A well known activity the Junior campers enjoyed this year is the beloved “Counselor Hunt”. In this evening adventure, a few counselors and sports specialists disguise themselves beyond recognition and hide in different areas around Camp grounds. Then, the Junior campers hunt the area to find the disguised staff members and figure out who is who by asking only “yes or no” questions. It is always a great time as the Juniors scramble to complete the “Counselor Hunt” the fastest!
We are very excited about the new camp activity this year- Yoga. We have specially constructed a Yoga tent that is situated in a peaceful garden area, along a stream and surrounded by trees- truly a Zen- like setting. Check out a few pictures of a Pioneer group doing Yoga with our certified instructor, Ana.
On a beautiful sunny day in the Swiss Alps, campers enjoyed the 2010 ISCM opening ceremonies at the beginning of the first session. This year marks a very special anniversary for ISCM- the 50th summer of sports, activities, friendships and fun.
During the opening ceremonies, the camp director along with the Head Counselors introduced the staff as well as extended a warm welcome to all campers. Then, as part of a special camp tradition, hundreds of balloons were released into the blue sky and carried away. Each balloon has the name of a camper on it as well as note to the person who will find the balloon to send it back to camp. The camper whose balloon makes it the farthest is sent a special gift later in the year.
Finally, to close the opening ceremonies, as is customary, the staff got together and performed the camp dance, which is performed this year to the song “I gotta feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas.
Please, click here to see some pictures in our Photo gallery
Last weekend Camp Future Starts came to visit International Summer Camp Montana. Camp Future Stars is a summer camp based in Turkey that was founded by Fahrettin Gözet in 1993 and is owned and operated by Fahrettin along with his brother Murat and Ozman. They provide a diverse summer program in an international environment. www.campfuturstars.com
In addition to their ski program in Turkey, in January 2011 Camp Future Starts will organize their first winter program in Switzerland, staying at La Moubra.
During their visit they were accompanied by the camp owner and director Philippe Studer for sightseeing in Crans-Montana, Lausanne and Geneva.
Left to Right
Murat Gözet, Kamil Cakin, Emre, Philippe Studer, Faherttin Gözet, Danny Herberich, Utku Toparkseven
In January our head counselors for summer 2010 met at International Summer Camp Montana. Along with the camp directors they had several meetings to discuss the new and exciting changes and additions to the camp programme. They also discussed how the camp and the programme can develop with the changes in today’s youth.
This summer Danny Herberich will be the Pioneer Head Counselor. Danny works all year round at camp as our programme director and is in charge of staff recruitment. Almost every past and present camper and staff member will know Danny who will spend his 36 summer at ISCM.
Vanessa Mangold Fluri will rejoin us at camp as the Junior Head Counselor, a position that she also held in summer 2008. Vanessa has worked at camp in various positions for the last 10 summers; she took summer 2009 off from ISCM to become a first time parent and welcome her daughter Emma-Louise.
The senior section will have Scott Stewart as their new Head Counselor this summer. Scott is originally from Scotland and has worked at ISCM in various positions over the last 8 summers.
Scott Stewart, Vanessa Mangold Fluri, Danny Herberich & Beau
Over the last 50 years not only have a lot of children attend International Summer Camp Montana but also a lot of fantastic people have worked at camp. During November 2009 the assistant to the directors, Danny Herberich met up with staff members past and present in California. Please find below photos of the 2 reunions, the first features staff members from many years ago and the second more recent staff members.
It is nice to see that the friendships formed by our staff members while at camp have remained and that they still keep in contact after all these years.
Staff Members 1985 – 1995
Left to Right
Back row: James Etheridge, Danny Herberich, Clinton Anderson
Front row: Carol Gasparini, Bob Scott, Robin Etheridge, Kara Chine
Staff Members 2004 – Present
Left to right: Jonathan Weaver, Heidi Stuckenschneider, Scott Niedermier, Natalie Podgorski, Hanni Stuckenschneider, Carol Gasparini, Erika Redlinger, Danny Herberich, Stephanie Muehlethaler
As of June 2010 the Résidence Erica in front of our main building will be ready to welcome staff as well as some campers.
The garden floor of this beautiful building will be home for our oldest senior boys. Those six rooms are all facing south and have a large terrace. Each unit has its own shower/bathroom as well as a separated toilet. They are also equipped with a large fridge where the boys can chill their soft drinks.
We are sure that those lucky campers will love those rooms.
Here is a drawing of this house with the garden floor rooms’ windows marked in blue.
