Les%20elfessummer 2016

INTERNATIONAL Spring & Summer camps SWITZERLAND SPRING VERBIER ZERMATT SUMMER VERBIER

Girls & Boys 7-18 years old

INTERNATIONAL CAMPS IN SWITZERLAND Girls & Boys 7-18 years old OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES / LANGUAGES / EXCURSIONS

SUMMARY PAGE 04

THE LEGEND OF les ELFES

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SPRING CAMP VERBIER – ZERMATT 7 - 18 years OLD

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SUMMER CAMP VERBIER 7 - 17 years OLD

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Les Elfes Partners, USEFUL INFORMATION

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Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

THE LEGEND OF LES ELFES Designed for students from all corners of the world, our Les Elfes Camps offer unique and enriching experiences to young people from 7 to 18 years old.

Holidays which combine the discovery and practice of exciting new sports and activities with learning and brushing up on languages.

At Les Elfes every guest is a young adult, with each and every one expressing his or her individuality within a truly international circle. Children and teenagers come from over 60 different countries to have an unforgettable holiday trying new sports and activities, discovering other cultures and making new friends.

From the programme of activities to the quality of accommodation, sports instructors, language teachers and administrators, everything has been provided for so that you can entrust your children to our care with a feeling of security. They will return with everlasting fantastic memories of their holidays, whether in spring, summer or winter.

ORGANIZATION Les Elfes has been founded by Philippe and Nicole Stettler in 1987. Together with the head office in Verbier, they run the marketing, public relations, school programs administration and supervise the organization.

Each camp is supported by a Resort Manager and an Activities Manager whose job is to co-ordinate the instructors & counselors, supervise the activities, manage security, and in general keep things running smoothly at the camps. Each age group is managed by a group leader, an assistant, and a team of instructors & counselors who accompany and take

care of the children during activities and throughout the camp. On top of this we use professional instructors for certain activities offered during the sessions.

Finally, there is a team of kitchen staff, cleaners, drivers and others, all of whom watch over the wellbeing of our guests during the camps.

MEALS Les Elfes Camps offer large buffet breakfasts and varied lunches and dinners designed to satisfy all students based on our experience with camps and student travel programmes since 1987. Meals are prepared with fresh products and the wide-ranging international menus are well balanced and tailored to the youngsters’ needs, requirements and wishes.

Together the chefs and their teams prepare a variety of meals that also cater for the special needs of each individual (e.g. Vegetarian diet, European diet, Religious diet, etc).

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STAFF & SAFETY Our dedicated and enthusiastic team of staff are 100% focused on the safety of the participants and the smooth running of the activities programmes.

Each camp is supervised by a Resort Manager, an Activities Manager and a Head of Animation.

Les Elfes run the camps with all the appropriate staff, including monitors, animators, kitchen staff, secretaries, drivers, cleaners etc.

The ratio of animators to participants is 1:5 but if all the staff at Les Elfes are included, then it is 1:2.

All our monitors have been carefully selected, in accordance with the Les Elfes criteria, for their skills and experience in working with children.

We endeavor to provide the perfect mix of guardian, friend and teacher to all the participants, and, while we are there to ensure that participants are happy, parents have peace of mind, knowing that their child’s safety is paramount. We are very conscious of the enormous responsibility that caring for children entails and are completely focused on their well-being. Nevertheless, in the event of illness or accident, we are only minutes away from worldclass professional assistance.

All our summer and winter monitors and instructors are required to take a two week training course before the beginning of each season, one week of technical training and one week to learn and become acquainted with the philosophy of Les Elfes and the safety requirements. Our Activities Managers

supervise the work of our monitors and instructors throughout the day.

In the winter, all our ski and snowboard instructors are accredited by the official Swiss Ski School, and in the summer each instructor specializes in the various sports offered at Les Elfes.

Les Elfes also use sports experts for some activities.

