strongly discouraged as they are heavy to carry.

Finally, although we will be in nature, for safety and supervision reasons, we will need to set boundaries for play areas. We ask that you make your children aware of the importance of listening to and respecting these rules. These include not running with sticks, not throwing stones, etc. Thank you for your cooperation as safety is our top priority.

(Please note that the program and order of outings may be modified depending on the weather. In case of heavy rain, alternative indoor or sheltered 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 everyday 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.