Today the boys went on the High Ropes ariel assult course, which they loved. We actually had good weather for once (so at least our last day was nice!). Some of the leaders were off canyoning, which we were able to do this time - all had an amazing experience and eager to carry their new hobby back home to Scotland.
We have just come back from the closing ceremony of the camp - this consisted of each group performing a campfire skit on an outdoor stage. We was groups from Spain, Brazil, America, Denmark and of course our own lads from Scotland were up giving them a chorus of "Woosh La La La La" (a two word song which was unaffected by the language barrier). As much as I like traditional campfire songs, the Spanish congo-line probably took the show for sheer enthusiasm and audience-participation.
So all that's left to do is strike camp tomorrow morning and wave goodbye to a fantastic and unforgettable scouting week. You'll hear all about it when the boys get home on Sunday, and probably for quite a while afterwards.
Just a note on the return journey - a new UK law was passed yesterday concerning posession of knives whilst travelling into the UK. This means that any knives the boys own (including knives purchased since they came to Switzerland) must be held in a single container on the bus and left with a responsible adult. We have taken the nessecary action to ensure this new law is observed, and we will return your boy's knives to you when you come to pick them up. NOTE - the knives must be handed to parents personally. If you are not present to pick up your child we will hold onto the knife and return it you at a later date.
So a fond farewell from your friendly bloggers,
Charles & Brad
Friday, 22 July 2011
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Interlaken and discotheks
Yestderday saw the whole camp head to the discothek in town for the weekly "scouting-disco". The 138th held the dance floor for the whole night, with all ages contributing cheesy dance-moves to the fray. Needless to say, the foreign girls were infatuated with our kilted lads, and they soon found themselves surrounded by crowds of female admirers. A particularly good show was put on by Colin "Spicey" McIntyre, who ensnared a beautiful Londoner within the closing minutes of the night, to the delight of the entire dancefloor.
Today the boys went on a daytrip to Trimmelbach and Interlachen. First stop was some fantastic waterfalls which flow through natural tunnels within the Swiss mountains - sounds a bit like something your parents would drag you to but in fact they had a great time running up and down to dark corridors and getting sprayed off of the waterfalls (from a safe distance - the channels shift 20,000 tonnes of water per second).
We continued to Interlachen, a picturesque town situated between two large lakes. The boys checked out the town and picked up a few presents for home. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great for our visit, but as usual they stayed a jolly bunch,and thankfully we were treated to a bit of sun in the second half of the day.
For leaders' news, our canyoning trip was cancelled due to bad weather conditions. However we have rescheduled for Friday so fingers crossed. We've booked the sauna for tonight whilst the boys are attending a sports event so are looking forward to a much-needed break.
The boys will be heading off to do the "High Ropes" ariel assault course tomorrow - Frame and Dario have bravely decided to miss the canyoning to oversee the event. The Explorer Scouts went earlier in the week and said it was phenomenal, so with that and the grand campfire happening tomorrow night it should be a great final day for them.
Photos
Unfortunately the system at KISC makes it very difficult to upload photos to the blog - we are currently working on resolving this. Rest assured there are plenty, if you don't see them now you'll be able to sit through them next parents' night.
Charles & Brad
Today the boys went on a daytrip to Trimmelbach and Interlachen. First stop was some fantastic waterfalls which flow through natural tunnels within the Swiss mountains - sounds a bit like something your parents would drag you to but in fact they had a great time running up and down to dark corridors and getting sprayed off of the waterfalls (from a safe distance - the channels shift 20,000 tonnes of water per second).
We continued to Interlachen, a picturesque town situated between two large lakes. The boys checked out the town and picked up a few presents for home. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great for our visit, but as usual they stayed a jolly bunch,and thankfully we were treated to a bit of sun in the second half of the day.
For leaders' news, our canyoning trip was cancelled due to bad weather conditions. However we have rescheduled for Friday so fingers crossed. We've booked the sauna for tonight whilst the boys are attending a sports event so are looking forward to a much-needed break.
