Annual Report 2022

INFO

www.kisc.ch

info@kisc.ch

0041 (0)33 675 82 82

ADDRESS

Wagetiweg 7

3718 Kandersteg

Switzerland

PRODUCTION

Text: Aidan Jones, Jack Higgins, Alhassan

Soltan, Laura Troost, Réka Salomon, Richie

Forde, Beat Wenger, James Zurbrügg

Photos: Daniela Moreira, Emily Jones, Myles de Hoog

Editor: Daniela Moreira

A year of Renewed Purpose

Welcome!

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Kandersteg International Scout Centre’s 2022 Annual Report.

After the massive disruptions of 2020 and 2021, it was truly wonderful to see KISC return to something much more like a normal year in 2022. At the start of the year, we were still uncertain in terms of what was going to happen, but there was no doubt that our ambition was to see the Permanent Mini Jamboree thriving once again. And that ambition was realised in full during 2022 with thousands of Scouts from across the world visiting the Centre and experiencing the ‘magic of Kandersteg’.

The entire Pinkie team have done a brilliant job! It’s clear that the global pandemic caused a lot of disruption to the normal succession cycle of Short Term Staff gaining experience during their first volunteer season, with some of them then returning to be Long Term Staff at a later date. This meant it was a huge challenge for Jack to fill the roles needed as the Centre returned to running at full speed, but a strong determination to ‘get the job done’ brought success.

We mustn’t forget though that whilst there was a huge amount to do to deliver the Permanent Mini Jamboree experience during 2022, an enormous of planning and preparation work for KISC’s Centenary in 2023 was also needed. And, as you read this, our 100-year celebrations will already be well underway! I very much hope that I will be able to meet as many of you as possible in Kandersteg during 2023.

With my very best wishes,

Aidan Jones Chairperson Kandersteg International Scout Centre

General Report

When we began 2022 with just a small staff team and much uncertainty following the pandemic, our mission was to get KISC back up and running. To deliver the Permanent Mini Jamboree to thousands of Scouts once more and, as we come to the end of the year, I can say it’s been a pleasure to welcome so many smiling Scouts back to the World Scout Centre. 12’566 guests and 110 volunteers have experienced the magic of the World Scout Centre in Kandersteg this year.

We entered summer 2022 with an excited team of Pinkies, freshly trained and glad to be taking part in international Scouting again; you could feel the Scouting spirit running throughout everyone as we kicked off the year, proudly wearing our uniforms and representing 27 countries. What we had lost in knowledge, we made up for in enthusiasm, and the summer was a great success.

Once more, many of you have chosen to support KISC by taking up or continuing your membership, donating to the centenary projects, or fundraising to support the centre. Thank you from all of us for your support. You ensure we can make dreams come true, bringing Scouts together and helping us create a better world. Following the General

Assembly back in May 2022, where we engaged with 159 members in person and online, it’s been a pleasure to work with the new Committee. We undertook a fantastic induction process, and we’re excited to be working on the future strategy of KISC.

I reflect on how KISC finds itself in the financial position we are in due to many difficult decisions taken throughout the last few years and countless volunteers’ hard work. As we close the year, we’ve ended up with a positive result, which we can all be proud of, and after a couple of turbulent years, it’s good to be back on track with a financial plan that will secure the economic sustainability of KISC.

This year, we’ve also been promoting Kandersteg around the world, keeping KISC in the minds of Scouts. We participated in the Asia Pacific, African, Arab, European, and Inter American conferences. Furthermore, during the summer, we were present at the Swiss, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, and Central European jamborees. An incredible effort by Pinkies, exStaff, Members, Ambassadors and Committee members!

I also dwell on the Spring, when we welcomed multiple families from

Ukraine, displaced due to the war. Ex-staff, Scouts, orphans. KISC stepped up and played its part in the community, and the pinkies did an amazing job in quickly opening our home to those in need.

Finally, and most excitingly, the development of the 2023 centenary plans has excited us all as we’ve developed programmes and plans, bookings have opened for our special events and over 70 remote volunteers have supported the project worldwide.

As we enter the 100th year of KISC, I invite you to join us for what will be our biggest and most exciting year. Celebrate the rich history of KISC and help us plan for the future! Now, let the celebrations begin!

Welcome to the centenary! Welcome to 100 years of KISC. Welcome back!

