FAQs

Our Health and Welfare team will be in contact with you to assist with handling prescription medications. Please reach out to us if you have any specific questions. Also, please make sure any medications are listed on your application so we can contact you if required and we have a record.

It is preferred that all participants at KISC manage their own medications. The expectation of international travel would be that participants have a certain level of independence about them. Unit Leaders, along with first aiders will be given a list of the dietary requirements, medical conditions and medications of their Unit members. This would also include non-prescription medication they may take at times such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. If there are any concerns about a participant taking medication this needs to be highlighted to the Health and Welfare team so that we can put strategies in place to assist that participant. Your local pharmacy should be able to organise your prescription medication into a Webster pack if there are concerns about administration. This will also make it easier for Unit Leaders to ensure that the correct dose is given at the correct time.

The best thing is to keep yourself busy: get involved in activities, make a friend and explore as much as you can. You could even prepare some simple ‘get to know you’ games to take to KISC, to suggest to your Leaders and Unit to help get to each other.

Take a pack of cards and have games that need more than one to play. Learn how to play speed with cards before you go; this is a very popular game. If you can, try to reach out and meet your Patrol or get to know them before travelling to KISC.

Go to the orientation day for your state so you can put a face to people you will see travelling with you. In our experience the worst thing you can do is call home when you are feeling homesick, as it seems to just exacerbate the issues. Calling home is best when you are upbeat, excited and have had a great experience.

This will depend on what the local guidelines/regulations are at the time of travel. Currently in Switzerland all COVID-19 prevention measures were lifted on April 1 of 2022. Masks are no longer required on public transport and there are no isolation requirements for positive cases. This can change at any time and will be closely monitored closer to time of travel.

The medication needs to be listed on the OLEMS registration system so that the Health and Welfare team along with first aiders and Unit Leaders are aware of what medication the participant is on.

If possible, the participant should be independent with taking their medication. The medication needs to be in the correct packaging with the pharmacy instructions label on it. This includes a Webster pack prepared by your pharmacy.

It is strongly advised against using Dosette boxes with pre-dispensed medication and no label, as medications cannot be clearly identified and this could be an issue whilst clearing customs in some countries.

The first port of call for welfare is in your Units. We’re encouraging everyone to have each other’s backs and keep an eye on each other. As part of your Units, you’ll also have two Unit Health and Wellbeing Leaders.

The whole Contingent will also have an amazing Health and Welfare team made up of paramedics, nurses and a doctor bringing a broad range of skills (including youth mental health first aid) and experience to our team!

We have the information provided by Contingent members, so it’s only as up to date or relevant as when you put it into OLEMS. If something changes or you haven’t told us the whole story, please do soon so our brilliant Health and Welfare team and Unit Leaders can support you to have the best time while at KISC! You can update your medical information in OLEMS.

Please email the KISC100 team to let us know at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. We have a person specially designated to managing special diets for the Contingent.

Yes. Bring any medication you feel you may need. We recommend that you get any medication labelled at the pharmacist with your name and dosage. 

No, these are not required by Singapore of Switzerland. 

Please check the insurance information under the travel details tab on OLEMS. If you have specific concerns, please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

Make sure it is labelled with your name and dosage. If you have further concerns, please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

This will be determined on a case-to-case basis. 

If you have concerns, please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

Call the Contingent hotline and we will work with you on next steps. 

Yes. Please list all medication you will be taking with you, so we are aware in case of an emergency. 

The more information you can give us, the better we can support you. It is a good idea to put these on your profile if you are comfortable to do so. 

Individual flight details are now available in OLEMS. You will fly from your closest capital city (or the capital city you nominated on OLEMs) to a transit/stopover airport, and then onto Switzerland. Flying home will be the same, just in reverse!

The Contingent’s travel dates are from July 1 to July 14, 2023. These dates may vary slightly depending on your departure and return city in Australia. Please check your specific flight details in OLEMS to see when you will depart from and return to Australia.

