Tuesday 24th Augsut 2010, 8.56pm

Hello everyone,

Everyone is now back in the UK... apart from our Expedition Director that is, who is enjoying a well deserved holiday in France with his wife Annette. Anyway, for those that are interested and who missed the lorry unloading on Saturday morning here are some pictures, courtesy of Dave Folkerd from Ealing & Hanwell.

Thanks to all those who helped with the unloading, it was completed in record time.

Phil Power, Head of Activities

Thursday 19th August 2010, 4.15pm

Hello!

Everyone now departed from KISC, it is all now very quiet here. Groups are on their way to either Zurich to fly to London, or on coaches travelling overnight through France, arriving early tomorrow morning.

Last nights closing ceremony was fantastic, a excellent opportunity to reflect on the past 11 days. Many thanks to everyone who has been involved in delivering this expediton, for some the planning has been going on for the past two years.

See you all in 2013!!

Paul Dickson, Expedition Director

Wednesday 18th August 2010, 5.15pm

Hello everyone!

Today has been the last day of activities - as I write this the last groups are returning to the site and preparing their dinner, ready for tonights closing ceremony. Today 3rd Osterley have been white water rafting on the Lutschine, while many groups have enjoyed the day at Oschinensee and shopping in Kandersteg village.

It has been slowly drizzling this afternoon - Marc, the KISC Director has promised a clear sky by 8pm when the closing ceremony will begin at the campfire circle. Tomorrow morning will bring striking camp, lorry loading and coach transfers to either Zurich airport or all the way back to London.

Paul Dickson, Expedition Director

Tuesday 17th August 2010, 9.35pm

Hello blog followers!!

It has been another busy day today; Alpine ESU spent the afternoon on the high ropes course at Kandersteg, while Centaur ESU and 1st Osterley Scouts have spent the day in Stresa... and I took the opportunity to go along with them. Our mascots reached new highs today, literally, with Banana going skydiving with two of the staff members.

Tonight, while all the group leaders were being briefed about arrangements for our departure to the UK, the young people did battle over the expedition quiz... winners to be announced in tomorrow's blog. Tomorrow brings the last day of activities, and the closing ceremony.

Paul Dickson, Expediton Director

Monday 16th August 2010, 9.17pm

Good everning,

The serious rain has now stopped. There have been a few showers today, but things are definitely changing for the better. The mountains are looking fantastic, with some fresh snow from the weather over the weekend. Groups have been reporting that there is about a foot of snow at the Lotchenpass Hutte, where lots of people are going for their overnight trips.

Today one of our mascots is off to Oschinensee with the 13th Southall. Axford Explorers and members of Elements Network departed early this morning for their Snow & Ice workshop, heading up to the Frundenhutte to learn about ice climbing and glacier travel. Tonight is the International BBQ and food fair at the centre, where we will be sharing food and entertainment with scouts from all around the World. 

Debra Griffiths, Deputy Expedition Director

Sunday 15th August 2010, 11.54pm

Hello everyone,

It has been a bit wet here in Kandersteg over the past 24 hours, but spirits are high and we are still having fun. Our karoke last night was rained off, but Kanderscout 87.6FM came to the rescue, running a show late into the evening, with the most keen karoke participants appearing live on air.

Our mascots have been out and about as usual, at Brigerbad baths and on a dawn hike today. Groups have been doing all sorts of things today, with lots participating in the interational sports afternoon - with Scouts from around the World. The staff (including myself) have been white water rafting on the Lutschine - which was an excellent trip.

Tomorrow Centaur ESU are off White Water Rafting on the Simme, while others are canyoning. Tomrrow is also the first of our trips to Stresa, in Italy. Remember to follow us on twitter if are aren't already.

Chad Lake, Deputy Expedition Director

Saturday 14th August 2010, 10.38am

Morn' blog followers!

It is a tad wet in Kandersteg this morning, but everyone is still happy and heading out for more activities today. Axford Explorers are off to Bern, while the Scouts and Explorers from Hayes & Harlington together with Greenford Explorers are on a trip to Mount Titlis.

This afternoon four groups of young people from Centaur Explorers will be returning from three and four day expeditions as part of their awards, and Vulcan network are off White Water rafting on the Simme. This evening we will be showcasing our expedition's musical talent with Karoke outdoors at the tower.

Tomorrow the staff are off White Water rafting on the Lutschine, while back at Kandersteg a few hundred people from the expedition will be joining in with the centre's International Sports afternoon, followed by the KISC light trail later in the day.

Remember you can post best wishes at the bottom of this page. If you have a few minutes why not look at the KISC website as well?

Paul Dickson, Expedition Director

Friday 13th August 2010, 9.10pm

Good evening from Kandersteg.

Last night about 200 of our young people enjoyed our first expedition disco, outdoors in the swiss mountains. Thanks to DJs Tom & Chris for spinning the tunes and keeping everyone entertained.

Today our expedition mascots are going off to the Gemmi Pass with Hayes & Harlington Explorers, and to Bern with the 13th Southall. Our group of 62 young people and leaders from Ealing & Hanwell District are off to enjoy the day together at Oschinensee, while 5 groups are off to see the Jungfrau and walk along the Eiger Trail.

