Estavayer Abri Côtier
Estavayer-le-Lac
Key points
● Learn at the beach
● Popular summer location
● French and German classes
● Water Skiing
● Classes in groups of 6 in average
● Sailing course available
● 3 weekly excursions / 2 workshops
School details
Levels: A1-Beginner to C2-Proficient
Accommodation: Dormitory , 4-bed room
Arrival : on Sunday
Departure: on Saturday (local kids) or on Sunday (international kids)
Age range: 12 - 17 Years
Features
Optional: Sailing course
WiFi
Full board
Certificates
Sport
Optional: Wakeboard
Optional: Intensive course
French & German camp at Estavayer-le-lac (Switzerland)
The best beach camp bar none!
Sun, beach & friendship!
Just a short walk from the beach, you can find our most dynamic and stimulating language camp! Here, you can learn French or German in an international environment and make real progress in communication through interactions and encounters that will certainly not fail to motivate you!
It's our oldest and most trusted camp that continues to be successful year after year. Countless lasting friendships and affinities have been built here over the years, because at friLingue, we do things a little differently:
All of our teachers are young, energetic, and come from different countries across the world to teach and learn with you in this intensely rich environment. They'll join you in participating in different activities and you should view them more as friends and confidants than as figures of authority!
The small group classes (6 kids in average) in the camp and the picturesque streets of this small lake village only accentuate this trend of learning with confidence, as teachers can focus upon the difficulties of each individual student in order to break down the barriers. facilitating practice and core use of the language through varied and adaptable activities!
You can also open yourself to the world and its cultural diversity within this unique camp thanks to the volunteers and other participants that come from the four corners of the globe to share beautiful moments whilst living together! Here in our Estavayer camp, it is not uncommon to hear about ten languages in the same day!
Last but certainly not least, we pay particular attention to the food we cook and serve here, treating mealtimes as a real moment of sharing and discovery! You can taste fresh & local produce as well as speciality dishes from all over the world - and don't be shy to let our chef know if there's a particular dish you'd like to see on the menu!
Ahoy sailors!
You can also take a sailing course in addition to the language stay. This takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. More information can be found under Extras!
- Course duration:
- 1 - 4 Weeks
- Levels:
- A1-Beginner to C2-Proficient
- Age group:
- Juniors
- Start dates:
-
Summer
07.07 / 14.07 / 21.07 / 28.07.2024
French Course
- Language Courses:
- French
- About this course:
French classes in small groups
Small groups of 6 participants in average create an efficient learning environment that is catered towards the individual.
Classes take place from Monday to Friday from 9 - 12.30 am.
- 20 language lessons (15 hours) per week
- young, highly motivated teachers
- communication and practical language usage at the core of the syllabus;
- small class sizes (6 students in average) so that each student can be helped individually.
- Our teachers use modern methods such as role play, theater, games and audiovisual tools. The focus lies on Communication skills and modern language usage.
Also included in this price:
- full-board accommodation
- activities and excursions
- 24-hour supervision
German Course
- Language Courses:
- German
- About this course:
German classes in small groups
Small groups of 6 participants in average create an efficient learning environment that is catered towards the individual.Classes take place from Monday to Friday from 9 - 12.30 am.
- 20 language lessons (15 hours) per week
- young, highly motivated teachers
- communication and practical language usage at the core of the syllabus;
- small class sizes (6 students in average) so that each student can be helped individually.
- Our teachers use modern methods such as role play, theater, games and audiovisual tools. The focus lies on Communication skills and modern language usage.
Also included in this price:
- full-board accommodation
- activities and excursions
- 24-hour supervision
The Estavayer camp takes place in our camp house, "Abri Côtier", which is located just a two minutes walk away from the beach. The house has:
- 64 beds
- four hotel-style 4-bed rooms
- four dormitories of 10 beds*
Our camp house “Abri-Côtier” is located only 200 meters off the sandy beach of "Nouvelle Plage", right next to the natural reserve Grande Cariçaie. The camp area is divided in two buildings. The beach camp has a maximum capacity of 64 beds and is ideal for older teenagers that love to be outside since the daily routine in camp is spent outdoors.
*This year, the number of places in the dormitories (12 beds) will be limited to 10. This way we want to guarantee more comfort and space to our participants.
This is a sample programme. Activities and excursions may change depending on weather and other factors beyond our control.
Ahoy sailors!
You can also take a sailing course in addition to the language stay. This takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. More information can be found under Extras!
LESSONS
Lessons are being held in small groups of 6 students in average.
WORKSHOPS
We currently offer a wide array of workshops, such as sports workshops (water skiing, sailing, mini-golf, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, ultimate frisbee, American football, etc.), art workshops (painting, drawing, graffiti, dance, yoga, meditation, etc.), cooking workshops and many else.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Evening activities are the shining star of our language camp program, saving the best for last! We always put in the extra effort to include each and every student into the activity that's planned for the evening, and those activities are disco night, karaoke night, card and board games night, casino night, movie night, campfire, zombie & werewolf games, pyramid challenge, sardines, reverse hide&seek, and many else.
EXCURSIONS
Half-day excursions
The Estavayer camp is located on lake Neuchâtel, and there are plenty of options for the half-day excursions, including water skiing, sailing, beach volleyball tournaments, campfire next to the lake, etc.
Payerne - a small but vibrant city of Payerne offers a marvelous karting track, which based on our previous experience, our students adore!
Full-day excursions
Fribourg is a medieval city above the Sarine river. The sightseeing locations include the Fribourg cathedral, nearby parks, shopping malls, the famous museum of arts & history, etc.