Risks assessments are designed for each activity and are signed by all our monitors and head instructors during the morning briefing sessions and evening debriefing sessions that are held daily.

All our camps have their own nurse, a 24-hour reception and a night guard, which, together with the work undertaken by all our monitors, enables us to offer 24-hour supervision of the youngsters.

We have 3 state-of-the-art clinics in Verbier, and both camps have access to a regional hospital and two University hospitals only 40 minutes and 75 minutes away respectively or just 10 minutes by helicopter.

Watch our staff & safety video

HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARD OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TUITION AT ALL OUR CAMPS The regular foreign language programmes offered

by Les Elfes provide 8 hours of language tuition a week. If youngsters wish to learn a new language or improve their conversational skills, they will be offered 2 hours of tuition 4 days a week.

Our intensive programmes of 15 hours of language tuition a week, three hours of tuition a day (5 days a week) are divided into two parts, with two hours devoted to grammar and writing, followed by an hour of conversation practice.

There are a maximum of 7 participants in an intensive programme class. The teachers are young, helpful and enthusiastic university graduates, and the youngsters are placed in appropriate groups based on a proficiency test taken on the first day.

As part of the language learning programme, participants receive a certificate signed and graded by their teacher and also produce a weekly camp newsletter which is published on our website. Exam preparation – if students have an exam coming up, we will help them in the preparation. Verbier is situated in the French-speaking area of Switzerland and French is widely spoken in and around the camp.

However, since it is an international camp, English is the official language of the camp and during their stay at Les Elfes youngsters will be able to practice the language of their choice with their friends, which is undoubtedly the best www.verbierlanguageschool.com way to achieve fluency in a foreign language.

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Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

SPRING CAMPS VERBIER-ZERMATT Girls & Boys 7 - 18 years old

“ I love you Verbier, I love you Les Elfes, Greatest place, my heart always beats 10000 times faster when I am there… Forever love you Les Elfes Verbier ”

THE PERFECT MIX OF SUMMER AND WINTER CAMPS IN SPRING TIME The Spring Camp offered by Les Elfes in Zermatt and Verbier gives you a unique opportunity to mix a winter camp with spring skiing in Zermatt and outdoor summer activities in Verbier.

WINTER PART OF THE SPRING CAMP IN ZERMATT

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND

ACTIVITIES IN ZERMATT

Zermatt, at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, is a world without cars. Electric-vehicles and horse-drawn sleighs and carriages are the only transport allowed. It has a wind-protected southern location, embracing three ski areas, superb snow conditions and the longest skiing season in the Alps. Spring / Summer skiing is possible on the everlasting glacial snow at the foot of the Matterhorn, at an altitude between 2900 m and 3900 m. There are 21 km of well-marked and safe runs, among them a downhill run of 7 km with a 999 m difference in altitude. This white wonderland and the magic of the Matterhorn combine to create endless opportunities for summer skiing, and a vast variety of activity options.

The week in Zermatt is mainly focused on skiing or snowboarding.

ACCOMMODATION IN ZERMATT

• The six days skiing or snowboarding activity gives the children the ability to ski all the way down the mountain, a skill that they will have for the rest of their lives.

In Zermatt we use the 4* Hotel Albana Real, exclusively reserved for our camps. It is located 300 m from the centre of Zermatt and 300 m from the departure of the cable car. The rooms have 4 beds and are en-suite with all the luxurious extras you would expect from a 4* hotel in Switzerland. Spectacular views of the Matterhorn, a comfortable lounge area, library, fitness room and swimming pool complete the facilities at the hotel. ( www.HotelAlbanareal.com )

• Three hours of ski or snowboard tuition every morning in small classes.

• After lunch a further two hours of ski guiding with the same instructor. This is the time when the students practise what they have learnt in the morning.

• Daily après ski and evening activities are fully supervised by our staff. Swimming, ice skating, movies, indoor games, outdoor games, etc.

