![There have been children’s ski camps in Switzerland since the 1940s.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/sportwoche-titel-300x225.jpg)
From toughening up to having fun
There have been children’s ski camps in Switzerland since 1940. The origins of these camps go back to World War II, and there were serious reasons for them: the camps were intended to prepare young people for a winter campaign.
The Federal Council’s holiday plea
![Federal Councillor Enrico Celio called on the general public to go on holiday.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/celio-300x261.jpg)
The ski fanatic General
![Expedition in the snow during the first children’s ski camp in Pontresina, 1941.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/skilager-292x300.jpg)
![Portrait of Henri Guisan, photographed in the 1930s.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/guisan-237x300.jpg)
Swiss soldiers’ skiing lessons in the Diavolezza area, 1940. Swiss Army
![Guard soldiers on patrol, 1944.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/skisoldaten-e1613397444528-300x173.jpg)