Kandersteg 2025
On Tuesday, June 24th 2025, after months of planning and preparation, all culminated in an early 4:30am meet up for the Ventures and Leaders at T2, Dublin Airport. All locked n loaded for a fabulous week ahead in KISC Switzerland (Kandersteg International Scout Camp). KISC is over 100 years old and was the venue for Baden Powell’s 1st World Scout Moot.
Day 1: Travelling with rucksacks and camping equipment, we reached KISC and set up our base for the week. We explored the campsite, which was teaming with scout groups from all over the world, including Australia, Sweden, USA, Scotland and even a few Dublin troops!! The picturesque village of Kandersteg in the Swiss Alps was a stunning backdrop to our adventures.
1 / 4Day 2: A gondola brought us to the Rodelbahn for mountain tobogganing. The Ventures blasted down the mountainside at a fast and furious pace. After the high paced adrenaline ride, a dip in Oeschinen glacial lake was a must.
Day 3: We were scheduled to undertake an Alpine Hike, but with significant thunderstorms forecasted, the plans were changed for a trip into the City of Thun. The city is famous for its fairy tale castle, and is located on the River Aare. The Swiss maximise this by practising their surfing skills on the river!!
1 / 4Later at the KISC Campfire, we were entertained by Skits n Songs and our own troop entertained the group with the hilarious Pirate Song. 🏴☠️
Day 4: The weather cleared and we were given the green light by KISC to go on our Alpine Hike. The plan was for an 8am start to hike from Kandersteg and overnight at Blüemlisalp Hut (2,840m). The sun beamed down and the group paced ourselves nicely, refilling our water bottles in the glacial streams. We hiked through the alpine wooded area high above Oeschinen Lake.
1 / 5The trail narrowed to one person and the last 600m was continuous altitude gain and switchbacks, up to reach the Blüemlisalp Hut. Our legs burned, but we were rewarded with epic views across the mountain peaks.
The hut was teaming with hikers and climbers and we were delighted to be handed dinner, although reviews were mixed, depending how hungry one was!!
While chilling watching the clouds below we were mesmerised by 3 paragliders taking off from the hut and meandering their way down the mountain in jig time. We even have video evidence that Helen had to duck for cover from the cheeky paragliders getting a little too close for comfort.
1 / 5Day 5: Up bright and early at 5:30am to see a breathtaking Alpine sunrise. After building a snowman and investing him into the 1st Meath Dunboyne Scout Group, we started down the mountain in super fast time and even stopped for a dip in the lake. Later the Ventures had down time to meet other groups, swap neckers, play some footie and chill out!
1 / 5Day 6: A trip to Interlaken for another adrenaline junkie day of high ropes and white water rafting on the glacial Lütschine River with grade III & IV rapids. Spicy but an amazing experience and only a couple of unscheduled swims!!!
Day 7: Break camp for 11 am. The heavens opened at 1:45pm as thunder and lightning rolled in! It was still lashing when we sadly caught our 3pm train from Kandersteg for our return trip home.
Conclusion: We did the obligatory 20,000 steps a day when on camp! We experienced all the best that Scouts has to offer on an international stage. We pushed ourselves to our limits, and YES, we would do it all again in a heartbeat..!!