Well I never got to do that update from Kandersteg. I’ve just arrived home and everything went well. The bad thing is that I’m home and already I miss everyone and everything. It really was a sad day.
Happy Birthday to Mezer, see you in a few days when I recover!
I’ll work on a revamp on the website and work on my report to be submitted to my International Commissioner (if there still is one).
If you’ve being reading these while I’ve being over there, I hope you enjoyed it. If you’ve stumbled across this website, please read my entries, you hopefully will get a good feel of that it was like for me to volunteer my summer in Switzerland.
I’d recommend it to anyone, Thank you K.I.S.C. for my summer!
Slán,
Darran.
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Saturday, September 13, 2003
thats all folks
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
last time :*o(
Hey Hey,
Were nearly at the end of the season. 3 months came and went so fast it’s hard to believe that this time next week I'll be in college! But before we leave we have a few things left to do. On Thursday is our Staff Day Out, and what a day is planned... it’s going to be good fun, really good!! Looking forward to that, and then there is the packing, which is always fun! We also had our Departmental Dinner last week, which was a really nice night. And there is a few other things planned for us, but if you want to know, you will have to come on staff to find out!
A big shout out, as they say on the Radio, or Happy Birthday to Mary who is 17 today. Hope you have a good day!
I have my tickets ready and everything for my trip home. I'll leave Kandersteg on the 11:34 train, and my flight in Frankfurt is at 19:50. So I should be arriving into Dublin around 21:00. It will be a long day, with a lot of good byes in the morning; I figure I'll be at the train station on the hour every hour from very early in the morning!
I hope to put up one more update before I leave, but if I don't get a chance I'll be updating the website some time next week and tell you how everything went!
G'luck
Darran.
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
normal life at kisc... normal?
How it going everyone from home, around Ireland and around the world!
Good good here. The season is coming to a close... awwwhhhh but still lots of things to do. The last two weeks everyone has being kicked from their departments and we all become departmentless short-termer's who will help out in whatever area of the centre that needs help. My last week was spent in CaMpSiTe! (said correctly) which I really enjoyed! It is a pity I only swapped into that department once the whole season. I also had my usual shop and catering as well as a few days off thrown in for good measure!
Speaking of which today I took a stroll up to a Mountain Hut (2548m) to complete my Gold Huttentest award! It was a really nice hike and a very nice day! Its funny that I always end up having good days off that are organized at the last minute! I've also got a trip to Milan or somewhere near there; it’s in Italy anyway, for next week. So I'm looking forward to that!
Tonight someone from the Geneva (World Scouting H.Q.) came to talk to us and get our feedback on the new award: Scout of the World Award. It will be launched around the world in 2004 but because we completed the award except for a report that we will do next week, we are able to receive the award! We will be the first in the World. It’s an award that tried to open people’s minds to Environment, Development and Peace. Overall I see that it has great potential and I will be urging my national association to take this on board, and it could be a good opportunity to develop the Rover sections.
But I'm sure you'll hear more about it in the future. Nothing else strange here. But because I am going home soon, I'm starting to look forward to it. A nice K.C.'s in front of the T.V. would be nice. But saying that, I'm sure if I was able to stay on longer, getting ready for new staff arriving, a new season and so on, I wouldn't even think about home!
Oh one last thing, I'll be checking all my logs with a proper spell checker when I get home!
Talk to you soon,
Darran.
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Sunday, August 17, 2003
2 out of 3 aint bad
Captains Log, Star date, one seven eight oh three.
Everything is going swimmingly, the moral is still high and the crewmembers are still getting on with each other. There was an incident last night, due to what we believe was an electrical storm. The sky's started to make noise and there were sightings of beams of light coming from nowhere. Then we lost power. It took engineering about two hours to restore power. During that time we could do nothing, no DVD's no music and there was a second sitting starting in the kitchen, so we had to wash dishes by hand. Also we lost communications, as the telephone system needs power to work. Overall the experience was enjoyable, a break from the usual, and then staff night out was cancelled! We all ended up in the staff room with lots of beer and drink, and a good night was had by all. And we had our hour sleep-in this morning as well, things couldn't get better!!
