International Friendship Week

In September 2023, five members of TG ’13, a Trefoil Guild group from Dundee in Scotland took part in Our Chalet’s International Friendship Week. Our group was celebrating its 10th birthday, and this seemed like the perfect way to celebrate. We thought we’d share some of our experiences, which will hopefully encourage others to consider attending an Our Chalet programme event in the future.

Special Place

For our group, two had never visited Our Chalet before, and we all found it to be a truly special place – the combination of location, history, ethos and the people. The opening night’s pinning ceremony was very moving – was it the swirling mist, the reading of a letter read at the first camp there, or the singing of the Our Chalet song as the flag was raised?

International Friendship Week was made up of a group of 27 in total, aged from 18 upwards, from Scotland, several states in the US, Canada, Australia and Mexico. Some had travelled alone, some in pairs and others in a large group. Activities were in mixed groups, and we all got to meet everyone else over the week.

Adventures

Our activities included new experiences, city tours, adventures, hikes and a leisurely boat trip.

We learnt the sport of Eisstock – a lighter version of curling, hiked through a deep gorge cut into the rocks and tried out glass blowing (and the challenge of bringing a delicate 4-inch glass ball home). One highlight was kayaking on Brienzersee, a glacial blue lake on a hot, sunny, afternoon. We also visited the cities of Luzern and Bern, and took a cable car ride to Bidmi. We then hiked back downhill following a marble run – pitching our wooden marbles against each other.

The onsite day was packed full of team challenges, looking after a hard-boiled egg, and culminating in building a contraption to protect it when dropped from the attic window. It was great fun to share Guiding skills with each other, making fires and shelters, as well as learning to whittle and playing “minute to win it” games.

Our WAGGGS Sisters

As well as the others on our trip, we met the volunteers and paid staff at Our Chalet, representing many different countries. We discovered just how much we had in common with our WAGGGS sisters from around the world. We chatted about camp memories and realised that we sang the same campfire songs. We also learnt about the differences between Girlguiding/Girl Scouting in different countries, uniforms, organisational structures, age groupings and cookies. By the end of the week we had made new friends from all over the world.

Practicalities

Staying at Our Chalet involves shared bedrooms (we put in requests for our roommates when we booked), and shared bathrooms – there were plenty and we never had to queue. You eat family-style, around large wooden tables, with stunning views, and it’s a great way to get to know others on your trip. There are no chores except for one person on each table who serves the evening meal and clears up. Packed lunches are made up at breakfast time, and you can make tea and coffee at any time in the T-bar common room.

We flew from Edinburgh directly to Geneva, and took trains from the Airport Station to Frutigen, where there is a bus to Adelboden. The public transport system is properly integrated and connections are good. If you arrive during office hours, Our Chalet staff will arrange to meet you to take your luggage up the hill, or you can book a taxi to take you at any time.

Amazing Experience

It was an amazing experience, with fantastic weather, a time to have adventures and to enjoy meeting women from around the world who were also involved in Guiding or Girl Scouting.
We are left with wonderful memories, a bag full of swapped badges and our lovely trip badge.

Check the Our Chalet website for details of future events https://worldcentres.wagggs.org/our-chalet/

– Ramanee Bengough, International Friendship Week 2023 Participant

Our experience as specialist volunteers during Summer 2023!

Lauren Flynn, Ireland – Guest Services Specialist Vollie, Summer 2023

The Summer Days fly by at Chalet and every day brings something different. I could be in the office, on Guest Services, in the kitchen, on a programme or all of the above on the same day depending on the day.

A typical office day consists of checking the post box, sending welcome emails to guests and responding to queries, making Guest check-in packs for guests’ arrivals, and updating the green book which is like our bible at Chalet. The green book tells us everything we need to know so that the Summer Days at Chalet run smoothly. It has the guests that are arriving and departing, the tasks for the day, and what programme is taking place. I also make sure that the common areas and bedrooms in Chalet are clean and ready for guests to use. One of the really nice aspects of the role is that you get to meet Guides and Scouts from all over the world.

I have learned a lot from my time at Chalet. The guest service specialist role has given me an insight into the world of hospitality. I feel I also have a better understanding of different cultures as well as people management skills. I would definitely advise volunteering in the Summer Season if you are the type of person who loves to be on the go and wants to gain experience in hospitality and people management, then Summer is the Season for you!

