Douglas & St. FinBarresScout Group – 2nd 6th 47th 93rd Cork

Today has certainly been a long day!

We got up (mostly anyhow!) at about 4am!

The reason for this terrible hour, was a dawn hike. We hiked up to a particularly nice view point on Kandersteg’s cheesery hike – passing a buddhist monastery on the way!

When we got there, we had about 20 minutes to wait ’til sunrise. Unfortunately the morning was a bit overcast, but we did see the sun eventually!

While at the viewpoint, we reinvested everyone – and invested new members, into Scouting & into the group.

When we came back to site – about 9a.m., we had a welcome hot breakfast.

Some people just can’t be satisfied though! While the explorer Scouts relaxed for a while to gain their 2nd wind, the Discovery Scouts headed off on an optional other hike! They hiked up to the Doldernhorn hutte and back down, in a fairly record time!

During this time, the rest of the Scouts took part in the Kandersteg International Sports Day. Great craic was had by all and some of our Scouts were in the winning team!

After dinner this evening, our Scouts are currently on their way to the Kandersteg Light Trail – which should be really nice & allow people to spend a little bit of time with others – sharing thoughts.

That’s about it for now – keep all the comments coming! We’ll post again as soon as we can!

Vickie.

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay in posting this entry – we are kinda’ busy out here at times!!!

Anyhow, today we had a quiet day. In the morning we had some time around the site, various projects etc, and tidied up!

In the afternoon, we went to the village. Lots of people wanted Swiss Army Knives, so we went to a specialist shop & ordered same!

From this we went to the local swimming pool & had a great time with slide, diving boards, jacuzzi & genenrally relaxed.

We then went to mass in a beautiful little swiss church. The priest had very little English, but went 120% to making us feel welcome!

After dinner, we went to bed early, as tomorrow would be another busy (& long) day!

It was another day of the sun and rain having their battle over the state of weather. Luckily for us today Switzerland showed us it’s sun, bright and proud from morning till late.

The Scouts were all very enthusiastic and even the hike that braught us to the clear crystal lake called Oeschinensee, had us all moving at a brisk and up beat pace. The sites such as the glacially topped mountians and cows grazing through the feilds, didn’t fail to astound us all.

At the lake everyone enjoyed a quick swim in the crips lake followed by lunch. This was followed by what we all would say was a hugely fantastic activity. High in the mountains the Scouts took hold of a new type of challenge: Toboggining! It was very much enjoyed by all and people even went for seconds. This was followed by a awe inspiring cable car trip down the mountian and a quick drive home, where the Scouts prepared dinner.

Tonights international campire is sure to be fantastic with Scouts from all over the world taking part and singing songs from their native countries.

Thats it for now, signing off ’till tomorrow.

Ross.

Well today was another good day.

After a leisurely start, we went by minibus to the nearby town of Meulenen. From here we took the funicular railway up the Niesen mountain.

Top height was 2632 mtw – over double Carraountohill!!!

We had a good look around up there and could see for miles over the vista of mountains. We even spotted some snow!! We enjoyed lunch, before we returned to site.

After dinner, cooked on their own fires, the Scouts are now involved in the Kander Challenge, where they pit their abilities alongside Scouts from around the world in various challenges throughout the centre.

Weather – while not sunny – has been fine for us today. Next to no rain, we’ll be very happy if it continues just like this for the rest of camp!

Signing off for now – check back soon.

Well! Today was a MUCH better day!!

The weather was a lot kinder to us today. After a slightly damp morning, the day dried up a lot & was quite pleasant!

We spent the morning getting the campsite more organised, putting up the last few tents etc. It now looks much better. This afternoon, the group went on it’s first visit to Kandersteg village. A good orientation day for all!

As we’re writing & posting this, they’re preparing dinner – after which there are various programme activities / games planned for them. Everyone should sleep well tonight again!

Tomorrow we’ve a pretty exciting day planned – but more on this anon….

Keep checking this blog – we WON’T promise to post evey day – but we’ll try to post often.

All in the Bernese Overland!!

Well, We’re here! Day 1 over & all safe & well. The travel all worked out fairly well. Day 1 left us tired & wet, but fairly happy! Rather than me telling you about it, I’d prefer to let one of our Discovery Scouts!

He says:

As we all went up around 11pm on Monday, it seemed to be a Scout meeting like any other.

We talked, we joked. Then we looked closer, and saw that ordinary Scout meetings didn’t normally happen at 11:30pm, didn’t normally involve huge amounts of luggage or huge amounts of parents. Something was different – we were going to Kandersteg.

At around 12:30 we departed for Dublin airport. The journey passed in a tired haze of music and conversation. And a slightly less tired haze of fizzy drink consumption. On arriving in Dublin we setout to checkin. The next few hours were uneventful – suffice it to say, we checked in.