Yesterday marked two months being here and only four weeks left. The summer is coming to an end soon, but still there is guests, who we must remember are on their camp, and we must not forget that, because they have being looking forward for the last year for these weeks and saved much to come here. We all cant just sit back and not worry or work, because there is still jobs to do, like they have been done all summer.
Well I'm off now, a night of movies await!! And I'm off tomorrow! Yeah!
Darran.
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
all down hill from here
How’s it going? And how’s things from your part of the world?
It’s being a while since my last update, so here is one to keep you updated with the goings on at Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Not much has happened these last few weeks, were just getting by. Well I say a lie there was things happening, but I will not say. You must come here to experience it for your self to find out what I'm talking about!!! So the last few weeks have being good fun, winding down from August 1st, but still about 700 on site and plenty to keep us busy!
I've also caught up with a few e-mails to different people, and I'm looking into going Skiing somewhere towards the end of the season, if its possible!!
One last thing, To all the Leaving Certers, I wish your the best tomorrow, and I'm sure whatever happens there will be options for you to take!
Good luck,
Darran.
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
getting ready
Scouts from all over the World, all celebrating Swiss National Day... August 1st 2003. 
aug 1st
Now that was a crazy, mad, long, different, fun day. August 1st 2003, Swiss National Day. I'm not going to say anything about it, you can read what was said on the official website, but it is definitely something that much be experienced by yourself.
Thank you for e-mailing me, and I will reply as soon as I get a chance. Its good to hear from home and what is going on.
Well done to Damien on achieving his Explorer Belt! I'm not the only one in Carrigaline who achieved it anymore!!
I am also thinking of applying for Long-term staff for next summer. As College gets in the way, I'm only able to apply for a 4-month position. I'm thinking of going for Buffet Assistant or Campsite Assistant. It starts at the start of June and finishes at the start of October. It would be pretty cool if I got the job. I'd like to go for Shop manager but its 5 months, so unless CIT will allow me to sit exams in April I wont be able to!
Gotta go, talk to you some other time!
Darran.
Friday, August 01, 2003
its nearly here!
What a crazy few weeks... were run off our feet getting ready for August 1st, TOMORROW!!! I start work at 6am, which isn't too bad, I'm used to it from catering, but I won’t finish until nearly mid-night. I've being meaning to write in the log earlier but I kept on having things to do, like our second disco last night, which was pretty cool.
Happy Birthday to Julie on the 29th! Hope you had a great day, and. because I'll have collapsed by the 2nd, I wish Brick a Happy Birthday as well, and have one for me.
When things settle down a bit in another week or so I'll reply to your e-mails and send a load of e-mails to ye.
Anyhow, I need some sleep as there is a busy day tomorrow... and I'm kinda getting excited!!
Until the next time, Happy August 1st!
Darran.
Thursday, July 24, 2003
dancing at the disco
Still reading Harry Potter but I keep getting distracted... a lot of late nights. Hopefully will get to finish it before September! August 1st is coming up and plans are being put into action, we nearly know where we will be for every second and what we will be doing in those seconds from 06:00 in the morning until late into the night! Speaking of which, I'm just back from our 1st disco that we held down the village for everyone, there was about 300/400 people there. My jobs for the night were Bar at the start, then a bit of dancing and then some Police Duty, which meant I had to sit on the side of the road telling people to be quite coz its past half ten! I'm only just back now. Even thought some people will be still clearing up until 01:30 in the morning we still all have to be up for Thought of the Day at 8! Well what else happened this week? Today I lead my First Hike, but we turned back due to the weather. Oh the joys. That’s about it for this week, Keep an eye out on the official website for news or photos of me... Oh Happy Birthday to Catherine who was 20 last Sunday.
Hope your all missing me...
Darran.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
usual going ons in kisc
Hello from Kandersteg again!!
I had a very interesting week this week! Last Friday I had my first International Campfire with over 600 people attending. I was helping out making sure everything was running smoothly! It was a good night!
