Il Camino | International School of Como

A Student-Centred, Self-Sufficient Expedition Through the Alps

Marking the transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 (Middle to High School) is essential for helping our students understand not just the skills, but the attitudes required to succeed in the later MYP and the IB Diploma years.

To this end, we have designed ‘Il Cammino’, an 80km mountain expedition exclusive to the International School of Como. This multi-day, hands-on journey at the beginning of each school year challenges our Grade 10 students to learn new skills and develop their emotional, organisational, and practical intelligence.

During ‘Il Cammino’, students engage in Physical, Emotional, Leadership, and Teamwork activities. These experiences enable them to develop self-awareness and future-ready skills, setting a strong foundation for their high school years and beyond.

How Does Il Cammino Work?

Our Grade 10 students spend the first two days of the new school year planning and preparing for this week-long expedition. On the following Sunday morning, parents entrust the care of their children to our team and will only see them again one week later, when we return to the waterfront in Como.

This journey is self-powered, with no mobile phones. Students are split into small teams, and each student takes turns leading their group for a day. There are various challenges to overcome as well as a wealth of activities prepared. Student leaders make all the important decisions and motivate their teams to complete each task.

Preparing Students to Overcome Challenges with Il Cammino’s 4 Pillars

Apart from the physical challenges our students need to overcome, we have designed numerous activities to address all four pillars of Il Cammino: Physical, Emotional, Teamwork, and Leadership.

Physical

Hiking, navigating, rock climbing, and camp craft.

Teamwork

Activities with and without leaders, feedback loops, team ownership, handling failure and success.

Leadership

Leadership rotations, constructive feedback, identifying leadership styles, and leader handovers.

Emotional

Letter from the parents, solitude, detachment from mobile devices, and the opportunity for self-reflection.

Expert Guides to Ensure a Safe & Memorable Trip

Students make all the decisions on this expedition, but to ensure their complete safety throughout, ISC staff and fully qualified Alpine guides are always on hand.

The ISC staff involved in Il Cammino have extensive experience and training in outdoor activities and education. Students are accompanied by both an ISC staff member and a Guida Alpina or Guida Media Montagna 24/7.

An Inspiring & Challenging Route Through the Alps

The Il Cammino route covers over 80 km between Passo Valcava and Colico along a path called 'Dorsale Orobica Lecchese' (D.O.L.). Il Cammino is launched from our school grounds on the morning of the first Sunday after the new school year begins in early September. Buses then take students to the starting point, with the first day's trek covering 10 km of the trail.

One week and many adventures later, we arrive in the afternoon at the Como waterfront, where our ISC families welcome us back. The final boat journey down the entire lake is an ideal opportunity for reflection.

The Philosophy Behind Il Cammino

Empowering Students to Fulfil Their Potential

Il Cammino has been designed to mark one of the most important educational transitions, from Middle School into High School. Through this adventure, students explore and develop the elevated levels of maturity and increased responsibility that High School will require of them.

Il Cammino, as education itself, is a journey of discovery, guiding our students from childhood to adulthood. Along the way, they encounter experiences that enrich their lives and help them grow into their full potential. This journey, with its challenges and victories, shapes them into mature, capable adults.

Fostering Self-Awareness

At the highest level, this is a journey of self-discovery and self-awareness. During this expedition, our students will learn more about themselves, how they deal with challenges, failures, and successes, and how determined they can be to achieve their goals. They will also discover how well they work as a team and what kind of leaders they are. Above all, they will understand the kind of person they want to become.

This is a challenging task, but it is a valuable rite of passage—worth every step of the way, preparing our students to excel in their future endeavours.

Our Inspirations

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step"

— Lao Tzu

"The real voyage of discovery consists in not seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

— Marcel Proust

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started”

— Mark Twain

A Key Motivator: The Parent Letter

This journey marks an important transition for parents as well, as it involves a week away from their children with no direct contact, fostering positive development in their relationship for the future. Although parents are not physically present, their influence is crucial. Evening activities encourage students to reflect on their place in the world, and one of these activities includes a period of solitude where they receive a letter from their parents.

Parents should write from the heart, sharing hopes, dreams, advice, and personal reflections. These letters, kept confidential by staff until the activity takes place, will make the parents’ presence felt by their children during this significant journey.

Discover how our holistic Il Cammino experience can equip your child with essential life skills and prepare them to excel in High School and beyond.

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