The information in this section is ideal for projects and presentations, and simply to improve your knowledge and understanding of the culture and history surrounding Our Chalet.
History of Our Chalet
The history of Our Chalet is summarized on our web site. Click here to go to the 'History of Our Chalet' page.
You can also buy the complete history of Our Chalet in a book entitled ‘Our Chalet 1932-1992’ from our on-line shop.
The history of Our Chalet is also documented in the ‘Story of Four World Centres’ (also available from our on-line shop).
Back to topChalet Matters Newsletter
‘Chalet Matters’ is Our Chalet’s annual newsletter. It gives readers an update on what’s been happening at the Chalet over the last year.
If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter each year, please join the Friends of Our Chalet.
We also produce a quarterly e-newsletter that we can e-mail to you to keep you up-to-date with the latest news from Our Chalet. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please subscribe to our on-line newsletter and it will be e-mailed to you.
Songs from Our Chalet
OUR CHALET SONG
Click here to hear the song performed by Melinda Caroll for Girl Scouts Greatest Hits © Legend Productions Inc.
Music by Joseph Bovet
French words by Mme. E Droin de Morsier
English version by Betty Askwith
1. High up, high on the mountain,
We've founded our Chalet,
Its sloping roof and wide Shall
shelter us without a care.
And each Girl Scout and Guide
Shall find a welcome there.
2. High up, high on the mountain,
We'll go to our Chalet;
Our simple life is free,
Our hearts are light, our songs are gay,
We ever shall remember
The joys of our Chalet.
3. High up. high on the mountain,
We've founded our Chalet;
And this its dedication
Shall never fail nor be undone:
Each race, each creed, each nation,
Beneath its roof are one.
1. Lahaut, sur la montagne,
Il est un grand Chalet;
Son large toit penche
Abritera notre arnitie;
Pour toutes le Eclaireuses,
Il sera le foyer
2. Lahaut, sur la montagne,
Allons au grand Chalet
Gouter la joie du camp
Et du travail fait en chantant,
La vie simple et sereine
Et le recueillement.
3. Lahaut, sur la montagne,
Dans notre grand Chalet,
Autour de l'atre gris
Ou le feu clair petille et rit,
Nous nous sentons unies
Et fortes par l'esprit.
This is a popular song from the musical the ‘Sound of Music’ which can often be heard being sung at Our Chalet. The Edelweiss is a protected perennial alpine flower belonging to the daisy family. It is white, star-shaped and is very difficult to see as it can only be found in rocky areas high up in the mountains.
Here are the words to the song:Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Every morning you greet me,
Small and white,
Clean and bright,
You look happy to meet me.
Blossom of snow,
May you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Bless my homeland forever.
Games and Crafts from Our Chalet
SCHERENSCHNITT
Scherenschnitt is the name of the black and white paper craft you often see in Switzerland. The picture or design is cut out of black paper and then put over a white paper background to make a contrasting image. You can have a go at this craft by following these instructions.
You will need:
1 sheet of black paper
1 sheet of white paper
Scissors
Paper glue
Instructions:
Take the sheet of black paper and fold it in half, and then in half again. Next is your chance to be creative. With the scissors, carefully cut out small sections of the paper, leaving enough of the folded edges so that the paper stays together. Once your design is complete unfold it and place it over the white sheet to see it to the best effect possible. When you are happy with your design, glue the two layers together, leave to dry and then it is ready to display wherever you would like.
Hints:
You might find it useful to draw your design lightly in pencil if you are doing a detailed pattern. Once you have had some practice, you can try folding the paper more than twice and see the different effects you can make. This craft can be used very effectively to make greetings, birthdays, Christmas and thank you cards, or for other special occasions.
The Swiss people are very proud of their flag. The white cross on a red background symbolises the Christianity of the Swiss nation.
You could make crafts based on the Swiss flag with beads or paper and decorate your meeting place for a Swiss Evening.
Cow bells are often heard in the Adelboden Valley. You can make your own decorative Cow bells.
You will need:
An empty yoghurt pot
Some coloured paper
A strip of felt about 20cm long and 5cm wide
Instructions:
Take the empty yoghurt pot and carefully cut a slit in the top 5cm wide. Decorate both the pot and the strip of felt (on one side) with cut out shapes of coloured paper. You can try to make shapes of cows and Swiss flowers such as Edelweiss if you would like. When you are pleased with your design, fold the strip of felt in half. Poke the ends of the loop of felt through the slit and fix with tape. Your bell is complete.
A good game to help you learn a bit more about Switzerland is the colours game. Switzerland has four official Languages; German, French, Italian and Romansch. This game will help you to learn a few different words in some of these languages.
To play the game the leader calls out a colour and those playing run to put their hand on something in the room which is that colour. For younger children you could perhaps have coloured sheets of paper pinned to the wall to make it easier and just stick to red, yellow, green and blue.
Once you have got used to the game in English you can add colours in another language, when they are good at that, add one more. See how many new colours and languages you can learn for a really international evening.
| English | German | French | Italian |
| red | rot | rouge | rosso |
| orange | orange | orange | arancione |
| yellow | gelb | jaune | giallo |
| green | grün | vert | verdi |
| blue | blau | bleu | azzuro |
| purple | lila | violet | viola |
| black | schwarz | noir | nero |
| white | weiss | blanc | bianco |
Our Chalet’s Cookbook
Switzerland is famous for its cakes and chocolate, a huge variety of breads, as well as its cheeses. The most well-known dishes are fondue (cheese cooked in wine), raclette (a special type of cheese cooked in front of an open fire), rösti (grated potatoes, fried) and Birchermüesli (fruit in yogurt, cream and oatmeal).
The most popular dishes served at Our Chalet can be found in the Our Chalet Cookbook, which can be purchased at Our Chalet or on-line through our mail order shop.
Three of our most popular recipes are given below.
CHEESE FONDUE
Per person:
150 – 200 gr grated cheese (ideally a mixture of Gruyère, Emmental, and Appenzell)
100 ml dry white wine
1 teaspoon cornflour
Kirsch
Paprika, black pepper, nutmeg, garlic
Bread cut into 1 inch cubes
Rub the inside of the fondue-pot (caquelon) with a clove of garlic. Heat the wine slowly, add the cheese, stirring continuously in the same direction. Mix the corn flour with some Kirsch, and add to the cheese. Stir and simmer for a few minutes to a smooth creamy consistency (do not panic if the cheese curdles, just keep stirring!). Season before serving.
Put the fondue-pot on a “rechaud” to keep the fondue simmering. Stir occasionally. Dip bread into the fondue with a fork and enjoy!
“BIRCHER MÜESLI“ (as a sweet course)
Serves 10
1 litre natural yogurt
150 gr oat flakes
Juice and grated peel of 2 lemons
Fruit according to season: apples, oranges, pears, bananas, apricots, peaches, grapes, berries, etc.
Sugar
100 ml cream
Mix together the yogurt, oat flakes and lemon juice. Add the fruit cut into small pieces, and sugar to taste. Just before serving add 100 ml whipped cream. Serve in individual bowls or glasses, decorated with fruit.
In winter, tinned fruit can be used. Grated hazelnuts and raisins may be added, as well as milk or yogurt.
“RÖSTI” - BERNESE FRIED POTATOES
Serves 4
1 kg potatoes
1 large onion, finely chopped
bacon, cut into small cubes
Parboil the potatoes, leaving their skins on. Peel, and grate coarsely. Lightly fry the onions, adding the bacon cut into small pieces and continue to fry until golden brown. Add the potatoes to the onion and bacon mixture. Turn carefully from time to time while frying, until the “Rösti” is crisp.