Kandersteg, Switzerland : 22nd to 31st July 2011
Outbound travel itinerary
Friday 22nd July
1530 hrs Coach arrives Linslade
1600 hrs Coach departs Linslade
1945 hrs UK time ferry departs Dover
2215 hrs French time ferry arrives Calais
2230 hrs Coach departs Calais
Next Day (Saturday)
0830 hrs Coach arrives Egerkingen – Breakfast stop
0930hrs Coach departs Egerkingen
1100 hrs Coach arrives Kandersteg
(Please note that these timings are approximate)
Day 1 (Saturday) – Scout Centre & Kandersteg
1200 hrs Arrive at Kandersteg International Scout Centre.
1230 hrs Leaders Introduction to site.
Group organisation and familiarisation of site, including “Discovery Trail” – a great way to introduce the centre to your group.
1330 hrs Lunch.
1430 hrs Orientation walk into Kandersteg Village.
1630 hrs Swimming in open air pool in Kandersteg Village (including whirlpools, a diving pool, and water slide)
1800 hrs Dinner at camp
Day 2 (Sunday) – Lotschenpass/Sunnbuel/Gemmipass Day Hike
0800 hrs In groups suited to age and ability we will either, take a relaxed hike into the Gasterntal valley following the upper reaches of the Kander River, or ascend to 1934m by cable car to explore the beautiful Sunnbuel valley / Spittalmatte plateau, and for the more able and adventurous onward to the Gemmipass at 2346m with views over Leukerbad.
1300 hrs Packed Lunch en route.
1630 hrs Return to KISC. Free time on the Campsite – many activities to choose from!
1830 hrs Dinner back at campsite
2000 hrs Light Trial – starts at Main Chalet
Day 3 (Monday) – Rafting on River Simme or River Aare
0900 hrs Rafting on River Simme (12yrs+) / River Aare
1330 hrs Lunch
1530 hrs Free time on the Campsite – many activities to choose from!
1800 hrs International BBQ at the main Chalet. A chance to meet Scouts from all around the world, swap badges, neckers etc
For Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday our party is split into 2 groups A & B, to take part in the following activities. It is necessary to split up as some activities are restricted by age and numbers.
Oeschinensee Lake
Visit to Oeschinensee Lake by chair lift from Kandersteg Village. Take a few high speed runs on the summer toboggan (Rodelbahn).
A 40-minute walk to the lake and then go for a bracing swim in the alpine lake.
Picnic lunch on the way. Descend back down to Kandersteg Village on foot and take in the stunning scenery.
Overnight Ueschinenhutte
1400 hrs start. Overnight trip to Ueschinen Hutte. This is an excellent opportunity for Scouts to experience a night in a high alpine hut (1890m). Younger groups gain height quickly using a cable car. The path then traverses into Ueschinen Valley with breathtaking views of the village and surrounding area. Once into the valley it’s a steady but easy climb to the Ueschinen hutte passing through traditional high alpine farms. Younger groups return to the camp centre the next morning on foot via a different route, while older more adventurous groups may hike further into the mountains returning to KISC later in the day.
| Group | A (older Groups) | B (Younger Groups) |
| Day 4 (Tuesday) |
am – Free Time pm – Ueschinenhutte O/N |
am – Free Time pm – Oeschinensee Lake |
| Day 5 (Wednesday) |
am – Ueschinenhutte O/N pm – Free Time |
am – Free Time pm – Ueschinenhutte O/N |
| Day 6 (Wednesday) |
am – Oeschinensee Lake pm – Free Time |
am – Ueschinenhutte O/N pm – Free Time |
Tuesday night is the “Race the World” event at KISC – an evening of sports and challenges against Scouts from all over the world. Wednesday night is the International Scout Disco at the Village Ice Rink – popular with the older Scouts and Explorers Thursday night is the KanderChallenge – an hour of team challenges around obstacles, physical, logical, mental and Scouting – run by the KISC camp staff.
Each of the overnight hike groups will probably want to visit the village swimming pool on their return
Day 7 (Friday) Kandersteg
0900 hrs Spend the day or half day hiking in the Kander Valley – visiting Kandersteg Village – shopping for souvenirs.
2000 hrs Last night meal out at Des Alpes – a local restaurant. Traditional cuisine. Incorporating “1st Linslade Scouts on Tour” Awards.
Day 8 (Saturday) Last day 🙁
0900 hours Morning Free
Return travel itinerary
1145 hrs Coach departs Kandersteg
1230 hrs Coach arrives Thun – free time for lunch and shopping
1630 hrs Coach departs Thun
1745 hrs Coach arrives Egerkingen – driver changeover and evening meal stop
1900 hrs Coach departs Egerkingen
Next Day (Sunday)
0540 hrs Coach arrives Calais
0640 hrs French time ferry departs Calais
0715 hrs UK time ferry arrives Dover
0730 hrs Coach departs Dover
1400 hrs Coach arrives Linslade
(Please note that these timings are approximate)
Note: There are plenty of activities available at KISC to fill time on the campsite – such as crate stacking, zip wire, sports afternoons, pioneering competitions, compass course, photo challenge, sauna, eco quiz and other eco activities, international I-Spy, patrol challenges, and generally talking to Scouts from other countries……
Some of these activities will involve you spending some of your pocket money, but most are free. There is also mini golf in the village if you can persuade a leader to walk there and back with you!
We hope that Scouts will want to try and pass some of the awards that KISC have available, such as the High Adventure Award, International Friendship, Swiss Mini-adventure Award, K.I.S.Challenge, Eco Adventure Award. All the badges can be worn on your uniform and look rather cool when you get home!