The start of this week was nice and interesting as I was on top of the roof of the old chalet cleaning gutters! That’s some height, and the scariest thing I've ever done, but pretty damn amazing! Then I had to cycle up to the upper hutt (1890m) in the rain for a climbing workshop the next day. I was very tired, but it was a good laugh! Then today I was put in charge of a Service Project, where I had to organize and make sure that a group of Spanish made a fence in the campsite and repaired a picnic table. We did it just in time for lunch. And just as I was finishing my lunch today, a voice from behind me says "Dia Duit!” I turned around to see Colm Doyle standing there! He was there with his whole family! I was shocked! It was a great surprise and I was delighted to see a familiar face in Kandersteg. I opened the shop for them and gave them a tour of the place! It was really nice to see them. Now I wonder when everyone else will be popping in to say hello!
For now I must go, I have the day off tomorrow and I have the Harry Potter book to read, so it might be a long night!!
All the best!
Darran.
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Thursday, July 10, 2003
settling in nicely
Hello from beautiful Switzerland!
Things here are great. Were getting on with all our jobs, I'm becoming quite good at the shop till and the early mornings in catering aren’t too bad. The staff nights out are a nice break and are varied from week to week. I've also visited Thun on a day off I was planning to spend in bed and relaxing around the place. It’s a nice city, and a load of crazy people jump into the nice clear blue, Freezing River and swim down stream. I also went for a swim in the lake just out side the city and it was very welcomed because it was very hot that day.
Yesterday and today were my first two swap days and I was in programme. Yesterday I was thrown into the deep end and told to run a stone carving workshop and a screen-printing workshop, but I managed! Today I was on a Cheesery Hike for my second time, with a group of Americans, and now, after today I can lead groups up on that hike on my lonesome! Next week I think I’m at the upper hutte and I’m doing a climbing workshop.
Between now and then there will be lots to do. Shop tomorrow, Catering over the weekend and then House. Its all pretty easy, not much brainpower needed!! I also had my first day on duty last Sunday. Duty being one of the three people each day that don't get a lunch break or a dinner break or a night off because you have to stay in reception to look after any tiny or major problems or questions anyone has, you also have to do all the check-ins (or campsite chickens) and be the one who must make sure there is someone sober in the chalet all night. So when we finished at half ten we weren’t able to head off to the pub for a quick one!!
Anyhow, I must go, see how the BBQ is getting on. The theme this week is Black plastic bag fashion!
Oh, and I'm guessing no one is coming over to see me because I haven't heard from anyone yet?! Talk to you in the future!!
Darran.
Thursday, July 03, 2003
happy birthdays
There are a few people that I have to wish Happy Birthday over the last few days.
Conor Crowley, the one who is a quarter of a Century on the 30th of June, Happy Birthday!
And Diarmuid! Happy 21st! Hope you have a Brilliant night! Sorry I wasn't there, but I'm stuck in Switzerland :oS
Darran.
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
i'm OFF
Good morning, it’s my first real day off! I didn't have to get up early for thought of the day or breakfast, but I did have to get up early for a lift into Bern. I'm off with Bart (NL), Chiu (HK) and Christine (US) for a day out! Speaking of which there was a change in staff. Branco (YO) couldn't get a Visa to come here in time so they replaced him with Bart (NL). And Roufa (TZ) had to leave us because his English wasn't the best, but he promised to start to learn it and will be back next year.
Also, if you’re looking at my list of countries that are represented on staff, Greece isn't represented. I got confused with the GE that means Georgia, not Greece!! Sorry Tiko, I’ll correct it when I’m home!!
That’s about all the next I have at the mo, yesterday was the first real Kandersteg rainy day we had, but today is looking alright!
YiS,
Darran.
Monday, June 30, 2003
Saturday, June 28, 2003
i'm a pinkie!
On Thursday we had out last day of training. And then we were brought out for our graduation. It was a fantastic night, absolutely amazing and the best memories so far. Then on Friday morning we were showing a list of where we will be spending the next three months. I am in Chalet services, and this involves working in house, shop and catering. After my 1st week or two there will be a set rota of how I work. It will be 2 days in one part of chalet services, 2 days in another, 2 days in either programme or campsite and 1 day off. I get a very wide mix from around the centre and I am quite happy!
Our first staff night out is tonight, and we are off to a big lake where they show us a big projected film. It should be good fun.
Happy birthday to Peter who was 18 last Friday.
