Meredith's Experience at Kandersteg International Scout Center

Hello to all my fellow travelers. My name is Meredith and I am a lifetime Girl Scout who has been Scouting for almost fifteen years. Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to travel with a group of Girl Scouts and adults to Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Holland. During this time I was able to stay at Kandersteg International Scout Center for several days. This turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the entire trip as it allowed me to form connections with Scouts from all over the world. Here I will cover some of the things that made my stay so amazing as well as highlighting why I think this is an essential Scouting destination.

Programs

Kandersteg featured dozens if not hundreds of programs and events that you could sign up for during your stay. This included a wide range of activities, from different guided hikes to international bonfires. I will be covering some of the programs we participated in but for a full list visit the Kandersteg International Scout Center website and look under the Programme tab to check the availability of different activites.

On our first night we went on a beautiful light trail as a program. During this we hiked over a set course while carrying a lit torch. At set intervals there were lanterns set up with questions about Scouting and different issues in the community. The entire experience was very symbolic and allowed our group to discuss some of our different Scouting experiences.

While it rained the night we were supposed to do the International bonfire, we were still able to participate in some ways. Along with several other troops, we sat around the fire and shared our favorite Scouting songs. Because the troops were from many parts of the world, we were able to learn some songs in other languages. This was a great way to form international friendships and see Scouting from a worldview.

The international sports program was a fun and active way to meet other troops. This included rotations through several different international sports. We played volleyball, soccer (aka football), chinese

football, and other games. While working as a team,

this enabled you to meet other Scouts while learning to play a fun new sport.

Earning Patches

Like other International Scout Centers, Kandersteg had several patches that you could earn during your stay. To earn these there was a set of challenges that you had to complete. For one in particular, the Scouts were challenged to use a set of supplies to cros a stream without touching the water. While not being overly challenging, these made the Scouts put their heads together and be daring, plus you get a keepsake badge from your stay.

Trading

One of the unique activities that occured at Kandersteg, was the trading of patches and neckerchiefs. Several troops set up areas and times where other Scouts could join them and trade items from their troop or home country. This allowed Scouts to collect items from other countries or troops which could be great keepsakes. Personally, I traded my neckerchief with a Scout from a troop from England who I had formed a friendship with. These trading missions also allowed you to learn a lot about Scouting in other countries. In my case, it also gave me a necker to take home so I could always remember my English Scouting friends.

International Friendship

Finally and most importantly, staying at Kandersteg enables Scouts to form friendships that extend overseas. Since Kandersteg is not a Girl Scout specific center, you can meet troops from different demographics. Many troops we met were co-ed. I learned from meeting these troops about the types of Scouts in different countries. While the US has Girl Scouts and Scouting (formerly known as Boy

Scouts), other countries have Guides or Co-ed scouting groups. One of my favorite memories was the barbeque that a group of Scouts hosted on their campsite. They invited all of the Scouts at the camp and we all sat for hours talking, eating and sharing stories from our Scouting adventures. We brought some boxes of Girl Scout cookies to share with the others. Many of these troops had never had Girl Scout cookies and as a traditional part of Girl Scouts, we were happy to share. I will never forget the people I met at Kandersteg or the friendships I formed. As we sing as Girl Scouts, "Make new friends but keep the old".