Kirtana Kaur, Malaysia – Marketing & Communications Specialist Vollie, Summer 2023

How has our summer season almost come to an end? Time has gone by so quickly with some of my days at Chalet being packed with various things to do and some days in between being nice and slow which was sort of a good break to have during this busy season. It seems crazy now, looking back and realising how quickly I had applied, undergone an interview and packed my bags to leave Malaysia and come to Our Chalet in the span of less than two weeks. Do I regret making this decision so quickly? Absolutely not. I could not have imagined a better way to spend the past four months.

A day as a Marketing & Communications Specialist specialist normally starts off with either a morning meeting with the rest of the team where one person does an educational presentation, breakfast duty or AM reception. After that, I’ll either start with checking emails and seeing what posts need to be prepared and scheduled if I’m going to be working in the office or I’ll start with cleaning one of the Chalet buildings if I’m on guest services for the day.  A bit more of an insight on the Marketing & Communications role specifically is that I tend to do a lot of editing for upcoming events that will be posted on social media, sort out image consent forms from guests, keep track of sales from our online store as well as frequently check our social media accounts for engagements. On my days off, I was also able to make the most of it by travelling to different parts of Switzerland which I’m very thankful for.

These past four months here at Chalet have been very beneficial to me in vari ous ways. I got to meet so many amazing people from all around the world and learn new things related to my specialist role. Having just finished high school back home, I still have a long way to go from a career perspective. Hence, being given an opportunity like this at such an early age has given me great exposure to a working environment and helped me to improve many skills, especially leadership and time management. Although our season here has been very busy, it was still overall super fun and insightful.

Thank you to Our Chalet for being my home in the Swiss Alps and to the people with me that made it feel like one.

Mary Petriw, Canada – Programme Specialist Vollie, Summer 2023

I first came to Our Chalet in 2015 for a week-long summer youth event. This event helped me to gain confidence and leadership skills, as well as spark my love of hiking. I was a lifeguard and camp counsellor for three summers before graduating with my nursing degree. Now I am a travel nurse, so I pick up contracts in hospitals across Canada to fill their staffing needs. All this experience helped me to gain the position I have now at Our Chalet. If you have similar experience, you may be a good fit here at Chalet.

But would the role be a good fit for you? All volunteers help with the kitchen, cleaning, and bed setting. As the programme specialist, the other days are split between programme days and office days. Programme days are my favourite! You get to lead guests on adventurous programmes around Switzerland such as hikes, high ropes, and ziplining. General volunteers also get to come on programme days, so it is the role of the programme specialist to supervise them and give them opportunities throughout the day that help them improve their own leadership skills. In the office, I help to plan the programme. I organize paperwork from guests who will be participating in future programmes, design plans that the general volunteers can follow to lead programmes and create announcements and posters so that guests have all the information they need for their stay. No day is the same here at Our Chalet. 

It was truly a rewarding experience for me to be the programme specialist here at Our Chalet. I was able to improve my leadership skills by leading various programmes and supervising other staff. I was able to live and work with a diverse team of women from around the world. On my free days, I was able to travel around Switzerland. And most importantly, I was able to provide a similar experience for the guests participating in the summer youth events to the experience that I had in 2015; an experience that changed my life. 

Wow! Is This Really Happening?

See this little munchkin? This is me. I was seven, and a Brownie (though now I would be an Ember), and had just decided that Guiding in Canada was something I was going to stick with forever. I always say I’m going for an 100-year membership pin!

Soon after this, in Guides, we were learning about the World Centres (again) and we made mascots. I chose to make the Our Chalet squirrel, and I was the only one to choose that. Everyone wanted to make Sangelee. (Which is fair, she’s pretty cool). But as I was creating this cute clay squirrel I knew that one day, I would visit Our Chalet. I actually still have it somewhere, reminding me of the goals I set when I was tiny.

Life went on and I stayed in Guiding. I went through Guides and Pathfinders, and then in 2013 I was offered the opportunity to join a Guiding trip to Europe. The group was to visit Pax Lodge, and Our Chalet. I had never wanted anything more, so I joined up.

Two years of fundraising and I’d finally made it. Unfortunately we were only able to stay at the Chalet for two days, but I still treasure those memories.

Walking up the hill the first day (you can never forget Chalet Hill) was tough, but when we got to the Our Chalet sign I knew I was where I needed to be and that I would be back. It felt like coming home, even though I was 9 hours and 8457 km away.

