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Official online magazine of Scouting Ireland

Eoins Moon walk challengeChristmas Message from the Chief ScoutChristmas treats from the Cub Scouts

Happy Christmas Everyone!

December 2011

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Rover wins extreme race p.38

In this issue...

Welcome to the Christmas issue of the Inside Out your Monthly Online Magazine for

all that is going on in Scouting Ireland.

This month sees the launch of our new design and layout. Really hope you like it! Big thank you to Peter

Sheehan from the Team for the excellent work he has done in designing the new look and to Neil Mahony for

laying out the content.

Features this month include National News, lots of articles submitted by Groups and Counties, the Christmas

message from the Chief Scout, Cub Scout Corner, Beaver Scout news, and lots more. But don’t keep it to yourself

pass it on to your fellow Scouts and Scouters. How about this for a new year’s resolution for 2012 “I’m going to

make sure my Group features in Inside Out.

So hope you enjoy this month’s issue. The deadline for next month’s submissions is 31st Dec to.

communications@scouts.ie. On behalf of the Communications team can I wish you a very happy Christmas and

see you next Year!

Jimmy Cunningham

Communications Commissioner

“The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others” -Robert -Baden-Powell

Chief Scout Diary Eoins MoonwalkAdventure SkillsHillwalking ConferenceSanta at Larch HillD2DSI GalleryStar Scout Show Adult ResourcesBlast from Past

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Chief Scout, Michael John Shinnick

Colour party at attention

Chief Scout Christmas message 2011

Memorable Scout Ceremony at Merchants’ Quay

To all scouts across the island let us always remember those less well off than

ourselves and keep in mind our elders at this time of year. Let’s offer a helping

hand to those that need it, for whatever reason.

As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December’s

bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are

worth the effort, and people to whom we are also worth the same. What we give to

others fosters generosity of hearth and an outward focus on friends, relatives and

those in need of our support, what we want for Christmas ourselves sometimes

can breed selfishness, if not tempered by what we give to others.

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a heart wide open

On Sunday 20th November 2011, a ceremony was held in, Merchants’ Quay, Dublin, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 61st Dublin Scout Group. The event was attended by hundreds of scouts from groups in Dublinia Scout County and also by the De La Salle Waterford Scout Pipe Band.

The Chief Scout, M. J. Shinnick, was welcomed on arrival by the Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Bro. Niall O’Donnell ofm, the County Commissioner, Pat McCartin, and the Group Leader of the 61st Dublin, Declan O’Reilly. A guard of honour of beavers, cubs and scouts from Dublinia Scout County was inspected by the Chief Scout to the accompaniment of the Waterford Scout Pipe Band. The ceremony commenced with a parade of group flags into the church led by a main colour party of Merchants’

that thinks of others first, and least we forget as Scouts, that the message of Christmas is, that the material world is bound to the invisible spiritual world, we also live in, .Le Gach dea-fhui I gcomhair na Nollaig is na h-athblianaWith every good wish for Christmas and the New Year.Michael J Shinnick Chief Scout

Quay scouts dressed in the five uniforms worn by Merchants’ Quay since its foundation in 1931.

In his address to the gathering, the Chief Scout paid tribute to the long history of scouting in the 61st Dublin. He gave particular praise to the resilience of the current team of scout leaders in Merchants’ Quay who had guided the group through a very difficult period in recent years. He also acknowledged the contribution to scouting of the scout groups in Dublinia Scout County, some of which are among the oldest scout groups in the country.

The ceremony was followed by a parade and march-past of scouts along the South Dublin Quays led by the pipe band. All in all, it was a day to remember for existing members and for the many past members, friends and parents who attended.

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Chief Scout’s Diary

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Chief Scout cutting the cake

Raheny Scouts celebrate 31 years

in their Scout den.

Chief Scout Visits 4th/5th/129th/190th Dublin

Scouting has been a part of Raheny for over 60 years, first as part of the 72nd

then a joint group with them before branching out on our own as the 73rd. Over the

years the group met in many locations for their weekly meetings but finally we got

some land and built a small den in the 60’s. We quickly outgrew this and in the 70’s

the designs were done and work started on our current den. In November 1980 we

officially opened it with Charles Haughy performing the opening ceremony.

The Chief Scout paid a visit to Navan Road Dublin 4th/5th/129th/190th to present some Chief Scout awards. The presentation took place on Sunday Dec 4th and the Scouts who received the awards on the day were Rachael Murphy, Kyle Douglas and Ronan Schutte

The Chief scout also took the opportunity to meet with GL Paul Walsh, Betty Barry and Order of Cu Chulainn award holders Paddy Kelleher and Gus Gibney..

To mark 31 years in the den the groups decided to have a reunion of past leaders and ventures. The date was set for Saturday 19th November as it was the nearest to the official opening and the word went out. Despite people being spread far and wide the message got out and people came from as far afield as Switzerland for the night! Everyone was encouraged to bring any old memorabilia and photo’s that they still had for the evening and there were many stories relived, and quite a few embellishments too! We were lucky to have our very first 2 scout leaders on the night, Eric Duffy and Ciaran Barry, as well as the designer of the den Leo George Devitt. Our current leaders were also down in force and we had a

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Chief Scout’s Diary

surprise visit from Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick as well. After some time in the den we continued the festivities in the local watering hole that has so often been the location of extra-curricular meetings.

Raheny Scouters down in force

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Niamh, Eamon and the Chief Scout Minister John O’Dowd opening Scout Den

Scout County parade

Special Cake for the achievement

The Chief calls to see the 23rd Antrim Lisburn

Chief Scout in Portadown to mark the Opening of their new Den

The Chief took part in the Brian Boru Scout County Parade in Portadown. The Chief was accompanied on the Parade by Wendy Morrow Provincial Commissioner Northern Province , County Commissioner Danny Hagan and groups from Brian Boru Scout County.

After the Parade it was the opening of the New Scout Den. The opening was preformed by Minister John O Dowd Minister of Education Northern Ireland, the Chief Scout and a Beaver scout from the 2nd Portadown.

On Saturday the 5th Dec the Chief scout headed north to visit the 23rd Antrim. It was a very special night for Niamh Mc Crossan and Eamon Compston who received their Chief Scout awards. A special cake was made to celebrate Naimh and Eamon’s achievement.

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Chief Scout’s Diary

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Casper - Spiritual

Headline

Developing our Sprituality

This months article deals with the SPICE character Casper. In the beaver

handbook we are introduced to the character Casper.

If you would like to know a little about Casper we have a profile of Casper in

the box. At lodge time you may find it useful to do a profile of your lodge , it

is a great way to get to know interesting facts about the others in your lodge.

Firstly , we need to explore what we mean by Spiritual development ,

From meeting groups around the country it is clear that many struggle with introducing the spiritual SPICE into the programme.

Many scouters hear the words spiritual and immediately think about organized religion. But as we see from the definition above introducing the Spiritual element is so much more. It is about respecting yourself and others , exploring yours and others beliefs and gaining inspiration from the beauty of the world around us.

This time of year is a wonderful time to explore the world around us. Watching a sunrise on a cold winters morning surrounded by your friends is a great activity , could be organized following a sleepover. Another activity could be to feed the birds or swans on a snowy frosty morning.

It is a natural time of the year for reflection , as the year comes to a close , nature goes through a period of hibernation awaiting the promise of new life in the Spring. A log chew could be held under a big oak tree and review the year and planning next years programme.

