Welcome to the Altitude Summer Camp! A residential summer camp is an amazing experience for kids to participate in and we want it to be a smooth trip from start to finish. This blog is here to give you an insight into the rules at camp, what to pack and some other useful information to help you prepare for summer camp. Anything we’ve missed? Just give us a call and we will be happy to help.
Arrivals
We advise residential campers to arrive from 2 pm on Sunday, allowing the children time to unpack before getting to know new friends in the evening. If you are dropping your children off at camp, please let us know when you expect to arrive. If your children are flying in, and you have booked an airport transfer, please ensure you let us know their flight number, landing time, departure airport and if they are booked as an Unaccompanied Minor.
Departures
Departure is on Saturday at the end of your stay. Ideally, it’s nice for the children to take part in our excursion day on the Saturday which runs until 4pm. Therefore we advise picking up between 4-6pm.
For those picking up their children from the camp, we are happy to arrange for their luggage to be taken to the excursion so that you can pick them up directly from the excursion rather than travelling up to Verbier.
Electronics Policy
We strongly believe that children should make the most of their summer camp experience. For this reason, we have a policy that all electronic equipment is handed to camp staff at the beginning of the camp. Children have access to these in their free time (16h-18h). This ensures that children fully participate in activities and reduces the risk of items getting lost.
Dietary Requirements
It is important to us here at Altitude to provide healthy meals for children. Our fantastic team of chefs prepare food freshly on the day using local nutritious ingredients. We cater for all dietary and religious requirements so please send any requirements before arrival. If you have any concerns about meal times, please get in touch and we can discuss requirements and work with you and our chefs in advance.
Medical Information
If kids have any medical conditions, we must be made aware to ensure their safety at camp. Altitude will treat any personal information with sensitivity and total confidentiality.
All medication is stored in a secure area and must be labelled with clear instructions and dosages in English. All medication is administered by a Duty Manager.
All medication, including those that aren’t prescription, must be handed into a Duty Manager.
Emergencies
In case of an emergency, there are 3 local medical centres in Verbier and 3 regional hospitals within 1 hour by car or 10 minutes by helicopter. The Swiss medical services offer first-class medical care and attention if required. In any such situation parents/guardians are notified as soon as possible.
Insurance
In the unlikely event that your child needs to visit the hospital or doctor, it is important to have adequate insurance in place to cover medical centre fees and hospital fees. Please pack your insurance information is packed in your child’s luggage.
Camp Conduct
Altitude promotes an environment of mutual respect, fun, enjoyment and learning. We believe that every child has an equal right to have a fantastic time with us and our staff always keep a close eye on any teasing, bullying or any other anti-social behaviour that may affect other campers’ experience with us.
These situations are rare on our camps and pre-season staff training covers how to look out for any signs of bullying. However, please tell your children that if this does happen, they should inform a member of our staff immediately. Altitude has rules in place regarding any child who is deliberately spoiling another camper’s experience. If we believe any behaviour is detrimental to the summer camp spirit, we will contact the parent or guardian to decide on further action.
Altitude fully reserves all rights to send any child home at the parent/guardians’ expense should we perceive their behaviour to be inappropriate. Such behaviours include but are not limited to: drinking of alcohol, threatening behaviour towards staff, students or anyone else, use of illegal drugs, smoking, entering rooms used by the opposite sex, leaving the chalet at night time after lights out and bullying.
Emergency Contact
Altitude is happy for you to contact us throughout the camp. Our phone is available for calls / WhatsApp 24/7 during camp sessions with the number +41795305224.
Money
Our in-house bank houses all important documents and money. On arrival campers must deposit all funds into this bank – please advise your child about this before their arrival. Daily, duty managers will open the bank to allow kids to have a regular fund of pocket money. We recommend a weekly allowance of no more than CHF 100.
Snacks
We will provide snacks for campers each day in the morning and afternoon as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please avoid sending any snacks to camp. Any snacks will be removed as we don’t allow food in the bedrooms.
Homesickness & Illness
If your child becomes homesick or ill, a camp director will contact you, so we can work together to resolve the situation.
Packing for Camp
This list reflects what the “average” camper needs and uses during a 2-week Altitude Summer Camp; however, we realise that it may not be perfect for all campers. Please remember to apply name tags to clothing.
- 14 x underwear
- 2 x pyjamas or nightwear
- 4 x shorts
- 4 x trousers*
- 14 x t-shirts
- 5 x jumpers
- 1 x sweat top and bottoms
- 1 x raincoat
- 1 x backpack
- 1 x water bottle
* 1 or 2 pairs of jeans are ok but 2 pairs need to be able to be used for sport
- 1 x sun hat
- 1 x sunglasses
- 1 x sun lotion
- 2 x swimwear
- 2 x towels**
- 1 x flip flops
- 1 x trainers
- Toiletry Bag (including toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel etc.)
- Laundry Bag
** 1 for the beach and 1 for showering
Please remember, don’t bring any unnecessary valuables. If you bring items such as cameras, computers, iPads or musical instruments, Altitude cannot be responsible for any loss or damage.
Private Lessons
For any private lessons booked, these will be organised during the free time each day. The schedule will be provided on arrival day.
Do you have any questions about preparing for summer camp? Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
We can’t wait to welcome you!
