Located high in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, Kandersteg hosts the world’s only International Scout Centre.
The trip to Kandersteg offers many opportunities for all Scouts. Whilst it is an ideal time to provide challenge and adventure for the older Scouts, it is also a great experience for younger Scouts too; who rarely get a chance to take part in international Scouting events on this scale.
The Kandersteg Expedition is for Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Network Scouts and Scouters aged 12 and over, be it relaxing in idyllic surroundings, or for the more energetic there are numerous activities available - Swimming, Bowling, Cycling, White Water Rafting, A Hike up the Mountains or a Stroll to the Village, a ride on the Cable Cars the views are beautiful.
There is a boat that takes you across the lakes from Thun to Speiz. The biggest bonus of all is the opportunity to discover a warm, friendly international environment in one of the most beautiful countries.
Greater London Middlesex West
The county will be taking the main strain of organising this International event. They have been coordinating this expedition since 1960’s and every four years set up a solid framework for Groups and Districts to attend. To date, they have over 700 members interested from across the County. Many members of the team have a great deal of experience from previous expeditions and plans since early this year have already started proceeding.
Brent District Contingent
We would like to seize this opportunity and take a large contingent of Scouts, Explorers, Network, Leaders and supporters from Brent District on an International Experience to Kandersteg. For some, it may be the chance of a lifetime to camp at the only World Scout Centre. Explore the breathtaking scenery and at the same time, work to gain International Friendship. For others hopefully, it will be the start of many International experiences and be able to springboard from this experience into planning their own International experiences for the years to come. It is also a chance for the District to come together coordinate and formulate a Leadership team to mirror the County and organise the District Contingent.
Expedition Fees
Scouts (12 - 14 only): £1,500
Explorer Scouts (14 - 18): £1,750
Scout Network (18 - 25): £1,750
Adult Leaders: £1,000
Ages are those at the time of travel.
This fee includes:
The Expedition, including all travel and food costs
Two pre-event camps, a one-night in 2024 and a two-night in 2025
Two pre-event activities (day or evening)
T-shirt, badge and necker
Access Fund
Fundraising
We will be undertaking fundraising activities in the run-up to the expedition including cake sales and supermarket bag packing. Depending on the success of the fundraising we may be able to add additional activities or reduce the fees.
Payment Schedule
Payments will be 15 monthly payments from March 2024 to May 2025.
Scouts (12 - 14 only): £100
Explorer Scouts (14 - 18): Initial £140, then 14 payments of £115
Scout Network (18 - 25): Initial £140, then 14 payments of £115
Adult Leaders: Initial £68, then 14 payments of £63 (£50 already paid with registration)
Extra Costs
In addition to the expedition cost you will need spending money for occasional expenses and souvenirs. We recommend using a prepaid currency card rather than cash.
Travel & Transport
The County is negotiating with both BA and Swiss Air for seats on morning flights from Heathrow and London City to Zurich and Geneva, with flight time approx 2hr 20min. We are hoping to arrange a transfer to Kandersteg by train from the airport (with perhaps one change of train) to Kandersteg village. Hand luggage will only be taken on the outgoing and return journey.
The return journey will be the reverse and the County is negotiating for afternoon flights from Zurich and Geneva. Scouts and Scouters will need to proceed to the designated airport under their own steam once this has been allocated to us.
The county is organising two trucks to transport both your main personal baggage and our camping equipment directly to KISC from London. Your personal kit will need to be delivered to a central collection and loading point on a specified day shortly before departure. The district will arrange this for you. This could be as early as one week before departure. For the return journey, the kit will be loaded on the morning of the day we leave and collection will be from the central warehouse a couple of days later. With your kit, you will need to provide a customs declaration of the items and their value.
We will give you more details on the packing and loading of your kit nearer the time. By having everybody’s personal kit on the trucks we make the transfer process as efficient as possible by avoiding the check-in and collection delays of bags at the airports.
Activities
During several of our contingent meetings, we will discuss programme activities. These will be a balance of adventurous, challenging, alpine, cultural, and relaxing days. There will be an opportunity for Scouts and Scouters to gain some of the badges and alpine awards.
From activities on the site including the Nature Trail, Eco Quiz, and Bat Watch; through to activities in the surrounding area such as hill walking, abseiling, and climbing; up to Alpine High Adventures like ice climbing, and white water rafting. Spending a night at one of the Mountain Huts surrounding the valley should be considered a must, while for a more relaxing day, jump on the train to Thun or Interlaken and take in the shopping. For those wanting to visit another Country during their trip then the Italian Lakes are only 120 miles by train; while the natural wonders of the Trummelback Falls and the Eiger are closer at hand.
When choosing activities care and consideration will be adhered to budget, value for money, and the suitability of the Scout.
Food
This will be distributed by the County daily and calculated per head. We will have no refrigeration facilities on site so all food is kept centrally. Food will be prepared and cooked back at our camp by a duty patrol and Leader for the whole contingent. At our pre-Kandersteg meets there will be an opportunity to experiment and taste some food. The menu will be set each day by County and the ingredients sourced locally are of Swiss Culture. Dietary and allergy requirements will need to be confirmed to the County with good notice.
Administration
During the lead-up to the Expedition, we will need to collect a lot of information, including names, addresses, dates of birth, Special diets, passport numbers, national health numbers, etc.
To keep costs down we will be using e-mail where possible as well as have a Facebook page, WhatsApp Group, and website to keep you regularly updated.
Planning Meetings
We will schedule pre-Kandersteg meetings with our Brent District Contingent once we have selected our unit members. This will be to develop teamwork amongst Scouts and Scouters. Learn and hone specific skills needed for the expedition. Choose activities and organise rotas, keep up to date with the latest information. Design the camp and help pull equipment together. Equipment lists and personal kit lists will be listed at the next meeting.
This will include:
2x Full Days Events
1x 1 Night Camp
1x 2 Nights Camp with travel
4x Evening Meetings
What happens next?
Information Webinar
We are running two webinars where you can find out about the expedition and ask question. There will be a 30-minute presentation and then 30 minutes for questions.
Applications
Scouts & Explorer Scouts
Those born between 12th August 2007 and 12th August 2013
We have a limited number of places for Scouts and Explorers and anticipate a high demand; we will be running two selection days for those interested in attending.
Saturday 17th February, 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday 25th February, 10 am to 4 pm
Both days will include a parent Q&A session at 3 pm
You will need to book a space at one of the two sessions if you are interested in joining.
After the second selection day we will inform you if you have been selected to take part.
Scout Network
Those born between: 22nd August 2000 and 12th August 2007
Those who will be Scout Network members at the time of the event can join as participants without the responsibilities of leading young people. They will take part in their own programme.
Adult Leaders
Those born before 12th August 2007