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Camp Journal - Ardeche, France
The latest news and photos appear at the top. Come back every day to see what's new here at "Summer Camp Europe" - Village Camps!Photo Gallery 8th July
Daily News 7th July
Photo Gallery 7th July - Slideshow
Photo Gallery 7th July
Photo Gallery 6th July - Slideshow
Photo Gallery 6th July
Photo Gallery 5th July - Slideshow
Photo Gallery 5th July - part 2
It's a tough life at camp !
Time for some fun and games ... 
Click here to access the 2nd gallery for Saturday 5th July ...
Photo Gallery 5th July
The long way up !
Another lovely day 
and time to head on up ...
Click here to access the full gallery for Saturday 5th July ...
Daily News 4th July
This morning was cheerfully sunny which was welcome after yesterday’s soggy start. Following an early breakfast à la terrace, the French groups boarded the coach and made their way to Avignon. Once there they spent time exploring the Palais des Papes, soaking up the sights and sounds of this typically Provencal city and of course did not miss the opportunity to sing the song on its bridge. Judging by the look of the campers bulging bags as they returned to camp, souvenir hunting also featured – all transactions of course conducted in French!
Meanwhile, back at camp the two activity groups were warming up pour la journée VTT. Helmeted, watered and lathered in sun block they headed off into the hills and a day of adventure, challenge and pedalling fun. After a morning including a couple of steep climbs, some rough trails and a vineyard traverse, lunch was taken by the side of a pond. Here sandwiches were ravenously devoured. Lunch stop here generally goes on a bit and is quite relaxed. Not through lack of desire to pedal you understand, but to lie low during the hottest part of the day, swing in hammocks, skim stones and splash about. The high spot for many is the final 2km off road descent which conveniently finishes outside a shop selling ice cream. Mmmmmm.
This evening we are all back together in camp and it is film evening - a change in pace to allow a bit of relaxation – we still have seven days of action ahead!Neil.
Photo Gallery 4th July - Slideshow
Photo Gallery 4th July
On your bike!
A lovely sunny day again and it was time for some campers to get muddy on two wheels 
Daily News 3rd July
It was a wet start to Thursday morning as excitement hung in the air with the first descent of the river approaching.
The French groups enjoyed a fabulous morning of French instruction including lots of silly songs and games. It was so much fun it hardly felt like learning.
The activity groups headed into Vallon Pont D’Arc for a morning of wandering a French town and a little bit of shopping.
A tasty lunch had everyone pumped up for the mini descent of the river. Campers strapped on their buoyancy aids and helmets before hopping into canoes to descend 6 km down the gorgeous Ardèche river.
After being guided through four sets of rapids by their brave Village Camps staff, campers paddled under the famous Pont D’Arc, a natural rock archway soaring above the river.
Following a swim and chocolate break to re-energize, the campers paddled on to the pickup point and returned to camp for a well earned and delightful dinner.
After dinner, campers spent the evening learning how to play “Gaga Ball” and football, involving running, hiding and general hilarity.
Everyone went to bed for a much needed rest before the big trips on Friday!
Photo Gallery 3rd July
The first descent !
A lovely day and the first descent of the river ...
Click here to access the full gallery for Thursday 3rd July ...
Daily News 2nd July
It was a wonderfully sunny day today in the Ardèche with a calming wind - perfect weather for the day's adventures. More campers experienced caving and canyoning, while others worked on their canoeing, sports, arts and crafts and French skills.
When the caving group returned at lunch with improvised mud masks, they swore it made their skin softer! The canyoners spent the whole day jumping and sliding through the Chassezac gorge in high spirits.
Dinner was full of laughs when the daily Secret Friends, a box where campers can anonymously write compliments, were read aloud. This was followed by a rousing game of Blue Meanies, a favorite among campers of all ages. Most of the counselors hid, and the campers had to dash around trying to find them without getting squirted by the water gun of the dreaded Blue Meany! 
Another great day at Village Camps!
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