Independent travellers will need to make their own way to and from KISC. You are expected to arrive onsite at KISC on July 2, 2023, when you will sign in with the Contingent Management Team, and expected to depart KISC on July 12, 2023 after signing out with the Contingent Management Team.

Your travel itinerary is available in OLEMs. You must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your international flight. There will be a meeting area set up in the departure check in area at the airport. You will be able to spot the Contingent in their Scout Uniforms. 

On return to Australia there will be a question on the incoming passenger customs form that you can select. 

Probably not. Seating allocation is random and done by the airline. 

Most flight layovers short so you probably won’t have time to explore. See the O-Day slides for more information. 

Yes, a Leader will accompany them. 

Please follow the directions and signage given at the airport. If you have questions relating to your specific passport type please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

You won’t receive a flight booking reference. If you wish, you can claim your frequent flyer points using your ticket when you return home. 

Easiest way is by train! More on that later!

Independent travellers will need to meet the Contingent at KISC as per the conditions of independent travel. 

The Contingent will be travelling on buses from the airport to KISC and return. Independent Travellers will not be part of those booking numbers. 

On arrival you must sign into the Contingent Management Team office at KISC on July 2 between 2 and 4pm. Upon departure you must sign out from the Contingent Management Team office at KISC on July 12. 

Yes, you will need to wear Scout Uniform at KISC. 

There will be plenty of time for badge swapping. It mostly happens at the International evening activity run by KISC. However, as you will on the campsite with other Scouts from all over the world, it will happen organically too!

Certainly is! Check out the KISC website for more details.

Totally up to you! You will have to cover the cost and manage the process at the Swiss post office in the village. Be careful, it can be quite expensive.

Any letters sent to KISC for you will be displayed on the ‘Guest Mailboard’ to the left of KISC Reception. If you are expecting mail, it is your responsibility to check this board regularly.

We’re not sure yet exactly but KISC can host more 1600 people at once during at peak times. Our Contingent will have around 230 people from Australia.

All meals are provided and all activities will be pre-booked and paid for, so you don’t need much – just enough for a few snacks or souvenirs. There is also an ATM in the village if you need to withdraw cash for any reason. Please keep in mind that any money you bring will be your responsibility to look after, the Contingent will not take responsibility for this.

The currency used is the Swiss Franc.

Unfortunately we are unable to plan for a visitors day due to everyone’s differing activity schedules.

• Wake up in your tent to an amazing view, then head over to breakfast in the Chalet. After breakfast, you will pack your lunch for the day.
• Depending on your activity schedule, you will meet your Activity Patrol and Guide for your morning or full day activity. You will eat lunch at your activity.
• Then you will get back to camp in the afternoon/evening and head off to dinner in the Chalet.
• The Contingent as a whole will join in the activities run by the Pinkies (KISC staff) each evening.
• Once the night’s activity is done, you might catch up with some of your new friends from one of the many other countries on the campsite, but you’ll probably be knackered and head to bed in preparation for the next day!

There is free Wi-Fi available at the Chalet and around the campsite office. We recommend you utilise this instead of using international roaming.

However, we strongly recommend limited use of your mobile devices over the trip. You will be in a beautiful country, surrounded by Scouts from all around the world for a once in a lifetime experience – KISC only turns 100 once! Be present, make some new friends and soak up every part of it.

In the village of Kandersteg and surrounding area, they speak Swiss German and some English. However, everyone who works at KISC speaks English, so there will be no issues communicating with the Pinkies (KISC staff). People on the campsite will speak all sorts of languages…finding a way to communicate with those who don’t speak English is half the fun! If you want to learn some basic Swiss German phrases, Google or Youtube are a good place to start!

If you speak German, you will still be able to communicate with the locals; they refer to this as High German.

There are bathrooms available across the campsites and in the Chalet.

Guest laundry facilities are also available. They provide washing powder but you will need a few coins to operate the machines.

