Château Experience: Summer on the Lake 2026
(Formerly Château Family Camp)
Sunday, July 12 – Friday, July 17, 2026
Château d’Hauteville
Blonay - Saint-Légier, Switzerland
Join Pepperdine alumni and friends for the third annual international Château Experience: Summer on the Lake at Château d’Hauteville—the University’s spectacular 90-acre campus in Switzerland. With an opportunity to stay at the château, you’ll wake up every morning surrounded by the architecture and history of this magnificent 18th-century estate and enjoy local excursions in and around Vevey with a group of Pepperdine families and friends. If you are not already familiar with the history and impact of this extraordinary property, please read more here.
This week-long experience will include meals featuring Swiss and other traditional cuisine provided by the château’s world-class culinary team, daily “apero” receptions, and other on-site recreational activities such as karaoke and a movie night, where you and your family can connect with others who also celebrate Pepperdine’s mission. In addition to opportunities to walk through the château’s gardens, visit the surrounding forest, and explore its winding hallways and historic rooms, you will also have access to the newly refurbished pool. In lieu of formally led off-site excursions, a team of Pepperdine staff and student ambassadors will be available to help you plan visits to surrounding restaurants, museums, and other local attractions that are unique to the area. The Château Experience will also overlap with the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival (July 3 – 18, 2026), so if you are particularly musically inclined, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some wonderful live performances on your own.
Families with children under the age of eight or who would prefer to stay in off-site lodging are welcome to explore our suggested hotel options below. We especially recommend the Modern Times, which is adjacent to the Château d’Hauteville property and just a five-minute walk from the Pepperdine estate.
Kids-Trip
We are pleased to partner once again with Kids-Trip, a wonderful group local to the Saint-Légier area that provides extra supervision and entertainment for your children aged 7–14 and helps introduce them to local Swiss culture in a fun and engaging way. The Kids-Trip team will provide on-site games and activities at the château, as well as transportation to various kid-friendly locations and activities in the region such as area parks or museums. Participation in Kids-Trip is included in the cost of registration, and it will allow your children to have an opportunity to bond and connect with their fellow young travelers. It will also give parents a chance to attend some of our adults-only activities, such as wine and cheese tasting, knowing that your kids are in good hands.
Purpose Statement
The Château Experience: Summer on the Lake brings together Pepperdine alumni, families, and friends in a one-of-a-kind, awe-inspiring environment where they can connect with others who are passionate about Pepperdine’s mission and witness firsthand the positive impact that Pepperdine is having on students and communities around the world.
Registration Costs
The registration fee includes all breakfasts, light lunches, and dinners served onsite at the château, and each children’s fee includes participation in Kids-Trip activities (for kids ages 7-14). Each registration will also include lodging at the Château’s primary property, the Garden House, or Orangerie buildings. For those who would prefer access to accommodations that include a private kitchen, living area, and bathroom, the Gatehouse, and Orangerie and Faculty Apartments will be available for an additional cost. The optional wine dinner on Thursday night is also an additional cost, for those who wish to participate. More details for both the dinner and lodging are available below.
Every year during Château Experience: Summer on the Lake, attendees join together to leave their own philanthropic mark on the Château d’Hauteville international campus by providing a group gift that enhances the space and makes it even more special for the future. By designating a portion of each registration cost to support this important pillar of Pepperdine, we can continue to serve students and visitors from around the world while upholding the University’s mission. In previous years, Summer on the Lake participants have helped fund workstations in the Château’s Glass House laboratory as well as an outdoor sound system, benefiting the educational experience of our International Program students and allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful Château gardens while listening to keynote speakers and enjoying music. For the 2026 Château Experience, each registration will include a tax-deductible gift portion ($450 for each adult and $250 for each child), which supports funding of the weatherized outdoor bicycle parking area at Château d’Hauteville.
- $1,950 per adult (ages 15 and above) – cost for the entire week
- $900 per child (up to age 14) – cost for entire week
After exploring this page if you have additional questions, please contact Tess Bridgesmith
at tess.bridgesmith@pepperdine.edu.
Château Experience 2026 Itinerary
Participants at previous sessions of Summer on The Lake (formerly known as Château Family Camp) experienced delectable Swiss cuisine, a picturesque hike, and a private dinner in the Château’s Johnson Family Wine Cave. Click the link below to see the full schedule of activities for the Château Experience 2026, which will include a variety of adults-only and family-friendly options for all to enjoy at Château d'Hauteville. Please note that all activities are subject to change or be modified due to inclement weather or other factors.
- Daily “apero” receptions featuring wine and hors d'oeuvres
- Dinners featuring a variety of cuisines, including traditional Swiss barbecue
- Movie viewing in the Château’s grand Cardwell Courtyard
- Swimming in the Château pool
- Wine cave dinner with live music
- Specially curated Bible studies for children and adults
- Additional optional activities on your own (see below)
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you would like to provide additional support for the Château d’Hauteville we invite you to sponsor one of the receptions or meals listed below that will occur during your Château Experience. Your gift is tax-deductible and you will receive special recognition at the gathering you choose to support. If you have additional questions about these sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tess Bridgesmith at 310.506.4953 or tess.bridgesmith@pepperdine.edu.