I travelled, I explored, I went to school, I lived life as large as I could. I stayed in Guiding, moving on from being a girl member to working with the littlest Sparks (and loving it, especially when I was able to share my knowledge of world Guiding with them). I went to nursing school. I made friends. I learned new things. I got really good at doing group projects.

I was set to graduate in spring of 2020, so in the fall of 2019 my mum suggested that because I wouldn’t have any commitments the next year, other than working when I could, should I maybe consider applying to volunteer? I’d been talking about it and pondering it since I was young, but it had always been a “maybe someday” event. Now it was turning into a “maybe soon” and then a “definitely soon”.

I was nervous, especially as I was set to enter a career and then disappear for three months, but I decided it would be worth it. I applied in February at the same time as I was applying for jobs and finishing my final practicum. I had my first (and, it turns out, only) job interview around the same time as my Chalet interview. Right at the end, nervous as anything, I mentioned that I really wanted this job and I would be very committed long term buuuuut I was planning a trip to volunteer in Switzerland in the fall. My interviewer right away asked if it was for Girl Guides! Turns out that she had been very involved, had volunteered at Sangam, and had been a high-level commissioner in my province. So she was fully on board with my plan AND I’m pretty sure that conversation is why I got the job!

A lot happened in the next few weeks. On the 25th of February, I was offered the real-life job. I was over the moon. On the 1st of March, I was offered the Our Chalet job for Autumn of 2020. I was over Jupiter and so excited about all the joy that 2020 would bring.

And then, the 14th of March happened. (It was Pi day, but not one that we celebrated).

I was on a night shift on March 13th. It was my final practicum shift after four long years, so I was very excited and relieved as I went home and went to sleep. And I woke up to a different world.

COVID-19 was spreading. You all know this. You all remember. Lockdowns, fear, travel bans. Newly graduated and stuck at home all day – unable to do Guiding (except online), unable to go anywhere, do anything, see anyone. It was a tough time. All the joy that I’d felt in the last few months seeped away as events got cancelled and plans became unsure.

But, day by day, we made it through. I never thought that covid would become an issue, let alone one that would affect us for as long as it has. I figured my volunteer placement would likely still go ahead, and I wouldn’t worry about it for now.

Turns out I should have worried about it. My placement was on hold, then cancelled, then made available again with a lot of maybes, then made available for sure – but Switzerland wouldn’t let me in as I was high risk for complications of Covid. So it turned back into a “maybe next year”.

Thus began three years of will-she-won’t-she, developing a career, and keeping Our Chalet in the back of my mind 82% of the time. Every season I would think about it and decide not to reapply for one reason or another. I was offered a position for summer, but I had just started a new job that was summer-intensive and that I wanted to spend the rest of my career in. Then I was offered for autumn, but with lots of covid regulations still in place – not something I really wanted to have to worry about. Winter was never something I wanted to do. It started to feel like I was coming up with reasons not to go – and then Chalet closed so it became once again just a dream. During this time, the application process changed. I applied to Campfire (a great resource!) with a mind to eventually apply to volunteer at Our Chalet – and that application process took a lot longer than anticipated so I am glad I started when I did!

The same week my Campfire application – two years almost to the day after I should have started my position – was finally approved, Our Chalet was seeking Spring 2023 volunteers. I figured it was now or never and applied before I had too much time to think about it.

September 24th, 2022 I had an(other) interview. I had pulled out my notebook from my original interview so found all the answers I had already been wondering about. (I had also had many questions answered via the many, many emails I had sent over the last years). I had just finished a night shift (I think that is currently the last overnight shift I worked) and the details are foggy. I know I had to ask for more repetition than I like to – my tired brain gears were whirring but not turning anything. It also felt like I was just going through the motions because it had not worked out so many times, why would this time be any different?

I started telling everyone that I had applied but was trying to keep my expectations low. It had been so long that I was not confident it would finally work out. I went about life, tentatively planning but not really.

October 5th – I got the email. I got in.

(When I finally told everyone, they all said “Of course you did. We all saw that coming.” Confidence in yourself, folks, would have taken me a long way!)

I was so excited and so nervous. Was this really finally happening?

It sure was.

Follow your dreams. Things have a way of working out in the absolute best way.

-Maryna

Autumn Volunteer 2020 Spring Volunteer 2023

My Life Changing Winter.

