Summer Camp Ardèche, France
Day 3 at the Ardeche - Chauvet Cave and VC Olympics!
Another stunning day here at the Ardeche!
Campers arose at the usual time of 7.30 thismorning, to another clear blue sky and still morning air. The summer is definitely heating up - the birds are chirping away from very early on, and the first paddlers can be seen from 8.00 on the glassy green river. Breakfast was something special today - homemade baked beans and eggs - and shortly after eating, the River Adventure team boarded the bus for the Grotte Chauvet du Pont d'Arc, while the French Language students prepared for a nature walk.
The Chauvet cave, which was discovered by the Chauvet team in 1994, is a UNESCO protected world wonder and national treasure - it contains the oldest cave paintings known to man, and has been reproduced in Vallon Pont d'Arc for the public to see. We all arrived at 9.30, and had an hour-long tour through the replica, discovering some amazing carvings, paintings, and etchings the early Aurignacian Homo Sapiens created. Everyone was riveted, and the question and answer session lasted much longer than expected!
After returning back and eating lunch, the River Adventure team joined the French Language team and began the VC OLYMPICS, where 4 teams competed in a tournament of epic proportions - a rota of archery, football, frisbee, pingpong, gagaball, dance, volleyball, basketball, and foosball ensured that great fun was had by every camper. The VC Olympics took a pause for free time and dinner, before resuming after dinner for the final round of GaGa Ball, a full camp activity on the volleyball court that had the crowd going wild. The final score was determined by a dance off, and the winners came out as the BLACK TEAM - congratulations to Salina, Ali, Omar, Adam, Carlos, Clara, Victor, and Edo!
Tommorow is our first full choice day, where campers have chosen activities that will last the whole day. Some are paddling across the river to explore several enormous dry caves (that feature authentic paleolithic etchings!), while others are going climbing out in Mazet, and the rest exploring the cliffjumps, ropeswings, and rapids of our stretch of the river on kayaks. Campers are currently getting ready for bed - slowly - and all is well at camp :) goodnight, and see you tomorrow!
PS: WILDLIFE ALERT!
Here at Ardeche, we love the wildlife! The local ecology is absolutely flush in July, teeming with chirping birds and flickering fish, humming cicadas, blooming lavender and thyme, wild blossoming fruit trees, and bugs, butterflies and moths of all varieties. One of our campers, Jules (from Switzerland), is a keen hunter and spied a moth today while waiting for our tour at the Caverne. He tried to capture it - but didn't have luck until it came to him! Check out the video bellow :)
- Breakfast: Cereals, fresh fruits, yoghurt, bread. Homemade baked beans and boiled eggs.
- Lunch: Wraps with a selection of meats, cheeses, and salads
- Dinner: Slow-roasted pork cuts with tomato and capsicum. Tuna and potato salad, celery and apple salad, and green salad. A selection of pickles, olives, and fresh vegetables.
- Subject to change. Vegetarian options always available.
Click here for more information about Summer Camp nutrition
Latest photos from Ardèche, France
- French Lessons
- Caverne du Pont d'Arc
- VC Olympics
- Dance off
