An A – Z of Kandersteg Questions
Accommodation
Accommodation is restricted due to the popularity of the centre. You will be sharing rooms based on gender and on age. None of the accommodation is en-suite so remember to pack your PJs!
Activity Timetable
Please see attached sheet.
Alcohol
You cannot purchase alcohol, even if it is legal in Switzerland, whilst you are away.
Behaviour
Quite simply we will only accept the best behaviour. No foul language or aggression will be accepted. The rules of the Scout Association are the rules that we work to. Swiss law is very strict – remember that! Bruce, Don and I will not be sympathetic if you misbehave – leave your idiocy at home.
Cameras
You will have the opportunity to take some stunning photographs. You may bring a camera but it is at your own risk.
Contact Details
If you need to contact the party for any reason please use Rachel Webster (our Emergency Contact) first. Alternative means of contact are:
David Hodgkiss 07780990404
Bruce Kirton 07899960575
Don McCutcheon 07802289818
Departure Details
We will meet at the Scout Hut at 10.00pm on Friday 14th August. You will be sleeping there before the bus collects us at around 5.45am the next morning. Bring your sleeping bag. We’ll leave this locked up in the office and it can be collected when we return.
Emergency Contact
Our Emergency contact is Rachel Webster.
She can be contacted on 01228 540878 or 07xxxxxx If you urgently need to contact us please contact Rachel first. She will have our itinerary and be informed of any changes.
Equipment
An equipment list is enclosed. Remember to pack a variety of clothing that allows you to layer up if you’re cold. Micro-fleeces, a fleece and waterproofs are good warm layers. If you suffer from the cold or are taking part in the Glacier Workshop then thermal underwear is a good idea. We are all going up the Jungfrau on the Wednesday, the last time I was there the temperature with wind chill was -27c on the top. Make sure that you have hat and gloves.
Flight Details
We will be flying from East Midlands Airport by EasyJet to Geneva. The flight details are:
Saturday 15 August
East Midlands To Genevaflight 6581 ; dep. 13:05; arr. 15:45
Sunday 23 August
Geneva To East Midlandsflight 6582 ; dep. 16:45; arr. 17:25
Insurance
Insurance has been purchased from Scout Insurance Services for each party member. Should you wish your child to have supplementary cover then please contact your insurance broker.
International Scouting
The whole purpose of this expedition is to allow you to build up international relationships. Make the most of each opportunity. Sitting in your room will not be allowed. Talk to people, mingle and find out more. There’s never nothing to do at Kandersteg.
Knives
Don’t bring any! If you wish to bring a souvenir knife home (every other shop sells Swiss Army Knives) then it must have a blade which cannot lock and is less than 3 inches long.
Luggage
Each person has a 16kg luggage allowance. This is sufficient for the week. I suggest that your gear is packed in a rucksack as you have to walk from the station to the centre along a footpath by a river. It isn’t really suitable for suitcases. You will also need this rucksack on your overnight expedition to carry clothes, food and equipment into the Alps. A small daysack should also be taken as hand luggage on the flight. This will be useful for carrying drinks, waterproofs and packed lunches.
In order to save weight on the flight everyone should travel in their boots. It’s a simple thing but saves considerable weight and allows you pack those little essentials.
Mobile Phones
None of the Scouts should take a mobile phone. These are not necessary. The Explorers can take their phones if they wish. If they do it will allow us to give them greater freedom as we are able to stay in touch.
There are no charging facilities so don’t bring i-pods, psp’s or similar. Anyway – you won’t have time to play!
Passports
I need a copy of everyone’s passport before we go. This should be a photocopy of the details page. Make sure that your passport has at least six months left on it before it expires. Everyone will also need an EHIC card
Go to https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do to complete the form and claim a card.
Spending Money
Each of the Scouts will be allowed to take the equivalent of £80 in Swiss Francs. This will need to be paid to the group before the end of July and we will ensure that the money is available for each child. The money will be held on a card to avoid loss and distributed as necessary.
Each Scout will also need £20 in Sterling for use at the airport, for drinks on the flight and at motorway service stations.
We will take the Explorers money too if they wish, however they may wish to take charge of their own. There is no limit for Explorers beyond that it should be a reasonable amount.
Those little things…
Pack a water bottle, a bin liner and a head torch. They’ll come in useful when you’re on your expedition.
You’ll also need a sleeping bag liner – there are no sheets and a pillowcase.
Uniform
Everyone will travel in uniform. Uniform shirts should be packed in luggage for when we arrive at the centre along with their group necker. On the journey each Scout / Explorer / Leader must wear the standard uniform polo shirt along with a UK necker. Neckers will be provided for those who have not been abroad before however the Explorers who went to KISC in 2006 were issued with a necker and should use this. Replacement neckers will cost £8 and are available. Contact me for details. You cannot swap your UK necker, it must be available for you to wear on the return journey.
A union flag badge will need to be sewn on your uniform shirt – these will be provided in plenty of time before we leave.
We would prefer it if everyone travelled in uniform activity trousers, however, if you do not have these then you must travel in standard school trousers. Remember that are representing the UK Scout Association as you travel and that as a consequence your appearance matters.
