You are currently viewing Newsletter February 2025

Newsletter February 2025

Dear members,

Welcome to the February edition of our CISV newsletter! As we step into the new year, we are excited to share updates and stories that highlight the incredible work and dedication of our CISV community. 

In this edition, we focus on the inspiring efforts of our Junior Branch (JB) and the various activities planned for the upcoming months, including our family day on March 30 in Fribourg and our mini-camp from May 16-18. We also take a moment to reflect on the joyous gatherings that took place at the end of 2024. Stay tuned for more details and join us in making 2025 a year of growth, learning, and global friendship.

 Let’s continue to create a better world, one friendship at a time!

Looking back at the November minicamp

During the first weekend in November, we welcomed your children to our usual mini-camp in Arzier. Hosted by the JB, the weekend was packed with games, activities and emblematic CISV traditions such as Kiitos, ‘everybody dance now’ and lullabies. Everything needed to give newcomers a taste of the camps and regulars the joy of returning to the CISV cocoon. And of course, in keeping with the tradition of Swiss minicamps, the ‘killer game’ was won by Niels, Well done!

Looking back at the bern gathering

On December 15, the Junior Branch (JB) and several CISV families met at the Christmas Market in Bern for a joyful gathering.

We met at noon and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the market, followed by an engaging and educational activity organized by the JB in the afternoon. Indeed, we were able to stroll through Bern while enjoying a charming treasure hunt across Bern’s landmarks, complemented by CISV activities.

 It was a wonderful opportunity to come together before the holidays and soak in the festive atmosphere. We are all looking forward to reuniting with the “CISV family” in May for our traditional mini-camp (see save the date below)!

FOCUS: The roles of leader and staff

We are still looking for leaders to guide our 2025 delegations (primarily Youth Meetings from 28-29 June to 12-13 July in Sweden and Canada) and staff to join a great team for the Youth Meeting camp we are hosting in Geneva from 5-19 July. A few reminders on the roles for you to send any good candidates our way!

A leader is a young adult accompanying a delegation of four kids to camp and who:

  • Is 21 years old or older
  • Is fluent in English (additional languages are a plus)
  • Is responsible, adaptable, and open-minded
  • Shares CISV’s mission and values

A CISV leader gets the opportunity to:

  • Inspire and mentor youth: Guide and support young participants from around the world, helping them develop their potential and become global citizens.
  • Experience cultural exchange: Immerse yourself in different cultures, learn new perspectives, and build a global network of friends.
  • Develop leadership skills: Gain valuable experience in team management, conflict resolution, and intercultural communication.
  • Make a positive impact: Contribute to creating a more just and peaceful world through educational activities and community projects.

A staff member is a young adult who is 21 years old and over and part of the coordinators of a camp. They play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the program and the safety of all participants. Among other things, they:

  • Plan activities, guide leaders and participants and ensure the smooth running of the program.
  • Work closely with a committed team to create a positive and educational experience for all.
  • Have strong communication and organizational skills and a passion for working with youth and creating a safe, inclusive environment.

CISV staff get the opportunity to guide participants and adults in their educational experience, develop new skills and create lasting bonds with the leadership group and participants.

We count on you to share these opportunities with your network and send us any potential candidates: leader@cisv.ch.

New volunteers

We are delighted to welcome several new volunteers to our team who have offered to help us! Welcome to 

Maristella, Samanta and Marco as secretaries,

Pablo as mini-camp volunteer coordinator,

Fabian to coordinate the hosting camps

Zina for fundraising

And Clémence as Junior NJR!

Thank you very much for your commitment and we look forward to working with you!

Save the dates

Please mark your calendars! Our next gatherings are:

  • 3 February: Online Q&A for parents of children intending to participate to camps in 2025
  • 30 March: Family day in Fribourg
  • 16-18 May: Mini-camp in Arzier (VD) – Youth aged 15 and over are invited from Friday, May 16th in the evening from 7:30 PM for a potluck dinner, and younger children are welcome on Saturday, May 17th from 10 AM. 

All children who will be old enough to participate next summer, that is, those born before August 31, 2014, can join. This is the perfect opportunity for new participants and their families to discover the world of CISV. 

More information will be sent by email very soon, but you can already register your children by clicking here. We need volunteers to help us in the kitchen on Saturday and Sunday, and for cleaning the camp on Sunday. You can sign up through the Google Form.

Follow us on Facebook/Instagram

Do not hesitate to follow CISV Switzerland and share our news on social networks to help us spread the news and widen our membership:

Instagram: cisv_switzerland

Facebook: CISV Switzerland