Switzerland Week Without Walls- Grade 8

1. Switzerland Week Without Walls- Grade 8 Parents Meeting 24rd February 2009 6.00pm Room C1-41- Senior School

2. Agenda • Meet the supervisors • Itinerary • Medical Forms and Travel Contract • Behaviour - Rules and Expectations • Visa Requirements • Packing List • Visa Deadline • Questions

3. Accompanying Staff • Michael Bowe- Trip Leader/ English Dept • Mark Le Surf – IT/DT Dept • Eliza Pomiecinska – Counseling • Rebecca Hennard – Science Dept • Zeina Jawad – Math Dept/ Grade 8 Head

4. Itinerary Departure: From Doha airport on 9th May at 22:55 pm Arrive in Amsterdam at 6:10 am Depart Amsterdam at 7:10 am Arrive Geneva at 8:40 am Return: Depart Geneva May 17 at 9:25 am Arrive Amsterdam at 11:04 am Depart Amsterdam at 13:15 pm Arrive Doha at 21:45 pm All KLM flights

5. Departure • Students must arrive no later than 7:45 pm on May 9 • Students must not bring more than 1 suitcase (max 20 kg) and 1 carryon bag (max 7 kg)

6. Trip Highlights • Orienteering course • Rock climbing • Full day Mountain Hike • “Earth Works” – understanding the alpine environment • Survival skills • Nature at Night • Visit to a salt mine • Visit to Geneva – boat tour, UN visit, shopping

7. Outdoor clothes required!

8. 1200-2000 meters – a bit of tiredness first days

9. http://www.villagecamps.com

10. Dormitory living, 4 to a room

11. Medical Form • Please provide all relevant information concerning the student’s medical needs • National Health Service + Qatar Foundation insurance • Three chaperones have been recently trained in first aid/CPR • There are doctors in Leysin village

12. Medical Consent Form, Parental Permission and Travel Contract • Please sign these tonight and hand back in • Medical forms must have any relevant allergies or other information • Please note that school rules apply at all times during the trip

13. Hostel/Dormitory • We will try to fulfill student rooming requests – if the match is appropriate • Usually 4 students to a room • This is a healthy trip! Students should not bring any junk food on the trip/into their rooms (it will be removed)

14. Behaviour Expectations • Very high standards expected • During daily activities, students will be in group of 6-8 with a camp supervisor and QA chaperone. • They will not be permitted to be by themselves at any time • School rules will apply at all times

15. What do we expect? • Punctual in mornings - 6.30am wake-up shower, getting dressed, down to breakfast • Follow staff instructions at all times • Usual school rules concerning alcohol, tobacco, drugs • Lights Out times must be respected - we have a busy schedule and students will be tired if they don’t sleep • Units of Work will have to be completed during the visit

16. If these rules are violated • Students will be returned to Doha on the next available flight • This will be at parent’s expense • You will be restricted from taking part in other school trips

17. Other points • No laptops • Chaperones will maintain a Wiki that parents can access each day • iPods acceptable during rest periods NOT during camp activities • Mobiles may be brought – but beware of high roaming charges from Qtel • Students are responsible for their own belongings. We will NOT safeguard these for them! • (Passports will be kept safe by Mr. Bowe)

18. Valuables (continued) • Can bring a camera but keep it safe • Leave expensive jewelry and fine watches at home • Only bring an item if prepared to lose it • Wet weather can damage electonic items – keep in plastic bags or in room

19. Passports and Money • Supervisors will keep passports safe and carry copies during excursions • Passports MUST be valid for 6 months! • Students will be responsible for their own money. Do not bring large amounts.

20. How much money to take? • We suggest 50 Swiss francs • There is only the need for spending money on the Geneva afternoon (snacks, souvenirs) • We will not stop at a bank to exchange dollars or riyals. Please change money before students go

21. Immigration Requirements • All students must carry a Parental Consent Form through Immigration • All students must have a valid visa for their stay in Switzerland

22. Visas • Switzerland has joined the Schengen Visa countries. • GCC citizens with a Shengen visa don’t need Swiss visa to visit the country. • Check with the Swiss embassy (Kuwait) for more information: http://www.eda.admin.ch/kuwait

23. Paperwork for acquiring visas • Application Form • A separate parental consent form • School trip letter from QA • 280 QR (current rate for 60 Euro) • Send visa application with passport and letters to the Swiss Embassy in Kuwait

24. From the Swiss Embassy Website • Passport must be valid for three months beyond the stay • The application form must be completed in English and signed by the applicant. • 2 passport photographs with biometric characteristics not older than 6 months – neither stapled nor glued. • Electronic Flight Ticket to or via Switzerland to the final destination and return • Travel health insurance (minimum coverage of Euros 30’000 or Swiss Francs 50’000) Travel • During the processing time the passport has to remain with the Embassy or Consulate general of Switzerland in Kuwait

25. IMPORTANT! • It is YOUR responsibility to obtain a visa and pay the fee • If you do not, the student will be unable to travel • No refund of trip fees will be possible • Please send a copy of the visa to us at school by the end of March

26. Clothing to Pack (maximum 20 kg) • sleepwear (modest, please!) • comfortable everyday clothes for evenings and day trips (Clothing must be acceptable for school. No ripped jeans, visible underwear or midriff-baring tops) • 5 days’ sport outfits: Sweat pants, t-shirts, fleece, wind-water proof jacket • trainers / hiking shoes (be prepared for a lot of wet walking!) • Thick socks (to prevent cold feet and blisters) • a pullover/ sweater / light gloves and scarf • compact umbrella • toilet kit • curling iron / hair dryer if you use one • a small daypack can be useful on hiking trips

27. Action Points • Fill out forms this evening • Obtain Visa for those students who need on • Send copy of Visa to school by end of March

28. Contact Information • mbowe@qf.org.qa • 5040749 • cshwaberow@qf.org.qa • 5867624

29. Questions…