Summer in Switzerland at Leysin American School

SMALL COUNTRY Big Summer

Have the summer

of a Lifetime!

Dear Families,

Greetings from Leysin American School! Since 1949, LAS Summer in Switzerland has offered a transformative summer experience on our beautiful campus in the Swiss Alps. Our program combines all the elements of a robust learning journey. Whether you are developing your leadership skills, excelling as an athlete, or committing to your favorite area of study, LAS Summer has a place for you!

We welcome students from all over the world to connect in a safe and supportive alpine community. As one of our students, you will participate in classes, clubs, and exceptional summer activities. With Switzerland as your playground, your adventures range from close to campus (perhaps on our climbing wall or trying a new language) to quite far (such as one of our weekend excursions to cities such as Bern, Zurich, Lucerne, or Interlaken). When our students talk about what brings them back year after year, we hear about the friendships they have forged, the adventures they enjoyed, and the memories created. Your days begin and end in our home-like dormitories with your friends and classmates. After a delicious breakfast, you will join our Morning Program, choosing between one of our four possible tracks. After lunch, you will enjoy your club (options include cooking and baking, sports options, or pursuing more creative interests such as visual arts). Later in the afternoon, you will choose an on-campus or off-campus activity. Whether you enjoy hiking, reading, dancing, horseback riding, friendship bracelet making, learning the ukulele, or ice skating, there is an activity for you! During the evenings, you will find yourself at a dorm movie night (with all the popcorn and chocolate you can imagine!) or on an evening hike that ends with s’mores by the campfire.

Please take a few minutes to learn more about how you can make Leysin American School your home this coming summer. I look forward to seeing you around campus and know that once you are here, you will forever be a part of our very special LAS Family!

Kindest Regards, Anneke

Daily Schedule

Something for Everyone

Morning Programs

Students have four fun-filled options to choose from during our morning program, which runs daily from 9:00-12:00 on Monday through Thursday. They will stick with their choice for the entire three-week program. Choose one of four tracks: Enrichment, Leadership, Language Acquisition, or Sports.

Track 1: Track 2: Track 3: Track 4:

Enrichment:

Students in the Enrichment Track select two 90-minute courses during the Morning Program (9:00 AM -12:00 PM).

Creative Writing: In this course, students engage in a variety of projects that allow them to develop their intellectual curiosity while looking at how humankind has transformed and explored the world (and universe) around them through creative writing.

Da Vinci Lab: In this course, students tackle various projects while developing their technical skills in building, programming, and developing solutions in our Makerspace. Working individually or on a team, our students take charge of their learning and develop creative solutions.

Nature & Math: In this course, students reach beyond formulas and computations to explore the mathematics behind patterns, relationships, and real-world problems. Students develop their creative and communication skills by investigating mathematics as both an art and a tool.

Language Acquisition:

Students in the Language Acquisition Track select either English OR French to study for the duration of the Morning Program (9:00 AM -12:00 PM).

English Stream: Courses are available at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Classes occur both on and off campus.

French Stream: Courses are available at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Classes occur both on and off campus.

Enrichment Language Leadership Sports

Leadership: Students in the Leadership Track choose one leadership course for the duration of the Morning Program (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).

Alpine Leadership: In this course, students challenge themselves and each other to develop physically and mentally by participating in a robust outdoor experience while learning orienteering, first aid & CPR, survival skills, rock-climbing, belaying, and tentbuilding.

Innovation, Creativity, & Entrepreneurship: Students explore what it takes to be a successful social innovator, how to define problems, devise solutions for impact, envision the future, and turn ideas into action.

Sports: Students in the Sports Track select either tennis or football (soccer) for the duration of the Morning Program (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).

Peak Tennis International: Students engage in a diverse and dynamic program for the ultimate tennis camp experience in the Swiss Alps. The multicultural coaching team (led by program director Regina Sertschnigg) consists of experienced and passionate professionals and specialists.

Djourou Elite Football Camp (Soccer): Students are part of an esteemed football program that provides players of all levels with the opportunity to learn from passionate, experienced coaches.

Afternoon Programs

Every student will participate in clubs and activities after lunch. While students select one club for the duration of the summer program, they can participate in many different activities and change their activities daily.

Clubs

Activities

Activities meet Monday through Thursday (16:00-17:45). The activities offered vary from day to day, and students will select their activities weekly (and they may change them daily). We offer a full range of activities, including (but not limited to):

Evening Activities

During the evenings, students enjoy dormitory socials, including movie nights, fashion shows, sports nights, game nights, and so much more. In addition, students and dorm teams work together to come up with activities and snacks!

The Faculty Family Program is a hallmark of Leysin American School and Summer in Switzerland. Each family includes two or three staff “parents” who oversee a group of similarly-aged students during the summer session. Families have meals, attend events, and enjoy activities together. Our Faculty Parents also look after the well-being of their Faculty Children.

Residential Life

Students are divided into two age groups (9-12 & 13-16) so that all activities are ageappropriate. Students reside in doubles and triples on campus, and they have roommates from locations worldwide! Each room has ensuite facilities, a safe, desk, a chair, and a wardrobe. Our spacious dormitories also offer incredible views of the Swiss Alps!

Each dormitory has amenities that make them feel like home—a fully functional kitchen space, common areas and lounges, and laundry facilities. Dormitory entrances are accessed by residents using their FOBs, providing a secure environment for all students. In addition, every dormitory is staffed by a Dorm Head and team of Dorm Parents who reside in the building and are on hand to support the students at any time, day or night. Our Health Center is also available for students seven days a week.

Weekend Activities

Weekends begin with a late wake-up and a delicious brunch, followed by activities out of town (sign up for your favorite one!) and a late return to Leysin. Some of our weekend destinations include:

We end the day with a fun family dinner and an evening activity. Weekend evenings include talent shows, karaoke parties, dances, and social events in the dormitories.

Students also enjoy our favorite summer traditions, including a day at Villeneuve on the lake and the Berneuse Challenge, a hike of our closest peak with incredible views! We also celebrate two special holidays with fireworks and festivities: July 4 (US Independence Day) and August 1 (Swiss National Day). Finally, we end each session with our Closing Banquet, a special evening with traditional Swiss cuisine and Chocolate Fondue!

Bern, Lucerne, Zurich, Lausanne, Geneva

Whether

With so many activities and adventures to choose from, students can pursue their passions while developing new skills and interests!

on our beautiful mountain campus in Leysin or journeying around Switzerland, we always have a great time!

Did you know?

Two Age Groups: we offer two age groups (9-12 & 13-16)

50 Meters: the shortest distance a student traveled to LAS Summer in 2022

20,000 Kilometers: the longest distance a student traveled to LAS Summer in 2022

35+ Activities: with more than 35 activities offered, you will find something you love

45 Nationalities: the number of nationalities our students represent (and our staff members add 15 more!)

74 Years: the number of years we have been running our incredible summer program

Face-to-Face Fun: cell phone usage is limited to certain times of day in the dormitories, so all students participate in the fun

2023 Dates & Prices

Session 1: June 26 - July 14

Session 2: July 16 - August 4

LAS Summer Fee: 8,100 CHF (one session) or 15,000 CHF (both sessions)

For more information and to apply, visit las. ch/summer, scan the QR code on the right, or contact us at las.ch/summer.

las.ch/summer summer@las.ch