The spirituality of human beings (from the latin word spiritus, mind), is everything that relates to their beliefs, value system and emotions.

Developing our spirituality means enriching the relations that we experience as an individual:

» The relation to ourselves (learn to know ourselves better), » The relation to others (Learn to

accept the existence of others and discover the people that we meet), » The relation to the world around

us.

Christmas is a wonderful time for giving , sometimes a simple thank you is enough. At Christmas time we often think of others , who perhaps are not as fortunate as us, and many groups get involved in gift collections such as the Shoebox appeal.

By the way Casper would like to say “ Merry Christmas” to all the beaver scouts and scouters and wishes them all the best for the new year.

Casper Profile

Age – 6

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Spiritual - Casper

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Casper’s favorite GameName : Spoons

Equipment : 5 spoons , 2 chairs

Method: » Line up two teams facing each other. » Place a chair at both ends in the

middle. » Number each side . » Place 3 spoons in the center and 1

spoon on each of the chairs. » Call a number » Both beavers run to be the first to

collect 3 spoons on their chair.

Rules: » You can only carry one spoon at a

time » You can rob a spoon from your op

ponents chair. » Not allowed to throw the spoons.

The following Story can be read to the beaver scouts to help explain the characteristics of Casper.

The beaver scouts can be asked to answer the following questions to get a discussion started.

Was Casper a hero ? What things did Casper do to help the world around him ?What help did Casper get from his friends ?

Likes Beaver scouts Playing games with his friendsNature walksSailing ( with his parents) Dislikes People who shout Football

Favourite Game Spoons ( it’s great fun , you need a plan )

The Fox Lodge left the crannog early one morning , just as the sun was rising in the East. “What a beautiful Sunrise and a wonderful way to start our Nature Walk” remarked Casper. They all agreed that it was inspiring and they were all happy until they heard a strange gurgling sound coming from behind a tree. They were all a little frightened until Spike said “it may be an injured animal I will take a look”.

Casper went with him and they found a young purple headed dodo bird with its neck stuck in the top of a plastic bottle. Dodo birds are very rare and very fast and people do not get to see them too often. They are one of the most beautiful birds in the world and there

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Biggest Achievement Winning at spoons the first night in beavers.

Before I Sleep I say “ Thanks for today”

Future I want everybody to be happy.

Best Friend Star , I think she is cool.

Casper and the Purple Headed Dodo Bird

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SPICES Logo - Spiritual

Scouters Zone

» A Scout is able to listen to others and to their experiences before making judgements about them » A Scout is able to show compassion

for the needs and humanity of others » A Scout understands and can

WONDER at the natural world » A Scout is sensitive to the wonders

of nature and life » A Scout is aware of the threats to the

natural environment and his/her impact on the world around him » A Scout is able to act responsibly in

responding to the world around him/her » A Scout is able to recognize that the

natural world shows him something that is beyond himself/herself (a spiritual reality) » A Scout WORKS to create a more

tolerant and caring society » A Scout plays an active role in his/

her community » A Scout is able to share

responsibility » A Scout is able to cooperate with

others to bring about improvements in society » A Scout is able to discern and

develop talents, acquire and improve his/her skills to enable him/her to better serve and live » A Scout has WISDOM: self-

confidence and self-discipline » A Scout is able to accept

responsibility for his/herself and others

feathers are said to be magic.

With great care Casper removed the plastic bottle and put it in his bag to bring home and put it in the bin. He spoke very gently to the injured bird and make a sling so that he could carry the bird in a gentle way until they could bring it home.

The only problem was where was its home. He asked the others , Star had a observation , “I see some red dust on its feathers and the only place with red dust in this area is near the red cave” . “lets go there and bring this young bird home” said Casper.

After a long hike they reached the red cave , along the way Casper had given the bird some water. At the entrance to the cave there was some red dust. Casper placed the bird at the entrance and stepped back . The mother Dodo bird scooped down and picked up the young bird. The Dodo bird moved very

» A Scout is able to exercise self-discipline » A Scout is able to draw conclusions

for their personal life and to act upon them » A Scout recognizes the need for

prayer and WORSHIP, for a spiritual response » A Scout is able to explore the

spiritual heritage of his or her own community and to use it in making sense of their past and present experiences » A Scout is able to draw on

the spiritual heritage of his or her community to express gratitude, need and sorrow

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fast and when Casper looked up all he saw was a large purple feather floating down towards him.

To this day Casper keeps the feather with him at all times and often looks at it and is always amazed by its beauty , it may not be magic but it is magical.

Learning objectives To explorethe Spiritual

These learning objectives are taken from the Guidelines on Spiritual and Religious Development from WOSM

» Some learning objectives for spiritual development within Scouting could help to clarify what it might look like in the context of the Youth Programme. They might be stated as follows:

» A Scout is able to get along with and WELCOME others » A Scout is able to welcome

and respect others as brothers and sisters, while acknowledging differences in their religions, cultures, and ethnic groups

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Eoin’s Moonwalk Challenge – the story !

In attempting the Moonwalk Challenge from Enniskerry to Laragh over the Wicklow

mountains last Saturday night, I felt young Eoin was daring a mighty thing for an 11

year old - with not a hint of that “grey twilight” one Teddy Roosevelt dismissed all

those years ago. His mission was as black and white as it gets.

safety briefing from Ronan, Rescue Leader. Bussed back to the starting point at Crone Wood near Enniskerry. Air of anticipation. We could barely speak to each other on the bus journey, a first. Disembarked into a dark wood. Adrenalin flowing, pulse racing, night vision adjusting. Altimeter (on watch) set for local atmospheric pressure, stop watch on, head torch on, map/compass aligned. Note to self, remember, he’s a child ... 1732hrs ... Go.

Eoin set off at a pace that had me a little unsettled in terms of how he could sustain it, when the novelty would wear off and fatigue might kick in. He politely overtook other teams on the deciduous leafy carpet of Crone Wood. We rapidly gained altitude and, critically, ‘rhythm’. The pure darkness was occasionally punctuated by the near ethereal spectacle of a long line of lights from the headtorches of other walkers, cutting their way though the otherwise pitch black woods. Dad, this is the best evening ever he said. He was on fire.

Early Stages - the “nice bit”

Weather briefing completed earlier that morning. Checked again later. Rate of change of position of approaching warm front from South East meant it would not hit until midnight, so looking good. Various injury/contingency scenarios agreed, given only two of us on our Team. The Captain of which was a child and the other who should know better.

Left the car in Laragh, near Glendalough. Registration and gear check was completed at 1600hrs (following a very warm welcome to Eoin from the MR Team). Final

I was on air, reaching around to pat myself on the back and in the process nearly had my first Moonwalk fall ! Thankfully nobody saw me, just got away with it

Houston, we may have a small problem

After 25 minutes he emerged onto open mountain, the side of Maulin, with Djouce supposed to be in his 1000 position. No Djouce to be seen, alas, despite its 2,400 foot stature. Instead, thick fog with 10 metres forward visibility. How could I have gotten the weather so wrong? I really thought I had sussed the position of the leading edge of the front earlier and that we would

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be in clear, moonlit air for the duration. Simmering quietly to myself, while gasping for breath, I tried to keep up with Eoin.

