Camping at Kandersteg, Switzerland – Summer 2011
Four years on from our last expedition, we have organised another trip to Switzerland. Our last trip was a resounding success and many lasting memories forged. Kandersteg International Scout Centre is set in the heart of the Swiss mountains, in the Bernese Alps.
The Bernese Oberland is the principle location of the scenic wonders of Switzerland, with the Jungfrau and Eiger mountains, the Rhone Glacier, Trummelbach Falls and Lake Thun to mention a few. Kandersteg is situated at the head of a valley, in particularly rugged and adventurous country that will ensure an exciting alpine experience.
Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) was founded in 1923 by Lord Baden-Powell and was his dream to provide a permanent international meeting place for Scouts from all over the world. KISC is renowned for its international atmosphere and a strong spirit of Scouting. In fact it is just like being at a mini world jamboree! There are many opportunities to interact with Scouts from other countries and joint activities are encouraged, with international cookery, camp fires, barbecues, sports and games. To help this along we are hoping to be twinned with another group from a different country attending at the same time, to organise a meal together, or a game, or even a joint hike during our stay.
The accommodation will be in ready erected tents on the main KISC campsite. We are using a company called Venture Abroad who specialise in youth group (mainly Scouts) trips such as this.
Venture Abroad have their own area within the KISC camp-site, and provide all the tents, cooking equipment, marquees and even electricity for lighting and a fridge! We will generally be self catering, however meals can be booked at the main chalet canteen for those days when activities require an early start or late finish. We feel that the camping option gives more scope for evening activities, interacting with other nationalities, and gives us a firm base for the duration of the stay. It is also the cheaper option!
The dates for the trip are 22nd – 31st July 2011. This is 7 nights at Kandersteg International Scout Centre, with overnight coach travel at either end. Venture Abroad run a shuttle service through the summer holidays, and travel would be direct from Linslade. We have priced up doing the transport ourselves but can’t match the Venture Abroad fees. Their shuttle service, filling coaches on both inward and outward journeys must make the difference! We have also looked at the option of flying, but it is more expensive and doesn’t actually save much time. The outward journey leaves at approximately 1.30pm, with ferry from Dover to Calais, arriving in Switzerland about midday the next day. Coming home departure 1.00pm arrive home approximately 10.00am the next day.
Note that 22nd July 2011 is on Council’s web site as being the last day of school summer term, therefore it maybe necessary to request leaving early. We don’t expect this to be a problem on the last day of term, however we may have to delay departure by a couple of hours.For a detailed itinerary, go back to the Kandersteg 2011 menu on the left, and click “itinerary” or click here .
Have a look at the Kisc website for more information – click here .