Yverdon, a city most famous for its spa resorts, amongst other locations offers an option of visiting the great Museum of Science Fiction!
Avenches, a city most famous by its Roman amphitheater, with rich historical value and significance is also one of our full-day excursion options.
The city of Neuchâtel, the French-speaking capital of the Swiss canton Neuchâtel, lies on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel. Its medieval old town spreads beneath the Château de Neuchâtel, a castle begun in the 12th century.
WORKSHOPS
2 afternoons per week.
You can chose from the options below:
- Soccer / Volleyball / Sports
- Theater / Film
- Media / Camp Newspaper, Photography
- Art / Graffiti
- Friendship Bracelets / Dream Catchers
- Music / Singing
EVENING PROGRAMME
- Disco
- Open-air concert
- Soccer Tournament
- Night out
- Campfire on the Lakeside
- Boccia Tournament
- Casino night
- Karaoke
- Rallye in Estavayer
EXCURSIONS
Sometimes it's good to get away from the camp and explore. On 2 weekday afternoons and every Saturday, we head out and about on an excursion to nearby beaches, cities & local attractions.
Destinations include:
- Fribourg
- Neuchâtel
- Murten
- Avenches
- Yverdon
- Gletterens - Village Lacustre
INTENSIVE COURSE: 100 - 150 CHF
2/3 additional afternoon languages classes per week held in smaller groups (2-6 participants in average)
SAILING COURSE: 200 CHF PER WEEK
Ahoy sailors! In addition to the language stay you can take part in a sailing course. No previous knowledge required. You can start as an absolute beginner and soon you'll be able to cross the seas like Columbus once did. Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, usually from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail or telephone. It is possible that the sailing course may not take place depending on the weather and other factors beyond our control.
WATER SKI/WAKEBOARD: 20 CHF
1 session per week (60 min)
can be combined with the sailing course or intensive course
SPECIAL DIET (gluten-free, lactose-free...): 100 CHF
LANDRY SERVICE (only possible for bookings of 3 weeks or more! ): 40 CHF
In special cases, we allow laundry service for stays of only 1 or 2 weeks. Please contact us via email or phone!
CHECK-IN ASSISTANCE: 40 CHF
We accompany you to the check-in desk, providing guidance and assistance. Please note, that our service ends at the desk, ensuring a smooth handoff before processing. This service is only available if you book a departure transfer.
EXTRA WEEK
For all participants who spontaneously decide during the camp to extend their stay for one week: from 800 CHF
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
(for students coming from abroad countries)
A member of our team welcomes the young participant at the airport and takes him/her to the camp together with other students. The last day, he or she is accompanied back to the airport. Please make sure you book your arrival and departure flights on a Sunday and inform us as soon as you can about the details. The flight is not included in the price.
1. Geneva: Every Sunday - 150 CHF each way
- Arrival between 10am and 6pm
- Departure between 11am and 6pm
2. Geneva: For flights arriving outside the hours of 10am - 6pm - 400 CHF each way
3. Private transfers from Geneva or Zurich airport - 500 CHF each way
friLingue offers an UNACCOMPANIED MINOR SERVICE at the cost of 100 CHF each way for incoming minor students. Please check your airline's age restriction guidelines. You may find further information on the Unaccompanied Minor Service by clicking on the following link: here.
ACCOMPANIED TRAIN RIDE FROM ZURICH OR BERN:
(for Swiss participants)
A member of our team waits for the participants in Zurich or Bern (each time at the main train station) and takes them to the camp along with other children and teenagers (by bus or train). At the end of the week, the participants are accompanied back to Zurich or Bern (again, to the main train station) until their parents (or another adult designed by the parents) wait for them.
Price (per way): 60 CHF from or to Zurich, 40 CHF from or to Bern (price includes the train ticket)
Price (per way) for participants with a General Abonnement (GA): 25 CHF from or to Zurich, 20 CHF from or to Bern. Please note that for any late change (10 days before the camps or less) after booking this service (cancellation or other destination), friLingue will have to charge administration fees (40 CHF).
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURES:
Arrivals are on Sundays between 5 and 6pm at the chalet where friendly members of our staff will be waiting to welcome you and show you to your room Departures are every Saturday after the excursion between 3.30 and 4pm at the train station of that week’s excursion location. The exact time and location will be confirmed by the camp leader during the week. It is also possible for parents or guardians to collect their children directly from the camp either on Friday evening or on Saturday morning before 10am, we just kindly ask that you notify the camp leader in advance.
Important: In the week of 12-18 July this extra is fully booked.
Embark on an unforgettable sailing journey with us in Estavayer Le Lac, in collaboration with our esteemed partner, Cercle de la Voile. Backed by their extensive expertise in sailing, this course promises an exceptional experience on the water. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a newcomer, our joint venture ensures a safe, exciting, and skill-enhancing adventure. Discover the beauty of sailing alongside professionals who share your passion, and let the waves carry you into a world of nautical exploration.
Sailing courses will take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, running from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
We recommend you come dressed appropriately, with all the necessary clothes that will enable comfort and safety, and towels and sunscreen on sunny days
Transportation to and from the camp is arranged.
This is an opportunity open to beginners as well. Regardless of your prior experience, our sailing course welcomes you to explore the world of sailing, gain skills, and enjoy the water.
200 CHF per week (cannot be combined with intensive lessons)
Maximum 12 participants per week!
Please note that, due to weather conditions, there might be instances where sailing activities are canceled.