• Our mountain staff are professional ski/snowboard instructors.

Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

SUMMER PART OF THE SPRING CAMP IN VERBIER

VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

ACTIVITIES IN VERBIER

Verbier, the original home of Les Elfes, is situated in the heart of one of the most beautiful regions of the Swiss Alps. Directly opposite Le Grand Combin which rises to 4300 m, Verbier’s stunning location on a south facing plateau guarantees an exceptionally sunny climate in both summer and winter.

The week in Verbier is mainly focused on summer camp activities.

In addition to the breathtaking Panoramic views, Verbier is a cosmopolitan resort with a variety of shopping, eating and entertainment possibilities, and deserves its reputation as one of Europe’s finest mountain resorts.

ACCOMMODATION IN VERBIER Our two purpose built wood and stone chalets follow the Swiss Alpine tradition and offer charm and comfort to our guests. Both chalets are situated in green, peaceful surroundings and only five minutes from the centre of Verbier. The girls and boys are separated in each of the two chalets, which are completely equipped for holiday camps :

Sports activities • Ropes course, tennis, swimming, golf, rock climbing, hiking, the Aquapark, waterskiing, basketball, football, etc. Optional paragliding tandem flights and horseback riding are also available.

Evening activities • Group games, cinema, disco and a visit to Europe’s largest labyrinth.

Language classes • French and English lessons available eight hours per week.

Cultural and sightseeing excursions include two full day excursions to Lausanne, Geneva, Bern, Montreux or Gruyères.

All activities are under the supervision of our counselors, and under the care of professional mountain guides for certain activities.

• A permanently staffed and welcoming reception hall.

• Large rooms with 4 beds and ensuite bathrooms.

• Two spacious, sunny dining rooms with an openplan sitting room and an open fireplace leading onto a south facing terrace with a barbecue.

• A library, games hall, cinema, music room ( or discothèque ), classrooms, conference rooms and free wifi.

ZURICH BERN

• Professionally equipped kitchens in both buildings.

• All equipment for indoor and outdoor games and sports ( football field, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, golf putting / driving range, trampoline, pétanque area and climbing walls ).

Make a virtual tour through our Verbier campus

LAUSANNE GENEVE

MONTREUX ZERMATT 1620 m MATTERHORN 4478 m

MARTIGNY MONT-BLANC 4807 m

VERBIER 1500 m GD-COMBIN 4314 m

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Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

SUMMER CAMP VERBIER Girls & Boys 7 - 17 years old 3 different Age Groups

VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

ACCOMMODATION IN VERBIER

Verbier, the original home of Les Elfes, is situated in the heart of one of the most beautiful regions of the Swiss Alps. Directly opposite Le Grand Combin which rises to 4300 m, Verbier’s stunning location on a south facing plateau guarantees an exceptionally sunny climate in both summer and winter.

Our two purpose built wood and stone chalets follow the Swiss Alpine tradition and offer charm and comfort to our guests. Both chalets are situated in green, peaceful surroundings and only five minutes from the centre of Verbier. The girls and boys are separated in each of the two chalets, which are completely equipped for holiday camps :

In addition to the breathtaking Panoramic views, Verbier is a cosmopolitan resort with a variety of shopping, eating and entertainment possibilities, and deserves its reputation as one of Europe’s finest mountain resorts.

• A permanently staffed and welcoming reception hall.

• Large rooms with 4 beds and ensuite bathrooms.

• Two spacious, sunny dining room with an open­planned sitting room and an open fireplace leading onto a south facing terrace with a barbecue.

• A library, games hall, cinema, music room ( or discothèque ), classrooms, conference rooms and free wifi.

• Professionally equipped kitchens in both buildings.

• All equipment for indoor and outdoor games and sports (football field, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, golf putting / driving range, trampoline, pétanque area and climbing walls).