And thank all of you who sent e-mails, I don't have time to reply at the mo, but I will get around some time!
ATB,
Darran.
Friday, June 27, 2003
Thursday, June 26, 2003
all passed
I forgot to tell you how I got on in my Exams. I passed everything and got a H1 overall, so unfortunately I won’t be coming home in August for repeats!!
Have a good one!
D.
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
i'm nearly a pinkie!
Ok, this is the 5th time I have written this update during the last few days. It is getting really annoying that these computers like to close their programs with out allowing you to save the documents or giving you notice!
Anyhow I think I have it finally under control and there should be no problem anymore, I hope!
Back to my experiences! The 1st two weeks have being very busy and fun. I have done a load of things in staff training, but I don't think that I should tell you all of them; anyone who reads it will not have the same experience as me and the rest of the 'short-termers'.
Besides learning about all the different areas in the centre and how each of them works and going into detail with different sections I have also met a lot of people from around the world. I think that this is the only place in the world where you can experience the kind of close international friendship that we have shared for the last two weeks! There are so many nations here and so many different types of people!
Anyhow, my graduation is on Thursday and this is where I become a member of staff and become a Pinkie! I still don't know what department I will be in and I don't mind where I end up as I know it will fun where ever I go!
I will let you know how I get on, and as I get into a routine there will be more frequent log entries!
YiS,
D.
Monday, June 23, 2003
Sunday, June 22, 2003
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Sunday, June 15, 2003
well I am here!
Well I am here!
Arrived safely and no problems! We have begun our 2 weeks of training and the place is fantastic. I am really looking forward to the rest of the training as I am seeing how all the different departments work.
Anyhow, send me an email and you might be lucky enough to get a response!!
Until then, Slán!
Darran.
Thursday, June 12, 2003
my bags are packed i'm ready to go
Well I guess this is my final entry in the preparations section of my web-log. As Saturday gets closer it seems more and more real that I’m going for three months. I had my going away night out last night and there is a dinner tomorrow night for me.
I have all my clothes labelled and all my extra things nearly all gathered! These include DVD’s, Kneckerchief’s, Badges, Scouting Trails, Music CD’s, Stuff to represent Ireland at the International night, Money and travellers cheques, Cameras and so on… If I get everything packed tonight, tomorrow will be a relaxing one!
I’ve done as much as I can do at this stage and if there are things I’ve forgotten or don’t have, there are shops over there!
Again I hope everyone has a good summer and my next entry will be in my Kandersteg log from Switzerland!
Slán,
Darran.
Sunday, June 08, 2003
come on!!
I got a final e-mail from Mark in Kandersteg yesterday. He just said that they are nearly all ready for us and hoped that we are all ready! The centre will be closed on Wednesday because of the Spring Staff Day out!
I would like to thank my Unit and my Region, Cork South-East for their financial support and encouragement. It is much appreciated.
Over the weekend I’m also sorting out all my music that I have on my computer, over 10GB, and burning them for CD’s that I can play over there, one especially for the presentation on Ireland and scouting where I have a load of traditional and modern Irish songs on one CD to give a very broad taste of Irelands music!
YiS,
D.
Thursday, June 05, 2003
be prepared
The train tickets have arrived and Gillian is holding onto them until we reach Germany. A one-way ticket cost € 80.50. That’s from Frankfurt Airport to Kandersteg.
I have ordered my Swiss Francs and travellers cheques. So that’s another item off the list of things to be done.
I have also got myself a nice new waterproof jacket, top of the range, coz I’ll need it if the weather is going to be anything like the last time I was there. In July 2000 when I went to Kandersteg for a regional millennium camp, we had 2 or 3 nice/dry days out of the two weeks we were there. Our tents were flooding and it was very very wet!! Hopefully because I’m paying a 3-month visit the weather will be great for some of the time at least!
Also for future travellers to Kandersteg (which I hope there will) you will need an International Letter of Introduction. This is just a little passport saying you’re a scout from Ireland and a member of the world scouting movement and all that sort of stuff! I nearly forgot about this till yesterday! This can be got through the International Commissioner.
