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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 2nd July
Finally, some more photos! 
The internet connection is still causing us problems, but where there is a will there is a way, so here is the 2nd batch. A great day was had by all!
Click here to access the gallery for Wednesday 2nd July ...
Thanks again for your patience.
The VC Ardèche Team
Jackie - Activities Counsellor
First Name - Jackie
What do your friends call you?
- Jacks, Birchie
Birthday - May 24
Place of birth (country & city):
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Place of residence (other than camp): - Corunna, Ontario, Canada
College/ University:
- University of Western Ontario
Major/ minor subjects: - Education
Hobbies/ sports:
- Basketball, running, canoeing, hiking, reading
Languages spoken: - English
Position at Village Camps for 2008:
- Activities counselor
Have you worked at Village Camps before? - Yes
If yes – where/ how long/ doing what?
- Anzère for two seasons as an outdoor education and activities counselor
If you have worked at another camp, please tell where/ when/ doing what?
-Olympia Sports Camp as a senior staff counselor in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada.
Additional info:
- I am someone who is passionate about the outdoors and passionate about working wth people. I love meeting people from around the world and sharing memorable experiences with them. I believe in life-long learning and I'm excited to begin my classroom teaching career in September.
Daily News 1st July
Tuesday was an early morning for many of the campers because they were headed off for some crazy Canyoning action.
Campers headed up to the picturesqu
e Chassezac gorge and put on their armour for the day – a full wetsuit, harness and helmet. Cold weather didn’t slow anyone down as hearts started pumping while campers jumped through, over and under waterfalls. A quick lunch riverside was followed by more skillful navigation down the rushing water of the gorge.
Another group of campers started the day with a session in the cave. After delving into the depths of the limestone, they emerged wet, dirty and smiling from ear to ear. The other activity group headed up to the local crag for some rock climbing. They learned how to tie figure-eight knots and belay their friends safely before climbing all over the rock face. In the afternoon the climbers came down from the heights to dive into the depths of the cave and the cavers did the opposite.
Hungry campers gobbled up a sumptuous dinner before trying out their team working skills as part of the “Supa Team Challenge”. Groups ran around camp singing, testing their memory and ability to communicate with other campers in many different languages. What a day!
Erik's Profile
First Name - Erik
What do your friends call you? - Ezza
Birthday - December 16
Place of birth (country & city) - Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Place of residence (other than camp) - Nice, France
College/ University - McMaster University
Major/ minor subjects - Commerce/ Anthropology
Hobbies/ sports - Squash, canoeing, hiking, rollerblading, films, photos, VTT
Languages spoken - English, French, bits of others…
Position at Village Camps for 2007 - Activity counselor
Have you worked at Village Camps before? - Yes
If yes – where/ how long/ doing what?
- Fall for three seasons in Anzère, spring for three seasons and summer for four (going on five) seasons in Ardèche
If you have worked at another camp, where/ when/ doing what?
- Camp Wabanaki, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, back in the day!
Additional info:
-My goal is to be a teacher or an international spy.
Photo Gallery 1st July
Photo Gallery 30th June
Daily News 30th June
The campers awoke to a beautiful day on Monday morning.
A full day of exciting activities lay ahead for all the campers. The French group headed off to the ropes course first thing. After being outfitted with harnesses and helmets they enjoyed a morning of climbing amongst the trees. Even those who were a little anxious were soon walking across beams, through webs of rope and flying around on ziplines.
After the ropes course, the French 
group walked into Vallon Pont D’Arc to enjoy a unique experience of small town Southern France. Following a little bit of bargain hunting and promenading the group returned to camp for another delicious dinner.
The activity groups split the day mountain biking and canoeing. The sunny weather made for a spectacular time on the river, as campers learned or relearned all the strokes needed to keep a canoe going in a straight line. The lesson also left time to overturn boats and splash around in rapids.
Mountain biking sessions included a review of all the basics followed by a thrilling ride around the local area, featuring some challenging uphill and downhill sections.
After dinner the whole camp joined in a rousing game of “Stix”. This game had campers running and rolling around the field with their faces painted pink, white and black. Laughter could be heard ringing around the gorge walls as the pink, white and black teams tried their hardest to outrun and outthink each other.
Exhausted campers headed to bed excited to start the fun all over again tomorrow.
Daily News 29th June
It is Sunday, Arrivals Day here in the Ardèche. This is it, a fun summer is about to start. After a week of training,the counsellors are ready and itching to meet the new arrivals. 
Today, 32 campers from as far as Mexico to Moscow will move into our tent village. The programme board paints an exciting picture: We will have some great adventures on and in the river, in local caves and canyons, on high ropes and mountainbikes, exploring the French language and culture, and making new friends from all around the world.
All this makes me want to be a camper again.
Neil
Neil Parks
Camp Director
Photo Gallery 29th June
Welcome
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Welcome to Village Camps Ardèche!
Camp starts on Sunday, 29 June so be sure to come back and enjoy our section of Campers Corner. Throughout the summer you'll find lots of photos, stories, schedules, news and generally everything you need to know about camp life. This will, of course, include seeing your children and their friends having the time of their life that always goes along with a Village Camps experience.
We look forward to welcoming new campers as well as veteran campers to the Ardèche the summer. And we certainly hope that you'll make a stop at Campers Corner France part of your daily routine.
Best regards,
Neil
Camp Director
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