What a busy summer! We have had so many adventures with old friends and new.

We started off at KISC ready to be helpers for three weeks as the new short term summer staff were having their training and settling in to their new roles as Pinkies.
Helpers at KISC are all volunteers, they wear green t shirts and are known as the Green Machine.

In our first few days the new staff were arriving from all over the world. Some were excited and loud, some shy, nervous and quiet. Making them feel welcome and helping them in any way we could was our mission. These young people arrived from all over the world. Matthew & Lucy from the U.K. Charlie & Castley from Australia, Melissa & Simon from South Africa. They had no language barrier and hit it off from day one. Then we had Isuru from Sri Lanka, Bohao from Taiwan, Steve from Macau. We chatted with Isuru about Sri Lanka as we had visited there some years ago. It was good to see him smiling. Sean from Colombia, Pedro, Biscu & Chris from Spain, Catarina from Portugal, Lara from Argentina, Nic from New Zealand. Oh my goodness all these young people arriving to live the dream for the summer. Margaret from Estonia, Nastya from Ukraine, Ellisiv from Norway, Marcy & Filip from Czech Republic, Mazon from Canada, Stef from The Netherlands, Jodi from the U.K. Ylva, Amanda, Linnéa & Signe from Sweden, Katrine from Denmark, Anthony from USA, Marlene from Austria, Max from Germany, Fraser from Scotland, Nahoa from Japan, Hannah from Ireland and finally Jimmy from Egypt. These young people became family over the following three weeks. We became friends, we nurtured, I mothered and we even became known as her “grandparents” to one!

The opening ceremony for summer 2019 was held outside the Old Chalet. What a wonderful sight it was with everyone in their national Scout uniform. We had a “getting to know you” activity session afterwards and there were so many new names to learn.

The training started for the new staff and so did our helper duties. We were in the Chalet Services team. Our rota was split between catering and house. Being a helper is hard work at times especially as the place gets busier. It is rewarding and fun too though. It was summer and the weather was good, so afternoons by the village pool or a gondola ride to Almenalp or Oeschinense were enjoyed. Even taking the dogs for a walk was good fun.

 

When working in catering there is a very special toilet to use. The Smile of the Week Toilet. Each week at KISC they award the title Smile of the Week to a Pinkie and their smiling photo is put up in reception for the week. These photos when removed are used to cover the wall in the basement toilet.

The first Wet & Wild session of the season was an experience for the new staff. Even though the swimming pool is heated it was a chilly and damp evening. But the show must go on and everyone enjoyed themselves. The BBQ was great and we all went home happy.

The short term staff were having sessions in each working area and having them in catering was both challenging and fun. So many people in the kitchen and trying to make sure everyone had a chance to do something was the challenge. They were all smiling when it was time to serve up their food.

Then there were the the fire drills! Obviously a very important part of their training. As a helper I was given a place to stay as the fire alarm sounded. There would be about 6 people hiding around the centre and the staff had to make sure the building was evacuated. There are so many places people could be so this was a hard task but a very important one.

International Evening is another activity that happens every week at KISC and so the staff took part in the first one of the season where they all put their country on display for everyone to enjoy tasting food or drinks, seeing pictures and hearing stories, crafts and badges to swap. Along with line dancing and music this was a lovely evening.

 

Then it was the big day and Graduation! Off they went with a great day ahead of them. It was only helpers at the centre and we had a lovely evening meal together. We waited for the news that the Graduates were at Doris’s all dressed in pink. Then it was off to join them for a celebratory drink.

The next week was spent helping these young people now in pink to settle into their roles. Pinkies at last and so enthusiastic. There was one who wasn’t settling in happily and a few tears were shed. I tried to comfort and support her and hoped she would be fine. I was still worried about her as we left.

We had a couple of days off after our helping duties and we decided to visit Blausee Nature Park. The main feature of this nature park is the beautiful blue lake in the centre with footpaths through the towering pine trees to make your way around it. The lake is crystal clear with big trout swimming around everywhere you look. You can take a boat ride over the lake, have a picnic or BBQ. There’s a lovely restaurant too.

On our last evening at KISC we went down to Des Alpes for a beer or two with these wonderful young people. Well actually most of them had ice creams! It was an amazing few weeks and getting to know them and all their characters was an honour. It was as though I had just gained 36 more kids to worry over and be proud of.

There were many hugs and promises of returning as we finally left KISC.
I know now that these young people will be our friends for the rest of our lives, that our door will always be open to them and our support on offer if ever it is needed.

The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.

Take care, Carol & Andy