Château Family Camp 2025

Along the shores of Lake Geneva lies one of the most historic châteaus in all of Switzerland: the Château de Chillon, a one-time strategic point connecting the states of Vaud and Valais that inspired a poem written by Lord Byron. Visitors can tour this extraordinary castle and see Byron's name inscribed on one of the dungeon pillars. The Pepperdine team will escort family camp participants by train to Château de Chillon.

Payment due at entrance to the castle, tours are on your own.

Price: Approximately $7–$20 per person

The Lavaux Vineyard, dating back to the 12^th century, has been registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and is rich with both fertile soil and history. Group tours provide visitors with information about the vineyard’s origins, the process of wine production, and Switzerland’s wine industry and distribution.

Price: $60 per person | 3-hour tour | Wine tasting available

Enjoy a round of golf at the historic Lausanne Golf Club, which has been in operation for more than 100 years in the picturesque town just northwest of the château . This varied, challenging course offers beautiful views of the Alps and recently underwent a 15-year renovation process, preserving the traditional elements of the course while adapting to modern changes of the game. The hilly parkland course located near the north shore of Lake Geneva features several holes that are routed through woods of chestnut, birch, and fir trees. 

Price: $350 per person | Limited to 12 people

Enjoy a floating tour of Lake Geneva on one of the renovated paddle steamboats in the Belle Époque fleet. Take in stunning views of Montreux (wave to Freddie Mercury's statue), Château de Chillon, and voyage into France before returning to Vevey. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The Pepperdine team will escort family camp participants by train to the pier. Payment is due at the entrance to the steamboat.

Join the Château d'Hauteville vintners and estate farmer to learn about the winemaking and cheese making processes and sample some local Swiss cheeses and wines—including our own d'Hauteville label!

Price: $75 per person | Adults only, limited to the first 48 registrants

Tour the "fromagerie" and watch wheels of the regional Gruyère cheese come into being right before your eyes. You'll have a chance to sample a variety of cheeses and pick out the perfect souvenir at the cheese factory gift shop. After the Gruyère Cheese Factory tour, you can enjoy the picturesque medieval village, where you can wander through the shops, restaurants, and explore the Castle of Gruyères. A shuttle will be provided to and from Gruyère, tours of the cheese factory will be coordinated by the Pepperdine team.

Price: $75 per person | Limited to the first 50 registrants

Join your fellow campers for an inspiring hike overlooking the Alps and Lake Geneva, taking in God’s beautiful creation and connecting with nature. Hiking in Les Pléiades offers a scenic adventure through Switzerland's lush landscapes. Known for its natural beauty, this tranquil area of Swiss countryside is ideal for nature lovers seeking a serene escape. Trails wind through meadows and forests, providing opportunities to spot wildlife and experience the stunning seasonal blooms. After your hike, enjoy a bite at one of the charming restaurants on this mountain where you will feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of “The Sound of Music.”

Price: $20 per person

The Bex Salt Mines, located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, offer a fascinating journey into centuries of salt mining history. Visitors can explore a labyrinth of more than 30 miles of tunnels and caverns, learning about the traditional methods used to extract salt from deep within the mountain. The guided tour of what is the oldest active salt mine in Switzerland provides a unique glimpse into the complex engineering and hard work that sustained the local economy for generations. With interactive exhibits and impressive underground galleries, the Bex Salt Mines offer an unforgettable experience of Swiss industrial heritage. Visit the salt mine boutique to select from a variety of foods, wine, beer, cosmetic products, and more.

Price: $50 per person | Limited to the first 50 registrants

Join a CVVT group sailing lesson where an expert mariner will teach you how to “play with the wind” and navigate a boat across the beautiful open waters of Lake Geneva! All sailing school students will be fully supervised on motorized boats, letting you relax while you experiment in learning a new skill in a picturesque, aquatic environment. 