We will be travelling with the Australian International scarf however, we anticipate KISC will also have scarves for sale in their Chalet shop and online shop.

Yes! The KISC team cater for all dietary requirements, allergies or religious requirements. Please make sure that any dietary requirements are listed on your application in OLEMS so we can make sure you are catered for.

• Cereals, fruit, yogurt, bread, spreads, cheese and meats for breakfast (self-serve)
• Self-made sandwiches, fruit and other snacks for packed lunches
• Dinners are pretty varied – we will be there for two of the world famous KISC summer BBQ dinners, otherwise, there will be tasty camp food to fill you up and a salad bar to complete your meal

Yes there are places to charge your electronics but they are not all secure and you use them at your own risk. Again, we want to remind you not to waste time charging devices when you could be connecting to all the new and exciting people and places at KISC.

You will need to use an adapter to use the power points. It looks like this.

At the moment we know that there will be groups from UK, USA, Finland, Germany and Ireland. But there will probably be more by the time we get there. Also, there will be heaps of Pinkies (KISC staff) from all over the world! It’s a world event!

KISC don’t have their own station but you will be able to tune into the local stations. Perhaps we can make a suggestion to them?!

Unfortunately not. The coaches which would have been booked for this activity are now restricted from travelling in the tunnel we would take to get to Italy. Not going through that tunnel adds an additional six hours of travel time!

We are expecting it will be cool in the evenings and at night but could get up to 30-35ºC during the days. The campsite will have a few hours of shade in the mornings, so it will be a cool, crisp start to the day.

In saying that, the Swiss alps are famous for their ‘changeable’ weather so make sure you bring everything on the gear list for your own comfort!

The village of Kandersteg, is about 1-2kms away from KISC. 

You are allowed to wander around the town of Kandersteg during your free time to explore, buy some snacks, go for a swim or buy a souvenir, but you will not be able to leave the town boundary unless you are on a planned activity. The boundary will be made clear when we arrive.

Yep! There are sturdy shelters on the campsite (some even have fireplaces) and there are some communal rooms in the Chalet, all with comfy seats.

All showers and toilets are single cubicles in blocks around the campsite. 

Yes, all meals, including snacks, are provided by KISC. 

Some activities will be only Australians as we booked all the spots, but it will be a mix of people from other Units. Some activities will have International Scouts on them. 

No. You need to check in with the CMT (Contingent Management Team) before leaving site and the buddy system will apply. 

Yes.

No. Program has been allocated as per your personal preferences. If you have any specific concerns, please send us an email and we can discuss. 

There is Wi-Fi available around the buildings.  

Please see the O-Day slides for information on data plans. It is best to contact your provider to see what they offer and recommend. 

There are drying rooms available to dry clothes. 

There will be some available at KISC or you can print one at home to bring along. 

Yes. There is plenty of food and you won’t go hungry.

You will need to bring and set your own alarms on a watch/phone/alarm clock. We ask that you are respectful of others when you set an alarm i.e., don’t set it to full volume. 

Yes, that is correct. This is for hygiene reasons as KISC can’t confirm all sleeping bags are clean. They offer blankets and bedding, but you are welcome to take a sleeping bag liner if that makes you feel more comfortable. 

They are spread across the campsite so depends on where you are camping. 

Yes! 

Yes, you will be required to bring your own hiking tent. Please keep in mind that these need to fit in your luggage. There are specific dimensions these need to fit in to ensure we don’t use up more than our allocated space on our campsites:

Hike Tents must be:

• • Of reasonable quality to last 10 nights
  • Less than 3 kilograms in weight
  • Have a total footprint less than 3.5m2. (Eg: 2.5m long by 1.3m wide).
  • Have no extended awnings

This will be different for everyone, and will depend on how much you will use the tent before / after KISC. You might spend as little as $50 if you will not use it much outside of the KISC100 trip, however you may want to spend a bit more ($100-$200 or above) if you want a tent that will last you many years of good hiking use! Don’t forget to look at tents that are on sale or if you can get ‘club’ or ‘member’ prices at certain stores. The amount you spend will depend on your individual situation and requirements.

