World Scout Centre celebrates 100 years

3 minutes
KISC activity

Celebrations to mark 100 years of the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) have gotten off to an incredible start with almost 200 Scouts and Guides from 53 different countries attending events in the lead up to a summer of festivities.

Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, KISC embodies the dream of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouts Movement, to create a home for Scouts that acts as a permanent mini jamboree. It was established in 1923 when the world was reeling from the destruction of World War I. A century later, the World Scout Centre remains relevant to Scouts today by staying true to its aims of inspiring, challenging and educating young people from different nationalities and diverse cultures and backgrounds through high adventure, international friendship, and sustainable development.

KISC chalet

A century of making a better world possible

Kicking off the milestone celebrations have been two successful events. International Rover Week, which ended on 4 January, saw 29 young adult Scouts from the six Scouting Regions take part in youth advocacy training on human rights, peace education, and sustainability and develop skills towards creating global change starting with local communities.

In “Welcome to the Centenary”, participants came together for five days of activities, adventure, and international Scouting. Spanning the New Year period, 170 participants from

Participants from 45 countries were fortunate to welcome 2023 with an event designed to create a sense of belonging that featured an emotional video of KISC's history, incredible laser show, and live music.

Addressing the New Year crowd, Jack Higgins, director of KISC, reminded Scouts of the anniversary’s significance: "The centenary of KISC offers an opportunity for the whole world to celebrate its achievements, secure its future, and share its vision”.

KISC 100 logo

Register for upcoming events

The highlight of the year will be Kander 100, a once-in-a-lifetime jamboree for young people that will take place between 27 July and 8 August. We encourage Scouts to register to join and show the world what is possible when young people live and work together without borders.

Participants are encouraged to develop a programme tailored to their needs by choosing from a wide range of activities, like hiking, local cultural experiences, social cafés, and much more.

Rarely can a non-profit organisation claim it has successfully operated for 100 years. Amid wars, economic tides, and - most recently - a global pandemic, KISC has not only survived but flourished for a century. In a world faced with critical challenges, KISC continues to show what is possible when young people live and work together without borders.