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G´day, I’m Mollie, from Melbourne, Australia. I started my season here at Our Chalet on the 1st of December 2022. I found out I was coming to live in Switzerland after only hearing about the opportunity for a short amount of time. I’ve never been known as a spontaneous person but believe me when I say I jumped straight into this experience like I’ve been waiting to come here my whole life.  So, if you have the opportunity to come and visit or work/volunteer at a World Centre don’t say no, just go for it!

Girl Guides have always been a huge part of my life starting from my grandmother to both my parents being involved in their local scouts and Guides. So, you could kind of say it was never a surprise that this is where I ended up…

I love all the opportunities Girl Guides has given me over my life, to make me feel empowered and like I have a voice in today’s society, travelling around the world and inspiring others around me. I have recently opened my own unit back home for young guides and I can’t wait to share my experience living at Our Chalet with them.

Winter Weather

Snow wasn’t entirely new to me growing up in England, but I have learnt and experienced many more adventures in the snow that are not as easily completed in Australia (Especially this time of year). As a group of volunteer’s day one we made a snowman and had a snowball fight. I also went on a snowshoeing hike for the first time, challenged myself on Skis and went sledging. I pushed myself to set new challenges and get out of my comfort zone.

Activities

Getting the opportunity to be the programme intern this season meant I got to experience lots of new activities with many different groups of people. I learnt how to Eisstock, which is the ice equivalent of Bocce. I went bouldering despite being afraid of heights, I walked and kept on walking when my feet ached, and I was ready to give up. I was able to bring lots of smiles to the visitor’s faces and see them push themselves through their fears.

Helen Storrow picked Adelboden, this place high up on the mountain as a place for us to have adventures and push ourselves through climbing and walking. I feel I have achieved this and so much more. I also got to watch as other people experienced this as well, making it even more memorable.

Friendships

The friendships I have formed here were one of the quickest and easiest I’ve ever experienced. From feeling physically nauseous the whole trip here to meeting my first friend on the train who was the most genuinely happy and excited person to be going back to Our Chalet. It instantly calmed me, and I knew this one person like so many others would be the reason why this season was so incredible. My roommate is someone I have become extremely close to as well and I already have plans to visit them at home in Argentina and meet their wonderful Guide group. Every one of the volunteers has been a huge part of my experience here and I am so grateful for each of them. Even after we have all had the longest and most exhausting day, we can always bring a smile to each other’s faces and just enjoy each other’s company.

I now can’t wait to go and visit all these people around the world and fully submerge myself in the cultures they have shared and taught me all about.

This experience is just life changing and I have learnt so many new experiences, cultures, and areas of who I am, that I get to carry this knowledge for the rest of my life.  My advice for an experience like this would be to learn and experience all that you can from this adventure and take each challenge and day as it comes. No day is easy but getting to do it with these amazing people in this amazing place made it all worth it.

It feels inspiring to be in such a place as this and know that no one other than the people here has experienced all the things I have. I’ve learnt new skills and things about me I didn’t know were possible.

I really hope that one day I can bring a group with me to Our Chalet and inspire another volunteer to take on this challenge and experience and find a home in this place High up on the Mountain…

Thank you, Our Chalet and all the Winter Volunteers and staff of 2022/23,

LISA’S CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Being my first time in Europe, I was excited about environmental and climatic changes. For the first time in my life, I experienced snow. Although it has been so cold, it has been a great experience wearing five tops and three pairs of trousers every day. I walked through the snow for hiking. It was tiresome, but it was a great experience. Here in our chalet, we have lovely staff that loves teaching you how to ski. The food in Switzerland is quite different from the food in Nigeria. But I did not have problems with that at all. Sitting at the same table with people from different backgrounds and cultures gave me a sense that great things shall happen when the world unites. It also reminds me of Dr. Martin Luther King’s favourite speech, “I have a dream!” Also, working with people from different backgrounds and skill sets has shaped my collaborative skills.

I have not seen the culture as I do in Nigeria, but the people are lovely. For the first time, I saw a working system. Shops without attendants, Trains without conductors, yet everybody pays. This has built my cross-cultural awareness. If there is one thing I learned here, it is honesty. And I believe it has been knitted into the fabric of the country’s culture.

