Another trip to Kandersteg announced!!
Four years on from our last expedition, 1st Linslade Scout Section have decided to organise 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.
UPDATE: All places filled (05/12/10)
Click Read More below for more details
See Kandersteg 2007 Photos here
The Bernese Oberland is the principle location of many scenic wonders of Switzerland, such as the Jungfrau and Eiger mountains. 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 our troop would be twinned beforehand, with another 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 Scout Centre runs a full programme of adventurous activities with full instruction and supervision by centre staff. A typical itinerary might be as follows:
Day 1: Arrive Kandersteg around midday.Orientation walk to Kandersteg village, and swimming at the open air pool (whirlpools, slides etc).
Day 2: Oeschinensee Lake. Visit to Oeschinensee Lake by cable car from Kandersteg, 1500m up from the valley floor. Enjoy a dip in the alpine lake and rides on the summer toboggan run. Hike back to Kandersteg village. Evening activities back at KISC and a chance to meet other Scouts from all over the world.
Day 3: Geo-caching and navigation challenge in the Kander Valley near the camp site, in the morning. International sports afternoon. Swimming in the village pool.
Day 4: A day hiking in the Kander Valley – a guided hike with spectacular views. This hike would be an overnighter to the Ueschinenhutte owned by KISC. The hut is a high alpine hut at 1890m, with no electricity and an interesting loo! The hike passes through traditional high alpine farms – a truly unforgettable experience!
Day 5: A 15 mile white water rafting trip on the River Simme for those aged 12+, and a more sedate trip from Thun to Bern on the River Aare for younger Scouts. An international BBQ in the evening and another chance to make international friends and swap badges and neckers.
Day 6: Climbing and abseiling, or mountain biking in the Kander Valley. More KISC based activites on site, such as eco-challenge, Kandersteg trail, Discovery trial or orienteering. International Disco in the evening.
Day 7: A trip into Kandersteg village to buy souvenirs, and maybe a last swim in the pool. Some quiet chill out time on the campsite before the journey home. A last night meal out at a local Swiss restaurant – schnitzel and cabbage (they do chips too!)
Day 8: Leave for home about midday
The above is just an example of the activities available.
The accommodation is either in the main chalets, which sleep 400, or camping. Our preferred choice would be camping, and we intend to use 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 fridge! We would generally be self catering with food supplied by KISC, 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 proposed dates for the trip are 22nd – 31st July 2011.
You can see photos of the 2007 expedition here . Check out the scenery!
Download 
initial_letter_to_parents_2011 for full details
Register here your interest in going on the trip by 17th July 2010 (you need to be logged in to site for this)
More info about Kandersteg International Scout Centre can be found at their website http://www.kisc.ch If you have any questions please ask your section leader.