During the summer we took a large party of our scouts to Kandersteg, Switzerland with other scouts from the district and their leaders. The journey from Guildford to Switzerland was done by luxury coach and some 1200 miles and 19 hours later we arrived tired but excited at the Kandersteg International Scout Camp. The first day was spend setting up camp and making new friends whilst 'ogling the superb snow-capped mountains all around us. The next day was spent white-water rafting and using muscles we never thought we had. The highlight of the event was trying out water safety techniques by floating down the rapids on our backs with our hands across our buoyancy aids to simulate an ejection from the boat!! All of us wanted to try it again if we could sneak past the instructors. Sounds scary but in fact it was completely safe - just a bit bouncy and very cold and wet in the glacier fed water. The next day saw us in up into the mountains by chair lift on a very misty and drizzle day followed by swimming in a glaciated lake as part of the KISC Challenge badge. Good job there was a cafe at the top which provided us all with hot home made soup and hot chocolate. We soon warmed up. Young Leader Tom Homewood spent two days up in the mountains sleeping out and walking across glaciers as part of his high level challenge. He said he found this easy after walking up to Base Camp of Everest earlier this year!!
Other events included more walking in the mountains, visiting a chocolate factory and a cheese factory and participating in challenges around the camp site. One highlight of the week was the toboggan run --- and yes, you can do a somersault in a toboggan and stay on if you are lucky. SL Keith Homewood showed us that it can be done!!!!! The best highlight of the week was a trip up the Jungfrau Mountain by venicular railway. After a incredibly beautiful drive out of the Kander Valley and along the valley bottom and by huge lakes we caught our first train that took us to Langen where we changed for our next train to take us to the top. It's amazing to think that the Swiss have cut a railway up into the Eiger, across Monch and into the Jungfrau. With plenty of stops to look at the scenery and the gradual change from green to snow capped mountains we all spent wild moments clicking away with out cameras. Once at the top we had to get acclimatised to the altitude. Anything but slow walking at first was an effort leaving many out of breath and feeling slightly dizzy. The best part was stepping out into the bright sun and snow of the Jungfrau for a very special ceremony. We formed a large circle in front of the other tourists and took off our coats exposing the 'world' to the full glory of UK scouts in their best uniforms. With Union Flag flying from our collapsible flag pole we carried out the investiture of Alex Homewood and Simon Masson and Robin Beason (Shere and Peaslake) as Young Leaders. By this stage we too were surrounded by tourists all clicking away with their cameras and wanting to shake our hands - some of whom were also scouts from China, Switzerland, Canada and Europe.
After a brief snowball fight it was time to head back down via the spectacular ice caves and then the train to catch our coach back to Kandersteg. Many scouts were so tired by now that they fell asleep. This gave the photographers amongst us the opportunity to carry out a scouting tradition for taking the more sensitive and moving photos that we all love. Next day it was time to strike camp and head back to the UK. Perhaps the most moving and memorable moment of the ten days was seeing the Union Flag flying high at the 'Top of the World' in front of the Eiger and the proud looks on all the scouts faces as they renewed their scout promise for all the world to see and hear. Will we be going back--- you bet!!!!!
St Saviours Scouts
