eXu Explorers

New term starts tonight.

Our first meeting of the “summer” term will be a wide game in Ecclesall Woods.  Meet at 8.30pm on Whirlowdale Road laybys near the top of Endowood Road.

Finish and pick up in the same place at 10.00pm

Wear appropriate clothing…….. and bring a torch!

LAST UPDATED 9th April 2013

Summer Camp 2013 is going to be to Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland.

www.kisc.ch

Summer Camp 2013 is to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland.  The dates are Saturday 20^th July – Saturday 3^rd August.

What is Kandersteg?

Kandersteg International Scout Centre is the World Scout Centre of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement.  We welcome over 12,000 Scouts and Guides per year from more than 40 different countries (2011 we counted 48). KISC is run by volunteer Scouts and Guides for all over the world.

Following the success of the first ever Jamboree held in London during 1920 Lord Baden-Powell expressed his wish of a Permanent Mini-Jamboree where Scouts from all over the world could meet.  In 1921 during a holiday in Kandersteg, Walter von Bonstetten (then Chief Scout of Switzerland) discovered a disused Chalet. The buildings had originally been used as accommodation for the workers and their families who built the Lötschberg railway tunnel but had long since been abandoned.

Von Bonstetten wrote to Baden-Powell telling him of this magical place he had found, inviting him for a visit which happened in 1922. In February 1923 the “Scouts International Home” Association was set up. On 12 April 1923 the Chalet and some land was bought and the Centre came into existence. The cost was CHF 15,100.- and the sponsors included; the World Scout Bureau, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Prince of the Netherlands.

What will summer camp be like for eXu?

We will be camping on the main campsite.  You can check out the KISC website at www.kisc.ch

We will be self-sufficient, cooking our own meals.  We will spend some time on the campsite, take part in a variety of activities such as canyoning, white water rafting, climbing mountains, visiting cheesery in the montains, playing sports on the campsite against Scouts from other countries, completing KISC awards such as International Friendship and High Adventure and taking part in International activities throughout the 2 weeks.

We have now confirmed the travel arrangements.  The majority of the group will fly from London Luton to Zurich with Sian, Maddie and Jim (Leaders) and Tony will drive a van containing the kit with 2 of the older Explorers.  Parents will need to transfer Explorers to London Luton and back.  The minibus will be available for 16 Explorers so we will need about 4 sets of parents to share the transport of the rest.  All large kit bags will go in the van with Tony, Taylor and Matt as we are travelling hand luggage only on the flights.  The van will be packed on the evening of Thursday 18th July so you need to have your main bags available by then.  If you need to take your bag on the flight you will be liable for the baggage fee.

Flight times are as follows (all times are local):

Sunday 21st July

Meet London Luton airport at 12:00

Depart London Luton 14:40 / Arrive Zurich 17:20

Transfer by coach to Kandersteg; ETA 20:00

Friday 2nd August

Leave Kandersteg at 12:00

Depart Zurich 16:30 / Arrive London Luton 17:20

How much will it cost?

The cost of summer camp will be £500.  This will include travel, campsite, food and main activities.  There may be some extra activities (eg. paragliding) that have a higher cost and some of you may wish to pay for these separately.

How do I reserve a place?

You need to bring a £50 non-returnable deposit.  If you withdraw and there is someone else to take your place the deposit will be returned.  You will be issued with a payment record card to keep track of how much you have paid.  The final balance of £500 needs to be paid by 30^th June 2013.

DOWNLOADS

Initial information letter:  Kandersteg 2013_intialinfo

Programme for camp:  Kandersteg13Programme

Teams for camp:  Kandersteg13Teams

Final information letter:  Kandersteg13finaldetails

Kandersteg recommended kit list:  Summer Kit List – Kandersteg International Scout Centre

Medical consent form (pdf):  kandersteg13_mcf

Medical consent form (Word):  kandersteg13_mcf

Christmas Camp 2012 is to Sherwood Lodge at Walesby Forest

Friday 14th – Sunday 16th December

Cost £50

Letter here:  walesbywinter12_first letter

Medical form here:  walesbywinter12_mcf

There are 30 beds at this lodge.  Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, according to gender splits in the bedrooms.

If you want to come – you  need to bring payment (non-returnable unless your place is filled, cheques made payable to 20th Sheffield Scout Group) and a completed medical consent form to an Explorer meeting as soon as possible.