Summer Camp Ardèche, France
Option day / caverne
Salut!
Today has been another great day at the Ardeche, with perfect weather and 30 degree temperature for all of our activities. For the River Adventure crew, it was "Options" day, where the campers had the opportunity to pick their favourite activity of the first few days and go to an 'advanced' version, which took the whole day. Breakfast was eaten, lunches were packed, and before long everyone was off!
Six campers selected the advanced climbing option, which involved a drive out to Le Tunnel, next to the small town of Vogue, for a high wall on an abandoned railway track - right infront of a huge tunnel! As there were only six campers to 3 staff, everyone got plenty on time on the wall and a lot of opportunities to perfect their belaying, their figure eight knots, and their scrambles! We crossed through the tunnel and out the other side for lunch, before returning back to the wall for another set of climbs. After everyone tired out at about 4, we headed in to the village for icecreams, before getting back to camp for afternoon activities (a choice of swimming, field games, arts and crafts, or chilling in the hammock!)
The other sixteen River Adventure campers chose to go caving in the Grotte du Derocs, led by our caving specialists Mongoose and Lobster (Arch). This was another huge day - in order to get there, the campers first had to cross the Ardeche River by canoe-taxi, before hiking an hour eastwards to the caves. First up was a small cave where the campers completed an epic treasure hunt, crawling challenges, and played games - hide & seek and sardines in a real cave! After the games the crew headed outside for lunch before crossing over to explore a big cave, known around here as the "Supercave". This cave had 12,000 year-old carvings to inspect, old pottery, and even a labyrinth to get lost in! After more games, the campers made their way back out into the sunlight and hiked back to the river, canoed back over, and returned in time to meet the climbers and cool off in the river.
The french language students spent the morning visiting the Caverne Pont d'Arc, which the River campers visited yesterday - see yesterday's post for some pictures! They had a great time, eating lunch there and returning for afternoon French lessons and games. As a part of this, they drew their own cave paintings! (see the album for more).
The whole camp is now getting ready for dinner and chilling out after a huge day. Tonight's activity is Hotel Tango, where the campers have an opportunity to get together in their small groups and reflect, share, and prepare for the next section of the camp - the mini and the Grand descent! Tomorrow we will be going to Aqualand, and in the evening will be having pizzas - yum!
PS: Tonights football game, France vs. Germany, is the subject of much conversation! We will be streaming the game for the campers who are interested. Vive la France!
- Breakfast: A selection of breakfast cereals with fruit, yoghurt and honey. Baguette with butter and jam. Orange and apple juice.
- Lunch: Wraps with a healthy selection of salads, hummus, cheese, salami, ham, eggs, avocados, sauces, pickles, and veges!
- Dinner: Pasta with a barbeque-chicken and taragon sauce, leek and cheese tart for the vegetarians, and a chickpea salad with basil and sundried tomatoes. Green salad, pickles, olives, and baguette. For desert: Strawberry tart.
- Subject to change. Vegetarian options always available.
Click here for more information about Summer Camp nutrition
Latest photos from Ardèche, France
- Caving
- Climbing
- Caverne du Pont d'Arc
- Hotel Tango
