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Official Website: https://www.kisc.ch/
HISTORY
The Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) is an international Scout centre in Kandersteg, Switzerland. The centre provides lodges, chalets and campsites covering 17 hectares of land. It is open to Scouts year round, as well as to non-Scouts for most of the year. More than 11,000 young people from over 50 different countries visit the centre every year.
KISC is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's (WOSM) World Scout Centre.
In 1921 the Chief Scout of Switzerland, Walther von Bonstetten, visited Kandersteg on holiday and found an old empty chalet. It was built in 1908 to house the construction workers for the Lötschberg Tunnel. In 1913, when the tunnel was finished, the chalet was left unused by the railway company. Von Bonstetten felt that this location could be the permanent international meeting place that Robert Baden-Powell had in mind where Scouts from all over the world could meet. Von Bonstetten wrote to him to let him know what he had found. The response was positive and on 12 February 1923 the Scouts International Home Association was set up; on 12 April 1923 the chalet and adjacent land were bought for CHF 15,100, and the International Scout Centre came into existence. In 1930 Baden-Powell visited the site himself.
Up to current times, the site has continuously been augmented, with the first national room, 'the Dutch room' in 1927, and the purchase of additional land in 1929. During World War II, the centre was used to house French soldiers interned for the war.[3] In the 1950s more property was purchased, including the woods by the river Kander, and the centre began to open also in the wintertime. The centre was renamed Kandersteg International Scout Centre in 1977. In the 1980s, new campsites were created, together with extra toilet facilities, although the centre went through a difficult time financially. In 1994, the International Scout Centre Foundation, Kandersteg was established, and work started on the chalet extension project which opened on 1 June 1996. On December 2002, the top floor of the New Chalet was finished, completing the chalet extension, followed by new bathroom renovations two years later. In 2009, the centre opened a new accommodation building named Kander-Lodge, purchased the neighbouring building, Sunneblick, and fully renovated the ground floor of the Old Chalet.
HOW TO VISIT
Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport is Switzerland’s largest airport. The airport is directly connected with the train station. You can reach Kandersteg main station from Zurich Flughafen (Airport) train station in about 2 hours and 20 mins by train. Trains with connections from the airport to Kandersteg depart every 30 mins.
Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Price: from CHF 39 (one way)
Train changes: 2 - 3
The small, traditional Swiss village of Kandersteg (inhabitants approximately 1,200) is situated at 1,200 metres above sea level, 65 kilometres south of Bern, in the canton of Bern, near the Lötschenpass and the Gemmipass. The village is known for sightseeing and exploring the Swiss Alps. Kandersteg can be reached by road and rail: it is situated on the main railway line from the north to Italy, and the station is served by fast trains.
The Scout Centre is at the southern end of the village. During high season, a regular bus runs from the local railway station.
WHERE TO STAY
Kanderlodge
The Kanderlodge is our building with more upscale accommodation, particularly suitable for families with small children, solo travellers, couples, small groups and corporate or conference groups looking for more privacy and comfort. Most rooms are named after Swiss lakes and alpine animals, while some have the names of the entities that sponsored them.
Room size: 2 - 6 beds
Beds in total: 44
Number of rooms: 20
Check-in: from 14:00
Check-out: by 10:00
New Chalet
The New Chalet is particularly suitable for leaders, couples, solo travellers and conference groups looking for a bit more comfort. Most rooms are named after different peaks found in the nearby Swiss Alps.
Room size: 3 beds
Beds in total: 27
Number of rooms: 9
Check-in: from 14:00
Check-out: from 10:00
Old Chalet
The Old Chalet is suitable for families and groups of various sizes. Most rooms in the Old Chalet are named after a National Scout Organisation or Scout Region that contributed to the renovation and decoration of the room. The Old Chalet and the New Chalet are connected buildings.
Room size: 3 - 22 beds
Beds in total: 181
Number of rooms: 23
Check-in : from 14:00 (2 PM)
Check-out: by 10:00
Sunneblick (Group House)
The Sunneblick is situated close to the Chalet and is rented out to a single group at a time. This building is ideal for groups who want some privacy while still being close to the main building.
Room size: 3 - 7 beds
Beds in total: 47
Number of rooms: 10
Check-in: from 14:00
Check-out: by 10:00
Tower (Group House)
The Tower is a charming group complex located on our Campsite and is rented out to a single group at a time. With its large hall suitable for both serving meals and running activities, it is perfect for larger groups who want some privacy while also being close to the Campsite.
Room size: 9 - 12 beds
Beds in total: 57
Number of rooms: 6
Check-in: from 14:00
Check-out : by 10:00
Campsite
Our Campsite is where most of our groups stay during the summer we can have over 1000 guests during high season. Split into two different locations, the Rovergelände and the Main Campsite; it is perfect for campers and groups of various sizes wanting to feel the Permanent Mini Jamboree feeling, as well as camp surrounded by the amazing Swiss Alps.
Campsite size: 1'200 people
Number of campsites: 55
Check-in: from 14:00
Check-out: by 11:00
WHERE TO EAT
The Centre has a dining hall that can seat up to 100 people in one sitting, and a kitchen equipped to cook for a maximum of 300 guests per meal. All groups staying with us have the option to choose some or all of their meals to be catered by the Centre.
Meals are served in the Chalet dining hall, and you can eat with us regardless of your type of accommodation. The meals are 'canteen' style, with a set main dish and a soup or a dessert.
Pinkie- The Volunteers of KISC
It’s a chance to gain real-life experience in a busy work environment, welcoming over 12,000 guests from more than 60 different countries every year.
Being a Pinkie is your opportunity to develop the attitude, behaviors and soft skills you need to make a positive change in the world. Whether it's at home, work, school or in Scouting, our aim is for every one of our volunteers to leave KISC feeling empowered and ready to take on the world.
More than just a Scout center, KISC is a place that embraces international friendship, raises awareness of global issues, encourages youth empowerment and drives change. It’s what our volunteers have been doing for decades, keeping Baden-Powell’s dream of a Permanent Mini Jamboree alive for nearly 100 years.
There are two types of Volunteer in KISC - Short term, Long term. Details can be found in the link
Kandersteg Webcam
Live view from Kandersteg International Scout Center
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