As it turned out I had correctly anticipated the position of the front, which was still some 100 miles away. But I failed to bargain on a micro climate phenomenon that you can sometimes get in the Wicklow Mountains, with a moist easterly wind coming across the sea. Never trust an easterly wind I always say to my students, it can bring fog. I was caught out by a higher dew point and orographic lift in the mountains. RTE’s Gerald Fleming sometimes describes this as fog “around the place” where the place can be any part of our island! Of

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In his first act of the equivalent of what we call “Cockpit Resource Management” the team Captain delegated navigation responsibilities to his Dad, and held my hand.

We stuck to rigid compass headings on Djouce. There was a noticeable lack of other teams out there, because, unknown to us, there were none ahead of us. Sensible folk behind walking at a more refined and benign pace, and why wouldn’t they. As a result, we were very alone, rapidly gaining altitude in thick fog. Not a contingency I had planned for. Wrong again. Prospects as a Scout Leader or even a half good father well and truly impaired at this stage.

A command decision was required. Eoin’s well being was not under question and I was in a mode unfamiliar to most of you. From a safety perspective we were only a few kilometres from the “point of no return” on Djouce. Bearings and altitudes agreed, spot timings reaffirmed ...above all agreed that we stick together, we survive. It remained a “go” decision. I assured him we would be at a defined point that he would recognise by 1838hrs. For once that night I got something right, hint of street (dirt trail) cred restored. Eoin felt safe and all the more so when we bumped into another one of the MR Team (Declan) on the mountain to ensure everyone was well.

all the times, we were in that place!

Ronan had flagged the potential for poor visibility during the safety briefing, with a veiled reference to the humidity levels which I picked up on but, with rash self confidence, felt he was speaking of the later hours. That’s why he’s the Lead Rescuer and why I need to be more careful. Thank goodness I wasn’t team Captain - I would certainly have been asked to consider my position. Rule #1, never “assume” when it comes to safety, something either is, or it is not. No in-betweens.

Having come to terms that we would be in effect “flying blind” on careful compass headings for the off piste bit of Djouce, it was another steep descent to a river crossing upstream from the top of Powerscourt Waterfall. No sign of the bridge in the fog, because it had been washed away in the heavy rains and resultant torrent of the Dargle the day before (remember last Friday!). Many of the paths just blended into an undefined mud-fest. Another surprise to rock Eoin’s comfort zone. And mine to be honest.

Yet again the MR Team were there for us, giving everyone help across

Eoin’s spirits were further ignited by his own head torch ... luminescent reflections from rain-soaked granite particles that found surface expression on the narrow paths, as we skipped around the summit of Djouce. Follow me my Captain ordered, correctly sensing that we were on course, his confidence regained having crunched out another thousand feet of climbing. He was now in the cruise.

Not a bad ol’ world out there at all we thought, even if he was, by then, cracking along at an aggressive pace by anyone’s standards. We had our share of slips and falls, but so many more laughs and rises. Covered in mud, as well as golden ingots of great memories. My head may have been in the clouds, but his feet were firmly grounded.

I kept reminding myself that complacency kills, or certainly badly hurts, out here. It looks so easy from a distance. This was not a place to be testing Newton’s Law. It might have been a Moonwalk but 1G gravity was unfailingly present ... and would especially be on the “boardwalk” that was to follow. Cool heads vital, one bad fall and that was it.

I continued to seek refuge in my safe haven of number crunching, keeping

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the top of the River Dargle. Human bridges being the best of them all. It also gave them a chance to discretely check that Eoin was ok, while not unreasonably assuming I would be hailing a taxi from somewhere like Roundwood in a short while, so tired I probably looked and only 35 minutes in.

Onto the next ascent, the long haul up Djouce. Quietly passed another team who had set out ahead of us, and who we had never met before, but of course established a mutual friend within a minute. Ireland’s community spirit at its best. Meanwhile, Eoin continued to accelerate. My pulse well up from its usual sedentary 50. BMI stats being revised by the second.

Suddenly, we were deafened by the sound of silence as the last choruses of Powerscourt Waterfall faded while Doppler and distance combined in the still air. As we ascended Djouce in the spooky fog I realised that the navigation was going to get serious. Despite powerful headtorches, we actually could not see the high viz guide flags that were put out for all teams, due to the 10m visibility. If anything we had to keep the lights faced down, like you do when driving in fog.

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King’s dream that “every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain” was not going to happen tonight.

Last thousand feet climb. Where’s that pride? Just do it, he said, and did.

Glide Descent and Landing

Before long, reaching the finish was becoming a distinct possibility. We reached the final checkpoint abeam Paddock Hill and were told by Sean, of WMR, that we had one old fashioned mile to go. Then I got that look from Eoin and I just knew what was about to follow. Dad, if we run the last mile, I can get in under 4 hours. My worst nightmare, it was 2123hrs and this meant he was about to pump

a watchful eye on Eoin’s bearings & rates of change of anything I could find an excuse to calculate, to ensure he remained on track and schedule in the fog. As time progressed, I was not required. I was the one being minded. All of his hauls up Carrauntoohil & Lugnaquilla, Slieve Donard in a storm as well as countless sessions of night navigation had paid off. The Captain was in control.

Living the dream, on a foggy wet bog on a Saturday night.

Pain setting in ... Our bigger Team and how you got us there!

Nearly three hours in, our spirits fairly low, we emerged out of fog and cloud and caught a glimpse of lakewater lapping onto the sandy beaches of Lough Dan ... moon rays from the Sea of Tranquillity piercing the rolling wavelets though the November night skies. Enough natural light energy to prompt the complete resumption of navigation duties by the Team Captain.

When fatigue took hold, as it does, Eoin experienced the occasional,

out an 8 minute mile on boggy terrain. Interesting for a child with 24+km / at least 3,000 feet of actual climb under his belt and me with a backpack and further decades under the belt! Allowing a child to do this could render me officially “known to Gardai”.

But the Captain wasn’t asking, he was telling me. His command decision and he looked disappointingly alert, clearly on a second wind! He accelerated towards a glide descent for re-entry into Laragh, near Glendalough, and finished in 3 Hours 59 minutes.

Happy with that Dad? Eoin humbly inquired at the finish. I had just about enough energy to concur ... echoes of the polite warnings of my sports doctor to take a few months’ rest resonating somewhere between my conscience, tendons and cartilage.

Any hint of pain was well dissipated along the way by the positivity of the company I was lucky enough to be keeping ... Eoin and the other walkers ... as well as the tremendous support team from Wicklow Mountain Rescue who discretely and professionally oversaw and encouraged us all. It must have been a long night for them and I know they were keeping a special, trained, eye out for Eoin. I could see it in the gentle conversations we had with them

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very temporary, moment of being “uncertain of position”, flight-deck speak for “lost” (the L word is never used, of course, and certainly not on our watch). Thanks to map, compass and no short measure of composure, he worked things out. He was in grave danger of becoming a good navigator.

But there was still one more nauseatingly steep climb to go, up from Lough Dan ... and this is where all you guys became the THE key part of our team, providing booster fuel beyond any packet of Dextrose. We were on a ticket to the moon ... in the mind of the child (and the bigger one!). Mission critical texts received from Ed, telling us about 41 phases for Munster, and Josh who chanted Eoin out of his lowest point at the perfect moment. Several hundred other Capt. Kieran Fitzgerald’s inquiring as to the whereabouts of our “... pride” over the coming days was additional motivation! We were not alone.

