From Champs des Bois to Montreux: Christmas Adventure!

What a weekend we’ve had! On Saturday morning, the kids jumped into their usual activities—tennis, horseback riding, and even some cooking. Everyone had a great time getting active and creative to start the day.

In the afternoon, Mana and Kimi headed off to Geneva with Terray to do some shopping for gifts (Secret Santa is just around the corner). Meanwhile, back at the house, we all settled in for a movie night that had us laughing nonstop. It was the perfect way to end a fun and relaxed Saturday.

Sunday was definitely the highlight of the weekend! We took a trip to the Montreux Christmas Market, where the festive atmosphere put everyone in the holiday spirit. The twinkling lights, the smell of warm treats, and the cheerful music made it such a magical day. One of the most exciting parts was discovering a collection of beautiful stones, which Chika absolutely loved!

Unfortunately, poor Mana had to stay home because he wasn’t feeling well, but we made sure to bring back plenty of stories (and maybe a little Christmas cheer) to share with him. After a long day of exploring, we returned to the house for a cozy dinner and some much-needed rest.

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Norwegian Night at Collège du Léman

Dear all,

Tonight, we took a trip to Norway through its delicious cuisine! The cooking team served Salmon, Gravlax, Kotterbüllar (Norwegian meatballs), and cranberry sauce. Each dish was simple yet packed with fresh, Nordic flavors.

Did you know Norway is home to the stunning fjords and has one of the happiest populations in the world? It’s also the land of the midnight sun, where some places experience 24 hours of daylight in summer!

Veldig godt!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Champs des Bois: Stronger, Together 💪🏡 – November Fitness Challenge

Dear all,

What a month it’s been here at Champs des Bois! From start to finish, everyone brought so much energy and positivity to the November Fitness Challenge. It’s been amazing to see you all pushing yourselves, cheering each other on, and having fun along the way.

A big shoutout to Mana and Kimi, who really led the way and encouraged everyone to get involved. You two have been such incredible motivators, and we couldn’t have done it without you! 🙌

And let’s talk about Jin – the champion of the month! Winning the most challenges is no small feat. Your hard work and focus were inspiring, and we’re all so proud of you. 🏆

But honestly, the best part of this whole month was seeing how almost everyone joined in. Whether it was smashing a challenge, learning something new, or just having fun as a team, you all made this such a special experience.

Thank you for giving your best and showing that Champs des Bois isn’t just a boarding house – it’s a family. ❤️ You’ve made this challenge unforgettable, and I couldn’t be prouder of all of you.

The Champs-des-Bois team 🏠

Siiuuu – A Taste of Portugal!

Dear all,

Tonight, we set sail on a culinary journey to Portugal! The cooking team treated us to Bread with chorizo, Shrimp rissoles, Cod squabs, Portuguese roast chicken with potatoes, and, of course, Pastel de Nata for dessert.

Did you know Portugal is home to the world’s oldest bookstore, Livraria Bertrand, which has been around since 1732? It’s also the birthplace of fado, soulful music perfect for eating just one more pastel (or two).

Muito bom!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

 

 

Chocolate, horses, parties and so much fun!

Dear all,

What a weekend we’ve had!

On Saturday, we kicked things off with some amazing activities in the morning, followed by a very special celebration in the afternoon. It was Paul David’s birthday, and we marked the occasion with delicious cake and some wonderful guests who joined us at the house. Such a great day!

Sunday started off on a relaxed note, with the brunch to fuel up for the incoming adventure. We then visited the famous Cailler Chocolate Factory, where the kids got a fascinating lesson on the history of chocolate and its origins in Switzerland. Of course, the highlight was sampling the chocolate—and buying plenty more to take home to share with family and friends!

The Champs-des-Bois team 🏡

Island Flavors: A Filipino Feast

Dear all,

Tonight, we enjoyed the delicious flavors of the Philippines! The cooking team prepared Chicken Adobo, Tortang Talong, Kililaw Tanigue, and Bubble Tea for dessert.

Did you know the Philippines has 7,641 islands? It’s also home to the world’s smallest volcano, Taal Volcano, which sits on an island within a lake!

It was sarap!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

A Taste of Ghana

Dear all,

Tonight at Collège du Léman, we took a flavorful trip to Ghana! The dining hall was filled with the aromas of traditional Ghanaian dishes, and it was a feast to remember.

Our cooking team served up Beef stew, Plantains, Spicy prawns, and a tasty sauce, followed by Boflot with a choice of coulis for dessert.

It was ɛyɛ dɛ!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Weekend filled with activities and leaves, autumn is here!

Dear all,

What a fantastic weekend we had here at Champs des Bois! We kicked things off on Saturday with tons of fun activities. The kids got to enjoy activities like badminton, horseback riding or tennis, keeping everyone active! In the afternoon, we took a stroll into Versoix, where we picked up some treats and essentials—snacks and a few fun items to make their rooms feel even more like home!

Sunday was a bit more relaxed, and we took full advantage of the morning to sleep in and recharge for the week ahead. Later, we set off for a beautiful two-hour hike through the Versoix forest. It was a perfect way to wrap up the weekend on a peaceful note!

To end the weekend, we spent the afternoon making sure the house was spotless and ready for the new week. All in all, it was a weekend full of fun, fresh air, and a bit of home care—a perfect balance!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

 

May the Burger Be with You!

Dear all,

Tonight at Champs des Bois we witnessed a showdown for the ages! It all started innocently—a tray of delicious burgers served up for dinner, as it was Dinner at Home evening! But as soon as the last burger came into view, tension filled the room… The boys looked at each other, and we all knew: “The burger is strong with this one.”

In seconds, lightsabers were drawn, and an epic Jedi battle began. With sound effects worthy of the galaxy far, far away, each one was determined to prove that “This is the way”—to claim the final, glorious burger. The dining hall rang with intensely, and Donny, after a memorable fight declared, “I am one with the burger, and the burger is with me!”

In the end, peace was restored and bellies were full. The Force was strong in Champs des Bois last night, and we’re already looking forward to the next adventure. May the burgers be with them!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡

Mamma Mia!

Dear all,

This evening we enjoyed a taste of traditional Italian food, and it was a wonderful experience for everyone. The evening gave us a real feel of Italy— buonissimo!

The cooking team prepared Tomato bruschetta, Olive and Grana Padano, Aubergines parmigiana, Sicilian-style Polenta, and Caponata. Every dish was delicious!

Our Italian students were impressed, and I can honestly say it was molto buono!

The Champs des Bois team 🏡