Make sure your tent meets the requirements needed for us all to fit on the campsite.

10 days is a long time to share a small space with someone else, so we definitely recommend everyone have their own tent.

However, please get in contact with the Contingent team if you feel you have a compelling argument as to why you should be sharing with someone.

You should be only bringing equipment that will last the 10 days we will be onsite. However, the Contingent Management Team will have backup equipment should anyone need it.

Swiss biosecurity is not as strict as Australian biosecurity but tents should be clean.

However, on the way home, all hiking and camping equipment used overseas will need to be thoroughly cleaned and dry to remove any soil, seeds or plant material. This includes footwear such as hiking boots. These items may require inspection on arrival to Australia.

Yep! Our trip to KISC is an exercise in lightweight packing. Stick to the gear list provided, pack smart and you’ll be fine!

You will need to bring a hiking pack as your checked baggage. We will be walking from buses to the campsite so a pack is easiest to do that – no suitcases and nothing with wheels.

You will also need a hiking pack for your overnight hike, also bring another smaller hiking day bag for your day hike activities (this smaller bag should be used as your carry-on, if it fits carry-on requirements). We also encourage this as an opportunity to fine tune your lightweight packing skills!

You will receive

• 2x Contingent shirts
• 2x Australian scarves
• A couple of luggage tags
• 2x KISC100 contingent badges (1 for your uniform and 1 to swap, extras will be available for purchase).

Those who ordered optional additional merchandise will also receive these items soon.

The mountain huts used during the overnight hikes will provide bedding and blankets. You’re welcome to bring an inner sleeping bag liner if you wish, but you will not be allowed or required to bring your own sleeping bag for hygiene reasons. It’s also 1 less thing to carry on your hike!

No you don’t. KISC provide all plates, bowls, cutlery etc.

YES! Hiking boots with ankle support are not just preferred, they are required. We cannot stress this enough. You will need decent hiking boots with support above the ankle to do all the hikes at KISC. If you do not have hiking boots with ankle support, KISC will not allow you to participate in any hikes.

Don’t sell yourself short by not having the right gear. Read and follow the gear list here and you’ll have no dramas!

Bathers/togs/swimmers will be needed for all water activities and if you want to have a dip in the village pool or nearby lake, Oeschinensee. Don’t forget your towel too!

When travelling, you will need to wear your Australian uniform shirt, your Australian scarf and beige pants. We will also wear uniform at other points throughout the trip.

There will be other times when we will wear the Contingent shirts, but you will get plenty of notice.

You will be sleeping in your tent every night except when you are on your overnight hike, where you will sleep in a Swiss mountain hut.

Contingent shirts and any optional merchandise has been sent in the mail. Keep an eye on your post box, there should be a package for you soon!

Australian scarves and name badges will be handed out at your local O-Day. If you attending our online O-Day your scarves and name badge will also be mailed to you.

This trip will be an exercise in lightweight camping, so all participants will need to ensure all your items fit in your hike pack. Your pack cannot exceed 20kgs.

You should be ok with a sleeping bag with a comfort rating of 0ºC. Please note that ratings for men and women will differ for sleeping bags – choose appropriately.

Asides from your beige/stone pants, and Uniform top, no! 

Yes.

Whatever you feel comfortable in. 

Yes, but please be mindful of ropes etc. that may exceed tent area. 

Stone/tan/beige pants are part of the Australian International Uniform. It is a requirement for Contingent and Independent Travellers to wear these as part of the Uniform for this event. 

Yes! 

This is personal preference. If all your gear fits, then you can use your own bag. 

There will be some storage available at the CMT office. 

Yes, you will be provided with whatever you need to set-up and pack-up/clean your campsites. 

