Kidora welcomes Handicamp: camps where difference becomes a shared adventure

Highlighting those who work for childhood

Every week, several thousand families use Kidora to find an outing suited to their children. But children’s wellbeing, personal growth and inclusion go far beyond weekend activities.

That is why we created on Kidora a space dedicated to the associations committed to children and families in French-speaking Switzerland. The first to join was Patouch, committed to preventing violence against children.

The goal is simple: make their work known, make their initiatives more accessible to parents and give them more visibility among families.

Handicamp, more than 40 years of inclusive camps

Founded in 1983 by Carmen Wiesel and Anne-Dominique Barman, Handicamp was born from a particular ambition: to create camps in which children are not defined or set apart by their disability.

The idea is, on the contrary, to let them share a genuine camp experience with other children, their friends, their brothers or their sisters.

For more than 40 years, the association has organised stays every year for children aged 4 to 16 with a mild physical or intellectual disability.

And one of Handicamp’s features particularly appeals to us: each child can come with a friend, a brother or a sister, with or without a disability.

Difference is therefore not set aside. It is simply part of the group.

A week of camp every summer

Every year, Handicamp organises a full week of camp between late July and early August, in a different location in Switzerland.

On the programme: games, group life, discoveries and activities.

When conditions allow, the association also tries to offer children an experience that is truly out of the ordinary: paragliding, hot-air ballooning, sailing…

The next summer camp will take place from 24 to 31 July 2027 in Seedorf, in the canton of Uri.

The contribution asked of families is CHF 150 per child for the week.

A winter reunion as well

The adventure does not stop at summer.

Handicamp also organises a winter weekend every year in a mountain chalet. Children can meet up again and enjoy activities organised both indoors and outdoors.

The next weekend will take place from 19 to 21 February 2027 in Ravoir, in Valais.

The contribution is CHF 30 per child, with registrations open until 30 November 2026.

A fully volunteer-run association

Handicamp runs thanks to the commitment of its volunteers.

The association is today carried by a committee of 11 members, supported by a team of camp leaders from a wide range of backgrounds.

Handicamp was originally a project led by young people. More than four decades later, that spirit remains at the heart of how it works.

Anyone who would like to become a camp leader and help supervise a camp can contact the association directly.

How to register a child?

Registrations for the camps are handled directly by Handicamp.

Each child can come with a friend, a brother or a sister, with or without a disability. Children who have already taken part in a camp are given priority.

Registration forms and all practical information are available directly on handicamp.ch.

How to support Handicamp?

Keeping fees at CHF 150 for a full week of camp or CHF 30 for a weekend is made possible by the team’s voluntary work and by the donations the association receives.

There are therefore several ways to support Handicamp:

• Spread the word about the association, especially among families who might be interested in the camps.
• Become a camp leader and take part directly in organising the stays.
• Make a donation so the association can keep offering camps that stay financially accessible to families.

Information on supporting the association is available directly on its Kidora page and on handicamp.ch.