Anyway, I better go, there are clothes that need to be sorted and all of them, including socks and jocks need to be labelled!
YiS,
D.
Friday, May 30, 2003
nothing going to stop me now
Exams…… Finished!! And as of from this evening, I don’t have to know anything about college for the next three months!! I’m Freeee!
Now that I got that out of my system I can concentrate on the next two weeks! The real preparation time!
Here is a quick update of what I’ve being up to besides my exams during the last few weeks:
I sorted out my Travel insurance, which I found hard to get. There are 92 days from the 14th of June to the 13th of September, and most companies will only cover you for a maximum of 90 days. So with the help of some contacts, I’ve managed to get myself covered!
A few months ago I was in touch with Tourism Ireland wondering about material that I could use to promote Ireland and help us with our presentation on Ireland while over there. I received a load of posters, brochures, pens and pins [not enough for every staff member…sorry]. The girl who I was speaking to was very helpful and I’d recommend anyone doing this to get some of this stuff.
Gillian has being in touch with me as well, and booked our rail tickets (after much emailing and phone calls… thank you Gillian!) She should have them by Tuesday!!
Bernie, the International Commissioner for Scouting Ireland (CSI) also sent me a nice document on “Advice, when travelling abroad to represent the Association”, and that’s what I’m kinda doing… It made good reading, with some nice pointers!
I’ve got my website on the Scouting Ireland dot com Website! And also there will be some kind of write up on me that will be circulated to all Unit Leaders in the country on a newsletter some time in the future!!
Anyhow, now that my exams are over, I can find some time to get down to the finer things for getting myself ready for that early flight out of here.
Keep you posted!
YiS,
D.
Thursday, May 15, 2003
questions and answers
Hello again! I’m delighted that so many of you like the website and I realise that its not the most exciting piece of work on the net, but hopefully it will keep some people up to date of my summer adventure and it will make good reading in years to come!
Last weekend I headed up to my Associations National Council, where besides voting on the formation of a new Association for Scouting in Ireland, I met Gillian and Ryan. We had a nice long chat about Ryan’s experience last year on staff, but he was careful not to give away too much! At one point it was like a game of 20 questions! I found it really helpful as he answered a lot of things we were wondering about. He also gave us tips from where to eat and where to climb, to a low-down of the long-term staff and basically made us even more excited about the summer ahead. He is also planning in coming over to the Centre for the August 1st festivities!
We also received an email from Mark with the themes for the International BBQ’s and some other information!
Themes for International BBQ’s and August 1st:
03/07 - Pyjama Party
10/07 - Black Plastic Bag Fashion
17/07 - Over the Moon
24/07 - Colour Blind
01/08 - Under the Sea - National Swiss Day!
07/08 - Beach Party
14/08 - Pyjama Party
21/08 - Cave Man
28/08 - Colour Blind
04/09 - Cross Dressing
There are also computers for the staff to use while I’m over there so I will be able to update and post entries to my Kandersteg Log!
At the moment, I’m in the middle of my exams, but there is only 30 more days to go till I depart! I hope to try to start to get all my stuff together and figure out how much stuff I’ll need to bring and so on.
I forgot to tell you the times of my flights, just in case you want to wave me off or organize a party for my return! On the 14th of June I leave Cork airport at 05:40 in the morning, where we head to Dublin airport. Gillian hops on for the 07:00 flight to Frankfurt airport where were due to arrive at 10:00.
On the way back, on the 13th of September our flight leaves Frankfurt airport at 19:50 where we arrive back into Dublin Airport at 21:00. Unfortunately there is no flight back to Cork available that evening.
YiS,
D.
Monday, May 05, 2003
train research
With flights checked off the list, a train is needed to get us from Frankfurt in Germany to Kandersteg in Switzerland! (We did look at the train timetables before we booked the flight to make sure it was possible to get to Kandersteg in time!)
The two websites that give us timetables one was the German rail website and the other was the Swiss one. There isn’t much difference between them, except you can only get the German platforms on the German site and the platforms you should be going to in Switzerland on the Swiss site!
Die Bahn
Swiss Federal Railways
For the German side of the trip a return fare costs £111, or about € 158.
The Swiss return fare costs 284CHF, or about € 187 including booked seats.