Jack Higgins Director

GUEST SERVICES

“The team of Pinkies were very welcoming and helpful. We had a fantastic stay and superb activities. What a fantastic venue and location. It truly was an exceptional experience for both scouts and leaders. Well done, all.”

– Campsite summer guest

“This place feels like home “

– International Rover Week participant

A year of revival Guest Services

Many plants that thrive in Kandersteg hibernate through the winter. Through the pandemic, KISC went into hibernation, using the few resources it had to stay alive and prepare for the day it would be able to reopen its doors to guests. 2022 has felt like Spring, where the sunshine came back, and once again could welcome scouts to the Permanent Mini Jamboree.

The year began with the Centre’s reopening, and with many countries still not out of their lockdowns it was rather quiet. We hosted an online programme to engage Scouts from around the world who couldn’t visit in person but still had a chance to interact with the Pinkies.

Spring was a whirlwind of learning, preparing, and deep cleaning to prepare for the summer while welcoming new school groups and the European Symposium.

The Summer truly reflected Baden Powell’s dream of the Permanent Mini Jamboree. Walking through the campsite in an afternoon you would meet Scouts and Guides from around the world enjoying their newfound home in Kandersteg.

Through Autumn, we again opened our doors for non-scouts to experience a little piece of scouting with many

new schools and campervans visiting before the weather turned cold. We also focused our attention on the final preparations and improvements to get the centre ready for the start of 100 years of KISC.

Laura Troost Guest Services Director

“The trip was a complete dream. The Scouts, Explorers and adult volunteers had the trip of a lifetime. The attention to detail was fantastic, and we loved every minute. Can’t wait to come back in 2026!”

– Chalet summer guest

Guests in numbers

Top 10 countries by total overnights

67’514 overnights

Top 10 countries by guest numbers

12’566 guests

68 nationalities

My 18th ski week with you, and excellent, as always. Can never fault anything whilst we are there. Looking forward to seeing you again in 2023 and 2024

– Sunneblick Winter Guest

PROGRAMME

Programme

Back to normal! In 2022 we saw our programme return to normal after the COVID Pandemic. In Summer 2022, we hosted one of our biggest August 1st Celebrations ever.

There was a huge demand for our high adventure programme, with groups exploring the alpine setting that KISC is surrounded by, reconnecting them with nature and developing their hiking and climbing skills.

I was delighted to see the huge impact KISC has on our young people, creating and inspiring the next generation of leaders through non-formal education, bringing young people from all around the world together in International Friendship and the Permanent Mini Jamboree.

All supported by our amazing Pinkie team who delivers on Baden Powell’s dream every day at the World Scout Centre

Richie Forde Programme Director

Programme in numbers

Eco Programme

Unguided Activities (44%)

Guided Activities (56%)

International

Friendship

Jamboree Activities (85%)

August 1st (10%)

Guided & Unguided (3%)

Service Projects (2%)

High Adventure

Unguided Hikes (60%)

Hut Overnights (20%)

Challenge Activities (8%)

Guided Hikes (8%)

Climbing (4%)

During 2022 there were 668 Winter Activities.

External Activities

Rafting & Tubing (30%)

High Ropes (31%)

Canyoning (14%)

Coach Day (22%)

Mountain Biking (3%)

STAFF

The volunteers that make it happen ... the Pinkies!

For many Scouts and families visiting the World Scout Centre, the best part of the experience (besides the unforgettable mountain views and high adventure activities) is the warm and friendly spirit of the KISC Staff team – the Pinkies.

In 2022, KISC once again welcomed hundreds of young people to volunteer at the World Scout Centre coming from diverse educational, economic and cultural backgrounds. Their connection, smiles and friendship brought back the spirit of the Permanent Mini Jamboree, this unique and magical place Scouts want to return to again and again.

KISC is still proud to provide a safe and fun learning environment for the volunteers we welcomed for all four seasons of 2022, focusing on their personal and professional skills development in a place where every single day is different.

From preparing breakfast in the kitchen, having fun folding in the laundry, selling cool KISC badges and pins in the shop and running a workshop about solar power to leading the evening campfire and finishing your day playing games in the staff room, the Pinkies still leave KISC with countless memories and friends for life.

Besides creating a fun environment, KISC also provided training opportunities focusing on soft-skill development supported by the Leadership Fund by hosting training events and actively developing the competencies of the Staff team.