Tonight is the Kandersteg International Campfire, with scouts from all around the world participating. Our mural at the swimming pool is progressing well with more painting planned for today.

Remember to look at our facebook page for the latest up to the minute information.

Paul Dickson, Expedition Director

Friday 13th August 2010, 11.57am

A special blog this morning.

Remember you can follow the progress of the expedition on facebook and twitter.

We are also running a radio station here at Kandersteg - 87.6 Kanderscout FM, you can text messages to the station or requests for songs on 07855 165 615.

There also some photos of what has been happening online at Flickr.

Enjoy!!

Phil Power, Head of Activities

Thursday 12th August 2010, 9.37pm

Greetings from Kandersteg!

Last night the International Scout Disco in Kandersteg proved to be a huge success, enjoyed by 700 scouts and guides from around the world. Our mascots have been out and about today - enjoying activities with Poindextor ESU, helping the food distribution team in their command centre and hiking over the Kanderfirn glacier with members of Centaur ESU.

This morning various groups departed on overnight trips to mountain huts in the area around Kandersteg. 1st Uxbridge left for the Uschinen Hut; Hayes & Harlington Explorers started on their walk to the Lotchenpasshutte and 1st Osterley Scouts departed for the Steinbock Hotel at Selden. Three groups of young people are also taking part in the expeditions as part of their Chief Scout's Platinum Awards and Queen's Scout Awards.

The weather isn't quite as nice as yesterday - we have had a few showers and quite a bit of hill mist. The forecast for tomorrow is better, so it should be nice and warm for the International Campfire on Friday evening.

Debra Griffiths, Deputy Expedition Director

Wednesday 11th August 2010, 6:45pm

Hi everyone,

Yesterday proved to be a fun filled day of activities - with groups taking part in everything from extreme white water rafting to rides on the rodel bahn at Oschinensee.

The day finished with a briefing for all group leaders from the staff at Kandersteg International Scout Centre while many of the young people on the expedition took part in our very own scavenger hunt, facilitated by the MEAN team. The radio station team also finished their first full day of broadcasting from their studio on the campsite.

The mascots Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla and Banana Milkshake have been on their travels - in the mountains, on a glacier and hanging out on the campsite.

Today six groups and a few of the staff have been out on the Chocolate & Cheese tour, sampling some of Switzerland's culinary delights. Greenford District Explorers had a brilliant time canyoning this morning, while Hayes & Harlington Explorers spent some time rafting on the Simme river. The first of our overnight trips returned this morning, members of Poindextor Explorers who'd stayed at the centre's very own mountain hut and 20th Chiswick Explorers from Ice Climbing near the Fundenhutte.

Tonight is the International Scout Disco at the Ice Rink in Kandersteg village - a chance for scouts from all around the world to meet and have fun. Tomorrow is another full packed day with many groups off to visit the amazing waterfalls inside a mountain at Trummelbach, while some of our network members will be departing very early for an expedition across the Kanderfirn glacier to the Muttornhutte.

The sun has shinned for most of the day - we had a little rain earlier on, but it is now bright and sunny again. The magic is most definitely with us.

Chad Lake, Deputy Expedition Director

Tuesday 10th August 2010, 7:50pm

A fantastic first day of broadcasting of the Expedition's very own radio station 87.6 Kanderscout FM is nearly finished with Chris & Tom finishing their first radio show.    If you want to send a message to the whole expedition, send a text to 07855 165165 for broadcast between 7am and 7pm.

Congratultions to all the DJs from the Helpdesk team in the Sonneblick who have been listening all day!

Tuesday 10th August 2010, 10am

Hi everyone, yesterday everyone arrived during the  day, starting with 3 coaches in the morning, then 9 flights all arrived on time, and the two lorries with all the kit arrived safely!  The last arrival was on the bus from Frutigen who arrived at 23:58... a long day for some people.  Well done to the catering teams who served over 500 lunches and 130 dinners as people arrived.  

The highlight of the evening was the spectacular Opening Ceremony in the Campfire Circle with welcomes from Chad Lake, County Commissioner, Paul Dickson, Expedition Director, Mark Knippenburg, KISC Director and the Cupcake the Cow, followed by a disco to get everyone moving. 

The first groups have already departed on their activities, Centaur ESU and Ealing & Hanwell have gone rafting, Alpine ESU have gone to Oeschinensee, a few have gone paragliding, 13th Southall have gone on the Bundesptiz Hike, and some are visiting Bern.    The mascots Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla and Banana Milkshake have gone out on the activities, watch out for photos soon.

Looking forward to the Scavenger Hunt and Leader Social tonight.

The sun is shining and the magic is with us.

Paul Dickson, Expedition Director

Sunday 8th August 2010, 11pm

The advance party has arrived and are getting ready to greet you all.

 Paul Spencer, Head of Transport

Thursday 5th August 2010, 9am

Well, all the kit arrived last night and thanks to Piers and his colleagues at the Colnbrook Logistics Centre it’s all ready to be loaded on two trucks tonight. Thanks to those who helped last night and thanks in advance for tonight.

Paul Spencer, Head of Transport