Make a virtual tour through our campus

“ Thank you,Les Elfes…For helping me have the best trip ever! The last two weeks have been the best of my life… ”

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Summer Camp DESCRIPTION Our Summer Camp situated in Verbier runs from the beginning of June to the end of August.

Les Elfes offers a chance to meet young people from all over the world, learn new languages or brush up on existing languages, explore Switzerland and get involved in a range of over 40 different Outdoor Activities. We offer several sessions from 2-4 weeks in length.

3 Age Groups We propose three different programmes for three different age groups : • Discoverers : 7 - 11 years old • Explorers : 12-14 years old • Pioneers : 15-17 years old Language courses 8-hours per week of language lessons are included in the price, with lessons in French, English, Spanish or German (intensive language courses of 15 hours per week and private lessons are also available).

Sports & Activities Exciting outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, mountain biking, ropes courses, wakeboarding, tubing, paragliding, basketball, hiking, swimming, ice-skating, paddleboarding, tennis, golf, horseback riding and many more.

Excursions Excursions to Bern, Lausanne, Geneva (United Nations & Old Town), cheese and chocolate factories, and Montreux (Chillon Castle) are organized in order to provide children the best experience Switzerland has to offer.

Arts Clubs Campers can choose between several clubs in the evenings including Arts & Crafts, Dance Academy, Hollywood, Mountain Orienteering, Music Video, Photography, Rockstar, Tapas, and more.

Watch our official Summer Camp Movie

“ Best place I’ve ever been to!

Had a lot of Fun! Eveyone was super kind and amazing! I will miss you guys! ”

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Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

3 Age Groups

“ My son enjoyed very much his stay at Les Elfes and in the next future he will join again your camp. ”

Discovery Camp : 7-11 Years OLD Les Elfes Discovery Camp is designed specifically for our youngest campers aged 7-11 years and provides an ideal first camp experience. With sensitive guidance of our experienced staff, kids will make a big step forward and discover new exciting sports and Swiss attractions while making new friends in a very international environment. For our discoverers, Les Elfes hires specialized and experienced councilors, which can care for the wellbeing and the needs of our youngest campers.

Explorer Camp : 12-14 Years OLD For our more, but still intermediately experienced campers aged 12-14 years. Activities are age adapted and become more challenging. There are plenty of activities to choose, from ropes course, water sports at Lake Geneva (tubing, kayaking, and wakeboarding), mountain biking, rock climbing, and much more. Excursions include the neighboring cantons in Switzerland.

Leadership Training Les Elfes offers an exclusive one-day leadership training. We work with highly professional experts from Highford House who developed a unique and fun-based Leadership Training. Our campers will gain valuable practical skills, such as goal setting,

presentation skills, group dynamics and the essence of time management, which will be discussed and experienced during interactive presentations, great role-plays and exciting fun-filled games. www.highfordhouse.com

Pioneer Camp : 15-17 Years OLD A great opportiunity to socialize and make many friends from around the globe. Pioneers are our most experienced campers and serve as role models. They receive certain priviledges, such as agreen card in order to go to the village without a monitor during free time. Activities become more challenging.

Career Orientation training Pioneers can complete a one day initiation on career orientation with experts. Based on an interactive method, the students will discover their talents, interests and management styles and how to apply these elements in their professional orientation.

Each student receives a motivation profile and his personal talent definition. www.peopleprimetime.eu

Language courses The regular foreign language programmes at Les Elfes provide 8 hours of language tuition a week.

For youngsters who wish to learn a new language or improve their conversational skills.

Our intensive (optional) programmes of 15 hours of language tuition a week, three hours of tuition a day (5 days a week) are divided into two parts, with two hours devoted to grammar and writing, followed by an hour of conversation practice.

International Certificate of Achievement In the end of the session, students receive a language certificate, signed and graded by their teacher. The certificate documents the student’s achievements following international standards.

Sports & Activities The camp focuses on outdoor sports activities.