In Nigeria, and to a large extent, West Africa, people who live in cities and towns do not stay in cabin houses. They usually live in concrete houses with fortified walls. However, in Switzerland, I stay in a cabin house. It makes me feel close to nature. There has not been any power outage so far, unlike my country which has a power crisis. I also realize that in the part of Switzerland I am, there are few people of African descent. I travelled through town and saw just one black-skinned person. The periodic presentations aided me to sharpen my communication skills, critical thinking, and creative skills. At Our Chalet volunteers are trained in different areas. I can say I am very bold to do presentations without any fear. Even if I make mistake. There is a nice team that encourages you … that you did well, not putting you down.

Overall, it has been a learning experience that has built my capacity and enlightened me. I would have wished to stay for some more days, but I understand that I must give way for another to step in when my time is due.

 Thank you for the opportunity given to me to serve.

11,167.64 kilometers of learning and dreams fulfilled!

11,167.64 are the kilometers between the two places I can call home.

When this adventure began, the distance was an issue in my mind. I knew it was going to be fine and that it was going to be a positive experience because it was with the Guides, the best lifestyle that can exist, but the distance and traveling alone for the first time were challenges that I had to overcome to be able to live this moment.

One of my dreams as a Guide for more than 24 years is to be able to know all the World Centres.

In 2018 I had the opportunity to visit Our Cabaña at a special event for the Western Hemisphere Region.

When the possibility of volunteering for the 2022/2023 winter season at Our Chalet came up, I didn’t hesitate for a minute. Although for the Guides of Argentina, it is not a World Centre that we visit a lot, it was a dream and a great expectation. Especially,

without thinking too much, Our Chalet together with the people who work here, helped me to achieve another part of this dream, being a volunteer in Our Chalet, I was able to know Pax Lodge.

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I can say that Our Chalet is a magical place because besides fulfilling dreams, you grow and learn something new every day.

If I have to describe my experience in Our Chalet it would be using only one word: learning, without hesitation. In every aspect, I learned something new: nature, cooking, maintenance, the history of Our Chalet, life in Switzerland, and in all the countries that are represented in Our Chalet during the winter season and many other aspects.

I totally believe that everyone can teach you something and you can teach too.

I return to Argentina with millions of new knowledge and experiences.

I am very grateful to the Guides, who change and inspire lives and to the family, we were in this season, which will stay with me forever.

Thank you so much, Our Chalet!

Belu

Key to 21st at Our Chalet

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How do I feel about being a volunteer at Our Chalet?
The very first experience of Europe, Switzerland, winter, and snow has become a great adventure and an abiding experience.
A flashback to the first day, the journey to Our Chalet was full of excitement and nice view! My first experience of snowfall at Adelboden Oey was so cold comparing the tropical island I come from, which is Sri Lanka.

It is a universal truth that things we learn through experience will never fade away. Learning the diversity, cultures, and languages of other volunteers has improved my knowledge and respect towards every difference. Working in a volunteer spirit, engaging in activities through cooperation and communication. I name it the best quality I have learned in my life.

“Learn a new thing every day.” I suggest it as golden advice and as a quote to future volunteers who take up roles and responsibilities in protecting and developing our “Our Chalet.” The oldest and the most beautiful world centre.

There is nothing that can be achieved without challenges and obstacles. I often face challenges, but a reflection on my potential and capacity has made me shine up high even through millions of barricades.
Exploring Switzerland’s amazing nature and beauty, culture, and winter sports are sassy! It has helped me a lot to build up my self-confidence and endurance by myself.

Spending my 21st at Our Chalet the heart of the Alps is remarkable. I feel unlocked to a door of opportunities that lasts forever and which brings me luck and value for the coming years of my life path.

Thank you Our Chalet!

Dimithri

”Gluten-Free at Our Chalet”

When you think about Switzerland, the first two things you think about are the mountains and the food! Where I live in a suburb of Chicago, USA is almost completely flat.  I have been eating gluten-free (non-Celiac gluten intolerance with extreme sensitivity to cross-contamination) for over twelve years now. Could I climb every mountain and make it to Our Chalet with enough snacks to last me through the program?

The short answer is that I didn’t even open the bag of snacks I brought. The kitchen staff and vollies (short-term volunteers from around the world) kept me well-fed and away from pesky gluten crumbs throughout my stay at Our Chalet.

Staff responded to my emailed questions in advance of the program and there was always a space to alert them of any special needs for those in your group. As always, please communicate any special needs and dietary requirements well in advance. During my winter stay for the New Year’s Break program, I was the only guest with a special diet.

