Join us on the transformative Gaia Changemakers Program (GCP). A summer camp to nurture 15 to 19 year-olds to cultivate the skills and values needed to thrive in an uncertain future. The camp starts in Zurich, then Prague, and finishes in the beautiful Swiss Alps.
Using the "Inner Development Goals" as a framework, participants couple their skills with values to find their sense of being and the creativity and courage to act. The program also considers the values the World needs of the next generation for a just and sustainable future, making this a summer camp that will make a difference.
Our participants are challenged to consider possible careers, even the ones that do not yet exist, and develop skills and values that universities and employers highly value in their best recruits. International Baccalaureate Diploma students may also use the program to meet a number of the "CAS" requirements.
SKILLS & VALUES
We couldn't possibly list them all, but some important ones are:
❐ "Cognitive"
Thinking in systems, critically, analytically and through inquiry (being curious), idea generation and problem-solving.
❐ "Teamwork"
Active listening, collaboration, conflict management, persuasion, presentation, empathy, inclusion and respect.
❐ "Personal"
Sense of being, reflection, gratitude, perspective growth, strengths, career exploration, confidence, engagement in action.
CONTENT
Global issues such as:
❐ "Providing sustainable energy"
Through visits to a solar panel start-up, a nuclear power plant, and hydrogen-fuel educator, learn about the complexity and solutions of bringing sustainable energy to urban environments. Practice engineering skills by building your own remote-controlled Hydrogen-fuel cell car that can compete on the race track against competitors around the world!
❐ "Art to ignite a movement"
Combining science and art in the Swiss Alps, learn how climate change is impacting the Alps and hear from scientists, artists, filmmakers and musicians, on how to reach people at a deeper level. We will explore your own inner-transitions and values, to help you understand your power for making change. Culminate your learning in creating a public mural in a Swiss Village!
❐ "Understanding circular economies"
Learn about the challenges and explore solutions of going circular in different countries from clothing companies like Freitag and Patagonia and the vegan start-up Planted in Zurich, and APAGCoCyst an automotive electronics manufacturer for BMW and Porsche in the Czech Republic.
❐ "Innovative solutions for the future"
Hear from cutting edge companies already exploring solutions to tackling climate change. Learn to use design-thinking skills in a "Designathon" to find a solutions to real sustainability problems.
Transformation takes time, and so we need three weeks!
Skills and values are carefully woven into transdisciplinary experiences that explore global issues through company visits, expert speakers, projects, management-style workshops, music and art experiences, cultural outings, sports and community building. Learning takes place in varied environments (both cities and nature) to give students multiple contexts for their learning, creating a deeper impact.
Explore the detailed Brochure and Program HERE.
Fun is the best part of summer! We will also be enjoying ourselves with hikes through the mountains, staying in Swiss mountain huts, creating a musical concert on the glacier, swimming and having picnics by the lakes, sightseeing in Prague and for our out-of-town visitors, we will have additional sightseeing options in the evenings and over the weekends we are in Zurich.
The Inspiration: Why "Gaia"?
The essence of our program is inspired by Gaia the Godess of the Earth and the "Gaia Hypothesis". Coined by scientists Lynn Margulis and James Lovelock, the Gaia Hypothesis views the Earth as a self-regulating organism, where the living and non-living components work together to maintain balance and harmony.
Systems Thinking: A Vital Component
At the heart of the Gaia Changemakers Program lies the philosophy of systems thinking. Just as the Gaia Hypothesis emphasizes the intricate web of connections within the Earth's ecosystem, our program recognises the importance of holistic, interconnected perspectives. We believe that true change stems from understanding the complex relationships between individuals, communities, and the environment
The Gaia Changemakers Program is based on 4 pillars interconnected by systems thinking and circularity:
Education goes beyond academics. We encourage the exploration of passions, strengths, and values. We provide a safe and supportive environment for this journey, ensuring that it aligns with sustainable practicesfor us and our planet.
We champion well-researched learning approaches. Curiosity is nurtured and students take an active role in their education. We foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of core concepts
Education should be relevant and meaningful. Immersing students in real-world contexts builds deeper connections. By integrating local and global issues into our program curriculums we equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to address complex challenges and make a positive impact.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We actively seek partnerships with local communities, organizations, and businesses to create a dynamic learning ecosystem. By connecting students with real-world experiences and experts, we bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing them for active engagement in the world around them.
With Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as our goal, we equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate a changing world.
Anyone with a reasonable command of English, entering their final two years of high school or has just graduated from high school. Everybody has a different story though, so write to us if you do not quite fit the criteria and would still like to attend.
The program is in English. You do not have to be perfect, but a reasonable level of English is expected.
Monday July 14th to Friday August 1st, 2025.
The program is always Monday to Friday each week, from approximately 9am to 6pm. For our out-of-town (not based in Zurich) visitors, there are always fun excursions, activities, and sightseeing on the weekends. Our Zurich friends can always join us if interested!
Unfortunately assistance is not possible at this time. Therefore non-resident students must make sure that they apply for the relevant travel permissions well in advance.
Looking after the health, safety, and well-being of our students is always our first priority. We will always give the support needed to ensure students are safe, are healthy, enjoy their time, and perform to the best of their abilities. In addition, every member of our team must go through a background check and have up-to-date first-aid training.
In Zurich and Prague, accommodation will be in youth hostels of the highest standards. Rooms will be shared with other program participants. Some hostels have the option of a private bathroom and shower, but this is not guaranteed. In the mountains, we will be in a remote and traditional Swiss Mountain Hut that we will have to hike to! There will always be one or more Make The Change Chaperones staying on site. As we confirm bookings, we will add more details here.
This is coming as soon as we finalise some more details. Generally you can expect to be very busy through the day from 9 to 6. We may have a few evenings with company visits, walks, talks, workshops, projects, games.
For fully-residential students in the evenings and on the weekends we will also have a variety of rich activities to explore and experience the culture of Europe. These will include city tours, hikes, picnics and swimming at the lake, a visit to Switzerland's best known chocolate factory, a visit to Bern - the Capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO heritage city. We will add more details as they come!
Once the minimum number of participants has been reached to run the program we have a small number of spaces for asylum seekers in the Zurich area (with relevant residence permit). Please write to us if you are interested in knowing more.
We would love to make our program accessible to more students! If you are interested in sponsoring or donating to the program, please write to us at info@makethechange.education.
For ALL students the fees will cover
1. Daily lunch when in Zurich
2. All program activities from Monday to Friday 9-6pm when in Zurich, and our welcome dinner on 14th July.
3. All program activities, food and accommodation when in the Alps and in Czech Republic.
4. Travel to/from Zurich to Prague and the Alps
For fully-residential students:
1. ALL meals from dinner 13th July to 1st August.
2. Evening and weekend activities like hiking, excursions to other cities of Switzerland, visiting a chocolate factory and exploring what Switzerland has to offer. Excursions on request may be added based on student interest. Additional costs will always be discussed with parents/guardians first.
3. Accommodation for the entire duration of the program starting from the 13th of July (1 night before the program begins) until 1st August.
4. Pick up/Drop off at Zurich airport on 13th July, and 1st August.
Extra cost - personal airport and pick up can be arranged on other dates and at other Swiss airports.
All students are required to have their own health and travel insurance.
To help with your planning as best as we can, until and including 31st December 2024, you can cancel and get a full refund, minus a CHF 200 processing fee. With any cancellation from 1st January 2025 until 28th February 2025, you can get a 50% refund. All cancellations from 1st March 2025 onward will be fully charged.
We advise students to take out appropriate insurance to cover cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, inability to obtain an entry visa for Switzerland, force majeure circumstances such as events/occurrences that are out of the control of the participant or Make The Change GMBH such as, but not limited to, natural disasters, pandemics, airport strikes, accidents, technical difficulties, conflicts, fire, and bad weather conditions. No refund will be made for a shortened stay, missed activities or workshops, withdrawal or dismissal during the camp, or force majeure circumstances.
The lead instructor is our founder, Diya Kanoria, an experienced teacher and leader, who has led many overnight student trips around Switzerland, Turkey, Romania, Iceland and Croatia. She highly values life-long learning and with degrees from the University of Cambridge, Duke University and University College London, she understands the transformative power of education.
Our other lead instructor is Myrto Vandersee a passionate and dedicated facilitator specialising in environmental science and sustainability. You can learn more about them from the "About us" page!
Throughout the program, students will also engage with and work with different speakers and experts within their fields, to ensure they learn from the best.
Please fill out the form below and we will get back to you shortly with a detailed answer to your question.