The boys will be heading off to do the "High Ropes" ariel assault course tomorrow - Frame and Dario have bravely decided to miss the canyoning to oversee the event. The Explorer Scouts went earlier in the week and said it was phenomenal, so with that and the grand campfire happening tomorrow night it should be a great final day for them.
Photos
Unfortunately the system at KISC makes it very difficult to upload photos to the blog - we are currently working on resolving this. Rest assured there are plenty, if you don't see them now you'll be able to sit through them next parents' night.
Charles & Brad
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Day 3
For this update we've asked the boys to write about their experience so far.
Group 1
Tom Gillies, Andrew Fraser, Kristopher Gault, Graham Hurst, Fraser Ebbitt, Lewis Wilson, Josh Adams, Conor McGlinchey
Late afternoon we went swimming. The weather was amazing and the view of the mountains was brilliant. At the swimming there were diving boards. We all went on them. Most boys were diving and doing flips. When we went on the chute at the swimming we blocked the whole chute by stopping in the middle and we got into trouble from Dario. On the third day we did badgework and part of it was doing a hike up the mountains, and at the end of it there was a lake and we went in and it was below 5 degrees celcius.
On the first day the weather was amazing and we done lots including a waterfight. On Tuesday all the scouts and explorers went white water rafting on glacier water. Most of us have enjoyed the food so far, and we all love our expressos in the morning. The time we have had to far is great, and the journey was so funny - we bought toy guns in a service station.
When we went on the ferry there was lots of food and a game room, and we went outside. it was very cold. When we got to Kandersteg we walked into the town - there were knife shops and other shops. The other scouts and guides from other countries are friendly, and when trading, Mark ended up with a zippo lighter. The American version of a neckie was popular and so were the other troops neckies.
Group 2
Craig Hurst, Mark Gillies, Joseph Przce, Charlie MacCloud, Bret McNaught, Keith McIntzre, Jack Miller
My camp experience has been great - the weather has been awful so far, the food could be better! My favourite part so far was going to the swimming pool - it was awesome. I bought a new knife, so beware!
- Craig Hurst
So far, my camp experience has been great - especially the nightlife! There has been many highlights, such as the international BBQ, where my email address was given to a Scottish "burd" from Dumfries. My mates quotes were "Get in there". The food has been good, but I'm missing my Irn-Bru! One word to descibe this - "Shaboom!". I've madey friends, inlcuding Canadians (a.k.a. I love Drake Miller).
- Mark Gillies
For me the camp has been good so far, the highlights have to be going to the local swimming pool and the BBQ ony night. I met an old friend, Guz Richie, there and the brazillians taught us thier famous dances! We met a group of Canadians, and we were good friends bz the time we left. Also, the food was great!
- Joseph Przce
This camp is one of the best I've been to, everything is amazing - food, activities and staff. We went white water rafting and it was so good. The only bad thing is that it ends so soon!
- Charlie MacCloud (Tiny)
I have enjoyed my experience so far. Ony we plazed Spanish people at football - they just bet us, but they were older. We are going to a pool party tomorrow, and a disco - can't wait!
- Bret McNaught
This week so far has been brilliant - the only bad thing is that I got burnt on the first day. I bought a knife which has a wooden handle, and says "Kandersteg" on it. Today me, Mark, Charlie, Keith and everyone went white-water rafting, it was amazing.
- Jack Miller
This camp is amazing - I've learned new skills and made lots of new friends. We have gained strong friendships with some Canadian lads, and I managed to get one of their HOT jumpers! Food has been unexpectedly good. The activities have been incredible - especially white-water rafting.
- Keith McIntyre
Group 3 - Explorer scouts
Kenny White, Dean McNaught, Walter Gillies, Colin McIntyre, Cameron Hunter
We have done numerous activities which we have all enjoyed. On the first day we found our way around the campsite and town. We then went to the local swimming pool and enjoyed the best of Switzerland's weather. Unfortunately the second day's weather resembled Scotland's a little more, but we still braved the international sports afternoon, where a 138th team won. We have also enjoyed activites such as High Ropes and white-water rafting, which has been great, and everyone has made the most of the week so far by interacting with other scouts from around the world and making the most of what Kandersteg has to offer.
So far there has been no complaints about the quality of the food, only the quantity - but not much more can be expected of the 138th boys.
Our scouts attended an international BBQ, where many of the other scouts from Spain, Brazil, America etc. enjoyed Irn-Bru and haggis (which they could not get enough of). We were all treated to Kenny's bagpiping.
This blog has been brought to you by the letters "J.P." and the number 35. After twenty-six hours of solid travelling we were left lost and confused in a strange Swiss village. The constant confusion of passing jets and trains added to our bamboozlement (Ed's note - we have yet to see one jet the whole time we've been here. It may have been a large bird, it was a long journey). It wasn't long until the Explorers began to "explore" the other troops. Chuckles found the Spanish groups within 10 minutes and Colin couldn't handle the excitement of meeting godesses and ejected himself from their company.
(Ed's note - there is more here from the Explorers, but we have to remember this is a family blog. That's plenty boys.)
Leader's note
The boys seem to be having a great time, and we're really pleased with the enthusiasm they put into every activity the camp has to offer. Their behaviour has been (on the whole) impeccable, and they have made the 138th very popular with the other troops at KISC. We are very proud the be their leaders on this international adventure.
- Leadership team
Group 1
Tom Gillies, Andrew Fraser, Kristopher Gault, Graham Hurst, Fraser Ebbitt, Lewis Wilson, Josh Adams, Conor McGlinchey
Late afternoon we went swimming. The weather was amazing and the view of the mountains was brilliant. At the swimming there were diving boards. We all went on them. Most boys were diving and doing flips. When we went on the chute at the swimming we blocked the whole chute by stopping in the middle and we got into trouble from Dario. On the third day we did badgework and part of it was doing a hike up the mountains, and at the end of it there was a lake and we went in and it was below 5 degrees celcius.
On the first day the weather was amazing and we done lots including a waterfight. On Tuesday all the scouts and explorers went white water rafting on glacier water. Most of us have enjoyed the food so far, and we all love our expressos in the morning. The time we have had to far is great, and the journey was so funny - we bought toy guns in a service station.
When we went on the ferry there was lots of food and a game room, and we went outside. it was very cold. When we got to Kandersteg we walked into the town - there were knife shops and other shops. The other scouts and guides from other countries are friendly, and when trading, Mark ended up with a zippo lighter. The American version of a neckie was popular and so were the other troops neckies.
Group 2
Craig Hurst, Mark Gillies, Joseph Przce, Charlie MacCloud, Bret McNaught, Keith McIntzre, Jack Miller
My camp experience has been great - the weather has been awful so far, the food could be better! My favourite part so far was going to the swimming pool - it was awesome. I bought a new knife, so beware!
- Craig Hurst
So far, my camp experience has been great - especially the nightlife! There has been many highlights, such as the international BBQ, where my email address was given to a Scottish "burd" from Dumfries. My mates quotes were "Get in there". The food has been good, but I'm missing my Irn-Bru! One word to descibe this - "Shaboom!". I've madey friends, inlcuding Canadians (a.k.a. I love Drake Miller).
- Mark Gillies
For me the camp has been good so far, the highlights have to be going to the local swimming pool and the BBQ ony night. I met an old friend, Guz Richie, there and the brazillians taught us thier famous dances! We met a group of Canadians, and we were good friends bz the time we left. Also, the food was great!
- Joseph Przce
This camp is one of the best I've been to, everything is amazing - food, activities and staff. We went white water rafting and it was so good. The only bad thing is that it ends so soon!
- Charlie MacCloud (Tiny)
I have enjoyed my experience so far. Ony we plazed Spanish people at football - they just bet us, but they were older. We are going to a pool party tomorrow, and a disco - can't wait!
- Bret McNaught
This week so far has been brilliant - the only bad thing is that I got burnt on the first day. I bought a knife which has a wooden handle, and says "Kandersteg" on it. Today me, Mark, Charlie, Keith and everyone went white-water rafting, it was amazing.
- Jack Miller
This camp is amazing - I've learned new skills and made lots of new friends. We have gained strong friendships with some Canadian lads, and I managed to get one of their HOT jumpers! Food has been unexpectedly good. The activities have been incredible - especially white-water rafting.
- Keith McIntyre
Group 3 - Explorer scouts
Kenny White, Dean McNaught, Walter Gillies, Colin McIntyre, Cameron Hunter
We have done numerous activities which we have all enjoyed. On the first day we found our way around the campsite and town. We then went to the local swimming pool and enjoyed the best of Switzerland's weather. Unfortunately the second day's weather resembled Scotland's a little more, but we still braved the international sports afternoon, where a 138th team won. We have also enjoyed activites such as High Ropes and white-water rafting, which has been great, and everyone has made the most of the week so far by interacting with other scouts from around the world and making the most of what Kandersteg has to offer.
So far there has been no complaints about the quality of the food, only the quantity - but not much more can be expected of the 138th boys.
Our scouts attended an international BBQ, where many of the other scouts from Spain, Brazil, America etc. enjoyed Irn-Bru and haggis (which they could not get enough of). We were all treated to Kenny's bagpiping.
This blog has been brought to you by the letters "J.P." and the number 35. After twenty-six hours of solid travelling we were left lost and confused in a strange Swiss village. The constant confusion of passing jets and trains added to our bamboozlement (Ed's note - we have yet to see one jet the whole time we've been here. It may have been a large bird, it was a long journey). It wasn't long until the Explorers began to "explore" the other troops. Chuckles found the Spanish groups within 10 minutes and Colin couldn't handle the excitement of meeting godesses and ejected himself from their company.
(Ed's note - there is more here from the Explorers, but we have to remember this is a family blog. That's plenty boys.)
Leader's note
The boys seem to be having a great time, and we're really pleased with the enthusiasm they put into every activity the camp has to offer. Their behaviour has been (on the whole) impeccable, and they have made the 138th very popular with the other troops at KISC. We are very proud the be their leaders on this international adventure.
- Leadership team
Monday, 18 July 2011
Home Contact
Home Contact
Andy House is now the trip home contact. Feel free to call or text at anytime. If I don't answer please leave a voicemail and I will respond ASAP. Andy H
Andy House is now the trip home contact. Feel free to call or text at anytime. If I don't answer please leave a voicemail and I will respond ASAP. Andy H
Sunday, 17 July 2011
The Journey/Day 1
After some tearful goodbyes at Central Station (to the sound of parents popping champagne bottles as we pulled away) we setteld in and tried to cram 28 scouts plus kit into one carriage. Inbetween confused elderly folk and violent Londoners we only managed to get everyone sat down about 5 minutes before we pulled into Euston station but at least it passed the time on the journey.
From Euston we jumped on our brand spanking new belter of a bus and off we went. The journey went as smooth as it possibly could, almost illegally smoothly as we didn't get our passports checked as we boarded the ferry. The scouts chose to forgo sleeping for most of the trip, instead spending all their (your) money on energy drinks and sweets. A couple of brief stops, a couple of movies and suddenly there we were at Kandersteg.
