Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) 2024
Dates: Friday 19th July (early evening) to Sunday 28th July 2024 (mid-morning to early afternoon)
Kit List
For details of what each participant should take on the trip we have put together a kit list HERE
If you have any questions on the items please speak with your sub-camp leader.
Parent Q&A Sessions
Thank you to those who were able to join the Information sessions on Sunday 28th April and Thursday 2nd May. If you weren’t able to make it, or if you would like a re-cap, the slides, audio and summary of questions can be viewed through the links below. If you have any more questions, please contact the relevant team member (emails below) or post on the FB page. We’ll do our best to answer as quickly as possible.
FAQ
- Will coaches have toilets? Yes all five coaches have a toilet on board.
- Will each coaches have two drivers? Yes and there are strict regulations regarding their driving hours.
- Who will be responsible for passports during the trip? Leaders will retain passports (and GHIC cards) throughout the trip except when we pass through passport control. They will be locked away whenever possible.
- Who will be responsible for medication during the trip? Leaders will look after medication, where young people are used to carrying a supply we will facilitate this for up to a day ahead or in the case of inhalers they can be held by the young person but we recommend sending a spare as well.
- Do we need to purchase travel insurance? The Scouts Overseas Travel Policy document from our insurer, Unity, can be READ HERE
- Can mobile phones be taken? Scout age sub camps, no. Explorer Scout age sub camps, Yes.
- Can e-book and music players be taken? Yes but please ensure you have headphones for music players.
- Can cameras be taken? Yes but be mindful of charging (see below).
- What charging facilities are there? We recommend charge blocks to recharge devices, devices remain the responsibility of young people throughout the trip, leaders will endeavour to recharge charge blocks on request however we have limited access to power. Charging facilities on the ferry and coach are unknown.
- What currency should we take? Swiss Francs for Switzerland however we are planning to stop at French Service Stations en route. In particular if anyone has euro and cent coins please bring them – we believe these maybe very useful for accessing the toilets at these service stations. Generally however we recommend money to be on a card that young people can use abroad, most shops are very happy to take cards but a small amount of Swiss Francs as cash might also be useful.
- What bags can they bring? A day sack to go on the coach with them and a main bag of around 80L to go underneath on the coach, we recommend a holdall (with or without wheels) if possible, rucksacks are also OK, but no hard suitcases please.
- Can sleeping bags and matts be outside the bag? No, the coach companies have been very clear that everything must be inside the main bags.
- What are the public social media accounts? X (Twitter), Instagram and Facebook #KISC24
- Is there a payphone on site? Yes, however if a young person wants to phone home we as leaders would always facilitate this and provide any support around why the young person wants to call home.
- Who can my young person speak to if they have an issue? Any leader initially! Specifically they will know their subcamp leadership team from the pre-camp events. We also have a health and wellbeing lead, Kelly Mayall (email below) and a “listening ear” team who young people are encouraged to discuss their concerns with. They can speak to them at any time but we are also provided a drop in session each evening for anyone who wants to talk, de-stress or just chat – probably around a little campfire.
Direct Emails for Team Members
If you have a question about a particular aspect of the trip or you would like to talk to the team lead directly about a private matter, please contact the relevant team member:
Trip Leader – tom.palmer@scoutshw.org.uk
Risk Assessments, Safety & Safeguarding – mark.graham@scoutshw.org.uk
Health & Wellbeing – kelly.mayall@scoutshw.org.uk
Finance – lisa.pickering@scoutshw.org.uk
Travel – lynn.lee@scoutshw.org.uk
Food & allergies – ruth.palmer@scoutshw.org.uk
Activities – andrew.lee@scoutshw.org.uk
Social media – peter.dodman@scoutshw.org.uk
Useful Weblinks
KISC (Kandersteg International Scout Centre)
Kandersteg Weather and Webcams
Trip Newsletters
Why Kandersteg?
It was Robert Baden-Powell’s dream to have a permanent mini-jamboree site so he opened KISC (Kandersteg International Scout Centre) in 1923. Thousands of scouts and guides from all over the world have passed through since then – over 12,000 every year. You can learn more about the history of this amazing site here.
Participants on our County trip will have the opportunity to take part in adventurous activities in a glorious alpine setting both on the site itself and in the surrounding area.
They will also meet Scouts from other countries and experience different Scouting cultures from around the world.
Full details can be found in the KISC24 Information Pack and you can watch one of the roadshows on our YouTube channel – click HERE – and view our presentation HERE