2022 has been a year full of challenges and re-gained knowledge of running operations in a post-pandemic world, but most of all it was an incredibly journey of learning and creating something amazing together with a passionate team.

We will always remember this special year when we had to re-build and re-discover and finally be proud of a Centre full of smiling Scouts again!

110 Staff members

Réka Salamon Staff Development Director

100’000 service hours

47 nationalities

Thank you

to all our 2022 staff members!

Aiden (UK)

Alma (FI)

Anastasiia (UA)

Antreas (CY)

Amy (CA)

Andre (BR/PT) Andy (UK)

Beatriz (BR) Braiden (US)

Camila (CR) Carol (UK)

Chiska (UK/PT)

Caio (BR/LX)

Chinase (JP)

Chloé (FR)

Elias (MX)

Ella (UK/DE)

Eugene (CA)

Elin (CY/SE)

Emily (UK/FR)

Filipe (BR)

Cyrille (NL)

Delia (US)

Diana (UG)

Daniela (PT)

Demian (SE)

Eliane (CH)

Finn (US)

Flor (AR/IT) Fiona (UK) Freya (AU)

Alice (HK)

Aisha (UK)

Alison (CA)

Aleksandra (CH)

Alhassan (EG)

Hian Leng (SG)

Jack (UK)

Jenny (SE)

Jack (UK)

Jakob (DK)

Jodi (IE)

George (EG)

Glen (CA)

Gustavo (PT)

Gerda (SE)

Gráinne (IE)

Hannah (SE)

Josef (CZ)

Juan (AR/IT)

Karen (MX)

Joshua (ZA/PT)

Justin (DE)

Kathy (DE)

Katie (UK)

Kevin (DE/PL)

Kim (BR/UK)

Katja (SI)

Kieran (UK)

Lauma (LX/DE/LV)

Lydia (IE/UK)

Mara (DE)

Maria (PL)

Mafalda (PT)

Márcia (PT)

Maria (RO)

Laura (ZA/NL)

Lukas (SE)

Lee (CH)

Lucy (UK)

Lukas (IE/DE)

María (AR/IT)

Marien (MX)

Matthew (UK)

Marie (DK)

Markus (ZA)

Frida (NO) Gabriela (HO)

*A special thank you to Kira Szoradi (CH) who was part of the Fundraising Team

Pierre (FR)

Radoslav (SK)

Oscar (SE)

Priscila (CR/PT)

Réka (HU)

Miklos (DK)

Oliver (UK)

Myles (NL)

Omora (CL/DE)

Richie (IE)

Rosie (UK)

Ríal (IE)

Rita (PT)

Ryan (UK)

Sebastian (DK)

Stef (NL)

Tim (CH)

Yehor (UA)

Sara (SE)

Senal (LK)

Theresa (DE)

William (UK)

Stephanie (CY)

Tolly (IE)

Yoama (VE)

Tatyana (AU/DE)

Vilde (NO)

Yuming (CA)

Verena (DE)

Yvonne (CH)

Talles (BR/IT)

Mika (ZA/DE/IT) Meriam (TN)

KISC CENTENARY

100 years

of B.P’s dream

The 100th anniversary of KISC is a meaningful occasion for the global scouting movement as well as the local community of Kandersteg. It is a chance to reflect on the Centre’s rich history and achievements and to look forward to the future and the continued impact of KISC on the scouting world.

Over the past year, we have made significant progress towards preparing for the centenary celebrations. Our team has been working diligently to ensure that every aspect of the event is carefully planned and executed to the highest standards. We have collaborated with various partners, stakeholders, and volunteers to develop a programme that will showcase the best of KISC and its effect on Scouting.

One of the key highlights of our preparations has been the digitalization of our programme experience,

which you can be part of during KISC JOTI in February 2023 and Kander 100 in July 2023. We were also busy planning a series of events and opportunities for diverse audiences, which take place over the centenary year.

As we have stayed committed to ensuring that the centenary celebrations succeed, Safe from Harm has been one of the core elements of the events planning. We have developed a code of conduct, Safe from Harm courses and a Listening Ears system to ensure the safety of all participants.