For breakfast, gluten-free food, including yoghurt, bread and small servings of butter and jam, were placed on a small table as well as a clearly marked toaster that was dedicated to gluten-free. Everyone shared one beverage table, loaded with a variety of tea, coffee, juice, and cocoa options.

Lunch was always “assemble your own”. Our packing list asked us to bring lunch bags and lunch boxes. Essentially, this meant bringing a reusable lunch box or bag and sandwich bags. Every day, I had enough fixings to make a sandwich and then two other items, like cut-up cucumbers, rice cucumbers, cookies, or pretzels. My lunch assembly materials were kept with my breakfast food on a small table while everyone else had their food separate (again, I was the only special diet guest that week). Everyone else had similar setups with assembly. The lunch options were filling enough for me, but you may want to pack an extra granola bar or two for easy snacking while hiking. We ate our lunches on the go – one day that meant on a giant rock overlooking a lake and another day on top of a mountain before a snowy hike!

Dinner is served family style with dishes brought to the table and everyone helping serve each other from big bowls. Vollies sit interspersed amongst the guests for great dinner-time cross-cultural conversations. Each evening, the dinner menu was announced on the large whiteboard menu. Choices were clearly marked “gf” if they were already gluten-free for all. If something was not gluten-free, the staff had me bring my plate up as soon as all the dishes were brought to the tables (something that took only moments) and I served myself from a small serving dish. I was always free to come up for seconds. Every time, I had the same dish everyone else was eating, just without the offending gluten. Desserts are often fruit based so I almost always had the same dessert as everyone else without any modifications. Otherwise, I had my own small dish.

Overall, I highly recommend coming to Our Chalet. I was a tiny bit nervous about the food but all worries were put to rest after my first bite of dinner. I will be sad to go home and cook my own food again! The food is delicious and is made with such love and care by all the staff and vollies! Thank you!

About the Author

Michelle leads Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Troop 2385 as well as several travel groups at Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. She is also a Gold Award Girl Scout, Lifetime Member, and a Thanks Badge Recipient. When not volunteering or dreaming about her next travel adventures (she still has two more World Centres to visit!), she is a middle school bilingual special education teacher.

7,249m above sea level

Back home in the UK I had always enjoyed being in the outdoors and so I was ready to explore Switzerland by hiking. A great thing about hiking is that it’s very cheap and is available for everyone. I had climbed mountains back home, sure, but bear in mind that the highest mountain in Wales is only 1,085m which isn’t even as high as Chalet! So, was I underestimating the Swiss Alps slightly? Probably, but I decided to see this as a challenge and see what I could do. As it turns out, the hikes that I did were some of the best I had ever done and now I want to carry that on when I return home and explore more of my home country.

Mt Niesen – 2362m                     

My first mountain to climb was Mt Niesen, a very triangular shaped mountain, but no, it’s not the Toblerone mountain that many think it is – that’s the Matterhorn standing at a grand total of 4,478m. I think if I tried to climb that I might not make it!

I started off very early, around 5:30am. I knew it was going to be an extremely hot day so I wanted to start in the coolness of the day, or what there would be of it.  Travelling to Mullenen from Chalet was simple and from there it was not far to the start of the trail. The trail runs closely to the funicular that runs up Niesen for those who don’t want to climb it. Very quickly, the trail became very steep, pushing up the elevation gain. Like all swiss trails, it was very well signposted and meant that I couldn’t get lost which is a good thing as my sense of direction is not fantastic. A lot of the trail was through woodland or covered by trees so that was a welcome shelter from the heat. Needless to say, it was still very warm and there were many water breaks along the way. All in all, the hike was 9km with 1865m of elevation gain. Once I reached the top, the weather was on my side and I had spectacular views across the valley. I could see Lake Thun and Lake Brienz as well as all the other mountains around me. I enjoyed some chips and a coke as a reward for getting up to the top before heading down on the funicular and returning to Chalet for a well-deserved rest and an early night!

Bunderspitz – 2546m

This was a tricky one. The other vollies and I did it as a sunrise hike leaving at 2:30 in the morning! Heading up it was actually easier in the dark – you couldn’t see how far you had left to go so that was a bonus! It was also a really clear night and the stars were amazing to look at.  Once we got used to the dark, we didn’t need our headtorches, and walked most of the way by the light of the stars. We took a break at the mountain hut, before pushing on to the peak for sunrise. We made it up by 6:30, the weather stayed on our side and the view was absolutely breath taking! Standing on top of the mountain at 2,546m high, watching the sunrise and the colours in the sky were stunning. The photos did not do it justice! We stayed at the top watching the sunrise and having breakfast, which for me consisted of pesto pasta and chocolate milk for me! We then made our way back down to Chalet to start the work day. In total the hike was 11.8km with 1572m of elevation gain. Fair to say we were all pretty tired that day, but the experience was just something not to be missed.