No way were we letting our bigger Team down. This was no place for “is feidir linn” or other such pleasantries. Failure is not an option, Eoin reminded me, lest we have that Apollo 13 moment, though we were well past the dark side (of the fog). However, Martin Luther

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some real world challenges being taken, head on, by some of the most amazing children on the planet. Putting what Eoin did into a diminutive context.

Every single one of these kids, in their own special way, will be the people who will ultimately steer our nation onto a better course. That’s where we come in, just to help them hoist and trim the sails. But, in their own special way, and time.

This particular challenge was one small(ish) step for a child to develop what I considered, for him, to be essential lifeskills - planning, courage, leadership, situational awareness, teamwork and, critically, being able to look out for others even at your lowest ebb. He reached for those stars, and caught them, even when falling. Were I even half the child at 11, let alone half the man, now.

I can, however, be thankful to have been able to play a part - and to see the future it may bring. You too will, in your own way, and time.

Thanks for that time this morning, and for your supporting Eoin and the Mountain Rescue Team. All of whom were children. Once.

John B Riordan24 November, 2011

Sunday morning left me feeling he might well have appreciated the sentiment.

Sunday and The Bigger Picture

But, for Eoin, another day had dawned. The Moonwalk was old news and Kipling was (reassuringly) uncool. His gentleness at the breakfast table was subsiding rapidly like the mountains he had tamed the night before. There was a very important rugby match to be played with his Team and great friends in St Gerard’s.

An hour later, while I hobbled meekly on the sidelines, Eoin sang some words from his school song ... In defeat or victory, we’ll be the best that we can be. Bring it on, he echoed to me with backward glance, before focusing both eyes hard on the visiting opposition from Cheadle Hume. A resounding win for Gerards capped it all. But had it been the other way round, like real men, their heads would still be held high.

That’s kids for you, I guess. Their definition of challenges will vary due to individual life circumstances, so we never try to rank them. The only measure that matters is that they get every chance - and give it a shot, whatever “it” may be. Go to places like Temple Street Children’s Hospital -

at each checkpoint. Classic “human factors” assessments going on right under my nose. And then the hundreds of you guys who backed us all the way.

This was some team to be part of, the two of us just being a tiny part. There was I, for years, thinking that Goodwill was an accounting entry. We try to inspire and, in so doing, realise that it is actually us who have been inspired ... the circle of life, now I get it.

All the better, every one of the 416 other walkers safely prevailed over the undulating 26km, with a smile - some finishing as late as 0200hrs, absolutely incredible people, they did it. They prevailed. People do. Success for the Mountain Rescue Team and participants from all corners of our island.

Can do ... did ... will again, was the recurring theme from everyone over the aromatic cauldron of fresh stew so thoughtfully provided to all at the finish.

Even as the adrenalin and serotonin levels stabilised, everyone still

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felt that the possibilities in life are endless. Because they are.

But how did I get on Dad?

Like any child, Eoin wondered on our way home to Enniskerry how I thought he did. We spoke of fundraising for a deserving cause, which was his primary objective and for which he has received an extraordinary response, thanks to you all (see link below). It was also nice to be doing this for a significant Scouting challenge, so a bit of collateral upside there too.

In particular we focused on how he managed to cope during those points of our adventure when we were both at an absolute low. Try, as I did, to conceal my fatherly pride (failing spectacularly here), I left one of the all-time great verses from Kipling by his pillow late on Saturday night which I felt summed it up his ability to cope:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it And - which is more - you’ll be a Man, my son.His gentle smile at breakfast on

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The Following Programme Resources have been uploaded recently on the my.scouts.ie website

Troop Code of ConductA small 3 page document for Scout troops on how to go about drawing up a code of Conduct for the Troop. It has some great tips on how to go about this.

Chief Scout Awards Mentors ListA full list of accredited Chief Scout Mentors is now available. You can now see all the members who have been accredited in your County and Province.

Tony Smyth

Appointment Of Camp Chief

Castlesaunderson

Chief Executive Officer Job Description

Crisis Management Policy

At the November Meeting of the NMC Tony Smyth was appointed Camp Chief

for the National Campsite at Castlesaunderson. Before Accepting the position

Tony had to stand down from the NMC as within the rules any member can’t

hold 2 national positions at the one time. Tony in steeping down thanked his

fellow members of the NMC and said he enjoyed his time on the Committee.

He was looking forward to the challenge of getting Castlesaunderson up to the

standard of the best site in Europe. The Chief scout Thanked Tony for his time and

Commitment to the NMC and wished him all the best in his new Role.

To manage and coordinate the implementation of Scouting Ireland’s annual operational plan.To represent Scouting Ireland to all stakeholders.To view the full Document click on the link

At the recent NMC meeting the Job description for the CEO was discussed and agreed. The Main Purposes of their role is as follows:

To lead, manage and motivate Scouting Ireland’s Professional Staff TeamTo maintain Scouting Ireland’s commitment to high quality services in Youth Sector.To assist in maintaining Scouting Ireland’s sound financial position and corporate governanceTo assist in the development and implementation of Scouting Ireland’s 5 year rolling strategic plan

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National News

The NMC approved a document submitted by the National Secretary in relation to Crisis Management. The policy now dictates how Crisis will be managed within Scouting Ireland. This Document should be read in conjunction with SID20/11B the makeup of the Crisis Management team.

Both Documents can be viewed here:

Recent Programme Resources

Crisis Management Policy

Crisis Management Team

Michael Devins, National Secretary

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Castle Saunderson under development

CastleSaunderson Campsite Project to Restart

A recruitment Policy for the selection of a new CEO for Scouting Ireland was agreed at the recent meeting of the NMC. This will be a 5 stage process, summarised as follows;a. Planning & Preparationb. Short listing the candidates for interview.c. First interviewd. Second interviewe. Third Interviewf. Ratification of selected candidate by NMC

To view the Policy click the link

Promise & Law - Youth VariationThe Youth Variation of the Scouting Ireland Promise and Law is available online. This includes the Irish versions.

Scouts Own Resource PackBelow is a link to a resource pack for helping with organising a Scouts Own event on Camp, in the den and around the campfire to name but a few places.

Rover Scout Programme IdeasHere is a resource of 700+ Rover Scout Programme Ideas. This includes all elements of Programme from Adventurous to Crafts.

Scouting Ireland Uniform PolicyThe Scouting Ireland Uniform Policy has been updated to include all changes associated with ONE Programme .You can view the document at the link

The Chief Scout is delighted to announce that the Castlesaunderson Campsite Project is to restart this week.

Negotiations have been on going on the restart of the Castlesaunderson Campsite Project after it came to a halt when due to the economic downturn, the main contractor went into liquidation. I am pleased to say that Cavan Council

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National News

Water Safety Policy

Scouting Ireland recognises the importance of water safety in terms of its Youth Programme in theprovision of the nautical framework, adventure skills and Sea Scouting symbolic framework..You can view the Document at this link.

CEO selection policy

Engineering staff will be back on the site this week, with the Ground works contractor commencing that element of the project next week. The other elements of the project will follow on over the next few weeks.

A meeting of the full steering committee will be taking place in Cavan on the 20th Dec and a further update will be available then, I would like to thank all involved especially Cavan Co Council for their endeavours and their never ending input, to bring life back into this Campsite Project

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out circles and place on an oiled baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes until just golden at the edges. Leave for 10 minutes before removing from the tray to cool.