From this point of view, Verbier, compared to a big city, leaves nothing to be desired. Our aim is to allow youngsters to try out new activities, with optimum safety, and to make progress in the sports with which they are already familiar. The Verbier summer camp programme is extremely varied and comprises a selection of the following activities: • Mountain Activities Hiking, Mountain biking, Rock climbing, Ropes course, Abseiling (professional mountain guides supervise these activities) • Ball Sports

Tennis, minigolf, football, volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball (streetball), table tennis, squash, badminton, pétanque.

• Golf On an 18 holes course at an altitude of 1500 m with stunning views over the mountains. There is also a private practice area, driving range and an approach (pitch & putt) golf course.

• Tennis Practice, private lessons and tournaments on the tennis courts directly next to our campus (2 minutes walk).

• Mountain Hut All our campers will leave for a 2 day hiking trip and spend a night in the mountain, relaxing at the camp fire.

• Sports on Ice Ice skating, figure skating, ice hockey, curling at the sport center.

• Water Sports Swimming, sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, banana boat. An indoor and outdoor swimming pool with a big garden to relax is located next to the campus (2 minute walk).

• Horseback riding The stables right next to the campus allow our campers to experience riding or practice this activity with professional riding instructors.

• Other Activities Billard, trampoline, games, music instruments, drama, campfires, picnic, bbq, boat trips, disco, talent show, photography at the campus, shopping in Verbier.

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Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

special events Arts Clubs Our campers can choose between several arts clubs, which they will attend during their session. The main aim of those clubs is to give a new and fun aspect to arts and crafts while involving environmental and cultural aspects.

Les Elfes proposes a choice of the following clubs : Arts & Crafts, Dance Academy, Hollywood, Mountain Orienteering, Music Video, Photography, Rockstar, Tapas.

Watch the club videos on our youtube channel :

Special Events and Excursions

EXCURSIONS Elves are naturally curious, with a desire to explore, so during their stay they will spend an overnight in a mountain hut sleeping in dormitories… fun guaranteed! Once a week the students will go on an excursion to visit famous Swiss cities such as: Lausanne A trip to the Olympic Museum with its wealth of memories will keep your passion for the Olympics burning, followed by a walking tour in the old town to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe.

Geneva With its humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, the European seat of the UN and headquarters of the Red Cross is known as the "capital of peace".

Visit the old town, the heart of Geneva with its shopping and business quarter.

Bern The capital of Switzerland – the old town of Bern has been entered on the list of UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites. The Houses of Parliament (Bundeshaus) rise above the city just a stones throw away from the railway station. Bern and bears, the city’s heraldic beast, are inseparable. When visiting the city we will take a trip to the Bear Pits.

Gruyère The Gruyère region, with its rolling green landscape and peaks of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, is home to the world- famous Gruyère cheese. In the famous cheese factory you will see how the tasty Gruyère cheese is made and the tour of culinary delights will be followed by a guided tour of the Cailler chocolate factory.

Montreux Visit the town of Montreux that nestles in the shelter of Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyards, with the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-covered Alps, followed by a visit to Château de Chillon.

France Get a taste of France with a visit to Evian and the famous water factory, with also a walk along the world famous Lake Geneva.

Italy Discover the famous Italian city of Aosta, visit the old town and enjoy some Italian shopping.

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International day At Les Elfes we have students from all over the world, over 60 different countries. Within this international community we feel it is beneficial to recognize the traditions of each other. It not only gives students the opportunity to celebrate their nation or beliefs, but allows them to bring a little piece of home into the camp. Also students from other parts of the world will learn and hopefully appreciate the cultures of others. The fabrics of society are made up of many different cultures, and here at Les Elfes we constantly strive to recognize them all, and if it means cooking some traditional dishes, or decorating the chalets accordingly, then we are more than happy to encourage students to do so and will help them along the way.

International Day will involve the students preparing a presentation during their language classes. The presentation will be on where the students are from.