You can usually take an empty water bottle into the airport and fill it once you clear security. 

Yes. It is on the gear list.  

No, you only need your Australian scarf. 

This is a personal preference. Just remember you need to sleep on it for 10 nights. It also needs to fit inside your tent. 

No. It will be summer in Switzerland. Just make sure it is decent quality and won’t break while we’re at KISC. 

The CMT will have spares available to borrow and there is also a small store in town where they can be purchased if required (although it is very expensive)

You need to bring your hiking pack as your main luggage. You will also need your hiking pack for your overnight hike. 

You need to wear your Australian Scout shirt with your badges on it, whether that’s a button up or polo is personal preference. 

Name badges will be sent out with your scarf unless you received these at your O-Day. If you are missing any items, please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

At the end of the trip, you can, but remember you will be required to wear it a few times while at KISC in full Uniform. 

This is a personal preference. There will be always people on the campsite however we cannot always guarantee gear safety. 

You are welcome to bring a lunch box or containers, but it is not compulsory. 

You will receive your scarves at your O-Day if you attend face-to–face, or they will be mailed to you. 

We will have Campsite Units and Patrols, and Activity Patrols. Campsite Units and Patrols are the people you will see every day and will hang out with when you are not in your Activity Patrols. Activity Patrols may change each day depending on your activity schedule. The Campsite Units have been emailed to all of the Contingent but the Activity Patrols will not be released as these will be changing constantly.

You will be in a Campsite Unit with people you know, or who are from your local area so you are able to meet before the event. Units will be made up of approximately 40 people.

We have made sure you are with people you know in your Unit, or people from your local area. You are more than welcome to organise a meetup with people in your local area for a day activity or even a camp to get to know each other.

Remember, if you are planning activities in the lead up to KISC100, make sure you are meeting all the requirements of a regular Scouting event in your state, including risk, medical, etc.

Leaders will be allocated to a Campsite Unit that you will help look after, but during the day you will be allocated to an activity (pending your program choices and where supervision is required) to help support our young people on these activities.

Units have been sent out. Units have been allocated geographically. You will be able to contact your fellow Unit members via Team App.

Remember, if you are planning activities in the lead up to KISC100, make sure you are meeting all the requirements of a regular Scouting event in your state, including risk, medical, etc.

Yes Scouts, Venturers and Rovers are all mixed in Units together.

It is your own responsibility to organise meetings with your Patrol/Unit. 

They are there to look out for each other’s health and wellbeing each night. They are to help you try and get to know people before you get to camp. 

Unit Leaders have been reaching out to their Units. If you haven’t heard anything, please check that your email address is correct in OLEMs, and sign up for TeamApp. If you have any concerns, please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

We encourage you to use TeamApp to talk to other Contingent members to get to know them. Perhaps organise a meetup with your Patrol! 

For people travelling with the Contingent, all insurance is covered from the time you leave Australia until you return home.

For independent travelers, you are covered by Contingent insurance from the July 2 through to July 12. Outside of this it is strongly recommended that you get your own insurance – you don’t want to not have it when you need it and there is some competitive coverage, just do your research.

Yes! There are! Everyone signed a Code of Conduct when you applied. If you need to revisit it to make sure you’re ready to abide by it, sign into your application and click on the “Event Consent” tab. We will also be covering appropriate behaviour and conduct in Town Hall meetings, Orientation days and again once you get to KISC.

The implications of breaking the Contingent Code of Conduct or any KISC rules could result in removal of certain privileges or even being sent home. Implications of breaking Swiss law could be far more serious.

Yes, if you are 18 or over or turning 18 on the trip you will need your Working with Children Check completed before we go.

If you fall into this category, we will be checking to ensure you have a current check. If you don’t have a current check when you turn 18, you will be ineligible for membership of the Contingent.

The Contingent Management Team will work with Unit Leaders to collect all passports when we arrive at KISC. They will be stored securely while we are at KISC.