Walking Boots
These are essential.
Accommodation
Accommodation is restricted due to the popularity of the centre. You will be sharing rooms based on gender and on age. None of the accommodation is en-suite so remember to pack your PJs!
Activity Timetable
Please see attached sheet.
Alcohol
You cannot purchase alcohol, even if it is legal in Switzerland, whilst you are away.
Behaviour
Quite simply we will only accept the best behaviour. No foul language or aggression will be accepted. The rules of the Scout Association are the rules that we work to. Swiss law is very strict – remember that! Bruce, Don and I will not be sympathetic if you misbehave – leave your idiocy at home.
Cameras
You will have the opportunity to take some stunning photographs. You may bring a camera but it is at your own risk.
Contact Details
If you need to contact the party for any reason please use Rachel Webster (our Emergency Contact) first. Alternative means of contact are:
David Hodgkiss 07780990404
Bruce Kirton 07899960575
Don McCutcheon 07802289818
Departure Details
We will meet at the Scout Hut at 10.00pm on Friday 14th August. You will be sleeping there before the bus collects us at around 5.45am the next morning. Bring your sleeping bag. We’ll leave this locked up in the office and it can be collected when we return.
Emergency Contact
Our Emergency contact is Rachel Webster.
She can be contacted on 01228 540878 or 07xxxxxx If you urgently need to contact us please contact Rachel first. She will have our itinerary and be informed of any changes.
Equipment
An equipment list is enclosed. Remember to pack a variety of clothing that allows you to layer up if you’re cold. Micro-fleeces, a fleece and waterproofs are good warm layers. If you suffer from the cold or are taking part in the Glacier Workshop then thermal underwear is a good idea. We are all going up the Jungfrau on the Wednesday, the last time I was there the temperature with wind chill was -27c on the top. Make sure that you have hat and gloves.
Flight Details
We will be flying from East Midlands Airport by EasyJet to Geneva. The flight details are:
Saturday 15 August
East Midlands To Genevaflight 6581 ; dep. 13:05; arr. 15:45
Sunday 23 August
Geneva To East Midlandsflight 6582 ; dep. 16:45; arr. 17:25
Insurance
Insurance has been purchased from Scout Insurance Services for each party member. Should you wish your child to have supplementary cover then please contact your insurance broker.
International Scouting
The whole purpose of this expedition is to allow you to build up international relationships. Make the most of each opportunity. Sitting in your room will not be allowed. Talk to people, mingle and find out more. There’s never nothing to do at Kandersteg.
Knives
Don’t bring any! If you wish to bring a souvenir knife home (every other shop sells Swiss Army Knives) then it must have a blade which cannot lock and is less than 3 inches long.
Luggage
Each person has a 16kg luggage allowance. This is sufficient for the week. I suggest that your gear is packed in a rucksack as you have to walk from the station to the centre along a footpath by a river. It isn’t really suitable for suitcases. You will also need this rucksack on your overnight expedition to carry clothes, food and equipment into the Alps. A small daysack should also be taken as hand luggage on the flight. This will be useful for carrying drinks, waterproofs and packed lunches.
In order to save weight on the flight everyone should travel in their boots. It’s a simple thing but saves considerable weight and allows you pack those little essentials.
Mobile Phones
None of the Scouts should take a mobile phone. These are not necessary. The Explorers can take their phones if they wish. If they do it will allow us to give them greater freedom as we are able to stay in touch.
There are no charging facilities so don’t bring i-pods, psp’s or similar. Anyway – you won’t have time to play!
Passports
I need a copy of everyone’s passport before we go. This should be a photocopy of the details page. Make sure that your passport has at least six months left on it before it expires. Everyone will also need an EHIC card
Go to https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do to complete the form and claim a card.
Spending Money
Each of the Scouts will be allowed to take the equivalent of £80 in Swiss Francs. This will need to be paid to the group before the end of July and we will ensure that the money is available for each child. The money will be held on a card to avoid loss and distributed as necessary.
Each Scout will also need £20 in Sterling for use at the airport, for drinks on the flight and at motorway service stations.
We will take the Explorers money too if they wish, however they may wish to take charge of their own. There is no limit for Explorers beyond that it should be a reasonable amount.
Those little things…
Pack a water bottle, a bin liner and a head torch. They’ll come in useful when you’re on your expedition.
You’ll also need a sleeping bag liner – there are no sheets and a pillowcase.
Uniform
Everyone will travel in uniform. Uniform shirts should be packed in luggage for when we arrive at the centre along with their group necker. On the journey each Scout / Explorer / Leader must wear the standard uniform polo shirt along with a UK necker. Neckers will be provided for those who have not been abroad before however the Explorers who went to KISC in 2006 were issued with a necker and should use this. Replacement neckers will cost £8 and are available. Contact me for details. You cannot swap your UK necker, it must be available for you to wear on the return journey.
A union flag badge will need to be sewn on your uniform shirt – these will be provided in plenty of time before we leave.
We would prefer it if everyone travelled in uniform activity trousers, however, if you do not have these then you must travel in standard school trousers. Remember that are representing the UK Scout Association as you travel and that as a consequence your appearance matters.
Walking Boots
These are essential.
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