World-Class Adventurous Mountaineering and Sailing Program for Teenagers in Gstaad, Switzerland

Course Description: World-Class Adventurous Mountaineering and Sailing Program for Teenagers in Gstaad, Switzerland

Excellence Summer Mountaineering and Sailing Camp offers adventurous summer for 12-16 year olds for this July.

From Swiss Alps to Mediterranean, The Best Summer Adventure Trail

Spare two weeks, one for mountains, one for sea. and join a small group of (10 motivated and adventurous) teenagers embarking on an unforgettable 2-week journey through the Swiss Alps and aboard a yacht in Mediterranean.

During the Mountain Week, under the guidance and responsibilities of a mountain-seasoned camp teacher, a professional mountain guide and a trained first-aider, cultural, historical and natural discoveries will be made besides outdoor activities.

During the offshore Sea Week, camp teacher along with the whole Ipharra Crew,; captain, mechanic, cook chef and steward, will let you set sail to the new adventure at Mediterranean.

This program offers you water and earth, bring your fire and air to complete 4 elements of adventurous summer.

Let’s Zoom into Excellence Summer Camp for Mountaineering and Sailing

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Discover trails in the Bernese and Wallis Alps, learn rock-climbing, cross obstacles, crevasses and glaciers. 

Work as part of a team while setting up and taking down a camp every day, and learn how to live in a community. Most nights are spent in mountain huts.

A unique opportunity to enjoy a superb adventure in the heart of the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps.

A-Hoy Captain!

After this exciting week in the mountains, you will then fly from Geneva to join our 102-foot Sailing Yacht, Ipharra, for a splendid cruise in the Mediterranean.

Learn the history of the islands you will visit.

Discover the beauty of natural sites, relax aboard Ipharra of course, enjoy water sports every day!

Get a chance to see first-hand how to handle a large yacht using both engine and sails; how to calculate routes using maps and electronic navigation equipment; appreciate the importance of teamwork and mutual respect.

The Ipharra Yacht at Mediterranean

Ipharra is a 34-metre catamaran sailboat built for offshore cruising. It is a secure, well-furnished, fast yacht which has 4 triple-berth cabins with bathrooms for the students and 3 cabins housing the 5 crew members.

Ipharra also has a classroom equipped with IT resources; a huge cockpit which serves as a dining room/meeting area and cinema; a reading room, and a flying deck used for marine observation, astronomy and sun bathing!

The yacht also has a dinghy used for exploration (Zodiac), a light Laser sailing boat used for sailing lessons; electric powered sea bobs (also used for exploration), snorkelling equipment, a kayak, water-skiing and wakeboarding equipment, not to mention all the usual modern security equipment - GSM and satellite communication and navigation systems.

Getting to Lake Geneva Campus

A school desk is situated in the Arrivals area at Geneva Airport. Children traveling alone are met by our staff and driven to camp. Transfers to and from the school are included in the camp fee as long as they take place on the official dates of start and end of camp. Outside these dates, transport will be charged to the student ( around CHF 500 between Schonried Gstaad Mountain Campus and the Airport) It takes approximately two and half hours by car from airport to campus.

Fees include

• Welcome at Geneva Airport and transfer to Schönried; overnight in Schönried.

• All activities, accommodation, material and meals during the mountain week.

• Flight at the end of the Mountain week and transfer to Ipharra.

• All activities, lessons, material, excursions, accommodation and meals on board Ipharra.

• Flight back to Geneva at the end of the Sea week.

The first night of the Mountain Week is spent on Gstaad Mountain Campus in Schönried. The rest of the Mountain Week is spent in different accommodation, ranging from mountain refuges to tents, where comfort may be rudimentary to a cosy hotel in Zermatt.

The night before their flight, students will stay at Lake Geneva Campus in Rolle. During the Sea Week students will sleep aboard _Ipharra. _

Students are expected to always abide by the principle of "leaving things better than they found them" and they should be mindful of other guests and of their peers.

Meals

Internationally inspired meals are served as a buffet style. Meals are prepared by our own chefs who pay meticulous attention to quality, presentation and flavour to produce healthy, balanced menus. During mealtimes, each student is assigned a table which is also shared with the camp teachers. Attendance at all meals is compulsory.

Any food allergies should be clearly indicated in the health questionnaire. Meals on the menu containing pork will be indicated. Vegetarian menus are also offered.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide Kosher, Halal or vegan meals.

Swing jump, rock climbing, hiking, via ferrata, sailing, biking, swimming, snorkeling, sea-bobbing, stand-up-paddling

-La Pierre du Moëlle

-Le Pillon

-ZERMATT

-DRVENIK VELI

-HVAR

-PAKLINSKI OTOCI

-VIS

-island of KORČULA

-BAČVA BEACH

-MLJET island

-Dubrovnik

At the airport

A Summer camps desk is situated in the Arrivals area at Geneva Airport, right next to the visitor centre.

Children travelling alone are met by our staff, wearing camp uniform, and driven to camp.

Transfers to and from camp are included in the camp fee as long as they take place on the official dates of the start and the end of camp.

Outside these dates, airport transfers are provided by a camp driver or by a local taxi company the cost for which is approximately CHF 500.-. This service is not included in the camp fees and will be deducted from your child’s pocket money.

No transportation is organized from/to Zürich Airport nor train station.

No visa, flight reservation or modification will be made by the school.

If you are travelling with your child, we are unable to offer you transportation. The campus is easily accessible by car or train (2h30 to Schönried).

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Discover trails in the Bernese and Wallis Alps, learn rock-climbing, cross obstacles, crevasses and glaciers. 

Work as part of a team while setting up and taking down a camp every day, and learn how to live in a community. Most nights are spent in mountain huts.

A unique opportunity to enjoy a superb adventure in the heart of the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps.

A-Hoy Captain!

After this exciting week in the mountains, you will then fly from Geneva to join our 102-foot Sailing Yacht, Ipharra, for a splendid cruise in the Mediterranean.

Learn the history of the islands you will visit.

Discover the beauty of natural sites, relax aboard Ipharra of course, enjoy water sports every day!

Get a chance to see first-hand how to handle a large yacht using both engine and sails; how to calculate routes using maps and electronic navigation equipment; appreciate the importance of teamwork and mutual respect.

The Ipharra Yacht at Mediterranean

Ipharra is a 34-metre catamaran sailboat built for offshore cruising. It is a secure, well-furnished, fast yacht which has 4 triple-berth cabins with bathrooms for the students and 3 cabins housing the 5 crew members.

Ipharra also has a classroom equipped with IT resources; a huge cockpit which serves as a dining room/meeting area and cinema; a reading room, and a flying deck used for marine observation, astronomy and sun bathing!

The yacht also has a dinghy used for exploration (Zodiac), a light Laser sailing boat used for sailing lessons; electric powered sea bobs (also used for exploration), snorkelling equipment, a kayak, water-skiing and wakeboarding equipment, not to mention all the usual modern security equipment - GSM and satellite communication and navigation systems.

-Outside camp dates, airport transfers are provided by a camp driver or by a local taxi company the cost for which is approximately CHF 500.-. This service is not included in the camp fees and will be deducted from your child’s pocket money.

-Pocket Money is not included to the camp price

- Welcome at Geneva Airport and transfer to Schönried; overnight in Schönried.

-All activities, accommodation, material and meals during the mountain week.

-Flight at the end of the Mountain week and transfer to Ipharra.

-All activities, lessons, material, excursions, accommodation and meals on board Ipharra.

-Flight back to Geneva at the end of the Sea week.