improv tuesday

20/1/15

I spent most of my morning after our normal meeting at 9:30 setting beds in the Main Chalet Attic. Danielle, Ana and Rachael were also working doing other random assorted jobs around the place.  Though our list was long, we were finished before 11:30 am.  We had a break and Rachael and I filmed some more for our video.  The quinzee featured in this section!

After dinner and dinner clean up Victoria and Alex (her boyfriend), ran a Comedy Improve Night as Evening Program for Staff.  It featured games such as 'Party Quirks', 'Shift Left', 'Committee Director', 'Hitch Hiker' and 'Dead Bodies'.  It was a very enjoyable night! Charlotte and I had planned to sleep in the Quinzee tonight to earn some more points for our staff challenge, but unfortunately the roof had started to sag, even after it being a cold day today, and we deemed it not safe to sleep in. So I instead get to sleep inside in a warm cozy bed!  Such a shame!

  

  

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Hi blog readers. I’m Rachael, I’m from the UK and I’m here for the winter season as a volunteer. Life as a vollie is varied and challenging, with different things happening every day. I’ve written this poem to give people interested an idea of what we do on a day to day basis.

A Day as a Vollie

My alarm goes off at 7 o’clock

I wake up my roomies with a quick knock knock

I shower and put on my uniform necker and hoodie

And say farewell for the day to our staff house Stockli

As vollies our days are rarely the same

If we’re on programme there can be a hike, onsite day or game

Off to the woodcarvers, sledging or even bbq in the snow

Our guests can also give skiing or snowboarding a go

For those on guest services breakfast helps our visitors to start their day

To get it ready in time we put coffee on straight away

A full stomach and caffeine boost is good for our guests

To allow them to enjoy their day of activities to the best

As our guests leave for activities we put things back on the shelves

Next up is morning meeting where we discover today’s plan for ourselves

Sometimes we play games or have a laugh

But mostly it’s a chance to discuss things with all staff

The vollie on duty shares out all jobs and tasks

Whether it’s shovelling snow or finding ski masks

We spend a fair amount of time in the laundry room

Or sweeping the floor with our trusty broom

Cleaning is a well planned task we all do our share of

It can be hard work but it’s a labour of love

There’s red cloths and cleaner for those cleaning the loo

But for everything else the gloves are yellow and the cleaner is blue

It’s very important to clean rooms and make beds

Because it gives our guests and good impression and somewhere to rest their heads

There’s sheets, duvet covers, towels and pillows

We also dust and clean mirrors and windows

It’s our job to prepare lunch for everyone else who working

Usually it’s left-overs or treats that are lurking

We all sit together and discuss our day so far

Or talk about things that to others seem quite bizarre

After lunch we usually have two hours of break time

Where we complete staff challenges like writing poems that barely rhyme

There’s always a chance to play with our cat Skippy

Or if it’s snowed enough we can sledge – yippee!

We prepare dinner which is often an authentic swiss meal

There’s salad to make, meat to cook and veg to peel

We put all the plates, glasses and food in their place

And our guests start the meal by singing a grace

After dinner we may run a campfire with songs or chants

Or an international evening with a variety of stories and dance

Everyone loves a chance to swap badges and pins

Or a games night of challenges where only one team wins

Every day at the Chalet is different and it’s a very special place to be

For 3 months it’s home for the rest of the vollies and me

It can be a challenge but it’s always a laugh

So why haven’t you applied to join our team of staff?

Rachael (UK)

Our Chalet Assistant – Winter 2014-2015