Leadership Training Summer Camp for Youth in Leysin, Switzerland

Course Description: Leadership Training Summer Camp for Youth in Leysin, Switzerland

As children move into their mid and late teenage years, structured leadership development can play a vital role in shaping confidence, maturity, and readiness for university and beyond.

The Leadership Training Camp (LTC) is an award-winning, high-impact programme designed to challenge, inspire, and empower young people. Through a combination of inspiring talks, strategic thinking exercises, outdoor challenges, and team-based competitions, participants develop the mindset and skills required to become confident and capable young leaders.

This popular programme is often fully booked well before the summer begins due to strong demand from returning campers.

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Programme Vision �*

The Leadership Training Camp is designed to:

• Build self-confidence

• Raise self-esteem

• Encourage intrinsic motivation

• Improve communication skills

• Develop individual leadership qualities

• Strengthen teamwork and collaboration

The goal is not simply to teach leadership theory — but to cultivate practical leadership experience.

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Daily Structure 🧠⚡

Each day is carefully constructed to combine intellectual stimulation with active challenge.

Campers participate in:

• Leadership training workshops

• Inspiring keynote talks

• Interactive Q&A sessions

• Structured discussion forums

• Goal-setting exercises

• Time-management training

• Strategic problem-solving tasks

• Innovative team-building challenges

• Off-site visits to outdoor activity locations

This balance ensures that both mind and body are challenged.

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Leadership Sessions & Workshops 🗣️

Formal leadership sessions focus on:

• Effective communication

• Public speaking

• Decision-making under pressure

• Emotional intelligence

• Conflict resolution

• Strategic thinking

• Goal planning and execution

• Accountability and responsibility

Participants are encouraged to reflect, question, and actively engage in discussion.

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International Guest Speakers �*

A defining feature of the programme is the presence of internationally recognised guest speakers who travel from across the globe to address participants.

These thought-provoking presentations are followed by lively Q&A sessions, allowing campers to engage directly with experienced leaders from diverse professional backgrounds.

Guest speakers typically come from:

• The United States

• South Africa

• The United Kingdom

Recent speakers have included:

Kerry Max Cook (USA)

A powerful speaker whose extraordinary life story explores resilience, injustice, and perseverance.

Alfred Eden (South Africa)

A leadership specialist with extensive experience in adventure-based leadership training.

Claire Young (UK)

Award-winning entrepreneur known for her resilience, tenacity, and business success.

David Hyner (UK)

Motivational expert who shares insights from decades of research into high achievers.

These sessions expose campers to real-world leadership experiences and inspire critical thinking.

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Highlight Activity Days 🏔️�*

Physical challenge is central to leadership development. Highlight activity days combine excitement, teamwork, and resilience-building.

Activities may include:

🌊 Rafting & Canyoning – High-energy teamwork under dynamic conditions

🌉 Ropes Course – Demanding mental and physical endurance

🏐 Beach Volleyball – Strategy, coordination, and communication

🎯 Laser Quest – Tactical teamwork and decision-making

These challenges require patience, fortitude, trust, and cooperation.

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The T.A.L.E. – The Amazing Leadership Experience �*

A signature component of the programme is T.A.L.E., a competitive multi-day leadership challenge.

Teams must:

• Navigate to specific locations

• Complete assigned missions

• Collect required items

• Operate under a strict financial budget

The financial constraint introduces the principle of Return on Investment (R.O.I.), teaching campers how budgeting and strategic decision-making influence outcomes — mirroring real-world corporate environments.

This immersive challenge tests:

• Multi-tasking ability

• Financial awareness

• Team strategy

• Leadership under pressure

• Communication efficiency

Every participant takes part, ensuring hands-on leadership experience.

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Programme Director 👤✨

The programme is led by internationally recognised leadership coach David Allen, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker with extensive experience in leadership development.

His interactive and engaging teaching style ensures that every participant remains actively involved.

Under his direction, campers are encouraged to:

• Step outside their comfort zone

• Reflect on personal strengths

• Develop resilience

• Think strategically about their future

His leadership philosophy focuses on equipping young people with tools to maximise their leadership potential across all areas of life.

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Skills Developed �*

By the end of the programme, participants typically demonstrate growth in:

• Self-confidence

• Public speaking

• Strategic thinking

• Emotional resilience

• Team collaboration

• Accountability

• Goal-setting and time management

• Decision-making under pressure

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The Leadership Training Camp offers a powerful and transformative experience in the Swiss Alps — combining intellectual challenge, physical adventure, and exposure to world-class speakers to prepare young people for university and the challenges of adult life.

