Ready to join the winter adventure?⭣

We tend to think of winter as the season that keeps children indoors. It's the opposite. The cold changes the way you walk, look and play. The forest falls quiet, bare branches draw themselves against the sky, and the first snowfall turns a familiar path into completely new ground.

Our winter camps follow that energy. Children explore, build, cook, create and get active, both outdoors and indoors. Each day has its themes and places. Nothing is set in stone, because winter never is.

In winter, nature becomes discreet. And that is exactly what makes it so fascinating to watch.

Fox tracks in fresh snow, frost drawing ferns across a window, a stream freezing at its edges, the low light of three in the afternoon: these are details you only see in this season. A walk becomes an investigation, a few branches and some snow are enough to build a shelter, and a soup shared outdoors never tastes the same as one at home.

A winter isn't remembered through pictures alone. It lives on in red cheeks after a sledging run, the sound of skates on ice, the first bend taken behind a dog team, soaked gloves drying on a radiator and the hot chocolate that follows.

Children come home tired. It's the kind of tired they talk about for the whole journey back.

Winter refuses to be planned. Some weeks the snow is there from Monday; other weeks we have to go up and find it. Fog settles in, ice makes a path impassable, a sledging run closes.

We would rather follow the season than force a programme. When the outdoors delivers, we're out in it: forest, sledging, ice rink, long walks. When it doesn't, we go elsewhere — a museum, a climbing hall, a swimming pool, a cinema — and those moments aren't a fallback. They were part of the programme from the start.

In winter, lunch counts twice over. It warms, it brings everyone together, it splits the day in two.

Our menus follow the season: squash or leek soups, gratins, root vegetables, orchard apples and pears, and a hot tea after time outside. Everything is prepared from local, seasonal produce. Children take part whenever they can — peeling, stirring and tasting are part of the experience.

To make life easier for families, we offer several convenient pick-up locations between Morges, Lausanne and Vevey. The same meeting points and pick-up times apply to all of our camps.

You can find the full list of pick-up locations on our Camps page.

All of our Winter Camps include supervision by the Hey Folks team, freshly prepared meals and snacks made with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, return transport from our pick-up locations, and all the equipment needed for each activity. Children experience nature coming back to life through adventures and activities specially designed for the spring holidays.

Details of our different pricing options—including Standard, Early Booking, Corporate and Member rates—as well as the terms and conditions for each option, can be found on our Camps page in the Pricing section.

1. Is it too cold to spend the whole day outdoors?

No, as long as children are properly dressed. They alternate between outdoor and indoor activities throughout the day, and the team keeps a close eye on their hands, feet and ears. We adjust the length of outdoor activities to suit the day’s weather.

2. Do children need skis or winter sports equipment?

No, this camp does not involve skiing. No specialist equipment, skill level or previous experience is required, and there are no additional ski pass costs: the camp costs the same as our camps in other seasons. Equipment is provided for sledging and ice skating. If your child would like to ski, our ski camp is the right choice.

3. What should we pack?

Warm, waterproof clothing, suitable footwear for snow, gloves, a hat and scarf, a spare pair of gloves, and a swimsuit and towel for the swimming pool day. You’ll find a full packing list in your confirmation email.

4. What if there is no snow?

The programme is designed to work even without snow. Sledging and dog sledding take place at higher altitudes, where snow cover is reliable. If conditions prevent these activities from going ahead, we replace them with an equally exciting experience—never half a day spent waiting around.

5. What happens during the dog sled ride?

A professional musher leads the activity with their own dogs and equipment. Children meet the dogs before setting off, learn how the sled team works, and ride in the sled. We only work with mushers who provide appropriate living conditions for their dogs and respect their welfare when planning workloads and rest.

6. Are children safe during ice skating and sledging?

Yes. Helmets are compulsory for sledging, children are closely supervised on the ice, and groups are split by age and ability for both activities. The team stays with them throughout.

7. Are meals adapted to the season?

Yes. Soups, gratins, root vegetables and winter fruit: our team prepares meals using local, seasonal ingredients.

8. How do you manage allergies and special dietary requirements?

Let us know when you register, and we’ll adapt the meals accordingly. If your child has a severe allergy, we’ll call you before camp to agree on the arrangements.

9. My child doesn’t know anyone. Is that a problem?

No. Our groups include children of different ages and are kept small, and the first activities of the week are designed to help everyone get to know each other. Most children leave on Friday with new friends.

10. Who looks after the children?

Our camps are limited to 24 children per week, allowing us to give each child individual attention. Every member of the Hey Folks team holds the required special criminal record extract and the qualifications needed to work with children. At least two team members present each week have up-to-date paediatric first aid training.

11. What are the drop-off and pick-up times?

Drop-off is between 7:45 and 8:00 am at your chosen departure point. Children return between 5:30 and 6:00 pm, depending on the location.

12. How are parents kept informed during the week?

We create a WhatsApp group for each camp. You’ll receive photos and updates throughout the week, and you can contact the team at any time.

13. Can I register my child for just one day?

Camps are booked by the week. For a single day, take a look at our adventure days.

14. Why choose a winter camp?

Because winter offers so much to discover close to home. Children enjoy the snow without needing to ski, explore places they wouldn’t visit on their own, and come home with experiences—a dog sled ride, their first sledging run, a film on the big screen—that are unique to this time of year.

A single week, from 4 to 8 January. 24 children, not one more. It's the only winter camp of the year, and places go before the holidays.

Book a place

Summer is just one of the many adventures offered by Hey Folks. Throughout the year, each camp is thoughtfully designed to help children discover a different side of nature as the seasons change.

• Easter Camps – Spring awakening, seed planting, nature discoveries and outdoor Easter egg hunts.
• Summer Camps – Several weeks of adventure from June to August, exploring lakes, forests, mountains and picturesque villages across French-speaking Switzerland.
• Autumn Camps – Vibrant forests, seasonal harvests, creative workshops and Halloween adventures.
• Ski Camps – A week in Champéry where children learn, improve their skiing and build confidence on the slopes with the Swiss Ski School.
• All Our Camps – Find everything you need to know about our camps, including how they work, daily schedules, transport, meals, supervision and pricing.

The adventure doesn't stop when the school holidays are over. Throughout the year, our Adventure Days on Saturdays and our Birthday Parties give children even more opportunities to explore, create and enjoy new outdoor adventures.