Summer Camps help leadership skills & personal growth

Self Confidence & leadership Skills lead to personal growth

Indian children are amongst the most protected with parents taking even the smallest of decision. In large classrooms too, they remain part of a herd, going mostly where their peers lead .Many get few opportunities to establish independent thinking skills.

That’s where a camp steps it with its vast array of benefits.

Children have a hard time separating from their parents. Camps give a child an opportunity to emotionally grow up and find their independence. At Camps peer support in a caring environment allows the individual camper to overcome perceived needs for constant parental dependency.

Children boost their self-esteem and develop risk-taking and conflict-resolution skills as they learn to make their own decisions without their parents to decide.

One of the hardest lessons for children to learn is not doing well at something, but this is what builds character and lets them explore new things. Children will develop the “I can do attitude.”

“The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning, and contributing. Camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas and even beyond home and school.”

Leadership skills too unknowingly get enhanced in the children in the entire process of participating in camp activities.

A leader isn’t always the loudest person in a group, or the most active.

Many leaders share a range of skills and qualities that help him or her take charge. Confidence, creativity in decision-making and an understanding of teamwork, to name a few. It takes practice to become a good leader and camp helps provide opportunities to hone these skills.

In camp one often has to rely on teammates or cabin mates to complete an activity. That builds in-group bonding, and in that process children learn to have some voice within that group or how to be persuasive.”

“What makes camp a special community is its focus on celebrating effort. In this less pressured atmosphere, children learn more readily what positive things to say and do when they make mistakes and face challenges.

Learn to ski with Les Elfes

If you have never been on the ski slopes, you should certainly consider spending your winter break learning this exciting sport with a host of other energetic people. Your response may be a hesitant one, because you have no idea how to ski, and you do not really know where to start or what equipment you will need. Attending a winter vacation snow camp can relieve all of those fears..

Ski schools and snowboard camps are extremely informative and give you the confidence you need to enjoy hours of skiing pleasure in a winter play land.

Ski schools and snowboard camps provide you with basic understanding, and opportunity to practice in a fun setting to learn the fundamental skills that are necessary to become a competent skier or snowboarder.

In addition, professional ski instructors teach you the fundamentals of this awesome sport in a friendly environment where you will be surrounded by other people just like you desiring to learn.

There are numerous benefits to the sport of skiing. The exercise factor alone is very significant because of the cardiovascular and muscular workouts you will get.

Besides the health reasons, learning a new sport and meeting other people who enjoy outdoor recreational activities is certainly a plus.

Networking with children who come from across the world is a bonus especially for those who are setting out to be international citizens

The entire camp is monitored by expert monitors and professional instructors whose main aim is to help you connect with the joys of skiing.

We have taken hundreds of children from India since the last 17 years to the beautiful settings in Verbier and Zermatt to become part of this global skiing passion,

How about joining us this winter?

WInter Camps Are More Than Just Sports

Hello,

WInter break is just a couple of weeks away and we at Les Elfes India are in fifth gear with our camp registrations .It is wonderful to see how Indians have taken to skiing in such a big way.
The exciting part is that a Les Elfes Camp is always a complete package and about much more than just learning a new sport.
It’s also about helping a child connect with his inner strengths.
If you want to know more drop us a line at info@leselfes.in
Looking forward to a gainful experience for everyone this winter.

​Les Elfes Family

International Adventure camps are gaining importance for Indian Children

 

Camps, summer camps, adventure camps, overnighter camps are terms a majority of Indian parents even in this day and age are not comfortable with. The need to send children far away during vacation doesn’t seem compelling enough. Most have comfortable sized houses or joint families or neighborhood friends to fill up all the time during vacation. And now with cable TV and all the gizmos like Ipads the remaining time too is accounted for. Then of course there is the study and the holiday homework and voila the holidays are done.

But there has been a section of parents who are realizing that so much of unstructured play time is proving detrimental. Lazy habits creeping in, disconnect from the outdoors, too much time on TV and of course the regular “what do I dooo now?”

Using some part of the vacation to develop many social, emotional and educational needs, which our marks oriented education is ignoring, is gaining acceptance and importance.