Make up the royal icing as directed on the pack. Put half in a separate bowl and add a little more water to give a pouring consistency. Colour as desired and keep in airtight containers until needed.

Put the thicker icing in a piping bag with a small plain nozzle and pipe a border around each biscuit. Put the thinner icing in a piping bag and snip the end, then fill in the biscuit with the icing. Leave to set overnight then decorate with more icing and silver balls.

Hi Cub Scouts,

December is always a great month to get out and about! There is a crisp in the

air that will put a spring in your step !!! There are plenty of different types of

hikes and outdoor activities that you could do with your pack over the next few

weeks.

Why not go on a holly hike you could collect some holly and use it to decorate a

Yule Log. Why not write down the names of the birds that you see while you are

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Headline

Headline

on your hike?If orienteering is your thing contact www.orienteering.ie or www.niorienteering.org.uk and find out where and when the next orienteering day is taking place!

For the budding chefs among us … I have included some recipes for Christmas Cookies and Mini Christmas Cakes … make sure that you ask an adult for help when using the oven! And some great Christmas gift ideas - Enjoy,

Happy Holidays From,Annette And the Cub Scout Programme Team

Ingredients• 1 lemon, zested and juiced• 100g (3½oz) butter• 100g caster sugar• 175g (6oz) plain flour, plus extra for dusting• 1 egg yolk• 500g pack royal icing sugar• red food colouring• silver balls, to decoratePreheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C.

Put the lemon zest, butter, sugar and flour in a food processor and blend to fine crumbs. Add the egg yolk and 1 tbsp lemon juice and blend again for a few seconds. Gather into a ball and chill.

Lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll out the dough to the thickness of a £1 coin. Using a round cutter, cut

Biscuit baubles recipe

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Yule logs make beautiful gifts for Christmas. They can be put on a fireplace, a

coffee table, etc. You can create any theme that you want, such as snowmen,

Christmas trees, snow, etc. You can make one in a few easy steps:

• Pick out a piece of firewood. A round piece of wood is better because it

looks natural. Try to find one that does not roll. You can use any kind of wood.

Make sure it is not too big or too small to fit on your table.

• Clean and brush off the piece of firewood. Find the best way to position the

wood so it does not roll around.

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Mini Christmas Cakes

How to make a Yule Log

• Next you can take the log outside and spray paint it if you wish. Use colours such as white, blue, gold, silver, green and red. You do not have to paint the wood just leave it as is if you want to make it look natural. You could use the snow in a can also. Be sure to do the spraying outside and on a black sack. Let the paint dry.• Next bring the log in and find the best way it will sit on the table. Check to see which side will be front and back. Use some PVA glue to attach the decorations onto the wood. If you want to use garland, glue this on first.• Then you can glue on the miniature decorations, such as a miniature Christmas tree, candles,

snowmen, small sleighs, reindeer, gifts, and miniature houses. You can use miniature Christmas tree ornaments to decorate the tree. You can also use pine cones as well.• When you are finished, you can spray a light coat of snow on it and place your Yule Log on your table or where ever you think it would look nice. Or give it to someone as a gift.

Some Cub Packs sell their Yule Logs to raise money for an outing!

This recipe is enough to make about 12 small cakes made in small baked bean tins. But it can also be made in a 10” square large tin and be cut to make smaller cakes. » 9oz Plain Flour » 6oz Brown Sugar » 2oz Caster Sugar » 6 Eggs » 8oz Butter (room temperature) » I tbls Black treacle » 1 tsp Vanilla essence

» Juice of a lemon » Preheat Oven at 150ºC/200ºF Gas

Mark 2 » 2lb Mixed Fruit » 4-6oz Glace Cherries (chopped and

folded into 1oz Plain flour) » 2-4oz Almonds (Optional) » For Decoration » Roll out icing and decorations

(ribbon or miniature Christmas tree decorations!) » You will need to collect 12 small

Baked bean or similar small can and wash thoroughly. If the can has had a pull tab on it you will have been left with a small rim so you need to cut out the bottom of the can then push it into the can so that it sits on the inside of the rim, like a normal cake tin.( Be careful as the can bottom is likely to be sharp).

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» Line each can as you would a normal cake tin using greaseproof paper, making the side paper come up 5cm/2” above the sides of the cans. » Place the Black Treacle in a bowl to

warm in the oven. » Using a wooden spoon, cream the

butter and both the sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs a little at a time and then add the combined sifted flour and spices, beating well to make sure that everything is combined. » Add all the fruit, cherries and almonds

(if including) and stir well » Add the final ingredients, the warmed

treacle, vanilla essence, juice of the lemon and the brandy, again stir well. » Spoon the mixture into the cans, there

should be enough for 12 cans. » Place the cans on the middle shelf of

the pre-heated oven. » Cook for approximately 1½hrs.

TIP ******Check after an hour, (as the cakes are small and ovens vary it is worth checking on them after an hour)

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Making SoapWhat you’ll need: » Glycerin soap, clear or white (This

only works with glycerin soap - do not substitute.) » Soap dye in colors or your choice

» Soap or candy molds » Microwave safe liquid measuring cup » Spoon » Popsicle stick or coffee stirrer » Knife (adults only)

How to make it:• If using bars of soap, cut into three pieces. If using purchased glycerin blocks, cut off 2-3 pre-measured chunks. • Put glycerin soap into a measuring cup, microwave according to package directions (or 20 seconds), then in 10-second intervals until melted. • If you want colors, this is the time to add the dye. Add a few drops and stir with a spoon. If you want the color darker, simply add more dye. • Slowly pour the liquid soap into the mold. Set aside to harden for 45 minutes to an hour. Some soaps’ may harden sooner than others. • Rinse out measuring cup and repeat

process for other colors. • After soap has cooled completely, pop them out of the molds. If you find this difficult, you can place the soap into the freezer for ten minutes and try again.

Tips: » For a tie dye effect, don’t add dye until

after you have poured white soap into the molds. Add random drops of dye into white soap in mold and swirl with a coffee stick or toothpick. » For multicolor layers, pour the first

color in and allow it to cool enough to form a skin (about 5 minutes). Carefully and very slowly add the second color over that. » For pastel shades, add only a couple

drops of dye. For more bold colors, add more drops. » Make your own colors by mixing the

dyes, or create a tie dye effect by using two or more colors instead of just one.

1. The holly used to decorate homes, hotel lobbies and store windows at Christmas is the common holly, at one time tea made from its leaves was believed to have medical benefits for arthritis suffers. This notion has since been labeled “hum-bug.”2. All hollies are not evergreen. There are over 400 recorded species of holly; some are variegated.3. In parts of England it is believed that sprigs of holly placed around a young girl’s bed on Christmas Eve will keep mischievous little goblins away from her for the year ahead.4. In Astrology people born in June are known as Holly people; they are honest, hard-working and often very religious. Winter is their favorite time of year.5. Holly is said to be the tree used to make Christ’s cross. Legend has it that the other trees refused and splintered when touched by an axe whereas the holly remained true as a tree, and it is as a Passion symbol that the holly tree is seen in pictures of saints.6. Wood from the holly tree is traditionally used for making white chess pieces.7. Christian legend says one winter night in Bethlehem the holly trees miraculously grew leaves out of season to hide the holy Family from Herod’s men. Since then it has been

Legends of the Holly Tree

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an evergreen as a token for Christ’s gratitude. Variegated varieties of Holly do not figure in this legend.8. Holly trees can grow from two to forty feet tall.9. Holly is a man’s plant and is believed to bring protection and good fortune to men whereas Ivy is believed to do the same for women. On a humorous note it is believed that whoever brings the first bough of holly into a home will rule the roost for the coming year.10. Holly trees are either male or female. They both produce white blossoms but only the female tree produces the familiar red holly berries which are toxic and are dangerous if swallowed.11. Holly wreaths hung on a door or draped along a mantle represent welcome and long life to all who enter.12. On the 12th night of Christmas sprigs of holly are tucked behind pictures of Christ to remind the Faithful of his Passion.

