Kandersteg 2001

Introduction

Can you imagine staying at a Scout Centre where you could have up to 1,200 neighbours from as many as 20 different countries? Have you ever dreamed of walking over a glacier, learning to ski or joining in a campfire with Scouts and Guides from all over the world? Well for the members of St. Oliver's Scout Unit and the 132^nd Bayside Unit, this was the case, because this year's Annual Camp was at Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland. A huge contingent of 40 Scouts, 11 Venturers and 8 Leaders from Drogheda along with 16 Venturer Scouts and Leaders from the Bayside Scout Unit in Dublin travelled together for 10 days of Scouting.

The camp itself was a huge success with the Scouts enjoying chalet accommodation and both of the Venturer Groups camping. The first memory of Kandersteg will be arriving at 3.40 a.m. on Tuesday 3^rd of July. We had been travelling since 9am on Monday and the scene was commical as the Venturers began putting up tents in the pitch dark. There was an amazing outline of the mountains in the background and everyone agreed that it was going to be a great camp.

Travel

We flew out from Dublin Airport on July 2nd to Beauvais Airport in France. We then travelled from Beauvais straight to Kandersteg by coach, arriving at 3.40 a.m. on the Tuesday mornign. We stayed at Kandersteg until the 11th of July. We stoped off at Euro Disney for another days adventure and then stayed for one night in a scout centre in a place called Jamville (about 2 hours from Paris). We then flew back to Dublin on the 13th July.

The Great scOUT Doors

During the camp, we enjoyed a number of activities including: hiking, swimming, rock-climbing, abseiling and craft to name just a few. As a group we reached the summit of on of the mountains (the Bundespitz) which climbs to 2596 meters. Later on in the week a small group of two Leaders, one Venture Scout and two Scouts took part in the Glacier Hike which was an excellent hike. Their was a number of other hikes during the week in and around the Scout Centre, which gave everyone the opportunity to enjoy the beautifull surroundings.

Day-Trips

We also had a number of excellent day-trips to keep us busy, including trips to the town of Interlacken, the city of Bern, and also our trip to Euro Disney, in Paris on the way home.

Beautifull Surroundings

Everyone who attended will hold fond memories of their 10 days in the Swiss Alps and everyone agrees that the camp was the best for years. The Scout Centre was excellent and the surroundings supreme. Imagine waking up each morning to the site of the Swiss Alps towering above and around us for 360 degrees. Wild waterfalls run down the mountains giving views which we could have only hoped to see before camp.

Cooking

You would imagine that with a contingent of 75 Scouts, Venturers and Leaders, dinner time would be hard, but it worked out well. We enjoyed the use of one of the centre's kitchens and made great use of the benches for dining also. Each Patrol took turns at cleaning up including the Drogheda and Dublin Venturers and so everything went well.

Weather

Weather-wise, we couldn't have asked for better. The sun was shining each and every day, bar one. It was a case of sun bloc to the fore as Scouts, Venturers and Leaders alike all achieved some level of sun tan during the camp. It did rain for one day, but this only served to provide even greater views as the mountains around us came alive with wild waterfalls cascading down to the rivers at the camp.

Cause for Celebration

There was great cause for celebration during the camp also with each and every Scout achieving two of the Scout Centre's Awards. The Scouts not only achieved the High Adventure Award, but also the International Friendship Award. This was no easy task and involved completing a number of tasks (some easy, some hard) throughout the camp. The Awards were presented to the Scouts during an Award Ceremony at the end of camp.

Conclusion

All in all, everyone enjoyed the camp and it will be remembered as one of the finest Scout activities ever completed by both the Drogheda Unit and also the Bayside Unit.

If you would like to have a look at some of the pics from our Annual Camp at Kandersteg then click here to visit our Photo Gallery and choose the Annual camp 2001 link.

Heres the low-down on the Awards we achieved on camp

The High Adventure Award

This Award us designed to encourage Scouts and Guides to experience and appreciate the Alpine environment.

Once a Scout completes the necessary parts for the award, he or she is awarded their High Adventure Award by their Leader.

Those under 14 years old must complete items 1, 2, 3 and any 4 of the other requirements. Those 14 years + must complete 1, 2, 3 and any 6 of the other requirements.

Describe the basic equipment needed for high adventure in the Alps, including the First Aid items.

Describe the main points of safety and right behaviour in the high mountains.

Describe the symtoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia, heat stoke and altitude sickness.

Stay overnight in a hut above the tree line

Take part in one of the Centre's guided hikes or Alpine workshops.

Have a swim in an Alpine lake.

Climb a mountain path over 2500m.

Visit a glacier and explain about the dangers of crossing one.

Describe the causes of pollution and errosioni in the Alps and the effect these have.

Learn the correct use of a compass and navigation skills - prove them on the orienteering or compass course!

The International Friendship Award

Whilst camping at Kandersteg World Scout Centre, we also achieved the Kandersteg International Friendship Award. It has been designed to bring all campers and visitors together in a varied programme of friendship activities.

Once a Scout completes the necessary parts for the award, he or she is awarded their International Friendship Award by their Leader.

In order to achieve the Award, seven of the following requirements must be completed

Be able to greet and thank all other Scouts and Guides staying at Kandersteg in their own language.

Invite a Scout or Guide, a Patrol or Troop from another country, to join you for a National dish which you have helped to prepare. (Maybe use the International Cooking night to enjoy this one).

Participate in the International Volleyball Tournament.

Undertake either the Centre's Alpine Cheesery Hike or any other hike with a Scout or Guide, Patrol or Troop from another country, a song, skit or traditional dance.

With a Scout or Guide, a Patrol or Troop from another country, complete the Discovery Trail, the Environment Trail, or the Kandersteg Hike.

Teach a Scout or Guide, a Patrol or Troop from another country, a song, skit or traditional dance.

Take an active part in the weekly International Campfire.

Contribute to the continual development of the Centre by giving some time to a Centre approved service project.