A Word from the Parents

VSF kindled in our daughter a passion for France: its people, its language, its countryside, and its spirit. We were extremely pleased with the superb organization and planning behind VSF. It offered us the perfect balance of structure and security we, as parents, were looking for, yet plenty of the adventure our daughter was seeking. 

Mrs. Lela B., Oakland (California) 
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Naturally we were nervous about sending our daughter to camp so far from home. However, in each phase of organization Valérie and her staff minded every detail. Our confidence in VSF proved to be well deserved. This immersion experience was just what she needed. Rebecca's French (and confidence) improved greatly. 

Mr. & Mrs. J.F., Oakland (California) 

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I am writing to thank you for all the personal attention you gave Mae this summer. She was quite young (9) to be jetting off alone to a foreign country but, since this was my third child participating in VSF, I was at ease knowing you and your staff would be there waiting for her.

She considers the entire experience a grand adventure and speaks of it often.... watching the storms move in over the mountains from the chalet balcony, gliding through the trees on "accrobranche", camping out with new friends, and cooking, cooking, cooking...her favorite thing in the world to do!

Two days after she arrived home, she was preparing a ganache for chocolate truffles, which she proudly served at a family birthday party (and which were delicious by the way) and she also made us a yogurt cake with mango sorbet. She learned so many things, in addition to improving her French (songs, camping skills, cooking, gardening, farming). All in all, it was a fantastic and life changing experience for her. Thank you!

 Michelle Shindell – Mother of Maé, 9 - USA

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I wanted to give you a little follow up on Ben and Sarah's summer camp experiences with VSF.

First, as you may have ascertained from some of my emails, we received the usual dire and negative communications from both Ben and Sarah during camp. What's interesting, though, is how deep a positive impression the experience has  clearly left on them.

Both Ben and Sarah have not stopped telling us stories about camp, about their experiences, friends they made, funny incidents.

Ben, who was especially against the idea of going to camp, obviously got a tremendous amount out if. Not only did he make friends, but they are emailing each other (Ben's written French makes Haitian creole seem like it is written by the Académie Française!).

Sarah keeps singing songs in French she learned at camp, and we are finally speaking French together. And, of course, they learned a lot of real, conversational French, which is terrific!

I most certainly hope you will continue the program next year. Ben has already  mentioned a camp in the Alps that features hand gliding  and Sarah would probably love to do a camp with as much horseback riding as possible. Thank you again. All the best!

Kent Gordis – Father of Benjamin (Camp 5: Le Trésor des Pirates) and Sarah (Camp 1: La Cité des Templiers) August 2011

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Thank you for Annalee's great camp experience ! She had a wonderful time (in spite of her initial homesickness & flash flu).... Many memorable experiences all around ! And thank you again, for all your notes & calls & updates (and, of course, patience with me regarding communicating with my daughter across the world.) All the best to you & VSF!

Laura Kaplanis USA / Annalee Colteaux Camp 12 2011

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Thank you once again for Formanoir! Gali has a lot of impressions, she has changed a lot, she has improved her French and her English. And she has become more self-confident! She was very sad that she had to leave her friends. With best regards,

Lucie Vorontsova – Czek Republic – Gali Vorontsova 13 / Formanoir July 2011

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Amy is home now. Thank you so much for everything!
You are a great director and your program is wonderful.
I will surely recommend you and VSF’s program to my friends. Hope Amy can join you in the future! Thanks again for everything!

Cindy L. (Mother of Amy – Hong-Kong - China) Camp 4 "Formanoir"/ July 2011

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A Word from the Kids

	La Cité Des Templiers (VSF Camp 1)
	Les Ecuyers du Larzac (VSF Camp 2)
	The Castle of Formanoir (VSF Camp 4)
	Entre Ciel et terre (VSF Camp 8)
	Evasion Sportive (VSF Camp 11)
	VTT Trial & Cocktail Nautique (VSF Camp 12)
	Atout Fun! (VSF Camp 13)
	Marmites & Arts Gourmands (VSF Camp 16)
	Le Château (previous VSF camp)
	Le Moulin Bleu (previous VSF camp)
	Le Cirque dans la Montagne (previous VSF Camp)
	Cocktail Mt. Blanc (previous VSF camp)