Apero Sponsor – $2,500
Sponsor one of the nightly wine receptions, each at a different charming location on the château grounds (subject to move indoors in the case of inclement weather):
- L’Orangerie Terrace
- Haye Wine Garden
- Hanson Family Magnolia Garden
- South Garden Terrace
Dinner Sponsor – $3,500
Sponsor a weeknight dinner, featuring various regional and traditional cuisines:
- Artisanal Pizza Gathering, Lily Pond Terrace
- Swiss meal featuring local fare, Haye Wine Garden
- Fondue and Swiss cuisine, Grand Alley
Wine Cave Dinner Sponsor – $5,000
Sponsor the special closing wine dinner:
- Johnson Family Wine Cave
Around the Château and 2025 Memories
Fellowship Dinner in the Chateau’s wine cave
An adults-only dinner is the perfect way for you to spend your final night at Château d’Hauteville, bonding with the friends you’ve made throughout the week, reminiscing and enjoying a wonderful meal prepared by the Château’s incredible culinary staff. Seated in the cozy, historic Johnson Family Wine Cave, you and your fellow diners will create memories that will stay with you long after you return happily to the States.
Adults only, limited to first 36 registrants
Price: $275 per person
**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.
Lodging at the Château
We are offering a range of lodging options for the week. We are only able to accommodate lodging for families with children ages 8 or older at the Château d’Hauteville. Families with younger children are welcome to stay at a local hotel and join Château Experience activities at the Château. See additional lodging options below.
All lodging packages include access to laundry facilities and the fitness center.
Twin beds | communal bathrooms with private showers. Lodging costs are complimentary with the purchase of any Chateau Experience registration. Details below outline the number of beds in each room and approximate square footage to help you select the option that best fits your family or travel party.
| Room Type | Beds | Square Feet | Week Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | 6 beds | 3 sets of bunk beds | Rooms range in size from 332 – 495 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 4 |
| Type B | 6 beds | 2 sets of bunk beds, 2 stand-alone twin beds | 827 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 1 |
| Type C | 4 beds | 2 sets of bunk beds | Rooms range in size from 215 – 245 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 3 |
| Type D | 4 beds | 1 set of bunk beds, 2 stand-alone twin beds | Rooms range in size from 212 – 219 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 2 |
| Type E | 3 beds | 1 set of bunk beds, 1 stand-alone twin bed | Rooms range in size from 151 – 257 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 5 |
| Type G | 2 beds | 1 set of bunk beds | Rooms range in size from 108 – 129 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 3 |
| Type H | 2 beds | both stand-alone twin beds | Rooms range in size from 130 – 168 square fee | $0/Complimentary | 2 |
Rooms in the chateau’s Garden House and Orangerie properties offer single and double beds, accommodating one to two people in each. Bathrooms are shared with others, with private showers, and each of the Orangerie bedrooms has its own sink, offering ease for brushing teeth and washing hands and face. Like the main chateau property, rooms in these buildings are also complimentary, included in the cost of registration.
| Building | Beds | Amenities | Square Feet | Week Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L'Orangerie Single Room | 1 twin bed per room | shared restroom/shower facilities | Rooms range in size from 98 – 124 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 25 single rooms |
| Garden House | Single Bed Option |
1 twin bed per room |
shared restroom/shower facilities |
Rooms range in size from 90 – 192 square feet |
$0/Complimentary | 5 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 | Rooms range in size from 90 – 192 square feet | $0/Complimentary | 3 double-bed rooms |
L'Orangerie Single Room
Garden House
For Chateau Experience attendees wishing for some extra space with access to private bathrooms, kitchen and living areas, and independent laundry facilities, the options listed below are available for an additional cost.
| Building | Beds | Amenities | Square Feet | Week Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
970 square feet |
$6,000 | 1 reservation |
|
Gatehouse |
3 rooms, 3 king beds | 1 room, queen bed | accommodates up to 8 people, private kitchen, living room, 2 full bathrooms, laundry room |
1,588 - 1,781 square feet |
$9,000 | 1 reservations |
|
Château Faculty Apartment (photos not available) |
2 bedrooms, 1 queen bed per room | accommodates a family of four, equipped with private kitchen and 2 bathrooms, powder room, living room, washer and dryer |
980 square feet |
$7,500 | 1 reservation |
L'Orangerie Apartment
Gatehouse
Area hotels for families with children under the age of eight, 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 Château Experience events and meals. When making your reservation, mention that you are with the Château Experience organized by Pepperdine and provide promotional code “PDK” to receive a discounted rate. Room rates include breakfast and parking; taxes 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 “malibu26” 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.
Activities In and Around Vevey
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 taking part in during your visit.
Travel Tips
Transportation Information
- Uber | App can be used in Vevey
- Prestige Taxi (Romuald) | +41 79 907 55 55
- Chaplin's Taxi (standard) | +41 79 219 76 76
- Taxi Lemania | +41 21 963 63 63
- Cab Limousines +41 21 905 20 06 or +41 79 412 27 76
- SBB Mobile train app | Convenient train stop directly across from Château d'Hauteville
Recommended Airports
- Zurich (ZRH) | Most direct non-stop flights from the U.S. The drive to Vevey is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
- Geneva (GVA)| Approximately 1.5 hours drive to Vevey. Trains from Geneva Airport run frequently to Vevey, with a train stop located directly across from Château d’Hauteville’s entrance.