Leysin, Switzerland 🇨�*

Swiss Alpine International Summer Camp 

For over 50 years, this established summer camp in Leysin has delivered an exceptional international experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Set in a charming mountain village, the programme blends adventure, academics, creativity, leadership, and global friendships in one of Europe’s most inspiring natural settings.

Welcoming campers from 30+ countries each summer, it provides a truly international environment where children grow in confidence, independence, and cross-cultural understanding.

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*� Location & Setting

Located in the sunny Alpine village of Leysin, just over one hour from Geneva International Airport, the campus sits above Lake Geneva with panoramic views of the Rhône Valley and the French Alps, including Mont Blanc.

• Safe and picturesque mountain setting

• Direct access to hiking trails and alpine meadows

• Fresh mountain air and wide open spaces

The natural environment encourages resilience, exploration, and personal growth.

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*� Specialist Programmes (Ages 7–17)

Each camper selects a morning speciality programme (3 hours daily) aligned with their interests:

• 🏀 Sports & Adventure

• 🎨 Arts & Creativity

• 🔬 Science & Technology

• 🌎 Language Immersion

• 🧭 Leadership Development (Ages 15–17)

In the afternoons, campers join flexible “sign-up” activities, allowing them to explore multiple interests beyond their main focus.

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*� Accommodation

Main Campus – Swiss Alpine Centre

• Capacity of up to 180 campers

• En-suite bedrooms (up to 4 per room)

• Assigned by age and gender

• Counsellors housed nearby for close supervision

Leadership Programme (15–17)

• Hosted at a first-class hotel in central Leysin

• Comfortable rooms with private facilities

Younger campers are always accompanied by counsellors when visiting the village.

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*�️ Meals

• Three nutritious meals daily

• Fresh salad bar at every meal

• Varied breakfast options

• Second helpings available

• Most dietary needs accommodated (advance notice required)

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*� Facilities

On Campus

• Classrooms & auditorium

• Arts & crafts centre

• Music & dance studio

• Climbing wall

• Dining halls

• Common rooms & games equipment

Village Facilities

• Indoor swimming pool

• Ice rink

• Multi-sport gym

• Tennis courts

• Archery & football fields

• Squash courts & weights room

Outdoor Areas

• Hiking & mountain biking trails

• Rock climbing

• Adventure courses

• Traditional mountain hut stays

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*� Camp Organisation

• Average supervision ratio: 1:6

• International staff aged 21–35

• Pre-camp training for counsellors

• Strong pastoral care system

• Structured daily schedule

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*� Evening Activities

Evenings include a mix of fun and community-building experiences:

• 🔥 Campfire evenings

• 🎪 Carnival Night

• 🎬 Movie Night

• ⛸ Ice Skating

• 🌍 International Night

• 🏔 Mountain Hut Overnight Adventure

• 🎉 Final Gala Dinner & Disco

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*� Weekend Excursions

On all excursions we ensure free time for cultural visits, shopping and walking around in small groups. On visits to places of interest admission fees are included.

Saturday Cultural Visits (Age-Specific Groups)

Excursions may include:

• Maison Cailler Swiss Chocolate Factory

• Olympic Museum

• United Nations Headquarters in Geneva

• Local adventure parks

• Swiss heritage museums

Sunday – Aigle Outdoor Water Park

• Full-camp excursion

• Scenic train journey

• Packed lunches provided

• All entrance fees included

Excursions combine education, culture, and leisure, while always maintaining supervision standards.

✈️ Transfers – Leysin, Switzerland

*� Geneva Airport (GVA)

Arrival Window: 09:00 – 19:00

Departure Window: 11:00 – 19:00

One Way: CHF 100

Return: CHF 200

*� Lausanne Train Station

Arrival Window: 08:00 – 18:00

Departure Window: 08:00 – 18:00

One Way: CHF 55

Return: CHF 110

Transfers must fall within the stated windows. Outside times may require private arrangements.

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*� Sample Daily Schedule

Morning

07:30 Wake Up

08:00 Breakfast

09:00–12:15 Speciality Programme

Afternoon

12:15 Lunch

14:00–17:15 Activity Blocks

17:15 Free Time

Evening

18:15 Dinner

19:30 Evening Programme

Lights out according to age group

(Schedule may adjust based on activities and excursions.)

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✨ Why Parents Choose This Programme

✔ 50+ years of experience

✔ Exceptional Alpine setting

✔ Strong safety and supervision

✔ International friendships

✔ Balance of academic enrichment and adventure

✔ Leadership and life skills development

This Leysin summer programme offers far more than a holiday,  it is a structured, international Alpine experience where children build confidence, independence, and lifelong memories.