Family Adventure in the French Alps: Guided Trails & Kids’ Club

Things to know

• What can I expect from the Kids' Adventure Camp?

  For over 15 years, the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix has been developing and running a summer adventure camp for children. Every day is different and the kids are supervised by mountain professionals. There are programs for kids from 4 to 18 years.

  For kids 4 to 7, activities include:

  • Jam picking and making.
  • Searching for crystals around Mont Blanc.
  • Checking camera traps and learning to recognize clues left by animals.
  • Walk in the forest to observe its discreet inhabitants and outing to the Gaillands accropark.
  • Treasure hunt in the footsteps of the Robin Hood of the Alps!

  For kids 7 to 10, activities include:

  • Climbing followed tree house building.
  • Various Accropark courses followed by creative activities
  • Discovering mountain landscapes through a photography workshop.
  • Recognizing local wildlife through educational activities, then go bouldering.
  • Go for a walk with the Huskies, then enjoy a mountain adventure full of games and Olympics.

  For kids 10 to 13, activities include:

  • Rafting trip followed by learning the basics of mountain survival
  • Giant zip lines facing Mont Blanc, then mountain biking along the Arve River for a day of thrills.
  • Meeting Alpine farmers of the mountains.
  • Learning the basics of outdoor life and survival in the mountains through fun activities: setting up a shelter, how to find your way in the mountains, and a few essential tips.

  For kids 13-18, activities include:

  • Canyon de Barberine then zip lines of the Acropark des Gaillands.
  • Discovery of the use of crampons and ice axe on the Mer de Glace
  • Climbing in Les Gaillands then mountain biking on the balcony trails
  • Via ferrata at Flégère then rafting or riverboarding
• What’s included?

  Included:

  • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 6-day hiking tour of hidden gems around Chamonix
  • Admission to Kids’ Camp
  • Accommodation (6 nights in a 5-star luxury hotel apartments or a chalet)

  Not included:

  • Transportation to Chamonix
  • Meals (available to arrange upon request)
  • Guide gratuities — optional
  • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
• How fit do I need to be?

  While hiking the in the French Alps doesn’t require any special skills, a good level of fitness is still recommended. Your guide can always make the day hikes easier or harder, depending on what you want.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of personal items you need to bring:

  • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 20-30L bag)
  • Backpack rain cover
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Sunhat
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, SPF lip balm, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper or wet wipes, etc.)
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Here’s a list of clothing we suggest you bring:

  • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  • Hiking socks
  • Week’s worth hiking clothing
    • Hiking pants or shorts
    • Hiking shirt or baselayer
    • Down or synthetic jacket
    • Rain jacket / windbreaker
    • Extra dry shirt
    • Poncho
  •  Leisure clothing if you’d like
  • Spare clothes for layering

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  For this hiking tour in Mont Blanc, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.

  Kids as young as 4 are welcome to join! For kids’ camps, groups are organized by age as follows:

  • 4 to 7
  • 7 to 10
  • 10 to 13
  • 13 to 18
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA)

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposit and cancellation policy

  To secure your spot, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount must be paid 90 calendar days prior to the trip departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If you cancel the booking…

  • • More than 60 (sixty) calendar days prior to departure, Client will pay a cancellation fee of 5% (five percent) of the total price of the trip.
    • 60-45 (sixty to forty-five) calendar days prior to departure, Client will pay a cancellation fee of 15% (fifteen percent) of the total price of the trip.
    • 44-30 (forty-four to thirty) calendar days prior to departure, Client will pay a cancellation fee of 30% (thirty percent) of the total amount of the trip.
    • 29-15 (twenty-nine to fifteen) calendar days prior to departure, Client will pay a cancellation fee of 75% (seventy-five percent) of the total amount of the trip.
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund.

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases.