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A few people have called or written this week asking about life at Swiss Semester...loved the call from 'long time listener' Trudy in Oklahoma who asked "Where is this Zermatt place and what makes it so special". Or the one from Gunder who lives right here in Zermatt and wrote to ask "what is a Swiss Semester?" "And how come these kids walk four abreast as they move through our tiny town?" Not sure how to answer that last one, Gunder. But we will address the first one and many more questions like it, on our show today. swisssemster.org.
Swiss Semester has been around for almost 25 years...providing an unique educational experience for high school sophomores from around the country. Students have a six class period day. After a hearty breakfast together as a group, the students head off to their first of four classes before lunch. Student eat lunch usually in the 'field'. The afternoon is set up as an outdoor classroom. Students have the chance to rock climb, hike or take part in a geology unit. I walk with a group today that was headed out on a 'long hike'. We hiked 9 miles over a 4 hour- 30 minute time period.
Our group heading out...why do we always start with an uphill?
Because uphills lead to views like this of Zermatt
And their guide...the guy from mountainous Colorado...has gotten them lost.
All student activities have to be completed by 4:30 so that students can promptly get back to their last two classes. Needless to say, our group did not get back on time. We rolled in about 30 minutes late. The kids then take their last two classes then go straight to dinner.
The dining hall for breakfast and dinner
The rowdy table...Emme is out of control
"Some kind of meat"
How many of you listeners out there remember that Bill Murray classic "Meatballs"? A classic line from the movie is the caption of the last picture. I am fairly certain it was some variety of wurst wrapped in bacon. I ate two which is two more than most of the kids. You will also notice on the serving platter that there are peas. If you are a long time listener and follower of this program, you know I don't do peas. But when that's all there is...then you eat it. As an aside...peas are not helped by pepper, catchup, mustard, or au gratin potatoes. They suck whether they are in the food or served on the side.
When students are done with dinner, they have a mandatory study hall for two hours. They must also have lights out and be in their beds by 10:15...no exceptions. A reader from Boise ID wrote and questioned the constitutionality of having the kids in bed at that time. The law says that as long as they are not wearing a rosary, a school may require any bedtime they see fit.
The program is very scheduled, very rigid and very demanding...both mentally and physically. I think both DJ and Emme have an idea of what this program can and will do for them when they return home to their home schools.
Here are some links on Zermatt. It is, without question, unlike any other place I have seen. It is simply beautiful.
That's our show for today. Check back in with us tomorrow when we answer the age-old question, "Are hemorrhoids a sign of global warming?"
The first picture is tres cool--one to enlarge and hang in your Colorado home. I love the warm, lodge-y look of the dining hall...the food, not so much.
ReplyDeleteScott, I truly think you are finding your voice! Loved this installment. Are peas the national vegetable, or are they just really cheap this time of year to feed a ton of kids?
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