Alphabet HikeFind various items with names that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Go in order from A to Z. ORScavenger HuntMake a list of items that would most

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likely be found in the area you are camping and/or hiking in. Here are a few suggestions. You’ll need to select items that are age appropriate and also available in your location. Be creative. This activity is a lot of fun for everyone.

__Wild Flowers__Dead tree__Pine cone__Berries__Vine__Stream __Blade of grass__Clover leaf__Moss__Pine tree__Seeds or seed pod__Eroded soil__Smooth/shiny rock__Mud__Grain of sand__Fern__Y-shaped twig__Trash__Pine needles__Acorn or other nuts__Tree with blossoms__Hole in a tree__Dark or light green leaf__Small pebble__Unusual shaped leaf__Rocks with many colors__Different shades of green or brown__Dew on a flower or leaf__Fungus on a tree__Shows next season is coming__Animal tracks__Worm__Caterpillar

__Bird__Ant__Butterfly or moth__Snail__Beetle__Feather__Ladybug__Spider web__Birds nest__Insects on a tree__Animal hole in the ground__Deer__Frog__Leaf with insect holes__Evidence of the presence of animals__Evidence of the presence of people

Listen to:__Leaves under your feet__Wind in the trees__Sound of a bee__Birds singing__Grasshopper__Water running in a stream__Noises in the woods

Feel:__Tree bark__Prickly plant__Wet mud__Rotten wood__Wind blowing on face__Texture of various rocks

Smell:__Pine tree__Flower__Mud

__Green grass__Fresh air__Cedar tree

Watch:__Animals eating__Leaf falling to the ground__Spider web w/insect__Ant moving something__Wind blowing the leaves__Fish jumping__Clouds going by__For something funny__For something unusual__Sunlight coming through trees__Sunrise or sunset__Reflection in the water__Trail markers__Animal homes or shelters

Scavenger Hunt using a Camera

Use a disposal camera. Take pictures of the items on the list. This is a great way for collecting and also for keeping memories in a photo journal.

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Layer 3 Outer layer - Waterproof jacket (with hood) and overtrousers are essential. They keep out rain and you can also use them in windy conditions. When you stop for a rest or snack you can put on to keep warm.

Hat – Wool or fleece. That can come down over the ears. A sun hat may be required in hot weather

Gloves or mitts – Again wool are best. Try to get ones that are windproof and rain proof. Mitts are warmer than glovesTrousers – Walking trousers or tracksuit are best. Depending what they are made of they can be windproof and dry quickly. DO NOT WEAR Jeans

Having the right clothes will make your trip more enjoyable and comfortable. We

do this by what we call LAYERING.

Layer 1 Next to skin – You need to wick away sweat quickly.

If you have thermal tops this is best worn here, light T shirts / vests can be worn.

Try not to wear cotton clothing on this layer (they hold sweat)

Layer 2 Middle layer – This is the layer you can put on / take off as you walk /

stop, get hot / cool down. Two light layers are better than one heavy layer. Light

fleece jumper or light woollen jumpers are examples. When you stop for a rest or

snack you can put on extra layer to keep warm

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Clothing for a Day Trip

Hill Walking – What to wear

Socks - What ever suits you Two thin pairs or one thick pair

Boots – An important piece of kit . They will have to fit properly. If they have ankle support they are better as they will support you over rugged ground. If you are luck enough to have boots they should have stiff leather, be waterproof and have good soles. Care should be taken with your boots. Trainers / walking shoes with no ankle support must not be worn. As your feet are growing it may not be possible to have a pair of good boots.

» Waterproofs (coat & over trousers) Boots » Hat

Gloves / mitts » Walking Trousers / Tracksuit trousers

Jumper / Fleece » Thermal vest / vest / t Shirt

Socks / Boots » Other items to bring » Map » Compass » Small First Aid kit » Food

Emergency Food (GORP) » Drinks » Rucsack

» Backpack, Tent » Sleeping Bag and Roll Mat » First Aid Kit » Pocket Knife » Food, Stove & Fuel » Matches (in waterproof container) » Bowl / plate and Eating Utensils » Spare clothing

Personal Hygiene Items » Rain Gear » Hat / Gloves » Head Torch / Whistle » Insect Repellent

Emergency Bag / blanket » GORP » Map andCompass » Camera

We will visit this list later and explain more

Equipment for a weekend

Other Essential Clothing

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Ingredients » 1 lemon, zested and juiced » 100g (3½oz) butter » 100g caster sugar » 175g (6oz) plain flour, plus extra for

dusting » 1 egg yolk » 500g pack royal icing sugar » red food colouring » silver balls, to decorate

Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C.Put the lemon zest, butter, sugar and flour in a food processor and blend to fine crumbs. Add the egg yolk and 1 tbsp lemon juice and blend again for a few seconds. Gather into a ball and chill.Lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll out the dough to the thickness of a £1 coin. Using a round cutter, cut out circles and place on an oiled baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes until just golden at the edges. Leave for 10 minutes before removing from the tray to cool.

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Biscuit baubles recipeStained Glass Window Cookies

These make for quirky Christmas tree decorations -- if they last that long.

Makes 30 cookies » 150g butter » 100g muscovado sugar » 1 large egg » A pinch of salt » 1 tablespoon mixed spice » 1 teaspoon vanilla extract » 1 pack of Foxe’s Fruits or Jolly

ranchers sweets, crushed

Preheat the oven to 180 oC / gas mark 4 and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar. Add in the egg and mix through.Using a wooden spoon mix through the flour, baking powder, salt, mixed spice and vanilla extract until you have a biscuit dough.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and roll out to about 1cm in thickness.Cut out biscuit shapes, place on the lined baking tray, then using a smaller cutter or small knife cut out the center of each cookie.

Sprinkle the crushed sweets into the centre of the cookie and place in the oven.

Bake for about 15 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to three days.

Make up the royal icing as directed on the pack. Put half in a separate bowl and add a little more water to give a pouring consistency. Colour as desired and keep in airtight containers until needed.

Put the thicker icing in a piping bag with a small plain nozzle and pipe a border around each biscuit. Put the thinner icing in a piping bag and snip the end, then fill in the biscuit with the icing. Leave to set overnight then decorate with more icing and silver balls.

