Barnet to Kandersteg 2027

Barnet Scouts is organising a 10-day trip to Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in the Swiss Alps, running from Sunday 25th July to Tuesday 3rd August 2027. KISC is known as the Permanent Mini Jamboree, bringing together Scouts from dozens of countries each week for adventure, culture and friendship. During our stay we will also be at KISC for Swiss National Day on 1st August, one of the most exciting events of the year, attended by nearly 2,000 Scouts from around the world.

Who’s coming
We have 36 places for young people aged 12-18, camping in patrols of six, supported by nine experienced adult volunteers.

We will be travelling with Venture Abroad, a specialist Scout expedition travel company providing full ATOL and ABTA protection, comprehensive insurance and 24-hour emergency support. Travel will be by executive coach with professional drivers, including ferry crossings and travel through France, with two overnight coach journeys and seven nights camping at KISC.

Accommodation will be in KISC tents and dining shelters, set up ready for our arrival.

The trip is designed to be fully inclusive, with carefully planned catering to meet Kosher, Halal, Vegetarian and Vegan requirements, using separate kitchens and equipment as needed.

Young people will help to shape the final programme, but activities are expected to include guided mountain hikes, climbing and abseiling, rafting, international sports, Swiss cultural experiences, a campsite service project, an environmental challenge, and plenty of opportunities to make global friends. All activities at KISC are delivered by trained instructors, with oversight from our leadership team.

The total cost of the trip is £1,360 per participant, which includes travel, accommodation, insurance, activities and all food. There are no additional mandatory costs beyond personal spending money. Most people are paying in monthly instalments between now and March 2027. Alternative payment plans or financial support can be discussed if needed.

Participants will attend five preparation days covering team-building, campcraft, cultural awareness and expedition readiness:

• Sunday 22nd February 2026
• Sunday 28th June 2026
• Sunday 1st November 2026
• Sunday 21st February 2027
• Sunday 27th June 2027

All participants will need a valid passport and EHIC/GHIC card. (Only apply through the NHS website.  Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply while the card is actually free.)

A full kit list will be provided nearer the time.

You can find here a reminder of the activities that we completed during our first preparation session to learn about Swiss culture, language and georgraphy.

As we all start to learn more about Switzerland and Kandersteg, here are a couple of videos you might enjoy watching:

1) Discover Switzerland

2) The Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC)

For those with Instagram, you can also follow KISC here.

We want to make the trip as accessible as possible, so we are planning a mix of fundraising activities over the next 18 months. There are four main types of fundraising and families can get involved in as many as they like.

1. Individual activities

There are lots of things young people can do by themselves to raise money towards their own trip payments. Ideas include:

• Sponsored challenges such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, silence!
• Simple tasks for family and neighbours – car washing, dog walking, babysitting
• Selling unwanted items on Vinted or eBay
• Asking for birthday donations instead of presents

Money raised through individual activities can go directly towards that young person’s trip payments.

2. Local group activities

Fundraising can also be done together with your Scout Group or Explorer Unit (and in some cases alongside others going to events like the World Scout Jamboree). Ideas include:

• Sponsored group hikes
• Bag packing at local supermarkets
• 3D printing small items for sale e.g. personalised woggles
• Group events, such as a campfire or film night, with an entry fee

Local leaders can then make payments on behalf of the young people into the trip account and reduce what families need to pay at the end.

3. Barnet District-wide activities

We will also run some fundraising activities together as a whole trip team. This is the fundraising that we will plan together on the prep day. Ideas we are exploring include:

• Selling candles – https://collectivesales.co.uk/
• Baking cakes to sell on a stall at the District Summer Fete
• A District bingo or quiz night
• A monthly lottery

Everyone who contributes will receive a share of the total raised, which will be allocated to your trip payments and again reduce what families need to pay at the end.

4. Central grant applications

We will also apply to grant-making trusts and charitable funds to support the trip. However, it’s important to note that many grants only open 6–12 months before the trip and we may not know the outcome for some time. We will keep families updated on any grants we apply for and any funding that is awarded.

A shared effort

No single fundraiser will cover the full cost, but together, through individual effort, local activities, District events and grants, we can significantly reduce what each family needs to contribute. As importantly, fundraising is part of the adventure, helping to build confidence, teamwork and a real sense of ownership over the trip. If you have fundraising ideas or contacts that could help, please let the leadership team know, every little helps!