Setting up camp was as easy as it has ever been - the company literally put your tents up for you. Baden Powell would be turning in his grave. The boys entertained themsevles by using the drinking water from the fountains to have massive water fights around the site. After a quick tour round the camp from a rep (playing fields,sauna, campfire areas, showers etc.) we grabbed our lunches and headed downtown. It was 20 degrees so the boys were eager to get to the towns water park, where they spent the day throwing themselves head first off a 4 meter diving board (to the delight of the other water park patrons, and the horror of the water park lifeguard). Highlights included Mark Gillies' cartwheel, Josh Adams Batman dive/cannonball and an old American guy who told everyone to "watch his Jack-knife dive" before tripping off the top of the board and faceplanting the pool.
After that we kicked around town for a bit (whilst the scouts eyed up various novelty items to burn all their money on) before heading back to camp dinner and the most epic game of football ever played. It was about 30 of us against the same number of Spanish scouts, who were all unbelievably good. We put up a good fight (with the good old Scottish smash-the-ball-up-the-top gusto) but were unfortunately beat 7-6 in a stunning sudden-death finale. Needless to say the boys displayed a good sporting attitude, walking off and refusing to shake hands with the opposite team amidst accusations of cheating.
Anyway that'll need to do for today, sorry for the quick update but it's 4 Francs (about 3 quid) for half an hour and all the keys are in the wrong place on this keyboard.
From Euston we jumped on our brand spanking new belter of a bus and off we went. The journey went as smooth as it possibly could, almost illegally smoothly as we didn't get our passports checked as we boarded the ferry. The scouts chose to forgo sleeping for most of the trip, instead spending all their (your) money on energy drinks and sweets. A couple of brief stops, a couple of movies and suddenly there we were at Kandersteg.
Setting up camp was as easy as it has ever been - the company literally put your tents up for you. Baden Powell would be turning in his grave. The boys entertained themsevles by using the drinking water from the fountains to have massive water fights around the site. After a quick tour round the camp from a rep (playing fields,sauna, campfire areas, showers etc.) we grabbed our lunches and headed downtown. It was 20 degrees so the boys were eager to get to the towns water park, where they spent the day throwing themselves head first off a 4 meter diving board (to the delight of the other water park patrons, and the horror of the water park lifeguard). Highlights included Mark Gillies' cartwheel, Josh Adams Batman dive/cannonball and an old American guy who told everyone to "watch his Jack-knife dive" before tripping off the top of the board and faceplanting the pool.
After that we kicked around town for a bit (whilst the scouts eyed up various novelty items to burn all their money on) before heading back to camp dinner and the most epic game of football ever played. It was about 30 of us against the same number of Spanish scouts, who were all unbelievably good. We put up a good fight (with the good old Scottish smash-the-ball-up-the-top gusto) but were unfortunately beat 7-6 in a stunning sudden-death finale. Needless to say the boys displayed a good sporting attitude, walking off and refusing to shake hands with the opposite team amidst accusations of cheating.
Anyway that'll need to do for today, sorry for the quick update but it's 4 Francs (about 3 quid) for half an hour and all the keys are in the wrong place on this keyboard.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
The Beginning
On the 15th July 2011 8 Leaders, 5 Explorers, and 15 Scouts will be setting out on a journey to destroy the ring of power in the land of Mordor, they are known as The Fellowship of the Ring! Only joking, they will be tearing it up in Kandersteg, Switzerland and are known as the 138th Glasgow Scout Troop. Away for nine days, the troop will set up camp at Kandersteg International Camp Centre.
The aim of this blog is to post updates and photos whilst we are at camp, to keep all you back home in the loop. Each day the posts will be created by the leaders, explorers, or the scouts. The blog will most likely be updated during the evening of each day, however there is no confirmation that we have internet access over there so we may have trouble blogging. Never know, if this blog turns out to be a success then we may even keep it going throughout the year.
Brad
The aim of this blog is to post updates and photos whilst we are at camp, to keep all you back home in the loop. Each day the posts will be created by the leaders, explorers, or the scouts. The blog will most likely be updated during the evening of each day, however there is no confirmation that we have internet access over there so we may have trouble blogging. Never know, if this blog turns out to be a success then we may even keep it going throughout the year.
Brad
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