Passports will be returned to you before our journey back to the airport.

Australians don’t need a visa to travel to countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period – Switzerland is in the Schengen area, so we’re all good!

You should already have your passport, and have provided the Contingent with your passport details in OLEMs. If you do not have your passport yet you need to apply for one as soon as possible. We understand there are delays, particularly in getting a new passport. So please be proactive and get your application complete and into the passport office as soon as possible.

Follow all the info in the August newsletter, pop your details in your application ASAP and there shouldn’t be any issues.

The payment and withdrawal schedule is here.  

No. Follow all the laws you would in Australia and comply with the Contingent Code of Conduct and you won’t have any issues. 

Quiet talk will be fine as long as you are not disrupting others. ngs.

This is personal preference. Just be aware that if you take cash, it is your responsibility to look after it. 

You have access to the insurance information booklet under the travel details tab on OLEMS. If you have any personal, specific questions, please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

Australian passport holders do not require visas. If you are travelling on a different passport, please email the KISC100 team at KISC100@team.scouts.com.au. 

Unfortunately we are not going ahead with our Post Tour. Due to the current global climate, there are too many risks and uncertainty for us to proceed safely.

A reasonable level of fitness is required for the trip. Hiking at altitude is a lot more difficult than the hiking we are used to in Australia.

Simple things like going on hikes to your local hills/mountains, climbing stairs or even just along your streets all help. To build up to our trip and prepare yourself as best as possible, take your hiking pack on your walks and increase the weight every few weeks to help with your strength and stamina. Remember, some hikes reach over 2700m altitude!

The hike length and altitude is detailed in our program booklet here (It came out with the August newsletter too). Regardless of the hikes you pick, you should still be aiming to increase your fitness and stamina to ensure you have the best experience possible.

If you do, it’s at your own risk. The Contingent takes no responsibility for anything that may be confiscated by customs. Please check the Australian Customs guidelines before making any purchases such as these.

Additionally, the Contingent reserves the right to confiscate your purchases if they present issues while onsite.

You certainly can! Make sure that it is listed on your application and we will be sure to use it. Please let us know what pronouns you prefer too – kisc100@teams.scouts.com.au.

Plenty of groups have already started fundraising and we suggest you do too! Check out our fundraising page on our website for some inspiration.

You could also edit the template letter on our fundraising page to help you seek support from other community organisations like Apex, Rotary or Lions Clubs or maybe even your local council.

If you’re a youth member in Victoria and haven’t applied for funding for an international event before, you could be eligible for support from the EML Fund. You can access the form here.

There is not a specific photography activity, but the Swiss alps are too beautiful to not to try and capture!

Just a reminder that if you can’t afford to lose your camera, please consider if bringing it is a good idea. Also, there may be challenges in charging devices as you will be camping.

No, sorry, KISC demands your undivided attention!

Contingent Management Team. This is the team planning and running your trip. 

You will get these when you arrive at KISC. When you hand in your passport and will receive your ID card 

A two-pronged power plug will work fine. Refer to the O-Day slides for examples otherwise your own research may be required. 

Yes, you can. Just make sure to let the CMT knows before you go into town. 

You are welcome to bring a device and can use it as you like. If you are feeling homesick, we don’t recommend calling home as this can make it worse.  

At most places payWave will work. Otherwise, you should be able to swipe or insert your card. 

No. All staff members at KISC speak English. If you wish to learn Swiss German to engage with villagers, you are more than welcome.

No. There is an International Evening where each nationality at KISC will set up a stall and activities for people to learn about their country.

The CMT will charge devices in their office but only once every few days not every day. You need to provide your own charger and sign devices in and out. 

You will need to do your own research regarding the best bank card to use. The Contingent cannot provide advice on this. tings.

If parents request to join the General Members chat and list your child’s name on the joining question, we can link you to your child’s account and you will have access to all the chat groups they’re in.