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Adventure Skills

Adventure Skills

Air Backwoods Camping Emergencies Hillwalking Paddling Pioneering Rowing Sailing

Date 24th - 26th Feb 7th Jan 19 / 20 november 21/22nd April 03/12/2011 24/03/2012 14th 15th

Jan

Venue TBA after 10th Dec

Mellary/St Pauls Larch Hill Castleconnell Southern Prov Howth Dublin

Cost €50 €15 €40

Date 28/01/2012 23rd - 25th Mar 5th Feb 23-25 March 2012 19th May 24/03/2012 19/05/2012 see below

Venue Waterford Airport

TBA after 10th Dec Larch Hill Wicklow Castleconnell South Eastern

Prov Howth

Cost é50 €40

Date 24/03/2012 14th - 16th April

9-11 nov 2012 2/3rd June 26/05/2012 21/04/2012

Venue Sligo Airport TBA after 10th Dec Wicklow Castleconnell DMP Howth

Cost €50 €40

Date 7/8th July 12/05/2012

Venue Castleconnell Howth

Cost €40

Date 1/2nd Sept 12/05/2012Venue Castleconnell Howth

Cost €40

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Below is a list of upcoming Adventure skills days. There will be more dates added in the new year as the various teams make them available. Keep an eye on the Adventure skills page on the my.scouts.ie for updates. Also included is a copy of the Adventure Skill achievement cert which will be issued to each person who takes part in an assessment day. For more information and booking details contact adskills@scouts.ie”

* Fingal Sailing School: every Saturday in March And April. 10:00 - 13:00 (3 hrs) Cost €16 per session.

Killaloe Campsite and Water Activities Center (cost to be confirmed) 10, 17, 24, 21 May, 7, 14, 21,28 June 2012 - Sail training on Thursday nights - Level 3 - 6 (ISA Basic Skills, Start Sailing and Improving Skills level) 11, 12, 13 May 2012 Level 7 - 8 (ISA Adventure 1) 22, 23, 24 June 2012 Rowing & Cox’ing Multi-Oared Craft - Level 3-6

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Grounds of Ardgillian Castle

Ardgillian Castle

JamÓige 2012

Dear Beaver Scouts, Cub

Scouts and Scouters,

You are cordially invited to JamÓige 2012, which will be held in the beautiful

grounds of Ardgillian Castle, North Co Dublin, which for the June Bank Holiday

weekend will turn into the wonderful mystical world of Gulliver’s Travels.

Join me, Lemuel Gulliver on my journey to strange and mysterious worlds.

when it should be. Anthony Finnegan will be looking after the sub-camps and ensure that the Leaders of the Lands (sub-camp chiefs) have the support and resources they need to make sure you have a great weekend. Gina Mizzoni is in charge of the day to day co-ordinationof the camp so that everything happens on time (well Scout time anyway). Angela O’Melia will make sure that everything comes in on budget (she’ll

On Arrival you will be introduced to the Leader of your Land and their subjects who will be your hosts for the duration of the weekend. Once your campsite has been set up you will make your way to the Opening Ceremony. The following days will be filled with fun, challenges and of course adventures.

Let me introduce you to my crew who are helping me on my voyage to ensure that JamÓige 2012 is everything you hope it will be and more. Looking after programme is David Smith, his job is to ensure that it is challenging and enjoyable for everyone. Andy Cleary is responsible for making sure everything is where it should be

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Frequently Asked Questions

be watching the rest of us like a hawk) and finally me David Kessie, Camp Chief but you can call me Gulliver.

I will be posting information as I get it on our facebook page so please click ‘like’ to be kept up to date.

We look forward to seeing you there. Please RSVP here (insert link to booking form).

If you have any questions please contact me at jamoige@scouts.ie

Yours in Scouting Gulliver

The questions have been rolling in about JamÓige 2012, so we decided to put together a FAQ so that everyone has the answers.

Q. Where is JamÓige 2012 being held?A. At Ardgillian Castle, North County DublinQ. What are the dates?A. 1st – 4th June for Cubs 3rd – 4th June for BeaversQ. Who is JamÓige for?A. Its open to all Beaver Scouts & Cub ScoutsQ. How much is it?A. Cub Scouts €60 Cub Scouters €25 Beaver Scouts €20 Beaver Scouters €10

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JamÓige 2012 Team

FAQ’s ContinuedQ. What deposit is needed?A. A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to secure your booking.Q. When does the deposit have to be paid by?A. 31st January 2012Q. Who do I make Cheques payable to?A. Scouting IrelandQ. Where do I send my completed application form?A. JamÓige 2012 Scouting Ireland Larch Hill Tibradden Dublin 16Q. What is included in the price?A. Camp Fees, Programme, Entertainment and Logistics

We are currently recruiting for the following roles for JamÓige 2012

* Assistant Camp Chief* Programme Team Leads* SubCamp Chiefs – Beavers* SubCamp Chiefs – Cubs* SubCamp Chief – Staff* Procurement Officer

If you think you have the necessary skills to carry out any of these roles, or would like to gain those skills please contact us on jamoige@scouts.ie with a copy of your scouting cv

Q. What is the ratio of Scouters to Youth Members?A. Section Youth

MembersAdult Members

Beaver Scouts

4 - 16 3

Each Additional

4 1

Cub Scouts

4 - 16 3

Each Additional

6 1

Q. Do Beavers need tents?A. Yes, tents will not be provided.Q. Are the Cubs & Beavers camping together?A. No, they will have their own subcamps.

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The Hill walking Conference was held in Larch Hill on 19th November 2011. It was attended by over 40 people who had an interest in the Hill Walking element of the ONE programme adventure skills, and how it will impact you as a scout(er).

John Barron opened the conference with a reflection on the mountains and why we climb them. He then outlined the challenges of hill walking and noted that they are very much like the SPICES, and we are challenging ourselves on all six spices when we go on a hill walking expedition.

The rational for the conference came from the PLAN, DO, REVIEW aspect of ONE Programme. David Batt led the session discussing each of the key elements of each stage and reporting

the teams feedback on what they have learned during the rollout.

The guest speaker was Dermot Somer an Irish mountaineer who is known worldwide, gave examples of his experiences over the last 50 years, and reminded the conference that adventure is a way of life for people, and especially scouts. His various tales of climbing in Africa, Europe and other continents told the audience that you can always improve. Scouting Ireland is also adopting a Mountaineering Ireland initiate called ‘Women with Altitude’ to encourage more participation from females in hill walking. Deirdre and Aisling Kelly are taking the role in prompting this programme within SI.

Hill Walking Conference

In the words of a scout - “Onwards, Upwards, To the Hills… and beyond “,

When the conference element, finished participants departed for the workshop element began a night navigation session to help ensure that YOU are safe on the hills, followed by a LNT (Leave No Trace) training workshop which is needed in all of the adventure skills. Watch this space, and see you on the hills

This is just an edited version of the report. You can see the full report on my.scouts.ie

For More pictures of the event check the Scouting Ireland Gallery at the link below.

Adventure Skills

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Elf Games

the beaver scouts had a magical time in Elf World visiting Jack Frost, making ginger bread men, snow globes, arts & crafts, visiting the chocolate factory getting their face painted, writing or emailing their letters to Santa and of course visiting Santa Claus himself to hear a short story and receive a present.

Larch Hill International Scout Centre held its annual Beaver Scout Santa Days event in December. Over 1,200 beaver scouts from all over Ireland attended the event with a venture and rover scout support staff of 70 elves which was held over a weekend. All

Santa drops into Larch Hill to meet the Beaver Scouts

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Frost

Larch Hill is pleased to announce that the event raised a total of €8,000 that will be donated to the Laura Lynn foundation and Barnardos.

Chief Scout and Santa

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Santas Grotto

Santas Sleigh

Santa drops into to Larch Hill to meet the Beaver Scouts

Over 40 sleeping bags were collected from the Beaver Scout colonies that will be donated to Focus Ireland for distribution to young homeless persons via their outreach division.

