Saturdays, at all Village Camps locations, is excursion day.  At Leysin, busses, trains and vans are used to transport campers from the camp building to a number of great locations for an excursion.  Campers are usually organized by age groups and an appropriate location is chosen for each group.  The "menu" below show places that were used for excursion during the summer of 2005.  Not all locations were used for each of the four camp sessions and, on some excursions, campers get to visit more than one location.

The excursion locations at the right are links to pictures taken at that site.  Several other Summer, 2005 excursion locations are listed below - no pictures available for these sites.

Bex Salt Mines

The Bex salt mine is the only open working mine in Switzerland.
Trip includes an audiovisual presentation , an exhibit showing three centuries of salt mining and a miner's train ride into the salt mines.

Chateau Chillon

The island where Chillon stands was used in the Bronze Age and later by the Romans. The castle dates back to the 13th century.

Marécottes Zoo

The Marécottes Alpine Zoo - where chamois, ibex, lynx, marmots, eagles and Canadian bears are to be seen.  There is also a wonderful swimming pool at this location.

Vevey

A lovely city on Lake Geneva, several museums including the Nestles Food museum. During the summer there is an open-air market on Saturdays.

Sion

The city of Sion with its ancient castle on one hill and the ruins of an ancient monastery on a second hill.

Geneva

A chance for walks along the lake, boat rides on the lake and time for great shopping make Geneva a favourite excursion site for campers. There is also a chance for a visit to the United Nations and/or to the Red Cross buildings. 

Bern

Bern, the capital city of Switzerland.  Excursion includes a trip to the old city and sometimes includes a visit to the Swiss legislature.

Labyrinth Park

World's largest maze, made using 18,000 thujas. Happily we haven't lost a camper yet.

Gruyères

Gruyères- a visit to the castle, shopping in a wonderful "no automobiles" environment, visit to a cheese factory and museum

Montreux

The Montreux Jazz festival is famous around the world.  This is a great excursion location when the festival is in session.

Campers at the Swiss Vapeur Park which features dozens of steam locomotives.