PACK 130 WINTER WEEKEND

January 24th to 26th, 2014

Message to Parents:

The following pages provide some information on the Winter Weekend in Kandersteg. The basic idea is to go to Kandersteg to spend a weekend together as dens, as families and as a pack. There are different activities (all of them voluntary) designed to have fun and mix with other den or pack families:skiing with the family or in dens / other groups, including having lessons for those of you who would like to;having a fondue together with rest of the pack;Sledging, skating or curling in smaller or large groups; and ski racing as individuals.

The boys (and siblings) can earn one of the awards they haven’t earned before. Either the Snow Adventure award or the Swiss Mini-Adventurer are easy to earn in the weekend with some planning as a den (details at the end of this note). What we have done has been to organize the booking, and coordinate the arrangements with KISC (Kandersteg International Scout Centre). So, if you have any problems or find something is not as you expect it to be, please let me know. KISC has great staff (called Pinkies) who will help out with everything we need for a great weekend. This is your weekend - have fun with your, and all the other, families.

For more information on the Scout Centre: (includes a webcam)

For information about Kandersteg:

For weather / snow conditions in the area there are many sites, for example

Here is a link for a bunch of cams in Kandersteg and the slopes:

Have a great weekend!

Shona Fullerton, Den 14

On behalf of Pack 130 Committee

079 817

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please discuss the 1ST 4 rules with your family before the weekend – and enforce them during the weekend!

1)No running/screaming indoors - go outdoors if you need to let off steam!

2)Lights off & silencebetween 22:30 and 7:00.

3)No ski boots / hiking boots other than in main entrance area – take indoor shoes / slippers with you and there is a boot room available.

4)Everyone needs to stay out of the river!

5)Smoking is only allowed in designated areas outside the buildings.

6)Please wear shoes in the Dining Hall for your own safety.

7)No drinking in the public areas (except with your dinner).

8)Inform KISC in case of emergency.

9)Wear warm clothes including hat, gloves and sturdy footwear for any outdoor activities.

10)Ensure you are appropriately insured for the activities that you are taking part in.

11)Follow the rules and regulations of your home Scout Association.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Travelling by car

From Geneva take the A1/E25 autoroute to Bern.

From Bern follow the A6 towards Interlaken/Thun.

Then follow signs towards Spiez.

Kandersteg is 15 miles (30 minutes) from Spiez and is well signposted. You turn off the main road into Kandersteg village (staying on the main road will take you to the Lötschberg tunnel only).


Scout Centre - drive right through and out of Kandersteg then look for the centre on the right – it is directly after you go under the railway bridge. This is the sign for the Scout Centre:

Distance: Geneva to Kandersteg –200 km (175 km on motorway), average time 2.5 hours, but that doesn’t take into account rush hour traffic. Friday night is usually very busy and you will meet traffic around Lausanneand Bern which will certainly increase the total travel time if you pass there at rush hour. Allow extra time, and pack snacks if you are leaving late.

RETURN TRIP:

Kandersteg is at the end of a valley. If you prefer an alternate trip home then you could put your car on atrain and pop out into the Valais in Southern Switzerland. Trains leave every half an hour, cost isCHF 27 and the journey lasts 15 minutes. It takes about 15 minutes longer through the Valais than going back the way you came.

Late? Last minute problems?

Call KISC 033 675 82 82 and mention Pack 130

Or Shona Fullerton: 079 817 9161

WHAT TO BRING:

Skis / snowboard, poles, boots, helmets (strongly recommended for everyone – it is a BSA requirement), back protection. Or rent equipment in Kandersteg through KISC

Ski clothing incl. gloves, goggles/sunglasses etc.

Warm clothes, including thermals, boots, hats, gloves etc for Saturday night sledging

Indoor shoes (no outdoor shoes are allowed inside)

Night wear (you will be sleeping in dormitories)

Towels and toiletries

Headlamp would be useful for walking in the evening (incl to campfire)

Money for ski passes, lunches etc.

Scout scarf (to be worn for dinner)

Drinks (KISC policy is no alcohol in public areas other than with dinner so there is none for sale but you can bring your own for Saturday dinner and to consume in the private areas)

Snacks/nibbles for car journey, skiing during the day

Snow chains for tyres & flashlight, plus instructions for applying snow chains

Something to entertain younger children if not skiing or in case of poor weather

Spirit of adventure and sense of humour

What NOT to bring into KISC – any electronic games/iPods/portable DVDs etc – these may be useful for the journey but should then be put aside for the journey home again!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Accommodation

On arrival, you can unload your car at the main building if needed, then drive back to the car park to free up the space for someone else. . . .or walk the distance from the car (about 100m). For those in Kander Lodge you can park across the river in front of the lodge.

Boys and dads are accommodated in den dormitories in the Old Chalet. Mums and girlsare also either in dormitories with others from your scout’s den(in Old Chalet) or in 3-bed rooms for those with young children (in New Chalet – same building as Old Chalet but the part above the dining area). Those families who elected to, are in the Kander Lodge across the river. The centre provides a pillow (these are very small) and duvet as well as sheets/duvet-cover/pillow-caseand you make your own beds when you arrive.

When you arrive you will be told which rooms you are in. The first person to arrive in each room will need to complete the room inspection with one of the Pinkies.

Meals – meals are in the dining area (near reception). After you have finished eating you need to clear away the dishes and clean the tables, ready for the next people to use. Everyone is responsible for their own. Remember – Leave No Trace.

Drinks – there is a coffee machine in the dining are which you can access during meal times. At other time there is a machine in reception area where you can buy coffee. There is also a machine for soft drinks.