Price: $200 per person| Limited to the first 16 registrants

This adults-only dinner featuring local musicians is the perfect way for you to spend your final night of Family Camp, bonding with the friends you’ve made throughout the week, reminiscing and enjoying a wonderful meal prepared by the Château d’Hauteville’s incredible culinary staff. Seated in the cozy, historic Johnson Family Wine Cave, you and your fellow diners will create memories that will happily carry you all the way back to the States. 

Price: $275 per person | Adults only, limited to the first 48 registrants

Please Note: During the wine dinner, a kid-friendly meal will be concurrently served in the Château’s Orangerie, where childcare will be provided by Kids-Trip staff, and families can choose to dine together as a group if they choose.

Twin beds | communal bathrooms with private showers

Room Type	Beds	Week Price	Availability
Type A	6 beds | 3 sets of bunk beds	$2,400	4
Type B	6 beds | 2 sets of bunk beds, 2 stand-alone twin beds	$2,400	1
Type C	4 beds | 2 sets of bunk beds	$1,600	3
Type D	4 beds  | 1 set of bunk beds, 2 stand-alone twin beds	$1,600	2
Type E	3 beds | 1 set of bunk beds, 1 stand-alone twin bed	$1,200	5
Type F	3 beds  | all stand-alone twin beds	$1,200	1
Type G	2 beds | 1 set of bunk beds	$800	3
Type H	2 beds | both stand-alone twin beds	$800	2

Building	Beds	Amenities	Week Price	Availability
L'Orangerie Single Room	1 twin bed per room	shared restroom/shower facilities	$700	26 single rooms
L'Orangerie Apartment	2 bedrooms, 1 queen bed per room	accommodates a family of four, equipped with private kitchen, bathroom, powder room, living room, washer and dryer	$6,000	1 reservation
Garden House | Single Bed Option	1 twin bed per room	shared restroom/shower facilities	$800	3 single-bed rooms
Garden House | Double Bed Option	1 double bed per room | 2 twin-size mattresses set alongside each other	shared restroom/shower facilities	$1,000	5 double-bed rooms
Birch House (Gatehouse)	3 rooms, 3 king beds | 1 room, queen bed	accommodates up to 8 people, private kitchen, living room, 2 full bathrooms, laundry room	$9,000	2 reservations
Château Faculty Apartment (photos not available)	2 bedrooms, 1 queen bed per room	accommodates a family of four, equipped with private kitchen and two bathrooms, powder room, living room, washer and dryer	$7,500	1 reservation

L'Orangerie Single Room

L'Orangerie Apartment

Garden House

Birch House (Gatehouse)

Area hotels for families with children under the age of 8, or families who choose not to stay overnight at the château:

• Modern Times Hotel(Marriott)
  
  Four-star hotel near Chaplin's World Museum. Easily walkable to and from the château property for daily participation in Family Camp events and meals. To make your reservation, visit the hotel's website and use promotion code "Pepperdine" to receive the discounted rate. Room rates include breakfast and parking; taxes are not included. Email contact: reservation@moderntimeshotel.ch
• Astra Hotel
  
  Four-star hotel with easy access to a nearby train station. To make your reservation, visit the hotel's website and use promotion code "malibu25" to receive the discounted rate.
• Hotel des Trois Couronnes
  
  

  Five-star hotel alongside the shore of Lake Geneva, in Vevey. Approximately two miles from the château, 5–6 minute drive.

• Grand Hôtel du Lac
  
  Five-star boutique hotel near Hotel des Trois Couronnes, several restaurants, and the picturesque region of La Tour-de-Peilz. Approximately two miles from the château, 5–6 minute drive.

Vevey is a beautiful resort town with historic sites and iconic landmarks, surrounded by enchanting villages and postcard-perfect Swiss countryside. Below are some optional activities to consider during your visit.

Montreux Jazz Festival
The iconic Montreux Jazz Festival held on the shores of Lake Geneva each year never fails to impress. Founded by music executive Claude Nobs, this two-week event is one of the most prestigious in Europe with stages graced by all of music's greats, from Miles Davis and Ray Charles to David Bowie and Prince. This year's festival is taking place from July 4–July 19, 2025.

