Camp Journal - Ardeche, France

Daily News 25th July


	Last day at Camp... until next year friends!



	The French groups organized for their final lesson and worksheets. All morning oral tests and vocabulary sheets were completed. Team activity games, Beret and Mission Impossible IV, took the intellectuals all over campus as the morning came to an end. Activity groups participated in their last bandana session. They chose Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Dance and Arts & Crafts for their interests. Kori guided the kids to create their own poy and draw as they sat overlooking the river. The display of creativity was endless! Penguin rolls were attempted again and again by the kayakers as Eric and Jackie cheered their efforts. Emily led the keen cyclists through the countryside, vineyards and gorges of France. A hip-hop routine greeted everyone as they came in for lunch as Erica led the boys to move to the beat. The last lunch of session was served as counsellors began to motivate campers to enjoy the afternoon with their activity of choice. Kids could be found spread across camp hiding in the shade escaping from the heat, playing ping pong, and guitar. Groups were quickly formed to escape to the neighboring campsite to devour ice cream after ice cream. The camp sat down to a delicious meal as clouds moved in giving releif from the brutal afternoon heat. A strong thunder lightning storm crept closer as the campers were finishing their meals. Rain pounded on roofs and gave way to small rivers and ponds throughout camp. Dessert of birthday cake had to be served in the grand salon to escape the sideways wetness soaking all that was exposed outside. The evening brought bandana ceremonies and certificates. A disco followed allowing the campers to showcase their many dance moves and mingle for their last night together. As bedtime closed in the campers said their goodbyes with multiple hugs for everyone. The field slowly emptied as kids retired to their tents saying their last good nights of camp. Thank you for a wonderful session two in the Ardeche!

Photo Gallery 25th July - Slideshow

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Photo Gallery 25th July

Last day at Camp !

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Daily News 23rd & 24th July


	The day of the Grand Descente! 2 days, 28 kilometres, 22 rapids….



	All campers ate breaky safely with buoyancy aids and helmets. The boats launched and by mid morning the river team were guiding the kids through the twists and turns of the rapids Trois Eaux, Backwards and Stand up. Early purposeful capsizes woke multiple campers while the rest woke up with a round of seal launching. Five to seven campers race backward down a hill andinto the water. No one could get enough of the thrill! Don Noir, Beaver Shoot and Can Opener were soon conquered by our fleet of 31 canoes. Lunch on an overturned canoe in the shade cooled the paddlers as they enjoyed a story from their river leader Eric. Three more fast waters brought us to our destination Gournier Bivi. Boat teams worked together lugging dry barrels and paddle packs up a trail to VC’s campsite. Ideal sleeping spots were snagged, a tour was provided and then a BBQ brought smiles to all. A dessert of messy banana boats followed covering faces and hands with chocolate. A cool night allowed the canoers to catch some sleep. A very warm morning greeted the fleet. After breakfast everyone lugged all equipment back down the longish trail leading to the river where our boats sat ready for another day of excitement! Whirlpool, Elephants and Raft race provided welcomed splashes to our already heated campers. Another chapter of the story from our esteemed river leader introduced Madeline and Cathedral rock which looms amongst the gorge walls of the Ardeche. A late lunch energized the paddlers. Campers seeking endless adventure ditched their boats and settled for swimming in the lively waters of Leper Colony. After the last of the swimming and digging campers and counsellors from the sandy beach our crew continued down river. Capsizing seemed to multiply as the afternoon sun continued to beat down. Boats engaged themselves in waters wars. A raft race allowed the architect to shine in each child. Groups of 5-7 boats were formed, stacked and raced down a wide straight. Each team seemed to have a more than a few man-overboards. The last four rapids brought VC to the final leg: 3 kilometres of flat water. With a couple of swims to break up the stint the campers made it safely and quickly to the take out location. Dinner was served at 7:30 back at camp gearing the campers for the session two talent night. With a couple russians songs and dances, a performance from the VC band of summer '08, songs from 2 beautiful young ladies and some counselor skills, the talent night completed a wonderful two day adventure. Afterwards 41 tired sun kissed campers retired to their tents ready for a good nights sleep.

Photo Gallery 23rd & 24th July - Slideshow

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Photo Gallery 23rd & 24th July

Water Thrill!!

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Daily News 22nd July


	Via ferrata... bandana activities and lots more!



	The wind blew the campers awake and through breakfast as everyone prepared for a full day. Just outside of Thueyts at the foot of Massive Central the Via ferrata greeted activity groups one, two and three. The children followed a course up and down cliffs on the valley walls. An aerial 100 meter long, 70 meter high zip line join the two cliff walls together. The kids protected themselves with two crap like carabineers whilst moving across the granite face. After the intense activity they cooled themselves in the river under the Pont du Diable which was followed by some very welcomed ice cream. French groups had the opportunity to participate in all day bandana activities. The campers were driven to the limestone cliffs of Mazet, about 30 minutes west of camp. All morning the 18 kids rotated through the varying difficulty climbs belaying eachother while motivating and coaching. After lunch keen climbers continued to climb teaching one another new moves, abseiling, bouldering and lead climbing. The shore of the Chassazac river gave the others a chance to create stone sculptures attempting to develop the tallest and most stable. Swimming skills were discussed as the kids enjoyed the challenge of swimming 50 meters, rock jumping and under water games. Chinese stone therapy and stone skipping brought the afternoon to an end. A windy dinner led the campers to the Grand Descente prep. Campers busily packed their dry barrels and mentally prepared themselves for the next two days on the river. An early bedtime silenced the camp. We'll tell you all about our river adventures on Thursday!

Photo Gallery 22nd July - Slideshow

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Photo Gallery 22nd July

Rock Climbing is way cooool!!

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Photo Gallery 21st July - Slideshow

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