Simon's Switzerland

 

This past week was the annual Week Without Walls trips for Qatar Academy. 188 students and 30 teachers traveled to 9 countries around the world for unique educational opportunities.  Simon spent a week in the fresh outdoors of the Swiss Alps. He flew with 30 classmates to Geneva and then took a bus to the town of Leysin, Switzerland.

Yes Simon at the top

Simon was at an adventure camp that included lots of outdoor activities. The focus of the trip was to learn how to protect the environment and to enjoy the beauty of nature. Rock climbing, Zip-lining, hiking, and negotiating a Ropes Course were the more physical activities.

They also spent time walking paths in the forest, building a shelter, and starting a fire. They practiced using a compass and reading maps.

Evian Natural Spring water flows from the Swiss Alps and Simon said it felt like the shower water was also Evian. There are lots of decorative drinking fountains in the towns they visited.

The students learned how mountains were formed and were within view of the spectacular Matterhorn Mountain. At 4476 metres (about 14,000 feet) the Matterhorn is one of Switzerland's biggest icons! The mountain is shaped like a pyramid with four facets and sits on the border between Italy and Switzerland. You may recognize it from the Toblerone bar!

Simon's group traveled to the town of Zermatt and then took cable cars part-way up the mountain. The snow was a big hit among those students who had never seen it before. They had opportunity to walk in it, to play in it, and to throw snowballs.


Simon explained how the town of Zermatt allows no petrol cars -- only electric so the air is even cleaner there.

The final day of the camp included a day trip to the Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva.