General information & camps policy
At YLA, every camp is much more than just an experience: it is a personal and collective commitment. To guarantee safety, educational quality and respect for the values that drive us, all participants and their legal representatives undertake to comply with our operating framework.
This document contains all the rules of conduct, our code of ethics, and policies relating to accommodation, registration, refunds and the management of special situations. It is essential that every participant and every parent or guardian reads it before departure.
All participants are requierd to read, accept and sign the YLA Code of Conduct, a contractual document that formalises their commitment to living this experience with respect for others, themselves and the environment. This code is a common foundation for ensuring a climate of trust, kindness and responsability throughout the stay.
We thank you for your trust and cooperation in making these camps such enriching and formative human adventures.
YLA Code of Conduct
Participating in a YLA trip is an educational, human and intercultural adventure. To ensure everyone's safety, respect for local communities and the educational quality of the programme, each participant, as well as their parents or legal guardians, agrees to abide by our Code of Conduct. This document is mandatory and must be read, signed and accepted before departure.
Behaviour & community life
All young people must behave respectfully towards others, supervisors, local partners and the environment. The aim is to foster a climate of trust, openness and cooperation. Any behaviour that is inappropriate or contrary to our values may result in exclusion from the camp.
Surveillance & security
For safety reasons, leaving the group without authorisation or straying from the group during an activity is strictly prohibited. Any departure from the base camp or activity site must be supervised by a member of staff. At certain times, free time may be allowed in specific areas under certain conditions.
Well-being and healthy living
Participants are responsible for their own health and well-being throughout the programme. This includes following any prescribed medical treatment, staying well hydrated, using sunscreen or insect repellent if necessary, wearing clothing appropriate for the climate and cultural conditions, and eating a balanced diet with three meals a day. If necessary or if they feel unwell, they should not hesitate to contact a member of the supervisory team.
A health representative is appointed for each stay to supervise the administration of vital treatments and provide first aid if necessary. Medical treatments must be provided by families, along with the corresponding prescriptions. Any allergies or specific medical conditions must be reported at the time of registration to ensure appropriate and safe supervision..
Participants must also demonstrate active listening and follow the instructions given by the YLA team or any adult supervisor of the programme..
Prohibited substances
YLA has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use, possession, or attempted acquisition of alcohol, tobacco (including vaping devices), and any illegal substances. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the programme, at the family's expense, with no possibility of reimbursement. Programme staff reserve the right to search participants' personal belongings if there is reasonable suspicion of possession of prohibited substances, in order to ensure the safety of all.
Prohibited items
Knives, dangerous objects, matches or lighters are strictly prohibited. They will be confiscated if found.
Ethical behaviour and respect for others
No sexual behaviour, harassment or inappropriate displays of affection will be tolerated. We strive to create a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone, regardless of identity, background or beliefs.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones are permitted but their use is strictly limited to the time slots defined by the team. Outside these times, mobile phones are collected and kept in a secure location.
Respect for local cultures
Each young person undertakes to respect the customs, dress codes and cultural sensitivities of the countries or regions visited. This is an integral part of our intercultural approach.
Active involvement
Each participant must be fully committed to the programme, with an open mind and a desire to surpass themselves.
In summary
The YLA Code of Conduct is a clear framework, shared and signed by all. It ensures that everyone has a rich, supervised and safe experience. In the event of serious or repeated non-compliance, exclusion may be decided, without refund, and repatriation will be at the family's expense.
Security
The safety of participants is a top priority for YLA. All participants must listen actively and follow the instructions given by the YLA team or any adult supervisor, whether during activities or at the place of residence.
The physical and sporting activities offered are supervised by qualified staff who are certified and trained in the safety regulations in force in the countries where the camps take place. The difficulty of the activities is systematically adapted to the level and physical ability of the teenagers, in order to ensure safe participation.
With regard to water activities, swimming is strictly supervised: it is only permitted in the presence of a qualified adult supervisor. Participants must comply with the rules established by lifeguards or supervisory staff. Swimming alone or practising unauthorised water sports is prohibited. Some programmes may also require participants to pass a swimming test before taking part in these activities.
Finally, specific supplementary insurance policies will be taken out depending on the nature of the activities offered, to ensure optimal coverage in the event of an incident.
Respect for others and the environment
Each participant undertakes to show respect, kindness and courtesy towards other students and the entire YLA team. Any language or behaviour that is inappropriate, disrespectful or contrary to the values of the programme may be subject to disciplinary action.
YLA promotes an inclusive environment that is open to diversity, where every individual is welcomed regardless of their origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion or social status. Discriminatory behaviour, mockery or exclusionary attitudes have no place on our trips.
Bullying in any form (verbal, physical, psychological), as well as any attempt to harm, exclude or threaten others, is strictly prohibited. Violent games or aggression, even if simulated, will be considered serious offences and may result in immediate exclusion from the programme, at the family's expense.
At YLA, everyone has the right to develop in a secure, respectful and supportive environment.
Our approch to leadership
Regardless of their background, temperament or initial level of confidence, every young person has the potential to be a leader, just waiting to be revealed. We create the conditions for everyone to become aware of their strengths, confront their limitations, dare to take action and, above all, find their own way to positively influence others.
Through a combination of field experiences, shared responsibilities and guided reflection, participants learn to know themselves deeply and assert their voices.
They also draw inspiration from the values and stories of iconic figures, such as top athletes, committed leaders and change makers, whose testimonials illustrate discipline, resilience, humility and the ability to unite people around a vision.
Because we believe that leadership cannot be imposed — it is built through action, effort and perseverance — we give every young person the means to become an agent of change, in their own way and with their own qualities.
This demanding but deeply human approach leaves a lasting impression that extends far beyond the duration of the stay: it shapes young people who are confident, open-minded, responsible and ready to inspire the world around them.
Risk management commitment
As part of our responsibility as an organisation, YLA takes a rigorous approach to identifying, anticipating and mitigating the risks associated with organising trips for teenagers, both in Switzerland and internationally. Our approach is based on a careful assessment of potential risks, integrated into every stage of our operations, in order to guarantee the safety of our participants, our team, our partners and the host communities.
We believe that informed decision-making, based on proactive and realistic risk management, is essential to fulfilling our commitments to young people, their families and all stakeholders. Safety and risk management are therefore central to our organisational culture and guide our daily choices.
Our partners and management teams all hold the highest professional qualifications recognised in their respective fields. For each activity presenting specific risks, specialised personnel are always present — whether they are mountain guides, lifeguards or other qualified experts.
Criteria for eligibility for a YLA stay
YLA camps are designed for curious, open-minded teenagers who are eager to enjoy a human, collective and transformative experience. Although our trips are open to a wide audience, certain participation criteria are essential to ensure the safety, well-being and quality of the experience for all.
Our stays are not therapeutic or behavioural remediation programmes. They are not designed to support young people who are in a state of extreme psychological fragility, addiction or severe disruption with their school or family environment.
General eligibility requirements
- Being able to manage one's personal care independently, including taking medical treatment, hygiene care and basic emotional regulation, without constant medical supervision.
- Be physically fit to participate in the activities offered: walk more than 5 km without assistance, carry a bag weighing 5 to 10 kg, and follow simple safety instructions.
- Be able to adapt to new and sometimes uncomfortable environments: heat, humidity, mosquitoes, jet lag, shared accommodation, different food, limited access to telephones, etc.
- Adopt a respectful, tolerant and collaborative attitude towards the group, demonstrate cultural openness and active engagement in the proposed projects.
- Be able to report any difficulties to the relevant staff clearly and proactively.
- Be prepared to travel alone between your home and the departure point for your camp (usually the airport or train station) and possibly with an unaccompanied minor service.
Health status and medical follow-up
- Any medical condition, ongoing treatment, allergy, psychological or behavioural disorder must be reportes at the time of registration.
- A medical certificate of fitness may be required.
- For vital treatments, a YLA health representative will be responsible for ensuring that they are taken correctly and providing first aid if necessary. Treatments must be provided by families in sufficient quantities.
- Any changes in the participant's state of health after the application has been appoved must be reported immediately to the YLA team.
Commitment and code of conduct:
All participants and their parents agree to abside by YLA Code of Conduct, follow safety guidelines, behave responsibly, and comply with local laws.
Any violation of these rules may result in exclusion from the stay, without refund, and early return at the family's expense. In some cases, a warning or written commitment may be offered before any decision to exclude is made, depending on the context and the seriousness of the situation.
If you have any questions about eligibility or the level of support offered, please contact our team.
Admission interview
Once the application has been submitted, an admission interview is organised between the programme supervisors, the young applicant and their family. This meeting provides an opportunity to get to know each other, clarify everyone's expectations, answer any practical, logistical or personal questions, and ensure that the programme is well suited to the participant's profile, needs and abilities. At the end of this interview, the teaching team reserves the right to approve or reject the teenager's admission to the chosen programme, in order to guarantee an experience that is safe, beneficial and suited to each young person.
