This week consists of 5 days of climbing and multi-sports in the Jura. Located 35 minutes from Geneva and 45 minutes from Lausanne, La Dôle mountain is the focal point above Lake Geneva and facing Mont Blanc. It’s a magical place with various climbing sectors, magnificent views, abundant wildlife, and rich flora to observe.
Supervised by a local mountain guide, children climb beautiful limestone cliffs, learn knots, ascend fixed ropes, rappel, go tree climbing, observe herds of chamois and different species of raptors, explore superb routes, build fires and grill sausages in nature, all while having fun and making new friends.
We gradually train children in our Dôle climbing school in belaying methods, knots, and rock progression techniques. During this learning period, we walk to the school cliffs specially designed for children, which allows them to gradually adapt their physical condition and also improve their pure climbing skills. Accommodation is in dormitories at the La Pile-Dessus chalet or the La Combe Gelée chalet. Picnics are enjoyed outdoors at the foot of the routes. Children can shower at the chalet in modern facilities. Evening meals are taken at a large table, with children participating in meal preparations and household chores. Vegetables or fruits are present every day, whether at picnic or dinner. Games are organized at the chalet during the evening.
Day 1: Parents and children are welcomed at the chalet, children are equipped, water bottles are filled for the day, and picnics are loaded. Socialization activities to get to know each other and integrate into the group. Distribution of technical equipment for the week. Observation of the Dôle chamois colony (binoculars and cameras are highly recommended), Jura anthills, explanations of local flowers (gentian, vanilla orchid, thistle…). Games & fun activities in the field.
Day 2: Learning belaying knots (figure-eight knot) and securing knots (Munter hitch), easy climbing in hiking shoes at the climbing garden, practice and familiarization with using a top rope. If the program allows, visit an alpine pasture and a warm welcome from the owner. Visit cows, calves, goats, pigs, and two small cats. Games & fun activities in the field.
Day 3: Climbing, familiarization with using climbing shoes for bouldering traverses, first climbing routes at the climbing garden. Progression of climbing learning, body balance, foot positioning, climbing rhythm, breathing, rock reading, top-rope descent. At noon, children prepare a fire and grill sausages on sticks. Games & fun activities in the field.
Day 4: Fun climbing-related day: team games, speed contests, blindfolded climbing, technical exercises, problem-solving. Games & fun activities in the field. In the evening, packing for the next day.
Day 5: Tidying and cleaning the chalet in the morning. Climbing. Ascending fixed ropes. Learning to rappel, possibility of descending an overhanging cliff (spider-line). Games & fun activities in the field. Return of technical equipment. Parents are welcomed for the children’s return home.
Monday at 10 AM at the La Combe Gelée chalet in La Barillette or the La Pile-Dessus alpine club chalet in La Dôle (to be confirmed via Whatsapp).
Chalet 1 Pile-Dessus:
From the Lausanne – Geneva highway, take the Nyon exit, head towards St Cergue, then La Cure. After the French-Swiss customs, turn left (sign “Dijon, Les Rousses, massif de la Dôle”), continue straight for 200 m until a yield sign, then turn left onto D1005 (sign “St Claude, Gex, Prémanon”). Seeing La Dôle in front of you, continue 200 m to the roundabout and take the direction “Geneva, Gex, Col de la Faucille, Le Balancier, Massif de la Dôle”. Drive 2 km and at the level of the winter parking lot of the Balancier chairlift (located below on the right), after a blue P (Parking) sign, turn left onto the small road to the Chalet Hôtel Côté Dôle (sign “Chalet côté Dôle”). In front of it, take the small dirt/gravel path to the left (small sign “La Pile Dessus CAF Châlon”) to the La Pile Dessus chalet. Park in front of the gate on the roadside.
Chalet 2 Combe Gelée:
From the Lausanne – Geneva highway, take the Nyon exit, head towards St Cergue, go to Gingins (road on the left before the forest, do not continue on the main road to St Cergue). In the village, take the direction La Barillette – La Dôle. A small mountain road (15-20 min) leads you to the summit of La Barillette (large antenna and parking, follow Swisscom sign). Park next to the antenna in front of the panorama. You will find the La Combe Gelée chalet below the parking lot.
