Alpine Language Exchange Camp

by Violeta Brooks and Neev Renton
(both aged 15)

In August 2023 we met up in Flattnitz for the second annual AV Klagenfurt Alpine Language Exchange Camp. The week was a mixture of German and English lessons, hikes and lots of fun games!

We tried to go on a walk every day despite the weather. Some days we just did a short mushroom picking walk and others we went on longer hikes to summits. I remember on one day we split into two groups, one that was doing a long hike and one that was going to do a shorter hike. Both groups would meet up at a lake then walk back to the hut together. I picked to do the longer hike as it sounded like a challenge. It was a group of ten of us and two counsellors. It was quite warm on the way up and we stopped to put on stripes of sun cream with a sun cream stick. We had lunch at the first summit where we saw lots of birds and a herd of something that looked like deer. As we carried on along the ridge we were able to look down to the lake where we were meeting the others. We made it to two more summits then dropped down to join the others who we could now see dotted around the lake. I enjoyed walking along while we were all singing and posing for pictures! On our walk down we found some big leaves that we wore as hats. When we got down to the lake we met up with the others and some very brave people changed into swimming stuff to go swimming. After a while we started making our way back to the hut. I really enjoyed the walk and it definitely tired me out but not enough to miss the campfire that evening!

We also had language lessons every day. The majority of the kids were German-speaking. They were sorted into different groups so the ones who were more advanced at English were together. I was in a group with three other English speakers. We started off by doing games in the first lesson and learning some basic German vocabulary. Each lesson we did some speaking and writing exercises. We also often played the memory game to try and remember vocabulary. We were encouraged to talk in German to the Austrians and when saying thank you, you’re welcome etc. Overall, I think the lessons were very engaging and fun and I learnt a lot.

Meanwhile, in our free time at the camp we played many varieties of different games. These games suited everyone’s age and abilities. One of the games we played was called the ‘bell game’ . This featured a traditional cow bell at the end of the table while two teams were sat on each side of the table in a line and holding hands. Meanwhile everyone’s heads leaning down on the table facing the cow bell. At the other end of the table there was a coin that got spun and if it landed on heads, the “heads” person had to send a signal down the team and when the person at the end of the line (nearest to the bell) received the signal they reached for the bell and rang it. In my opinion it was a brilliant game as it included teamwork, concentration and lots of fun. You would never be bored at the camp!

Overall we both really enjoyed the camp and had loads of fun making amazing memories. We made so many new friends of all different ages and the counsellors were really kind. We can’t wait to go back next year!

Outside the hostel
Photos by Daniela Heitzinger

Campfire

On the peak

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