{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"A new badge for young people and volunteers in UK Scouts who\u2019ve visited the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland launches this week. Keyur Patel, UK KISC Ambassador and Callum Kaye, Chief Volunteer for International, say it\u2019ll help strengthen the already powerful ties between UK Scouts and the famous home for Scouts in the Swiss Alps.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u2018The mountains are calling,\u2019 said John Muir, the climber and environmental activist, \u2018and I must go.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESince 1923, when \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.kisc.ch/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKandersteg\u003C/a\u003E first opened its chalet doors and began formally welcoming Scouts, over one million young people have since answered this call. For many, a visit to the internationally famous Scout centre, 1,200 metres up in the Swiss Alps, has become a rite of passage.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/bppkarjd/scouts-at-kandersteg.jpg","width":1140,"height":760,"altText":"The image shows Scouts in outdoor gear standing together raising their arms in the air in cheer. They\u0027re standing on a grassy hill with snowy mountains in the background.","caption":"Scouts enjoying a mountain of adventure in Kandersteg. ","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EA permanent jamboree in the mountains\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe idea for an international home for Scouts came from the Founder of Scouts himself, Robert Baden-Powell. The first \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/international-scouts-and-events/international-events/wsj/jamborees-of-the-past/\u0022\u003EWorld Scout Jamboree\u003C/a\u003E, that took place in 1920 at London\u2019s Olympia showed the huge benefits of bringing together Scouts from different countries and cultures.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe realised that it could help promote peace and friendship between the nations, especially after the global cataclysm of the First World War. His dream now, was to find a place for a \u2018permanent jamboree\u2019 where Scouts from every country could meet and call home.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis dream came one step closer to reality in 1921 when the Chief Scout of Switzerland, Walther von Bonstetten, chanced upon an empty chalet, originally used by construction workers, in the village of Kandersteg. He thought it was exactly what Baden-Powell was looking for \u2013 and Baden-Powell agreed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn 12 February 1923, the Scouts International Home Association (a less than catchy name) was established and word soon spread about the uniquely welcoming and inspiring atmosphere. Not to mention the spectacular views!\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/30hdwhva/scouts-round-a-rainy-campfire-at-kandersteg.jpg","width":1140,"height":760,"altText":"The image shows a Scout in a light blue t-shirt with their back to the camera. They\u0027re holding their arms out to the sides and they\u0027re a distance away from a blazing campfire in front of them. A distance behind the campfire are lots of other Scouts gathered together. You can see the rain pouring down.","caption":"Scouts gathered round a rainy campfire in Kandersteg. ","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EImproving and expanding\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom humble beginnings, the centre grew with ever expanding facilities, but the basic idea remained the same. It was a place to inspire new friendships and ideas, where Scouts and volunteers could share experiences and be re-energised.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMany UK Scouts not only visit the centre, but become \u2018Pinkies\u2019, the affectionate name given to its brilliant team of volunteers. They\u2019re so called because of their brightly-coloured shirts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EA badge to remember and inspire\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThose who visit Kandersteg, never forget it. And this is one of the reasons we\u2019ve introduced this new badge. For the first time ever, \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://shop.scouts.org.uk/new-in/kandersteg-x-scouts-blanket-badge-24809#selection.color=34\u0026amp;selection.size=719\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#selection.color=34\u0026amp;selection.size=719\u0022\u003Ewe have an official uniform badge for those UK Scouts\u003C/a\u003E (adults and young people) who have visited the centre.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe idea is that it becomes, not just a point of pride, but a talking talk to encourage new generation of young people to discover Kandersteg for themselves.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new badge may be worn by any young person or adult volunteer in UK Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAdam Jollans is Deputy UK Lead Volunteer for Perception and KISC Marketing Advisory Group Chair. He first visited Kandersteg as a Venture Scout.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"In Kandersteg, I\u2019ve watched the sun rise from a mountain summit, shared meals with Scouts from around the world, and learned the importance of protecting the environment. Kandersteg International Scout Centre is a place where great and magical things happen. But perhaps the most important is the impact that KISC has on people\u2019s future lives and their communities back home. In a very real sense, Kandersteg begins when you leave.","attribution":"Adam Jollans, Deputy UK Lead Volunteer for Perception","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/banl21b1/uk-kandersteg-badge.jpg","width":600,"height":650,"altText":"The image shows the blue UK - Kandersteg badge. It\u0027s navy blue with a lighter blue border, a white fleur-de-lis sitting at the bottom with the text \u0027UK - Kandersteg\u0027 just above. Just above that is the Kandersteg International Scout Centre logo in light blue. ","caption":"New UK\u2013Kandersteg badge","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EImproving the centre for the Scouts of tomorrow\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA donation will be made to KISC for every badge sold, helping improve the facilities and programme at the centre.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJack Higgins, Director of KISC, warmly welcomes the new badge.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"\u2018From the very founding of the centre over 100 years ago, the UK has always been a key part of Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Nowadays almost 4,000 UK Scouts visit KISC every year, meeting other Scouts from around the world, getting out into the mountains and learning about our environment.\u00A0 Additionally, many Scouts from the UK have volunteered at KISC as a \u2018Pinkie\u2019, the name we give to our volunteers. Both the current Director and Chair are from the UK too!","attribution":"Jack Higgins, Director of KISC","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"This badge is a great way to support KISC, as well as to celebrate and remember the many experiences you\u2019ve had on your trip. And of course it also helps raise funds to keep improving the centre for future generations.","attribution":"Aidan Jones, Chair of KISC","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe new badge is \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://shop.scouts.org.uk/new-in/kandersteg-x-scouts-blanket-badge-24809\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eavailable now from Scout Store\u003C/a\u003E. \u003Cspan class=\u0022ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\u0022\u003EAs a partnership badge, it \u003C/span\u003Emay be worn on the right sleeve of uniform below your District and County/Area badges, and any leadership stripe or Group badge.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Get your badge today","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"08 February 2024","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Get your UK\u2013Kandersteg uniform badge from Scout Store","url":"https://shop.scouts.org.uk/new-in/kandersteg-x-scouts-blanket-badge-24809","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC)","url":"https://www.kisc.ch/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":78696,"nodeName":"New UK\u2013Kandersteg uniform badge launched","title":"New UK\u2013Kandersteg uniform badge launched","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/5otaf2eh/kandersteg-badge-v2.jpeg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1da5a7c469ba160","caption":"Kandersteg Badge V2","type":"jpeg","size":60064,"width":720,"height":405,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"New UK\u2013Kandersteg uniform badge launched","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We\u0027ve launched a new badge for those who experience mountains of adventure at Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC). 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