Here is the list of events with the updated information:

• Welcome to the Centenary: 28th December 2022 – 2nd January 2023

• International Rover Week: 28th December 2022 – 4th January 2023

• KISC JOTI: 19th – 26th of February 2023

• Wood Badge training course: 22nd – 26th May 2023

• Members Weekend: 26th – 28th May 2023

• Kander 100: 27th July – 8th August 2023

• See you in 100 years: 31st of December 2023 – 1st January 2024

• KISC Ex-staff reunion: TBC (It will take place over the 2023 – 2024 NYE period)

I want to express my gratitude to all our members, partners, and volunteers for their support and dedication to this project. Without their contributions, we would not have been able to make the progress we have made so far.

In conclusion, I am excited about the centenary and look forward to welcoming all Scouts from around the world to KISC. Thank you for your continued support.

Alhassan Soltan 2023 Project Director

COMMITTEE REPORT

Committee Report

The Committee of the KISC Association had another busy year in 2022, working on your behalf to ensure the success of the Centre. Most of the members of the Committee were able to be present in Kandersteg for our meeting in March, where dealing with the issues related to the resumption of KISC’s full operations was one of our main priorities.

The Committee was also delighted to hear about the successful gathering that had taken place the week before at the Swiss Parliament building in Bern to ‘launch’ the 2023 Patronage Committee. We are very fortunate to have a Patronage Committee of exceptionally influential people, including two of the seven members of the Swiss Federal Council! Viola Amherd, who heads the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, is the honorary Chair of the Patronage Committee.

In May, we held our General Assembly, and this included elections to the Committee. I warmly welcome the new members of the Committee –Jérémy Apert (FR), Dr Ie-bin Lian (TW), Ursina Ponti (CH), and Selina Roskam (NL). I’m also very grateful to those who left the Committee, and I want to thank each of them for their wonderful contribution over so many years – Eliane Baumann (CH), Elke

Ebert (DE), Matthias Gerth (CH) and Lars Wieringa (NL). On a personal note, it was a privilege for me to be reelected for another 4-year term as an individual member and selected once again to Chair the Committee.

For the first time, we completed a fully structured and detailed induction programme for the whole Committee, which included two online sessions and a full weekend at KISC in September (the highlight of this was an overnight at the Gfellalp Alpine Hut!). A huge thank you to Craig Turpie, former Chair of the World Scout Committee, who prepared and led the induction programme so superbly.

The new Committee met formally for the first time in November, and the preparations for the Centre’s centenary in 2023 were a major focus of the meeting. And on the Friday evening before the Committee meeting, I was delighted to welcome local suppliers to a thank you event at the Centre, together with Jack, the whole team of Pinkies and several other members of the Committee.

Aidan Jones Chair of the KISC Association

Committee

Meet the Members

Pia Mortensen Representing the World Scout Committee

Jérémy Apert Representing the European Scout Committee

Andre Burri Representing the Swiss Scout Home Foundation

Joshua Dick Representing the Boy Scouts of America

Keyur Patel Representing the UK Scout Association

Anders Ahlström Representing the Guides and Scouts of Sweden

James

Aidan Jones Chair of the KISC Association

Ie-bin Lian Representing the Scouts of China

Ursina Ponti Individual Member

David Imhof Representing the Swiss Guide and Scout Movement

Selina Roskam Representing Scouting Nederland

Thomas Hirt Individual Member

Stefan Kesselring Individual Member

Finbar Gethins Representing Scouting Ireland

Andy Thomet Individual Member

Zurbrügg Individual Member

FOUNDATION REPORT

Foundation Report

THE ROLE OF THE FOUNDATION

The Association is responsible for the operational aspects of the Center. In its role as owner, the Foundation is responsible for maintaining and developing the properties and renting them to the Association for its operations. In addition, it provides the financial resources for the execution of new projects through donations.

PROJECTS

The renovation of the staff rooms in the Kanderlodge, which was started last year, was completed at the beginning of the year. This means we now have 3 additional staff rooms, saving around CHF 20,000 per year in external costs.

The revision of the zoning plan has progressed further. The design ideas were integrated into the master plan, and a comprehensive report was prepared. On this basis, the discussion with the different authorities, which have to evaluate the new master plan, could be started. The topics are wideranging and deal with areas of use,

building volume, utility infrastructure, nature conservation, forestry assessment, natural hazards, bodies of water, energy provision, crosscountry ski trail routing and even the inclusion of the railroad line. After consultation with all offices, the report will be finalized, and then the approval process will begin, where the plan will also be presented to the inhabitants of Kandersteg for approval. Completion of the new plan is realistic for 2025.

