10 - 16 June 2017

Finally it's time for the first training week in the Kandersteg International Scout Centre, also known as KISC. It was a lot of listening and sitting down, to what my body isn't used to, but it was very useful information.

The training on Saturday only started at 4 PM, so I had a lot of time in the morning and afternoon. I moved my stuff to my room for the next three months, which I share with Moemi from Japan and Rebecca from the United Kingdom. Until the start of the training I relaxed a lot and I spent some time socialising. The training started in the Staff Room with some rules and a tour through the chalet. We also had an introduction round, but there are to many names to remember, so I think that will take a while. After dinner we also got our keys, so we can enter everything in the building. Especially the kitchen and fridges are nice to reach, because I still feel like my body is in a sort of cycle mode ;p.

The next started with a Tought For The Day (TFTD), a meeting about everything that is going to happen that day. Every working day will start with this the rest of my time at KISC. These weeks we (all 37 Short Term Staff (STS)) were divided in four groups with the name of an alpine animal. My group was called the Mountain Hares and my group mates were Teresa (ES), Eleanor (UK), Arthur (UK), Lizzy (UK), Dhanu (LK), Adri (BR), Nathan (CA) and Tiago (PT). I can write down every session we had these days, but I think that's not interesting and I will forget the details in time, so I only point the things out I would like to remember. We had a lot of information about Program today, what sounds very nice to me, especially the Hike and Climbing Guides part. At the end of the two weeks of training we have to tell our preferences, where we would like to work. There are three teams: Chalet Services, Campsite and Program. And Program is also devised in three parts: Hiking, Climbing and Activities. In the afternoon we had an instruction about what to do when there is a fire. Very useful! And at the end of the day we had a session called 'End of the Day'. That was about reflection on the last two days. We were also divided in groups and I was talking with Ana (ES) and Sophie (UK). They are both Long Term Staff (LTS). And my small End of the Day group was also with Natascha (AU), Carlos (MX) and Albie (ZA). After dinner we also had an introduction to one of the Weekly Activities we run at the Centre. It was called 'Race the World' and it was very funny with some small games in teams.

The next day we had more sessions. The one I liked the most was the one in the Kitchen. Nathaniel (US) and I had to do the wraps with one of the helpers, Jack (UK). That wasn't very difficult, but it was a challenge to make a gluten free wrap. And we grated the cheese. Not with a small slicer, but with a big machine that could slice almost everything and also could be used to make dough. Very funny! We also had some sessions on campsite, which also sounds nice to me, now I know a bit more about it. After dinner I cycled a bit, because I had to much energy. That was very nice!

On Tuesday we had a nice tour through the village, so I hope I can find everything I need now ;p . It was very funny!

Wednesday we had more training. There was a very funny moment in the session about Customer Care, because we were talking about difficulties when someone doesn't speak English. I had to pretend I was a guest who only spoke Dutch. I had to tell Lizzy (UK) about my car that had a flat tyre at the beginning of the village (a few kilometres) and had caused a traffic jam, because there were also some cows crossing the road. You should have seen her face! So confused. But very funny for me ;p. In the afternoon we had an inspiring training about leadership, where we hiked a bit in the direction of the Ueschinental. And after dinner it was time for the International Evening. Together with Inge (Dutch but living in Sweden) we represented the Netherlands. She had a lot of Dutch food and candies and I had brought my bike and told a bit about it. It was also very nice to learn a bit more about the people from the different countries, that are also here. In the end Eleanor (UK) taught us a traditional Scottish dance. Not to difficult and even funny for someone who doesn't dance a lot, like me.

In the morning of Thursday we had some sessions and the one I liked the most was about communication and the differences between cultures and people. Very interesting! And then we had the Cheesery Hike. I was really looking forward to do some exercise and the hike was nice. We had a lot of amazing views and a good time together. We even learned a bit more about leading groups on a hike. And I experienced I don't like it to walk down from a mountain, because my knees are starting to hurt, but maybe this hike was just very steep. In the evening we did the Kander Challenge. A game with different teamwork exercises. I liked it! After that we were invited by the helpers (former Pinkies who stay for a shorter time) to have a drink at Des Alpes. Also very nice.

On Friday we had our first day off. Whooohooo! I relaxed a lot and in the afternoon we went to the Swimming pool. The water was pretty cold, so I didn't swim a lot, but it was refreshing. After dinner all the STS met in the staffroom to make a decision about which idea we are going to use for the staffboard. And after a lot of talking, voting and talking it seems we are going to do something with a bike wheel. Interesting!