Camp Journal - Ardeche, France

After dressing in full coverage wet suits and harnesses they trudged down into the canyon and began a day of jumping, swimming, dropping and squeezing through the obstacles of the vast gorge.

Activity three had a very full day of harnesses and helmets. Four climbs were set for the campers at the local crag, a 30 minute walk from camp. In groups of two or three the campers quickly picked up the necessary tools for safe belaying and rock climbing. After a full morning of pulling their weight up and down boulders, they continued their travels to Vertiage, ropes
course, just outside Vallon. The campers were able to play on zip lines and bridges which hang 14 meters above the ground. A fear of heights stopped very few as most succeeded in manoeuvring through the sky-high courses.

The French groups engaged themselves in worksheets and verb games for the morning. They continued their academics in Francais Courant and the basics of French grammar. Teachers, Laurence challenged them in an interactive game as they learned the names of different body parts. For the afternoon both groups took on the challenge of canoeing with another day of wind. Eric taught the campers the importance of water dynamics. Team activities were organized to help the campers learn the dynamics of a boat; Gunnel wars were a foot!


Dinner was another welcomed event as a late night and early start began to show in the kids. Afterward, one of the evening activity favorites, Sticks, commenced. Three teams and a lot of competitiveness, the game was a triumph!