A SCOUT group from Rainhill had the adventure of a lifetime when they went to stay at a campsite in the Swiss Alps

The 24 scouts from the 5th St Helens Scouting Group spent five days at Kandersteg International Scout Centre which is 1,200m above sea level and just north of the Bernese Alps.

The centre was opened in 1923 by the founder of the Scout movement, Lord Baden Powell, who dreamed of a place where scouts from all across the globe could meet.

Whilst in Kandersteg the scouts explored the town, learned about the culture and took part in a number of activities at the centre including shelter building, crate stacking and teamwork exercises.

A highlight of the trip was the journey to the nearby Lake Oeschinesee which sits at just under 1,600m above sea level. They had to take a cable car 400m up a nearby mountain range before a 20-minute hike to the lake. At the lake, the scouts had the opportunity to swim in glacial waters, hire rowing boats and take part in a toboggan run.

Scout leader Dave Harrison-Howard said: “The trip was two years in the making, with numerous fundraising events taking place over that period of time. Through the generosity of the local community and local businesses matching funding through Barclays Bank, we were able to raise just over £6,700, which helped greatly with making this adventure possible in the first place."

Kane Maloney, assistant scout leader, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the scouts to be a part of - something they will remember for the rest of their lives. For some, this was their first trip abroad and being able to offer them this opportunity is something which all the leaders will forever cherish."