Welcome to the Haut-Lac Residential Camps, an unforgettable adventure that promises a unique blend of cultural immersion, outdoor exploration, and personal growth. This participant’s guidebook is your key to unlocking a world of exciting experiences, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories during your time in Switzerland. Whether you’re a first-time camper or returning for another summer of fun, this guide is here to help you navigate every aspect of your journey. So, get ready to embark on an incredible adventure, where you’ll discover the beauty of the French Swiss Alps and the thrill of new horizons. Your experience of a lifetime begins here!
Passport & Visas
Make sure your child has a valid passport and the appropriate visa to enter Switzerland and the EU area, if necessary. No refund will be given if a child is unable to start camp due to passport or visa delays.
Arrival & Departure
Arrivals: between 10:00 and 17:00 on Sundays Departures: between 8:00 and 12:00 on Saturdays
If you are unable to respect the official arrival and departure days, please let us know in advance.
Airport transfers from and to Geneva airport on arrival and departures days are included in the camp fees. Should you need one at another time, we charge CHF320 per person one way.
Arrival Day
Upon arrival, Haut-Lac Camp staff will greet you, show you to your child’s room and give you a tour of the facilities.
Once all the new students have arrived, the Camp Directors will welcome everyone, provide logistical information and answer any questions.
Travel
We recommend you travel with about CHF 100 in cash for emergencies.
By plane
The nearest airport is Geneva. If travelling by air, especially from outside Europe, please put necessities in your hand luggage in case your luggage is delayed.
UM service
Most airlines offer an unaccompanied minor service (UM) for children aged 12 or under travelling alone. Please check the airline’s policy when booking your child’s flight. We can arrange for a member of camp staff to wait with unaccompanied minors until they board for CHF65 per hour. If you’d like to use this service, please let us know in advance.
By Train or Car
We will send you maps with directions to Haut-Lac Camps before the start your child’s camp start date.
If you plan on dropping your child off by train, you can check the timetables here. If you would like to use the free pick-up service from Vevey train station, please let us know in advance.
Medical Insurance
Accident and illness insurance is included in camp fees for all students.
This insurance covers 100% of all new accidents and/or illnesses that occur when your child is at camp. Injuries or illnesses present before arrival at Haut-Lac Camps are not included.
Feel free to ask our office for more details on this insurance policy.
Medication
All medication should be handed in upon arrival to be dispensed by staff at the appropriate times.
If your child requires medication (prescription or non-prescription), please label it clearly with your child’s name and provide clear, written instructions on how it administer it.
Who to Contact
Stevie McShane Director - Academic Programmes, Teaching Staff, Operations, Marketing
Julie McShane Director - Finance, Administration, House and Kitchen
All Directors and secretaries speak English and French.
Packing List
Haut-Lac camps will provide all bed linen and towels in rooms.
Please pack an adequate amount of clothes for the duration of your stay.
All seasons
• Personal items - soap, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc., beach/pool towel, face cloth
• Clothing and shoes – leisure footwear, trainers with non-marking soles, swimming trunks or swimsuit, cap/hat, socks, underwear, pyjamas, bathrobe, slippers, raincoat
Summer – shorts, t-shirts, jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, summer dresses, sun cream, own sports equipment (optional)
Winter – warm coat and clothes, shorts, t-shirts, jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, ski/snowboard clothes, warm hat, own sports equipment (optional)
If travelling from abroad, please note the electrical current in Switzerland is 220 Volts / 50 cycles, with a 2 or 3 round pin socket. You may therefore need an adapter for any personal electrical.
Daily Timetable
08:00 Wake-up - tidy rooms
08:30 Breakfast - finish tidying rooms
09:00 - 10:35 Class 1 & 2 or start of morning activity programme
10:35 - 10:55 Break
10:55 - 12:30 Class 3 & 4
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 - 17:00 Afternoon activities
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Evening Activities
21:30 Bed 8 to 9-year olds - Light out 22:00
21:45 Bed 10 to 11-year olds - Light out 22:15
22:00 Bed 12 to 14-year olds - Light out 22:30
22:15 Bed 15+ year olds - Light out 22:45
Pocket Money
We recommend you store pocket money and valuables in the camp safe.
You will be able to take pocket money out before breakfast and dinner from Monday to Saturday.
Local prices
• Burger meal CHF18
• Soft drink at a cafe CHF5
• Ice-cream CHF3.50
• Pizza CHF20
Food Service
Haut-Lac Camp provides three tasty, healthy meals per day – breakfast, lunch and dinner – based on the recommended requirements for young people and their preferences.
Breakfast - a choice of cereals, bread, toast, butter, jam, tea, orange juice, milk and coffee. Lunch and dinner - soups, salad, fresh vegetables, pasta and rice dishes, pizza, hamburgers, chicken, etc.
If your child has special dietary requirements, please let us know on the enrolment form.
Councillors
Each House Team has a councillor, who is responsible for settling the students in and ensuring their needs are met. The students meet their councillor on the very first day of their stay so they know who to contact should they need to.
Laundry Service
Haut-Lac Camp provides a laundry service for students.
Your child may leave clothes (except items requiring special treatment such as hand-washing) out for washing on a Friday and collect them again on a Tuesday. Please label their clothes if you want them to use this service.
Rules
Haut-Lac Camp is primarily concerned with student well-being and ensuring smooth-running programmes. Disciplinary action is to be understood in this context and interpreted as part of the educational process.
The Camp Directors are responsible for order and discipline, but all teachers and staff work to actively maintain the standards of our programmes.
Major Rules
Drugs: The possession or use of any illegal substances or the possession of paraphernalia for their use is strictly forbidden. All drugs for medical use must be registered at the office.
Alcohol: Alcohol is not permitted on campus at any time.
Smoking & Vaping: Haut-Lac Camp is a smoke-free environment. Smoking & vaping are not permitted in the building or at any time during activities and excursions. Parents of any student found smoking without permission will be contacted immediately.
Stealing: A lack of respect for the property of others, including community and Camp property is not acceptable.
Vandalism: Vandalism and destruction of property will not be tolerated.
Unauthorised Mixed Company: Boys and girls at the Camp have the right to privacy in their rooms. The Camp has an obligation towards parents to maintain the integrity of a single sex living situation, so boys are not allowed on the girl’s floor and vice versa.
Violence: Violence towards students, staff or the public will not be tolerated.
After Lights Out: Rowdiness or absence from your room after lights out is considered a serious offence and will be dealt with accordingly. Other students and staff should be able to sleep without being disturbed.
Dangerous items: Guns, firecrackers, knives and other dangerous items are prohibited at camp.
Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are allowed, but must be handed in to the office and will be given out at certain times of the day for use. Please give the office your and your child’s number on arrival. We recommend you take out an appropriate travel data pack for your child with their service provider.
Unauthorised Campus Exit: No students are allowed off campus without staff permission.
Please note: The Camp reserves the right to expel without reimbursement any student found guilty of violating serious rules such as those above.
Important Information
Nearest Airport: Geneva - 1 hour and 30 minutes by minibus and good rail connections to the Camp.
Hotels: There are many deluxe and family hotels in the region. Vevey and Montreux would be the closest to the Camp.
Visits to the Camp: All are welcome to visit the Haut-Lac Camp. Office hours are 08:00 to 17:00. Please contact us to arrange a time as we are often off campus. Special arrangements can be made for weekends.
Useful addresses and telephone numbers
Administration: Haut-Lac Camp, Chemin de Pangires 26, 1806 St-Légier
Office phone no.: + 41 21 555 5000
E-mail: camps@haut-lac.ch