The students will have the morning to prepare a large poster, have access to arts and crafts, music and pictures, and will present information on their heritage, culture, beliefs, as well as the fun and cool parts of their countries and cities of origin.

Also the students will give a menu or dishes to the chefs in the days leading up to ID. The chefs will then prepare meals from all over the world, so students on this day will not only present and listen to presentations, but eat and sample the flavors and smells of the Far East, South America, Europe, the Middle East and more.

Personal Achievement Les Elfes has introduced a personal progression scheme for our core activities across our summer programme. Core adventurous activities are those which combine the three essential ingredients of self-reliance, risk and physical difficulty such as rock climbing, mountain walking, kayaking or paddle sports on flat water and mountain biking.

Our programmes are now designed to give students a solid foundation in these activities by providing industry approved standards in criteria for students to fulfil in 5 stages of development, taking them from complete novice through to being fully equipped to take on these activities as fulfilling and worthwhile hobbies that will enrich their adult lives.

Once students have fulfilled the criteria at a certain level of an activity they will be given a Les Elfes personal progress award which will outline their achievement and give a clear framework for future progression. A certificate will be handed to each student at the end of his or her session.

"Learn to tie your own knots and belay in Rock Climbing" "Use a compass and map to lead your group in Mountain Orienteering" "Design your own shelters in Bushcraft and maybe even try sleeping in them?!"

"Master controlling your speed and balance on a range of routes in Mountain Biking" "Learn and Develop skills in Lifeguarding and First Aid"

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Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

LES ELFES Partners W Hotel Verbier W Hotels‘ first alpine escape; W Hotel & Residences is the first international hotel chain to establish a presence in Verbier. www.wverbier.com

Verbier Luxury Hotels : Chalet d' Adrien

Hotel Relais & Châteaux. A luxury 5-star hotel and traditional chalet at the same time.

Chalet de Flore

A 4-star hotel in the centre of Verbier. www.verbierluxury-hotels.ch

Cordée des Alpes A luxurious bespoke four star superior hotel and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. www.hotelcordee.com

Brambleski Operates catered and self-catered luxury chalets and apartments in the exclusive resorts of Verbier. www.brambleski.com

Useful Information Day Camps

Les Elfes Camps App

Ideal for families who are looking for day camp programs for their children. Please contact our partners above or our headoffice for more information.

The “Les Elfes Camps” app is free to download for iOS and Android devices in App Store and Google play.

Stay connected with Les Elfes and follow the latest news live from the campus. Campers and parents will receive a personal login prior to arrival.

Social Media Stay connected with Les Elfes :

Les Elfes International - International Spring & Summer camps

DISCOVER OUR WINTER CAMPS FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS IN VERBIER

WINTER • VERBIER

Girls and boys 8-18 years old

WINTER CAMPS

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" The purpose in life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences " Eleanor Roosevelt For further information or bookings, contact our Les Elfes Verbier head office or your local agent.

ADDRESS Les Elfes International Head Office Le Hameau – PO Box 174 1936 Verbier Switzerland Phone : +41 (0) 27 775 35 90 Fax : +41 (0) 27 775 35 99 info@leselfes.com www.leselfes.com

ASK FOR YOUR AGENT’S IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES Europe

North America Americas

Middle East Asia Oceania Africa

Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Bulgaria, Moldavia, Sweden, Finland, Romania, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom USA (Boston, Miami, New York), Canada Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, São Paolo), Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay, Chile Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar Hong-Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam Australia, New Zealand Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Tunisia, Tanzania

YOUR AGENT

Les Elfes International is a member of Verbier Tourism

Switzerland Tourism

ECIS ( European Council of International Schools ) NCA ( National Camp Association Inc. ) NESA ( Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools ) EARCOS ( East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools ) AISA ( Association of International Schools in Africa ) BSME ( British Schools in the Middle East )

Photos ©Les Elfes, Verbier Our associates