Kandersteg International Scout Centre: Difference between revisions

{{infobox WorldScouting | type = campsite | image = | name = Kandersteg International Scout Centre | location = Kandersteg | country = Switzerland | f-date = [[1923]] | founder = [[Walter von Bonstetten]] | owner = The KISC Association}}

'''Kandersteg International Scout Centre''' (KISC) is an international Scout centre in Kandersteg, Switzerland and is the only world centre of the [[World Organization of the Scout Movement]] (WOSM).

The Centre, which occupies 17 hectares of land, is open to Scouts all year round, as well as to non-Scouts for most of the year. More than 10,000 young people from over 40 different countries visit the Centre each year, ensuring a unique international atmosphere.

== History ==

Scouting was founded in [[1907]] and in the first 15 years it grew very rapidly. Quite soon there were Scouts in many different counties all over the world.

At the first World Scout Jamboree in London in [[1920]], [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Lord Baden-Powell]] saw that it was a great success. He had seen the atmosphere and the impact created by bringing so many young people together and he wanted Scouts from around the world to be able to have a similar experience at any time. So he expressed his wish of a permanent international meeting place where Scouts from all over the world could come and meet together.  

Von Bonstetten felt that this location could be the meeting place that Baden-Powell had dreamed about. He wrote to him to let him know what he had found. The response was positive and in February [[1923]] the "Scouts International Home" Association was set up; on [[12 April]] 1923 the chalet and some land was bought and the Centre came into existence. It cost SFr 15,100.-

=== Milestones ===

* [[1923]] - the Centre is founded

* During the war, the Centre is used to house French soldiers interned for the war

* 1950s - more property is bought including the woods by the river Kander and the Centre begins to open in the winter as well

* [[1973]] - Kurt Metz is appointed as the first full time Director, thanks to the generous support of Kenneth Macintosh

* 1980s - new campsites are created, together with extra toilet facilities and the Centre goes through a difficult time financially

== Location ==

 

{{Coords|46.483334|7.666667}}

 

The small, traditional Swiss village of Kandersteg is situated at 1,200 metres above sea level, 65 kilometres south of Bern. It is easily reached by road and rail and provides an excellent base for sightseeing or exploring the Alps.  

Situated on the main railway line from Benelux/Scandinavia/Germany to Italy, Kandersteg is very well served by fast trains. During the high seasons, a regular bus runs from the local railway station to the Centre.

== Facilities ==

 

 

=== Chalet ===

=== Campsite ===

=== Tower ===

=== Ueschinen Hut ===

 

== Activities ==

=== Summer ===

They offer, within the three themes, a fixed weekly in-camp programme including International [[Campfire]], [[Pioneering]] competition and [[Barbecue]], as well as a wide range of daily activities such as trails, nature workshops, [[hiking]], [[Climbing|rock climbing]], [[Arts and crafts|crafts]], mountain biking, paragliding, river rafting and trips to various parts of Switzerland.

=== Winter ===

The programme offers a range of alpine snow activities such as downhill or cross country skiing and snowboarding. There are also a variety of other activities in and around Kandersteg, like [[Sledding|sledging]], curling, [[skating]], snow shoeing and [[caving]].

=== Year round ===

== Staff ==

 

# Be able to communicate in English.

== References ==

 

[[Category:Scout and Guide campsites in Switzerland]]

[[Category:Scout and Guide World Centres]]