Adventure camps step in to take care of so many areas that especially our Indian children need addressed. Let’s look at some of these

1. Confidence Building Most of our children are considered clever if they do well academically. Most other areas of talent like sports even now are not given high importance and are distant thirds. Many suffer from lack of self esteem due to the kind of academic and social competitions that shape their lives at school.

 

2. Independence Indian children to date are pampered with maids, drivers, house-help, studies help and of course the mom dad help that they are not used to taking even the littlest decisions for themselves.

 

3. Social Confidence A lot of children have adjustment issues due to lack of social confidence as they lead very closeted lives. Cooperation and respecting others and their points of view isn’t taken for granted anymore .Social labels like shy, aggressive bully etc get stuck and everyone gets slotted.

 

4. International Exposure Thrown into a flattened world many of our children going overseas to seek higher education suffer from cultural shocks. Watching movies and TV programs is one thing but actually close interaction with the rest of the world is another.

 

5. Physical Inactivity Being plugged to technology or books makes for a complete sedentary life . Lack of public parks, open spaces & overburdening of school works makes for very passive lifestyles.

 

6. Connect with Nature Children especially in the larger cities have lost touch with nature due to the urban lifestyles they lead. As a test take them to any florist and ask them to identify flowers beyond a rose and a lily and watch most of them fumble. Mountains & rivers are a far cry for them.

 

Summer Camps or Adventure camps provide a short, intense experience to address all the above issues. Aside from the opportunity to try out new sports, & outdoor activities, camp allows kids the chance to embark on new social adventures. In an environment close to nature where most are strangers’ children are free of labels and pressures .They can find new exciting avenues of physical, social and environmental expressions.

For the average Indian children they provide the perfect setting to become resilient and make like long friendships all on their own without peer parental or academic pressure. They can discover aspects of their personalities that provide them immense confidence which otherwise would have got lost in the race for academic excellence.

Adventure camps are indeed life changing experiences and helping children emerge into confident global citizens of tomorrow.

 

Benefits of Skiing

The physical, psychological and spiritual benefits of skiing

 

It goes without saying that a trip to the mountains for a spot of skiing is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, although many people may not be aware that winter sports can in fact be considerably more beneficial to one’s health than many other physical pursuits. This is because skiing – or snowboarding, for those who’d prefer – is more than just a workout. Rather, it enables us to transcend our everyday lives by taking us to a totally new location where we are surrounded by nature, and forces us to engage our body and mind.
A number of tests and studies have been conducted over the years to highlight exactly what benefits can be gained from skiing, with the results showing that it can be used to treat everything from stress to insomnia. Here’s a look at a few of the ways that skiing can help you.

Improves cognitive capacity
According to the US Centres for Disease Control, skiing is better than most other forms of exercise because it requires the use of the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, while also forcing us to make strategic decisions as we go along, choosing the best route and remaining aware of other moving objects around us. This combination is thought to help people think more clearly, and can even increase cognitive capacity, meaning that skiers are likely to be better learners in other areas of life, while also having less chance of suffering from mental decline in old age.

The outdoor setting also plays a role in helping us achieve this, as fresh air and closeness to nature are thought to be important in keeping the mind alert and stimulated.

Boosts core strength

Having a strong core is regarded by many as the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, giving people a greater sense of stability that then permeates through to their mental health as well. Skiing helps us to develop our core muscles, as these are automatically called into play when we try to keep ourselves balanced. Naturally, it’s always a good idea to train these muscles before hitting the slopes rather than waiting until you’re on the snow and hoping your core holds out – but at the very least, skiing should provide an incentive to increase your core strength.

 

Reduced Anxiety

Skiing helps you cope with anxiety that develops from stressful life situations. Getting out onto the slopes provides you with a change of environment that helps you break free from the cycle of self-perpetuating negative thoughts that invades you throughout the day. Taking your mind off your worries, whether those worries are ongoing problems in your life or an unusual, once in a life time event gives you the mental break that you need and deserve.

 

 

Reduced Depression

Exercise such as skiing reduces chemicals released by your immune system that fuel the symptoms of depression. Skiing causes your brain to release the neurotransmitters and endorphins that lessen the symptoms of depression. According to the Mayo Clinic website, regular exercise such as skiing may help prevent the return of clinical depression if you keep up with this physical activity.