Cailler Chocolate Factory | Broc
Visit the factory that is home to Switzerland's oldest brand of chocolate—and of course, partake of some sweet morsels along the way. For an additional level of experience, book a workshop in which you and your fellow travelers can learn to make an original ganache, truffle, or praline.
 
Chaplin's World | Museum (Vevey)
Visit the home where silent film star Charlie Chaplin resided with his family for many years and explore immersive exhibits that celebrate Chaplin's time on screen and re-create some of his most well-known sets. Explore the expansive, attractive grounds and stop for a bite in the museum's restaurant.
 
The Olympic Museum | Lausanne
Discover history, artifacts, and stories tied to one of the world's most beloved and unified sporting organizations within this 32,000+ square foot treasure trove of Olympic history. See the museum's expansive display of athlete uniforms, torches, and flags dating back to the early 20^th century, while learning about the games' origins and reliving some of its most memorable moments.
 
Queen Studio Experience | Montreux
Take a tour to learn about Freddie Mercury's connections with the city of Montreux. Led by a guide informed by Mercury's longtime personal assistant, visitors will visit locations where some of Queen's famous albums were recorded. Self-guided tours of memorabilia including handwritten lyrics, guitars, and stage outfits are also an option for guests.

Photo Élysée (Museum for Photography) | Lausanne
Founded by Swiss photographer and journalist Charles-Henri Favrod, this museum features several exhibitions displaying nearly 200,000 photographic prints, from a range of eras of photography development including daguerreotype and digital images. 

Parc Signal de Bougy
Feel refreshed and renewed at this indoor-outdoor leisure park overlooking Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, where fun is offered for the whole family. With miniature golf, ziplines, a petting zoo, sculpture park, walking trails, and dining options, this place will put a smile on your face that will last long after your visit.

Bex Salt Mines
Explore more than 30 miles of underground passages on foot and by train, where you'll discover the exciting history and daily happenings at the oldest active salt mine in Switzerland. Visit the salt mine boutique to select from a variety of foods, wine, beer, cosmetics, and more.

mudac: Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts | Lausanne
Enjoy an extensive collection of various art media, including works of glass, ceramics, and jewelry at this museum that proudly displays "ambitious and often unusual exhibitions." Drop into the boutique bookstore for a souvenir and experience delicious cuisines at one of the museum's three restaurants on site.

International Museum of the Reformation | Geneva
View historic works of art and biblical and church artifacts that document the movement that birthed Protestantism five centuries ago. On display in the museum's collection are portraits of Martin Luther and John Calvin, scriptures, and other writings dating as far back as the 16^th century.

Due to the popularity of the wonderful array of local cuisine options, it is highly recommended that parties make reservations for lunch and dinner. Please note: many restaurants in Switzerland are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Le Carré
Traditional French brasserie food such as gourmet burgers, tartare, mussels, and fish
 
Bla Bla Vevey
Italian cuisine with amazing pizza, gourmet pasta, and fish dishes
 
Comelon Burrito Bar
Mexican food, offering build-your-own burritos or burrito bowls
 
Le Mazot
Typical Swiss brasserie cuisine famous for their meats with "Mazot" sauce. Also offers spaghetti, perch fillets, and cheeses.
 
Swagat Restaurant
Indian cuisine offering traditional dishes
 
Trois Sifflets
Swiss cuisine with selections of fondue and meats
 
La Trattoria de Vevey-Corseaux Plage
Italian and French cuisine, offering meats, pasta, pizzas, and seafood
 
KJU
Selection of gourmet tartares, unique pasta, and fish
 
La Coupole 1912
French brasserie offerings and traditional Swiss cuisine including Roesti, meats, and fish dishes. Located within the Astra Hotel
 
Les Ateliers
Fresh cuisine offering roasted meats, seasonal salads, and fish of the day
 
Ze Fork
Daily offerings of ceviche, beef kebab, arancini with mushrooms, and cordon bleu