Summer Camp, July 2016
During the month of July, the Staff Association’s Children’s Day-Care Centre and School EVEE held a summer camp for 4- to 6-year-olds. 24 children altogether joined in on the adventures.
On the summer camp, the children got to “travel” to a different continent of the world every week. Day after day, they would pass through make-believe Customs upon arrival and get their passports stamped by a “customs officer”.
For the first week, we went on a trip to Africa. In the spirit of the theme, the children got to do plenty of crafts and coloring, make their own little bindles and play various games. They even had the chance to visit the Museum of Ethnography in Geneva (MEG), learn to play the balafon and make musical instruments with Sterrenlab.
For the second week, we set off to discover the Americas, exploring both the South and the North. Alongside different workshops (singing, dancing, storytelling, crafts), the children could enjoy several special activities. There was a “Cowboys and Indians” themed treasure hunt around the Nursery School, a Capoeira class, a visit to the CERN Fire Brigade, a scientific ink experiment with Sterrenlab and, finally, mini Olympic Games with various sports competitions and awards.
For the third week of camp, we embarked upon a journey across Asia. The children had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva, decorate lanterns while listening to stories, and discover the art of gardening with Sterrenlab. Every day, they could also take part in different workshops to do arts and crafts, read and play games.
In the fourth week, we explored Europe. We went on a trip to Salève, where we enjoyed the magnificent view, bouncy castles and mini golf. The children had fun painting papier-maché planets and they even got to handle marionette puppets before a marionette show.
On Tuesdays, when the weather allowed, we went to the swimming pool, and throughout the week the children could choose their favorites from many arts and crafts projects: drawing, molding salt dough, making bracelets, etc. They also had plenty of time to play together both indoors and out in the garden.
Even our mascot, a big bird called Plume, came to spend time with us. She told the children stories of her discoveries, and even surprised them with some goodies.
Every Friday, the children helped prepare little evening appetizers for their parents to celebrate another successful week of camp drawing to a close.
All in all, we shared unforgettable moments of joy and laughter together at the summer camp, and simply cannot wait to embark upon new adventures next year.
Carole, Sarah, Anaëlle and Christophe
