JARDINAGE BIO BIDOUILLES ET RATATOUILLE

VSF Camp 17 – Age 6/12

« Séjour Nature et Découverte »

Immersion Ratio (per group): 20 French campers / 3 Foreign campers

Activities

GARDENING

• The Organic Garden:

The children will plant, re-prick, dig, weed cabbages, leeks, lettuces, tomatoes, beans, small peas, radish, carrots, cabbages… and will also discover the pleasure of harvesting; their favorite activity however is watering the garden every evening!

Among other activities, our young campers will create a compost bin, recover ashes from of the baker’s oven to spread around their vegetables, they will work the dirt properly to help naturally retain humidity, and they will recycle water for the garden …

• The Garden of the Senses:

Sensory games in the garden, using the aromatic plants (smell): thyme, lavender, rosemary, mint (creation of perfumed balls). Using the stinging nettle, the brambles, the pink roses (touch); and the singings of birds or the humming of bees (hearing) etc…

ORGANIC COOKING

• Preparing Salads with zucchini flowers and fruits, carrot soup, eggplant caviar…
• Making Jams (with local strawberries, plums, cherries), strawberry milk or raspberry syrup, delicious!
• Making and baking bread, tarts and organic pizza in the old communal bread oven of the village,
• Preparation and organization of an organic banquet for all the other children in the village.

ECO-CONSTRUCTION AND DO-IT-YOURSELF:

• Construction of huts:“Cabane-torchis” (cob), constructions in the trees or behind rocks. 
  The children will discover the pleasure in building their « refuge », a space which belongs to them …
• Recycled paper:
  From old newspapers or from ripped magazines, let’s make some real hand made paper
• The Solar furnace:
  Using a pizza box and aluminum foil, they will make their individual solar furnace and cook an egg on it!
• Wind workshop:
  Campers will build small windmills, and they will study how the wind produces power and energy.

CARE FOR THE FARM ANIMALS:

Designing and building feeders and drinkers, perches, landing platforms etc… with stones and branches (for birds, insects, hedgehogs…) 

DISCOVERY OF THE LOCAL FAUNA AND FLORA:

Nature by itself is a tremendous encyclopedia. An open book in which the children will learn to read the local flora and fauna under the supervision of specialized counselors.

While hiking, the children will learn how to recognize footprints from different animals, discover their feeding places and hide-outs… They will observe nature, get to know the forest with all its plants, trees, and many flowers (such as wild orchids, very famous in the region).

Other activities

– CANOE ON THE TARN RIVER:
A descent of the Tarn river in a canoe will familiarize you with the current: small rapids, green landscapes, discovery of the local fauna and flora and of course swimming in the river!

– Initiation in ROCK CLIMBING
– Adventure Course
– Swimming pool on site at the center.

Choice of Field Trips

I had a great time in France this summer, I will definitely come back and recommend this to my all friends in California. The camp counselors were great and I made many friends, I will always remember them. Most of all I mproved my French a lot. My best memories will be : the great field trips, the dance parties, the French people and all the great villages I visited but most of all the friends, counselors and people who were there with me. I wish I never had to leave the camp what else can I say? »Camp is great and I definitely want to come back!! »

 Caitlin. Age 11, (USA)

Camp Location: « LE HAMEAU DE MOULÈS »

TRANSPORTATION: With the VSF group (and the French children) by TGV train from Paris to Montpellier (escorted by the camp staff) – transfer by shuttle bus to the camp site.
…For more info on Transportation click here