Elsighorn – 2341m

This was another sunrise hike that I did with one of the other volunteers. We set off from Chalet around midnight, with most of the hike being on the road, which meant that it wasn’t too hard for us to get lost! We were actually making very good time on our hike, and so had to take a fair few longer breaks lower down. We didn’t want to be at the peak for too long as it was getting quite cold and windy lower down so we knew it would be colder and windier at the top. We sheltered behind some buildings, and had a quick nap, although we did get very cold very quickly when we stopped walking so had to layer up. We then headed up for the final leg of our journey, rather cold at this point but having to delayer before long as we got too hot again! At the top of Swiss mountains there is always a wooden cross to mark the peak. In order to get to the peak of Elsighorn, you have to go across a short but very narrow section – one slip will send you down the mountain and needing to be rescued in a helicopter. Don’t do that it’s expensive! We made it to the top and once again the views were spectacular! It was very chilly, but we soon layered up and enjoyed the sunrise, above the clouds and looking into the Adelboden  and Kandersteg valleys. In total the hike was 12km with 1070m of elevation gain. We enjoyed the sunrise and then headed back down to Frutigen, rewarding ourselves with pizza before heading back to Chalet for a well-deserved rest and an early night!

If you do get a chance whilst you are here to do a sunrise hike, I really recommend it. It’s tough but the feeling at the peak and watching the sunrise is just something that can’t be missed! Here are some of my top tips for a sunrise hike:

TOP TIPS FOR SUNRISE HIKES

• Make sure you have a clear idea of where you are going. You do have to fill in a route card and get it approved before you go but I would also recommend downloading the Swiss Mobility App which has all the trails for all seasons. It’s a great app to have if you want to check you are still on the right route.
• Watch the weather – there were a couple of times when I wanted to do a sunrise hike but the weather was against me and so I had to change the date.
• Don’t go alone – firstly it’s a lot more fun if you go with someone else rather than just on your own, and secondly if something does happen (you could be halfway up a mountain in the middle of the night) then you have someone else who can help you.
• Be prepared – make sure you have clothing for weather that you are not expecting – it’s better to have too much than not enough.
• Know your limits – be aware of how you are feeling that day and what you might have the next day. Sunrise hikes can take it out of you and left me pretty tired. If you don’t think you can make it, don’t do it.
• Camel backs are amazing. Especially if you drink a lot of water when you hike, they are superb for carrying extra water and making sure you stay hydrated.
• Make sure you have enough food and water, always pack more than you think you need.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and hopefully it’s given you some ideas about the hiking opportunities that you can do at Chalet!

‘Two weeks of amazing people’

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Our Chalet moments

Hi, my name is Izzy, and I am a short-term volunteer (a shortie) from England. I’ve been in Guiding since I was five and now help at my local Brownie unit, helping deliver experiences to others that have truly helped shape me!

I visited the Chalet when I was 14 as a Guide and as I stood watching the sunrise from Bunderspitz, I vouched to myself that I’d be back one day. Four years later, here I am! As always, the time has flown past with exploring, hiking, a bit of work, and course, eating far, far too much 90th Birthday cake.

Learning week

Although I’ve only been here for a few weeks, the Chalet can be easily likened to one big welcoming family. There are so many similarities to bond over and experiences of others to hear from. When I first visited the chalet, I vividly remember feeling for the first time that Guiding is something much greater than a meeting that is a few hours a week. I knew this before, but I’d never actually realized it or taken the time to reflect on the meaning of that.

Being part of the 90th birthday celebrations has truly solidified this knowledge. The only word that I can use to describe seeing generations of previous staff discussing their experiences and knowledge together is amazing. It was truly amazing to hear the long-lasting impact that the Chalet has had on so many people’s lives, reinforced by the knowledge that these individuals went out and made changes in all the places they returned to. My experience was truly inspiring, and I cannot wait to come again!

#WAGGGSWorldCentres #OurChalet #WAGGGS

Sisterhood

Instagram: @izzyy.james