Friday at 4 PM at the La Pile-Dessus alpine club chalet in La Dôle or the La Combe Gelée chalet in La Barillette.
Certified mountain guide
St-Cergue Tourist Office: 022 360 13 14
Bring some pocket money (Swiss francs and euros) for possible personal expenses (kiosk, ice cream, postcards, etc.)
Mandatory, to be given to the guide at the start of the camp
La Combe Gelée chalet in La Barillette or La Pile-Dessus alpine club chalet in La Dôle, with shower for Day 1 to Day 4
Beginner, resourceful beginner, indoor climber. Dole Camp 1 takes place with Dole Camp 1+/2/3.
-1 pair of pants for hiking + 1 pair of rain pants mandatory (K-Way) -Gore-tex jacket with a hood that protects the face well (in case of wind) -fleece
-change of clothes
-high-top trekking shoes, low-top sneakers forbidden!
-beanie -cap
-flashlight / headlamp -water bottle min 1 L
-sunscreen
-sunglasses
-sleeping bag for Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 -clothes for evenings in the chalet -slippers for evenings in the chalet -pajamas
-toiletries
-bath towel
-toothbrushes
-any medications
-reading material for bedtime (children’s books) -swimwear for the lake (swimsuit, bath towel)
-ID card! (DO NOT FORGET!)
– travel bag or suitcase to carry the week’s belongings listed above
– backpack for daily essentials (must fit harness, climbing shoes, helmet, water bottle, jacket, rain pants)
technical equipment provided by PROGRESSION:
– climbing shoes – helmet
– harness
– carabiner
If needed, we recommend the following specialized mountain equipment stores: Decathlon, Bächli, Transa, Raoul Sport, François Sport.
Don’t hesitate to invest if the equipment is old or ill-suited; your child won’t regret it up there!!!
If you have any other questions about the equipment, please don’t hesitate to call us!
Supervision is provided by a certified mountain guide. We reserve the right to cancel the camp depending on conditions or lack of participants.
Price:
Our prices are per person and include supervision by a guide, half-board in camping, refuge, gîte, or hotel, midday picnic, technical equipment, and transportation. Drinks in refuges are not included.
Group activities:
Group activity numbers are counted by the number of people per guide based on safety criteria for the activity itself. The camps take place in a good atmosphere and for the well-being of the young people. Disrespect and actions not conforming to the smooth running of the camp will be sanctioned, and the child sent back to their parents.
Registration:
A registration is only considered upon payment of a registration fee corresponding to the price of the camp.
Cancellation:
If, for any reason, a registered person withdraws from an activity, a 100% retention fee is applied. Any camp started will not be reimbursed except in the case of a medical problem where a camp credit will be opened for the child.
Insurance:
Participants are not insured by the mountain guide. It is the participant’s responsibility to be adequately covered by health and accident insurance (including accidents that may occur during mountain tours).
Each participant must have helicopter rescue and repatriation insurance. For participants who do not have such insurance, we offer a formula with REGA to be completed and paid before the camp. Price/person: 30 CHF.
Parental responsibility:
Parents or the legal representative assume:
– full responsibility for damages caused intentionally or unintentionally to facilities or
other objects owned or rented by PROGRESSION
– Repatriation costs following expulsion
– Costs of postal return for clothing and other items
Medical file:
Any medical problem must be reported to PROGRESSION in writing.
Transportation:
Each participant must travel to the camp meeting point by their own means
CHF 690.-
To register your child, please send us
ALAN DELIZEE (Swiss Dôle Climbing School)
Post office box 252 La Bouriaz
CH-1265 La Cure
Beneficiary Bank: UBS SA Case postale 1002 Lausanne
Account number: 457893.41Z
IBAN: CH690024324345789341Z
Clearing number: 243
UBS postal account no.: 80-2-2
To register your child, please send us
ALAN DELIZEE (Swiss Dôle Climbing School)
Post office box 252 La Bouriaz
CH-1265 La Cure
Beneficiary Bank: UBS SA Case postale 1002 Lausanne
Account number: 457893.41Z
IBAN: CH690024324345789341Z
Clearing number: 243
UBS postal account no.: 80-2-2
