A patrol of Chobham Scouts accompanied by their Leaders have returned from an unforgettable week in Switzerland, taking part in KIX 26 – the triennial Surrey Scouts expedition to the historic home of world scouting’s permanent jamboree at Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC).
We left Chobham on the evening of Friday 21st August, as part of a much bigger Surrey Scouts party of over 650 young people, Leaders and support staff.
Organised by Surrey County Scouts, KIX 26 was the largest Scout contingent to travel abroad from the UK this year – and being part of something on that scale, alongside Scout groups from right across Surrey, was an experience in itself.
KIX26 marked 25 years of Surrey Scouts travelling to KISC, a tradition stretching all the way back to the original 2001 expedition. The scale of this year’s event was reflected in some remarkable numbers: across the whole camp, the high walks team helped Scouts and Leaders walk over 19,000km and climb nearly 650km in ascent – roughly the equivalent of walking from Kandersteg to Surrey and back nine times, while climbing Mount Everest more than 75 times. Behind the scenes, 136 adult Leaders, 14 Young Leaders and a 63-strong staff team kept the whole expedition running, supported by 24 coach drivers who made sure everyone got where they needed to be.
Once we arrived at KISC and pitched camp, our week was packed with an incredible variety and volume of activities.
Sunday – We kicked things off with a 7km hike to the beautiful Blausee, one of Switzerland’s most striking lakes, known for its incredibly clear turquoise water. On the way we passed various aspects of local farming life, as well as tens of housemartin nests arrayed under the eaves of a barn. At Blausee itself lunch was taken while we gazed at some enormous trout in the pool. The scouts then decompressed for a time in the playpark.
Monday – A full day of rock climbing, run by KISC’s own fantastic volunteer Pinkies, pushing everyone to try something new and support each other up the wall. This was our troop choice day where we got to pick the activity. We chose rock climbing as a way of supplementing the group’s regular indoor climbing on artificial walls, and because it would help us achieve the KISC High Adventure Award badge across the week. It turned out to be a full day and great value. We started out by taking the Sunnbüel cable car which rises out of the southern end of the Kander valley into the upper meadows. From there a short hike to the area we would be climbing – around the Swiss Alpine Club’s Winteregghütte and crags on the lower slopes of Gallihore. What a fantastic and full day we had climbing perhaps seven routes across three locations of varying difficulty up to 5c and nature. The chimney gave an opportunity to try scissor footing technique bracing with feet on opposite walls, while other routes presented few holds at all. Of course all accompanied by the most fabulous views.
Tuesday – One of the week’s highlights: rafting 20km from Thun to Bern on the Aare river, taking in the Swiss countryside from a very different vantage point. Historically and to a lesser extent today in the summer, locals commute by taking this route to work! We were in a large raft with a guide. Much fun was had jumping in, floating, splashing each other, paddling in unison led by one of our Scouts aura farming at the bow, and raiding those in the other rafts. We were surprised to find the water not especially cold. After the trip we disembarked in the shadow of the national parliament and explored the old town before heading home everyone pretty spent and happy.
Wednesday – High ropes at Interlaken, testing heads for heights and building confidence at every level. We went into this familiar with the likes of Go Ape back home, but this place in a forest on the outskirts of Interlaken was on another level. So many more routes with a vast array of difficulties and challenges. We were there for a good two and a half hours but you could be there all day and perhaps do all of the routes. Suffice to say everyone had a great time. Afterward we took the short ride into Interlaken town to explore and gaze at the paragliders landing directly into the park in the centre of town. Souvenirs were secured, as well as a good number of large Toblerones with custom written packaging.
Thursday – Our biggest hike of the week – a higher-altitude route up to the Golitschepass cheesery, rewarding tired legs with spectacular views (and some excellent cheese) characterised not so much by the ~14km distance as the final couple of kilometres steep climb to reach the hut itself. For this we were led by the fantastic KISC Pinkie and proud Aussie Georgia (thank you Georgia). The leaders were proud of the way the scouts tackled it stoically without complaint and helped each other along the way. Once there we were greeted by the proprietor and her family who receive a stipend from the government to stay there in the summer months keeping the grass down with their herd (which apparently reduces the winter avalanche threat) while making local semi-hard alpkäse.
Friday – A more local day, giving something back to the site with litter picking around camp, before the scouts took themselves off to Kandersteg village to explore and buy snacks and souvenirs. The evening was topped off by the traditional international campfire led by the Pinkies.
Saturday – a day of breaking camp, packing and bracing for the ~19hr coach and ferry journey back home. But before that was the closing ceremony and group photo. Most importantly an incredibly proud moment for our troop and for the Scout herself – the once in a lifetime opportunity to be presented with the Chief Scout’s Gold Award badge by the County Youth Lead against the backdrop of the Swiss mountains, the KISC chalet and with a crowd of ~700 looking on. A just reward having worked so hard for over the past four years of scouting – best of luck on your Explorer’s journey! As for the coach journey – yes it was long and fitful at times, but scouts and leaders were eventually delivered exhausted and elated back to Chobham.
For our Scouts, the week was about far more than the activities themselves. Rock climbing, rafting and high ropes all pushed individuals out of their comfort zones, while the longer hikes to Blausee and Golitschepass tested endurance and teamwork in equal measure. At the same time the Scouts had to look after themselves, their kit and their camp across the week, valuable in building their self sufficiency and teamwork. Helping out around camp on the final day was a good reminder that being part of something like KIX isn’t just about what you get out of it, but what you put in too.
A huge thank you to our Leaders for organising and running the week, and to everyone at KISC and Surrey County Scouts for putting together such a well-run and memorable expedition – organising, feeding, transporting and delivering activities for 650+ scouts and leaders was a towering achievement. Our Scouts have come home with new skills, strengthened friendships and a lifetime of memories – mission accomplished.
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