Our timetable is below:
Dep. - Frankfurt (M) Flughafen Fernbf - 10:54
Arr. - Mannheim Hbf - 11:24
Dep. - Mannheim Hbf - 11:35
Arr. - Basel SBB - 13:46
Dep. - Basel SBB - 14:04
Arr. - Kandersteg - 16:24
Duration of journey: 5:30
YiS,
D.
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
the info arrived
On Friday I received a nice big pack in the post from Kandersteg! It made very interesting reading over the weekend.
Below is a short list of what was included:
- A letter from Miriam, the Director
- A list of all Staff Members for the summer
- A brief introduction to the Long Term Staff for the summer
- List of Equipment needed
- Cost of living in Switzerland
- A 'what to expect when you arrive' information sheet
- A rough Guide to Kandersteg
- A Kandersteg Dictionary!
- An example of what a typical day will be like
- A Map of Kandersteg Town and the Scout Centre
- A booklet on the town
- Information of the Swiss customs
- Timetable of the trains from Kandersteg
- A copy of Kanderactive
- A letter with regards the European Scout Volunteer Programme
- And a Postcard!
I have exams coming up soon and so does Gillian so I’ll be lying low for a while.
I hope to travel up for National Council on the 11th of May, where I will meet Ryan, Who was on Staff last year, Gillian and Bernie the International Commissioner!
YiS,
Darran.
Monday, April 14, 2003
travel time
Since I know what date I'll need to arrive at the centre, the hunt is on for the cheapest flights. I'm flying from Cork, but nearly all the flights out of Ireland go through either Dublin or London. A few good websites to visit are:
GoHop.ie
AerLingus.com
RyanAir.com
EasyJet.com
Go4Less.ie
I managed to get a flight from Cork to Geneva return for € 255. This left the 13th, the day before I was due to arrive at the centre. They don't really like you doing this, but I thought it was the only way I could do it.
Then I heard Gillian was on going from Dublin to Frankfurt on the 14th and then a train to Kandersteg. I looked into that flight, and it originates in Cork. I booked it with AerLingus, Cork to Frankfurt and return Frankfurt to Dublin (because it didn’t return to Cork) and it cost me € 190. It saves me a bit, and I have someone to travel with, so it's a win-win situation!
I was also in contact with the Swiss Embassy to make sure I don't need a visa (which I knew I didn't, I was just double checking!!!) and it was confirmed, as long as I have a full Irish passport, there would be no problem.
YiS,
D.
Thursday, April 10, 2003
the story so far
Ok, lets fill you all in on the story so far:
After being on a regional Camp to Kandersteg in July 2000, I've had the idea of coming back!
So August last I sent and e-mail off to KISC (Kandersteg International Scout Centre) looking for application forms, which I received thru my e-mail and in the post. The booklets that they sent told me all that would be expected if I took up a position on staff, and I found it very helpful. I kept pondering the idea of Switzerland for 3 months, and finally, mid-January I decided to get everything together and give it my best shot! 2 weeks later I got an e-mail confirming that they received my application and about a month after that I got a job offer. I accepted the offer and then things started to get exciting!
My associations International Commissioner had being informed and being in contact with me and we decided to meet up for a chat! She told me what was needed and that I'm the second person from Scouting Ireland CSI to of being picked. And as far as she knew, the only Scout this year from Ireland!
About a week ago I got a welcome e-mail from Mark (Guest Services Director) in Switzerland, sent to all of the short term staff this summer, just confirming that we needed to arrive at the centre on the 14th of June and before 17:00. And I also found out I’m not the only Irish person on staff either! Gillian, a Guide is also representing Ireland this year! So with Sue, from SAI who is on long-term staff and the two of us, there are three flying the Irish flag this summer!
I’ll keep you informed of what I did with my flights etc soon.
YiS,
D.
Sunday, April 06, 2003
where it all began
This is it! The start of it!
I've decided to make a web log of the next half a year and my experiences! There is only about 10 weeks until I'm due in Switzerland and there is a lot to do. Today I've worked on the site and Next week I'll get ya up to date of my progress so far.
Hope you like the site, and find it useful!
YiS
D.
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