Ski Area

The skiing areas above Kandersteg are situated at Oeschinen and Sunnbüel. There is a cable car which brings you up to the Sunnbüel skiing areas and a gondola for the Oeschinen area. Most people ski at the Oeschinen area where there are two skilifts (these are both T-bars) as well as the possibility to ski down to the bottom of the gondola. There is also a beginners skiing area. The Oeschinen area is where the ski lessons will be as well as the ski race.

Ski Lessons, Equipment, Lift Passes

Group lessons have to be pre-arranged as per note sent in advance. You will receive details on arrival. Everything else you need you can organise at reception.

Ski Race

The ski race is on the blue slope at Oeschinen. This is beside the first lift you ski across to from the top of the gondola. For those not skiing who would like to watch the race you can walk across on a path to the race (the path then leads on to Oeschinensee lake and the sledge run).

Non-Skiers

Options include hiking, sledging (run in the village or long run from the top of the Oeschinsee gondola back to the village), snowshoeing, skating etc. KISC program office will be able to help with arrangements.The boys are a bit too young to try yet, but Kandersteg is also a world famous ice climbing area and you will be able to see many people climbing on the frozen waterfalls in the area – very impressive!

Evening activities

You can walk to all the evening activities in 20-30 minutes. Or drive in 5.

Sledging: the village operates a lighted Sledging path. Hot ribena will be provided to keep you warm between runs.

Curling: introduction to this unusual and exciting game at the indoor curling hall (in skating rink near station)

Skating:slide, slip and spin around the outdoor skating rink (attached to skating rink, near station)

We will organize a DVD in the large hall after dinner for those families not wanting to take part in the other activities.

Snow Adventure Award

Those under 14 years old must complete any5 of the requirements.
Those 14 years and older must complete any7 of the requirements.

  1. Help build a snow shelter such as an igloo or a snow cave.
  2. Build a snowman or some other snow sculpture.
  3. Stay overnight in the snow either in a tent, snow cave, igloo or bivouac.
  4. Take part in one of the following: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing.
  5. Experience one of the following: curling, ice skating orSledging.
  6. Know and understand about hypothermia.*
  7. Know about the causes and dangers of avalanches and methods of protection against them.*
  8. Take part in an outdoor game involving Scouts or Guides from another country.
  9. Have a cheese fondue or a raclette, and know how it is prepared.
  10. Take part in one of the evening activities.

* Written information available from the Programme Office or for download here:

Information on Hypothermia, Heat Stroke and Altitude Sickness in the Alps [PDF]

The Swiss Mini-Adventurer Award

Those under 14 years must complete any5 of the requirements.
Those 14 years or over must complete any7 of the requirements.

  1. Visit one of our alpine lakes.
  2. Try a traditional Swiss meal like Fondue or Raclette.
  3. Describe any two of the animals that can be found around Kandersteg.*
  4. Discover the village Museum.
  5. Walk the marked Wanderweg trail to Höh and marvel at the view from the local look out point.
  6. Participate in one of the Centre's self-guided trails or hikes.
  7. Find out why Switzerland's country code is CH.
  8. Learn about Switzerland's national flower.
  9. Visit any other village around Kandersteg.
  10. Discover Blausee during a hiking day.

* Written Information available in the EcoRoom

Information on other awards is available on the KISC website :

Arrange with your den for purchase of patches - from KISC reception (CHF 3)

Provisional Weekend Itinerary (final one will be available at KISC):

Friday:

  • Afternoon/eveningArrival and check in to your rooms. Make up your beds.
  • You will receive vouchers for equipment rental as well as information about your pre-arranged ski lessons from reception. You can also purchase lift passes.
  • 18:00 – 20:00Light Dinner.Everyone needs to clear away their own dishes and clean the tables.
  • 19:00Igloo building.If the snow is OK this will be directly outside the centre so you can just join when you are ready. If location changes we will announce at dinner and you will be told on arrival.
  • 21:00Parents information meeting with KISC staff and committee.
  • Once kids are in bed, adults normally meet for a few drinks (bring your own) in one of the reserved rooms.

Saturday:

  • 7:30 to 9:00Breakfast. Remember to clean up after.
  • Collect your numbered ski racing bib from reception.
  • Organizelift passes etc. if not done on Friday evening and hit the slopes!
  • Group lessons for those who have booked will be from 10:00 to 12:00.
  • There are a couple of restaurants on the mountain for lunch (one at the top of gondola and one over by Oeschinensee lake).
  • 13:30Ski race -On the blue slope, Oeschinen area.
  • 16:30Webelos II's need to be at KISC reception area to build bonfire (and possibly clear snow).
  • 17:00Pack 130 Bonfire including special show performed by the Pinkies.Followed by race results awards and songs, jokes etc. (Campfire area is a 5 minute walk - in middle of campsite).
  • 18:00Dinner(bring your own wine) . . . . . and, once again, remember to clean up after!
  • ~19:00-19:30Evening activities begin. Meeting at the designated point for your activity (reception to walk together or directly at the skating rink or Sledging area if you are driving).
  • Once kids are in bed, adults normally meet for a few drinks (bring your own) in one of the reserved rooms.

Sunday:

  • 8:30 to 9:30Breakfast . . . . . and . . . . you got it! Remember to clean up after.
  • By 10:00You will need to strip beds and place laundry in the laundry chute in the New Chalet (beside shop entrance).

Rooms must be cleaned (instructions in room).

1 adult responsible for each room must report to Reception to have their dorms / rooms signed off as being clean and tidy.

  • There will be a place to leave luggage if you don’t want to take it with you in the morning.
  • There are no pack activities so you can make arrangements either in families or in dens.

And finally, sign the guest book ...... and have a safe trip home!