 

Lifts Mood

While any form of exercise has the power to lift your spirit and your mood, skiing has the benefit of getting you outside in the fresh air. Unlike forms of exercise that are performed indoors, being in the great outdoors brings feelings of oneness with nature, an appreciation of the great outdoors and the peaceful feeling of something greater than oneself. The change in environment helps lead you out of the routine places such as the office that deplete your spirit. Skiing may even fit into your treatment plan if you are under a provider’s care for health issues such as clinical depression or an anxiety disorder.

 

Thinking

Skiing offers the dual combination of aerobic activity and muscle building exercise, which according to the Centers for Disease Control, boosts your ability to think clearly, learn and make good decisions about your life. The mental stimulation of the outdoor environment while skiing exercises your brain as much as much as your body. Regular exercise such as skiing may even prevent cognitive decline and age-related losses in memory and other cognitive skills, explains the Franklin Institute.

 

Improved Sleep

A good workout through skiing during the daytime at least three hours before your bedtime will help to improve the quality of your sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, a healthy night’s sleep helps regulate your mood, improves your memory and ability to learn and helps promote a healthy weight and energy level. By including skiing in your fitness repertoire, you will enjoy the added psychological benefits of a good night’s sleep.

So how about a try with Les Elfes contact us at info@leselfes.in

Sources;-various articles on the internet

Indian Youth-Learn to ski this winter in switzerland with children from world over

 

If you have never been on the ski slopes, you should certainly consider spending your winter break learning this exciting sport with a host of other energetic people. Your response may be a hesitant one, because you have no idea how to ski, and you do not really know where to start or what equipment you will need. Attending a winter vacation snow camp can relieve all of those fears..
Ski schools and snowboard camps are extremely informative and give you the confidence you need to enjoy hours of skiing pleasure in a winter play land.
Ski schools and snowboard camps provide you with basic understanding, and opportunity to practice in a fun setting to learn the fundamental skills that are necessary to become a competent skier or snowboarder.
In addition, professional ski instructors teach you the fundamentals of this awesome sport in a friendly environment where you will be surrounded by other people just like you desiring to learn.
There are numerous benefits to the sport of skiing. The exercise factor alone is very significant because of the cardiovascular and muscular workouts you will get.
Besides the health reasons, learning a new sport and meeting other people who enjoy outdoor recreational activities is certainly a plus.
Networking with children who come from across the world is a bonus especially for those who are setting out to be international citizens
The entire camp is monitored by expert monitors and professional instructors whose main aim is to help you connect with the joys of skiing.
We have taken hundreds of children from India since the last 17 years to the beautiful settings in Verbier and Zermatt to become part of this global skiing passion,
How about joining us this winter.?Drop us a line at info@leselfes.in or learn more from http://www.leselfes.in

 

 

New Dates for October Events

 

AN EVENING WITH REECE & JENNI                       CHANGE OF DATES FOR MUMBAI & NEW DELHI Hello, As the dates for the October events get closer the excitement rises.All those who haven’t given in names ,do so now before the lists are closed. On popular demand we have postponed the events in Mumbai & Delhi to facilitate many more who were travelling over the long weekend to attend.The dates are now                                                                        New Delhi                                                 Mumbai 13th October                                             10th October Venue Remains Same                              Venue Remain Same House No 200,W 5 Lane                           The National Sports Club of India Western Avenue ,                                      Lala Lajpatrai Marg, Sainik Farms, New Delhi.                         Worli, Mumbai. Residence  of Vedant Kajaria                             Coordinator- Rachna Chawla                      Coordinator- Foram Doshi 09810178021                                               09322229264 leselfes@gmail.com                                    leselfesmumbai@gmail.com                                            “Don’t Forget to Bring a Friend” Jenni is planning a game with a non elf partner ,so do get your friend along for the event    Kolkatta 11th Oct 14                                     Rest Of India Venue Fort Knox                                         For all those Elfes not living in 6 Camac Street Area                                 these three Metros                         Kolkata.                                                        Coordinator                                           Please try & make it to the city Anupama Sharma,                                   closest to you and attend    09830392737                                                or connect with us  anupamasharma7@gmail.com                  leselfes@gmail.com Copyright © 2013 Les Elfes India, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Les Elfes India S-441, Greater Kailash Part 2 New Delhi 110048 India mail info@leselfes.in Offices at – Bangalore Chennai Mumbai  Kolkatta Vadodara  Ludhiana Hyderabad Goa

