Summer School Adventure: Log Rafting at Lake Arnen

Summer Journal

View of the Swiss Alps from the Leysin American School Campus
Summer School Adventure: Log Rafting at Lake Arnen

At LAS Summer in Switzerland 2025, students are encouraged to push themselves out of their comfort zones, try new things, and spend time in the outdoors. We are so lucky that here in Switzerland, we have an amazing array of activities and landscapes to explore, and our summer students certainly made the most of every opportunity! From parapenting and hiking to swimming and horseback riding, the program offers countless chances to explore, grow, and connect with nature.

Last year, our summer school students participated in an amazing excursion to the stunning Lake Arnen, nestled in the picturesque Vaud Alps. Students enjoyed an afternoon of teamwork and adventure at the Alpinzentrum! This involved log raft making, canoeing, and more, all skills that many of our students had never tried before.

Upon arrival, the Alpinzentrum guides provided a safety briefing and split the group into two teams. One began with log raft building, using ropes, barrels, and logs to engineer a floating structure that would carry their whole team across the water. The other group set off for canoeing across the calm, alpine lake. Halfway through the afternoon, the groups switched, giving everyone the chance to test their teamwork, coordination, and paddling skills.

Students quickly learned how to work together, communicate effectively, and support one another whilst building their rafts. Students were required to use ingenuity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, and they were really put to the test during this challenging task! The scenic mountain backdrop and refreshing water made it a really fun afternoon out.

Completing this challenge was rewarding for our students, who enjoyed working with their friends and cooling off by the lake! We are so lucky to live so close to amazing places like Lake Arnen, and we love using our surroundings to enrich our students’ learning experiences. Whether students are exploring the wilderness, swimming through crystal clear waters, or creating log rafts, there’s so much to do during a Summer in Switzerland! 

(Please note that this activity may be different in Summer 2026)