August 27, 8 a.m., the courtyard buzzes with children. It’s back-to-school time! They reunite with friends they haven’t seen all Summer. Stories of holidays, trips, camps, and the latest adventures flow freely. Good spirits defy the gray, rainy day. The bell rings, and the students head to their classrooms. The first day begins.
Back-to-school also means the end of the IIL Camps. Just yesterday, gray boxes littered the courtyard, filled to the brim with rackets, balls, games, and building bricks. Coloring sheets fluttered across the yard. The diabolo soared high into the sky. Hula hoops spun countless turns. Baby We Can Stay, the Summer’s anthem, played on loop, sandwiched between Macarena, Danza Kuduro, and the ever-popular Soda Pop. From July 1 to August 26, over 950 children danced, played, and ran around the grand tree at IIL Camps!
But today, at 9 a.m., the courtyard is empty. The gray boxes are now neatly stored in the large cabinets. The speakers sit silent in their boxes. Nostalgia à la Charles Aznavour washes over the IIL Camps team as they return to the office.
The office is calm, in stark contrast to the Summer frenzy. From the opening of registrations, our staple camps Rugbytots®, Mini Tennis, Horseback Riding, Sailing on the Lake, and Multi-Fun… were already fully booked.
In addition to our classics, we offered a range of new camps. For stage enthusiasts, we partnered with Simply Theatre to present a musical theatre camp, Broadway Kids, and an acting camp, Acting Adventurers Club. The Windsurfing Camp challenged the most determined athletes to glide across the lake. Louise Peacocke, a teacher at IIL, led two camps for creative minds. The first, Teens in the Kitchen, taught the basics for easy and delicious recipes to share with family or friends: pizza dough, fresh pasta, focaccia, protein bars, and tortillas. The second, Art Explora, explored different drawing techniques to allow budding artists to freely express themselves on paper.
Broadway kids by Simply Theatre
For adventurers, the Archery & Prehistoric Workshops camp was the perfect combo. In addition to learning to handle a bow and arrow, children discovered prehistoric skills, from Aboriginal hunting to fire-making techniques. Finally, the From Farm to Fork camp offered an immersive journey into gardening, permaculture, and biodiversity.
As Summer approached, camps filled up. On Friday, June 27, we completed the final checks. The photo booth was set up, ready to capture the wildest snapshots with sand underfoot. Coloring books overflowed with beach-themed coloring sheets. All that remained was to wait for Tuesday, July 1, when the IIL Camps would officially begin.
On Tuesday, July 1, the Summer camp season kicked off under bright sunshine. We had also prepared a little surprise: a free breakfast for all parents and children! We welcomed the first arrivals with smiles, fresh juices, and chocolate croissants. By 9 a.m., familiar and new faces gathered into groups. The IIL Camps had officially started. Children in Pilates flowed through postures, while young adventurers in Exploring Nature discovered the flora and fauna along the Allondon River or built cabins in the forest.
At the end of the first week, all participants gathered in the amphitheater. The program featured awards for the Football Camp, a showcase of creations from the Sewing Workshop, and… a Hip-Hop dance performance! Friday ended with music, with all camp kids lighting up the dance floor.
The Camps, like Summer itself, flew by. Sun was shining almost every day, perfect for outdoor sports and water activities. Adventurers hiked nearly 50 km in the Alps, from the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval valley to the Flaine ski area over five days (Alps Hiking Camp). Golfers swung their clubs (Golf Camp). From Pirates to Jurassic Park, children’s LEGO® creations were more impressive than ever.
Fans of Japanese culture learned the basics of aikido, calligraphy, and manga drawing. Circus Arts participants juggled between acrobatics and DIY, even building their own balancing stilts. Others tinkered with New Technology, creating 3D models, video games, or space-themed projects. In Multi-activity, children enjoyed a rich and varied program: one day they baked madeleines, the next they explored an Alpine farm, and then cooled off at the pool. Even our mascot Leo couldn’t resist the call of the camps… or rather, the lounge chairs of the IIL Beach!
The last week ended with a bang at Walibi amusement park. Between roller coasters, water rides, and games, the day was packed with smiles and thrills.
Thus ended the IIL Summer Camps, with over 950 participants and 72 camps across six weeks. A huge thank-you to the children for their energy, the parents for their trust, and to our partners who allowed us to offer a broad range of activities. Finally, thank you to the incredible animation team for creating a warm, welcoming space where children could play safely. Most of all, it was countless laughs, adventures, games, and moments of friendship that will remain in memory.
See you for the Autumn edition of IIL Camps, which promises exciting surprises…
“My daughter was truly thrilled to participate in this week of camps. These few days allowed her to discover aikido in a setting that was both stimulating and caring. She is eager to continue the adventure next term. Many thanks to the instructor for the quality of his teaching and kindness.”
F., happy mother of S., 8, equally delighted!