 

 

An Evening with Reece & Jenny

Les Elfes Monitors                                                           in India Reece & Jenny voted as the favourite monitors of the spring and summer 2104 season are visiting India this October to meet up with our Les Elfes India family .To facilitate this some of the elfes of 2014 are organising a series of events in Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkatta . We are inviting all of you who have been to any Les Elfes Verbier and Zermatt camp, regardless of the year you went in, to come and enjoy this evening with Reece & Jenny and also reconnect as an Elf .  We would love it ,if those of you ,who are not living in these cities can make arrangements to be here as the programs are scheduled for the week ends. Get a ( non Elf) friend along to show them Les Elfes spirit of fun. Details of the events are below. Best  Wishes, Les Elfes Team PS ;This is a limited numbers event so do book your place by getting in touch with the coordinators quickly.   New Delhi  4th Oct 14.                             Mumbai  5th Oct 14          Venue                                                     Venue House No 200,W 5 Lane                        The National Sports Club of India W 5 Lane Western Avenue                     Lala Lajpatrai Marg Sainik Farms New Delhi                         Worli,  Residence Vedant Kajaria                     Mumbai ( mascot for spring session 4) Coordinator- Rachna Chawla                      Coordinator Foram Doshi 09810178021                                               9322229264 leselfes@gmail.com                                    leselfesmumbai@gmail.com  Elfes Spearheading                                     Elfes Spearheading                                                                                New Delhi                                                     Mumbai Abhik Gupta coolabhik2@gmail.com                              Karan Jhaveri 8800166222                                                 9820805151 Mehak Tanwar tanwarmehak80@gmail.com                       karanjhaveri23@hotmail.com Vishawas Bindal – bindalvishwas@live.com                              Rohan Parekh Devansh Sharma devansh.mathuresh@gmail.com Kolkatta 11th Oct 14                                     Rest Of India             Venue Fort Knox  6 Camac Street Area                                  For all those Elfes not living in  Kolkata.                                                       these three Metros Coordinator- Anupama Sharma,                                       Please try & make it to the city 09830392737                                               closest to you and attend anupamasharma7@gmail.com                 For queries, coordination & help Elfes Spearheading                                  connect with the local city coordinator Nimisha Goenka +919830071299                                                               Or nimisha@emamigroup.com                                  drop us a line at Aadya Bhartia +919007756989                           leselfes@gmail.com aadyabhartia15@gmail.com Keshav Mirania +919831933332 keshav.mirania40@gmail.com Saatvik Agrawal +919674441888 saatvik2000@gmail.com

Newsletter 2013-14

A Fabulous Season Hello, We just concluded an amazing 2013-14  season and had the privilege of hosting nearly 200 children from India Though our individual programs continue till September, we take a break for the chaperoned camps till winters. Each year we try to offer something new or add different hues to our existing programs, This year we had introduced certificate programs for mountain biking and para-gliding along with skiing. We also introduced an element of Career guidance for the older participants. The ski programs continues to be most popular. Our winter ski programs were a sellout and spring ski had high participation. It was wonderful to have so many repeat participants endeavoring to go to higher levels. Our activity based summer program too continues to draw in many, as the international participation in this camp along with winters remains the highest. We now look forward to you  planning ahead for our next seasons programs .. Bear Wishes, Les Elfes Team