Furthermore, numerous projects in the context of the 2023 anniversary have been concretized and prepared for donation requests.

FUNDRAISING

The second challenge was to advance the 2023 fundraising. In preparation, over 100 foundations and private individuals were identified to be approached for donation requests. An assistant was added to the fundraising team. After the project documents were prepared, the first requests could be submitted in June.

DONATION STATUS

By the end of 2022, we had received CHF 143,346 in donations. Another CHF 200’000.- is pledged.

Fundraising activities will continue unabated in 2023. In particular, we would like to highlight the members’ project of the Chairmain’s Challenge for the 100th anniversary: The “Friendship Bridge” will now prominently mark the entrance as the

camp gate to the main campus. The wooden construction, which Swiss Scouts and KISC Staff will build, can be walked on and shows the 100 years of the fascinating history of the World Scout Center on more than 10 meters of exhibition panels on the bridge. We look forward to this identitycreating project and gladly accept further member donations. Every franc is welcome.

FINANCES

After the Centre was able to resume normal operations in 2022 after two corona years, the financial figures have also largely normalized. With good coverage of costs, the year was closed in the foundation with a small loss of about Fr. 8’000.- at the expense of equity. In order to achieve a surplus in the future and to realize projects and larger maintenance from our own resources, the income from rent and free donations would have to be increased, or the costs, especially interest costs on borrowed capital, should be reduced. We intend to work on this in 2023 and beyond.

THANKS

We would like to extend special thanks to the following donors: Marshal Hollis, BSA

Chang Wen Shing, Taiwan

Swiss Life AG, Zurich and the other anonymous donors.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to the work parties, loyal members and volunteers of the infrastructure and fundraising workgroup.

Beat Wenger Chair of the KISC Foundation

Foundation Meet the Members

Aidan Jones Chair of the KISC Association

Beat Wenger Chair of the KISC Foundation

Pia Mortensen Representing the World Scout Committee

Jéremy Apert Representing the European Scout Committee

David Imhof Representing the Swiss Guide and Scout Movement

Andre Burri Representing the Swiss Scout Home Foundation

Andy Thomet Individual Member

Stefan Kesselring Individual Member

Thijs Stoffer Individual Member

James Zurbrügg Individual Member

FINANCIAL REPORT

Financial Report

Consolidated financial statements

The balance sheet and income statement in this report show the combined results of both the KISC Association and Foundation. Individual financial statements and audit reports are available on request from the Centre.

RESULT 2022 OUTLOOK 2023

After some difficult years, KISC was finally able to welcome many Scouts to the Centre. That has a significantly positive effect on our financial situation. After some years with largely negative results, KISC can present a consolidated positive result over CHF 81’739 for the current year. This will be allocated fully to our reserves in order to improve our financial stability for the future. Besides the higher amount of overnights, what contributed most to this was the improvement to a prepandemic level of our margins.

However, this year also brought some challenges for our employees. Most of them have not experienced a full Centre. That has led to a number of challenges which were unexpected. The whole team has faced the task extraordinarily well and has enabled our guests to experience an unforgettable stay.

This year will be unprecedented with the 100-year jubilee. We have been planning this event for quite a while now and are confident that this event will offer something that guests, employees, partners, and the village of Kandersteg will never forget.

The near future will also bring some financial challenges and opportunities. Like many other organisations, we are facing increasing inflationary pressure. Our goal has always been to keep our prices as low as possible to enable Scouts from all over the world to come to Kandersteg. Additionally, the increasing interest rate on the credit market has increased our costs. That is why we have made debt reduction a key fundraising goal for the jubilee. This will decrease our fixed costs over the year and leave us in a stronger financial position.

James Zurbrügg Treasurer

Consolidated Accounts Profit & Loss

Income in CHF%

Consolidated Accounts Balance Sheet

Liabilities & Equityin CHF%

Expendituresin CHF%

PR & Marketing -12’1600.4%

Other op. expenses -5’4280.3%

Total operations costs-353’83110.9%

Depreciation operations-14’3970.4%

Depreciation property-192’3985.9%

Total depreciation -212’0886.6%

Total costs from operations 947’558100%