We set off on the plane, with no visible wounds.

We arrived in Bergamo to calls of “Italy isn’t in Switzerland, is it?” and “I’m sure your ears will pop eventually Daniel”. (It still hasn’t – thanks for asking).

The following car journey to Kandersteg was long and in the vein of the Oddysey. Notable highlights included the amazing recurring toll booths, a WWF style showdown between a car driver and a truck driver – who clung to the fact that as a truck driver, he was excempt from the law.

And finally, the final highlight (which is what can be described without exaggeration) as the greatest invention of the Swiss since neutrality – the car carrying train. The shock of seeing this for the first time was like hearing Dr King speak for the first time.

We finally arrived in Kandersteg – alive with excitement. And then the rain started. And then we forgot how to put up tents. And then the rain continued. We retired to bed after a meal of pasta & bread. Wet, tired, but silently proud of having stayed up for 38 hours without collapsing.

That’s about it for day1

Enda

Just a short note wishing you and all the 40 or so scouts / scouters travelling to Kandersteg my best wishes. May you have a most enjoyable camp. I know the preparations you have all put into this adventure will pay off with a most memorable experience.

Only wish I was going – will look out for the Blog……….

My thoughts are with you,

ENJOY…………………………………………………….

AS I SIT AROUND THE CAMPFIRE THOUGHTS DRIFT BACK TO DAYS OF YOOR

Yours in Scouting

Chief Scout

Michael John

It’s arrived!!!,

In a couple of days now, we’ll be on camp! This is the last (printed) note you’ll get. Any information from now on will be on our blog:

http://camp09.douglasscouts.ie

This address will also (hopefully) have news of how we’re getting on while in Switzerland – so check it often!!

Some final info:

Meeting at the Scout Hall at MIDNIGHT on Monday night. We will travel by coach to Dublin Airport, Fly to Bergamo on Tuesday morning, and travel to Kandersteg – aiming to arrive at about 6pm on Tuesday.

We will be coming back on Tuesday 21st July – aiming to be at the Scout Hall for about 4:30pm or so.

Items to Remember:

As a reminder, we’ve put the gear list on the back of this note. In addition, we’d ask you to bring a packed breakfast for the Tuesday morning.

At this stage, all Passports & EHIC cards and consent forms should have been handed up. If yours are outstanding, please get them to us urgently!

Packing Gear:

Please remember – we’re travelling Ryanair! ONE gearbag, weighing UNDER 15kg. If bags are over weight, we will NOT be able to cover the cost. Either people will have to cover this cost themselves – or throw away some stuff to come in under weight.

One piece of hand luggage. From the Ryanair website, this should be: no more than 10kg and not exceed the maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Also, please remember the items that you cannot bring in hand luggage (such as blades, tools, liquid over 100ml’s etc).

Camp Bank:

Camp bank should have been handed up at this stage.

We will have somebody in the hall on this Friday night from 7pm to 7:30pm. This is NOT a general meeting, just a facility to hand in anything if you’ve anything outstanding, or to ask any last minute questions.

Regards,

All the leaders.

WOW! It’s now only 2 weeks to departure!

Travel Details:

• Meeting at the Scout Hall at MIDNIGHT on Monday 6th July. We will travel by coach to Dublin Airport, Fly to Bergamo on Tuesday morning, and travel to Kandersteg – aiming to arrive at about 6pm on Tuesday.
• We will be coming back on Tuesday 21st July – aiming to be at the Scout Hall for about 4:30pm or so.

Items to Bring:

• In addition to those things on the gear list, we’d ask you to bring a packed breakfast for the Tuesday morning. We’ll worry about all later meals – but it will help the budget if we avoid having to pay airport prices for Breakfast!

Packing Gear:

• Please remember – we’re travelling Ryanair! ONE gearbag, weighing UNDER 15kg. If bags are over weight, we will NOT be able to cover the cost. Either people will have to cover this cost themselves – or throw away some stuff to come in under weight.
• One piece of hand luggage. From the Ryanair website, this should be: no more than 10kg and not exceed the maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Also, please remember the items that you cannot bring in hand luggage (such as blades, tools, liquid over 100ml’s etc).

Finally, we will be meeting on the next 2 Wednesdays (7:30 – 8:30). Please come down & ask any questions you may have.

PLEASE BRING BACK YOUR COMPLETED ACTIVITY FORM, YOUR PASSPORT & YOUR EHIC CARD.

Also, keep checking this blog – it’s where the up to date info will be!!

Regards,

Enda.

Hi All,

If you’re looking for the gear list, it can be seen here:

• Gear List for Camp 09

As ever – any queries – get in touch!

Enda.