Our Popular Stars The Gang of Mascots 2013-14 Shlok Soni , Ranveer Modi ,Nehal Gupta, Abdullah Sheikh ,Atullya Agrawal,Shrey Sacheti ,Parina Kothari   Vedant Kajaria   Ayushi Patel   Sarah Pahwa       Specialised School Programs Les Efles India has also been pioneering exclusive school centric individualized programs for schools ,crafted according to their academic, curriculum or cultural demands. We have programs for languages, student exchange, art, science, culture, sports etc. This year we too we  conducted a range of specialized programs tailor made for schools. These included student exchange programs in France & Spain. Science trips to the CERN and Airbus, CAS service programs in Cambodia .We also had an Art Week in Paris and of course our regular  one week ski programs  for schools  Many schools like G D Goenka. Ahmadabad International, Ecole Modiale, Dirubhai Ambani School , British School Delhi and Aditya Birla School participated.    Words from Parents  I wish I was younger and could have had such a memorable experience … Even seeing the pictures and video is so exciting and thrilling … Wow ! I am so glad I sent Arjun. Thank you for helping me take the decision. Warmly Shradha Gupta Vedant is a changed kid this time… No sulking even once in the two weeks and not a single FaceTime to a point I was jealous…  He has had a blast  Many thanks once again for taking such good care of him  Regards  Vrinda Agrawal It’s an amazing feel to hear so much of excitement in these kid’s voices, their non stop comments about the soooper exciting trip & above all ur mails. Thanks  everyone associated for such a fantabulous & comfortable journey till now. ENJOY:) Regards, REETIKA TANWAR Read more    Copyright © 2013 Les Elfes India, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Les Elfes India S-441, Greater Kailash Part 2 New Delhi 110048 India Ph: +91 11 29213155    Offices at – Bangalore Chennai Mumbai  Kolkatta Vadodara  Ludhiana Hyderabad Goa unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Few kind words by some satisfied parents

Recommendations for 2013-14

 

   Thanks a lot for the wonderful time you’ve given the kids. And thanks a million for the love and affection with which Les Elfes took care of them. 

 

   Yes, it’s evident that the kids have had a great time coz as u rightly said… My daughter hasn’t found the time to call us. And whenever she does, she’s in a hurry to hang up and go. 

 

  I’m sure it’s been a ” Once in a lifetime” experience for them. Can’t thank Les Elfes in as many words as I might try. However, I will send in more comments once my daughter returns. 

 

Thanks once again. 

 

Cheers. 

Ruchika Goel 

 

I wish I was younger and could have had such a memorable experience … Even seeing the pictures and video is so exciting and thrilling … Wow !

I am so glad I sent Arjun.
Thank you for helping me take the decision.

Warmly
Shradha Gupta

,

 

Yet again I want to express my heart felt emotion that what Arjun has gained over these two weeks even i as a mother haven’t been able to and wouldn’t  have been able to provide such a changing experience for him. 

 

Thank you again 

Love and best wishes always

Shradha 

 

Dear Bibi and the whole team of les Elfes … 

 

It’s an ecstatic experience for us parents out here in India to experience what our boys and girls are enthralling upon there .. Through merely words written to us by you .. Beautiful words .. They can make us travel to the wonderful and beyond world of what the children must be doing and learning … Thank u so much for these mails .. Would preserve them always .. They can just port me into the world of les Elfes .. Thank you for a lovely experience .. Makes the child in me want to come out and enjoy les Elfes ::))))

Regards..

Aditi Jalan :)(mother of Aarav jalan

 

Thanks Bibi.. 

 

Vedant is a changed kid this time… No sulking even once in the two weeks and not a single FaceTime to a point I was jealous… 

 

He has had a blast 

 

Many thanks once again for taking such good care of him 

 

Regards 

 

Vrinda Agrawal

 

 

Hi  ! Anavi is good ! We are going to Dubai ? She really had a great time in Switzerland . She had a awesome experience and really enjoyed all the activities! She has a very high regard for you .Hope to meet u when next time I am in delhi . Planning to send my younger daughter with Anavi next  year to les Elfes .

Sanjay

 

 

awesome! We’ve been seeing all the pictures Uve been uploading on flicker!! Anjini seems to be having a blast ! It’s truely a great experience and will treasure all the memories!!

Thank u regards vidur devika 

 

 

 

It’s an amazing feel to hear so mch of excitement in these kid’s voice, their non stop comments abt the soooper exciting trip & above all ur mails.

Thanks Rachna & everyone associated for such a fantabulous & comfortable journey till now.

ENJOY:)

Regards,

REETIKA TANWAR

 

Have picked up Sarah and boarded my flight to london.
Wanted to thank you so so much. Sarah had the time of her life. She cannot stop talking about her experience and is actually sad to be going back.
Rachna has been so great with her and actually was like a mother to her. Will talk to u soon when I get back but as Sarah is talking about her experience I can’t stop thinking about thanking u and Rachna.

Lots of love
Tikoo

 Mandeep Pahwa