Terms and conditions of registration
Administrative fees
- Application fee : 50 CHF (non refundable)
- Registration fee (membership) : 150 CHF (refund if not admitted)
Registration becomes active once the complete application has been submitted. Applications are sent following interest expressed via the contact form or on the pages dedicated to the stay. A video interview is then scheduled with the programme managers. At the end of this interview, the teaching team decides on the participant's admission to the desired camp.
In the event of non-admission, only registration fees will be refunded. The application fees remain payable for the review of the application.
Required documents
Final enrolment is conditional upon the participant and their legal guardian sending and signing the required documents:
- Liability Waiver form
- Accident insurance
- YLA Code of Conduct
- Medical fitness certificate
- Any other specific documents required by the programme.
Failure to return documents within the specified time frame way result in cancellation of participation, with any deposits paid being retained.
Payment terms
- For departures less than 60 days away: full payment within one week of registration (if the camp is confirmed).
- For departures more than 60 days away payment within 30 days of registration.
Accepted payement methods
- Bank transfer via invoice to our association's bank account.
A limited number of instalment payment plans may be available. Please contact our team to request one.
Late fees :
- CHF 80 penalty for late payment.
- In the event of non-payment, the place may be cancelled and deposits forfeited.
Documents before departure
Additional documents (health forms, authorisations, logistical information) must be provided between 10 days and 2 months before departure, depending on the date of registration.
Delayed or missing documents may result in penalities or cancellation of participation.
Communication and follow-up
YLA uses email and text messages to communicate effectively before camps (documents to provide, alerts, appointment times, etc.).
You can unsubscribe from text messages, but this will reduce the quality of the follow-up.
Insurance
- insurance and evacuation cover are included.
- It is strongly recommended that you take out additional travel insurance, particularly in the event of cancellations beyond our control.
What the fees do not include
- Round-trip plane and train tickets
- Passport, visa, vaccinations required
- Personal health insurance (mandatory)
- Possible Covid tests or related supplements
- Airport and accommodation taxes.
Refund policy
General principles
- All payments made are subject to the refund policy in effect on the date of receipt.
- All requests for withdrawal or cancellation must be sent in writing to the YLA team. The date of receipt of this request will be used to calculate any refund.
- Some fees may be partially refundable depending on the date of cancellation.
- The application fee of CHF 50 is non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the situation.
- If YLA were to refuse admission to a participant, all amounts paid would be refunded, with the exception of administrative fees.
Schedule for reimbursement of stays
| Time before the programme starts | Percentage reimbursed (excluding administrative fees) |
|---|---|
| 2 months or more | 100 % |
| 2 months to 1 month | 75 % |
1 month to 2 weeks | 50% |
| 2 weeks before | no refund* |
*unless an eligible replacement who is willing to commit is found by the family.
Carry-forward credit
If all programme fees have been paid within the required time frame, families may choose to convert their refund into a full credit (excluding administrative fees) to be used in 2026 or 2027, provided that the cancellation is made at least 60 days before the start of the programme.
Modifications, postponements, or cancellations by YLA
YLA reserves the right to:
- Modify, postpone or cancel a programme in the event of exceptional circumstances (safety, emergency, force majeure, etc.).
- Offer an alternative holiday of the same nature if the original holiday cannot be maintained.
- Apply, if necessary, a logistics supplement (e.g. COVID-19, social distancing, screening, accommodation or transport adjustments). This supplement must be paid no later than 30 days before the start of the programme.
If it is impossible to participate in the modified trip, YLA will consult with the family to find the best possible solution (credit, postponement, etc.).
Cases of withdrawal during stay
If a participant voluntarily leaves the trip after it has started (for personal, parental, behavioural or mental health reasons), no refund will be given, and he/she will not be able to rejoin the trip.
The costs of accommodation, registration and paperwork will also remain non-refundable.
Behaviour and equipment
Participants are required to respect the premises, equipment and supervisory staff. Any damage, loss or destruction caused by the participant must be reimbursed in full to YLA or to the third parties concerned.
Force majeure
In the event of an unforeseen circumstance preventing the normal execution of the programme (pandemic, natural disaster, political unrest, government measures, etc.) YLA:
- Will attempt to refer participants to a substitution programme.
- If no alternative solution is possible, a credit will be offered for a future programme, transferable to an eligible sibling or friend.
- If families request a cash refund despite the solutions offered, a partial refund may be considered, depending on YLA's financial situation and the extent of the force majeure event.
Amendment clause
YLA reserves the right to update its refund policy at any time, with or without notice. Any changes will take effect as soon as they are published.
Recommendation
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance covering cancellation, interruption of stay and health risks for optimal protection beyond our refund policy.