A big thank you must go to The

Larch Hill Volunteer Staff including Chief Elf Sinead Hamzawi,

her assistant Carrie O’Brien and to all the Ventures, Rovers and Scouters who helped make this

weekend a great success. For more pictures of the event check out the scouting ireland photo gallery here.

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National Treasurer, Francis Minogue

Den Development Grant AnnouncedThe Scout Shop Rewards Card

The National Treasurer Francis Minogue recently announced that the Den

Development Grant initiative had been this Financial Year.

The grant will cover a variety of items such as Architects Fees, New Windows,

Ceiling Replacements andbuilding works. The conditions to drawing down the

grant are as follows:

Have your group registered for the Rewards Card in the Scout Shop.

If not or you are a new Group you should Register right now.Not alone do you earn reward points for all purchases in the scout shop by members of your group but also you

» The Group must have its fees for 2012 paid in full by the end of February 2012. » The Groups last set of Annual

Accounts (in line with previous correspondence on the matter) must have been submitted to the County Treasurer who in turn must have submitted them to the National Treasurer. » The grant will only be paid out

upon receipt of an appropriate invoice supporting the cost incurred by the Group for which he grant was awarded. » Spend must be done by the 30th

September 2012, after which time the grant is lost. If your Group satisfies the conditions above, you can apply by completing the application form and

can receive Rewards points back from various incentives from time to time .To register your group click the link below.

https://www.thescoutshop.ie/reward_signup.html

submitting them to the National Treasurer in National Office by Thursday 22nd December, 2011.You Can Access the Application Form Here.

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Recruiting Programme Commissioner

(Rover Scouts)

A vacancy exists for the position of Programme Commissioner (Rover Scouts) to

be filled at the next National Management Committee meeting on 28th January

2012.

Nominations to the National Secretary are receivable by a Group Council or a

County Management Committee or by any member of the National Management

Committee.

For nomination forms and more detail Click the link.

The closing date for receipt of nominations is 5pm on Friday 13th January

2012. Nomination forms can be emailed to natsecretary@scouts.ie, faxed to 01-

4956301 or posted to National Office.

Roverway 2012 is definitely the place to be for Rover and Venture

Scouts in July next year. You can catch up with all the latest over the

next few weeks at the Provincial Youth Fora. For everyone else, check

out our brand new web site @ www.roverway.ie. All the info, details

and exceptionally good offers including fabulous competition for free

flights.

Scouting Ireland Roverway Website now

launched

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North Eastern Province Youth Fora The Dublin Scout Province Youth Fora

The North Eastern Province held their Annual Youth Fora in the Ardboyne Hotel,

Navan on Thursday 1st December. 25 Scout and Venture Scout County reps

attended and took part in discussion groups, presentations, games and for the

voting of their provincial youth reps. 5 scouts reps were voted in and 7 venture

reps. Some of these reps will now represent the North Eastern Province at the

National Youth Fora in January. Many County Commissioners and CPCs were in

attendance to help oversee the event. The Reps were also given an informative

presentation on Camp North East 2012 by Declan Heaney and Roverway 2012 by

Mary Nugent.

The Dublin Scout Province Youth Forum was held on Sunday 27 Nov at St Andrews Resource Center Many Thanks to Millie De Butlier Provincial programme Rep and his team of Mark, Sue, Ger,Stephen for organising and running the event. Mary Nugent Roverway Leader gave a briefing on the Roverway 2012 project to Finland which was well received. Also Special Thanks to Therese Birminghamwho gave the opening chat setting the tone for the day.

For more pictures of the event check out the link to the Scouting Ireland Photo gallery

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Province News

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As we are now deep into the Winter months and the weather becomes more severe it is proper that we, as Scouts should consider how we can ‘Be Prepared’ for difficult situations. We have already seen terrible flooding in Dublin and who knows what’s around the corner. The Chief Scout asked that a support resource be developed and this can be found on my.scouts.ie or by clicking

Scouting Ireland wants you to Be Prepared

This resource will give you, as scouts some ideas how to plan and how to get your sections and groups involved in preparing and assisting their communities in what could be challenging times. We hope you find this support resource useful, let’s not be afraid to get involved and support our communities when the time comes.

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ScoutingRadio.com

Broadcasting since 2005, Scouting Radio has become an award winning media

outlet for Scouts and Guides to share knowledge and information on the Scout and

Guide movement in a safe manner. It is clear that social networking has become

one of the dominant cultural phenomena in these digital times.

Our station is run by volunteer Scouts and Guides from across the globe. The

concept of Scouting Radio was created in 2005 by Justin Dawson who is a life-

long Scouter. The college project which Justin created as part of his media

festival was to celebrate Scouting and for all Scouts around the world to renew their Scout promise on the 1st August 2007, the exact day that the first experimental camp started 100 years earlier.

Scouting Radio broadcast the event from EVERY time zone of the world during the 25 hours and gained over 250,000 listeners during that time. Our station has reported on 2 World Scout Jamborees, 4 European Jamborees, numerous National Scout Jamborees and hundreds of Scout and Guide Troop camps in our 6 years of broadcasting. We have re-united former Scouters with friends they had in Scouting but lost contact, and most importantly we continue to receive letters and emails from parents wishing

degree has now become an award winning radio station which has been endorsed by the Honourable Michael Baden-Powell Grandson to the founder of Scouting.

Broadcasting live in Realplayer, Quicktime and Windows Media our live streaming on Scouting newsreached record figures. It took 12 years for television to reach an audience of 50 million, It took Facebook only 3 years to get 50 million subscribers. In 2007 Scouting Radio boasted a quarter of a million listeners during the Scouting Sunrise festival. The

to send their siblings to Scouting and we are always happy to assist no matter what country the feedback is received. For Scouts in Ireland we have helped them gain their badges in the new One Programme by getting youth members to communicate to the world, find out about Scouts in other countries and live the Spirit of Scouting.

JOTA & JOTI happens once a year, we are the only station available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to the Scout and Guide Movement.

You can find us at www.ScoutingRadio.com or download our podcasts on iTunes. We are on Skype, Twitter and Facebook.

Looking forward to talking Scouting with you!

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This month’s featured website of the month is North Cork Scout County WebsiteIt has many features and is a good example of what a County Website should be.It gives leaders in the county some

great information and resources whether it be training, County Contacts, Details on Groups in the county including Neckerchief Colours.It also has a good calendar which gives details of all upcoming events and meetings in the County. Great way to coordinate the County. Lastly it’s news reports give great details of past events and link to a photo gallery.

Top TweetsWebsite of the Month

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Are you following us on Twitter. If Not why Not.You can follow us @ScoutingIrelandBelow are just a few tweets from during the month. You can view all tweets on my.scouts.ie so register on the site and join in.”

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Caption here

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to 2 knots, with ten miles still to go! All Monday evening in flat calm seas and barely moving, we were experiencing another frustration of offshore sailing.

Evening was drawing in and the light was fading. Suddenly, dolphins gone! - a loud snort beside us! No more than 5 or 6 meters on our starboard side was

a whale, longer than the boat! Curious about us, he travelled very close, kept our speed and surfaced several times to breath. Unfortunately, in the gloom, it was impossible to photograph or to identify the type, Although exciting and interesting, it was also alarming to have a whale more than 15m long so close - we hoped he would not get too

friendly! He got bored and silently disappeared after about 15 minutes.

We eventually crossed the finish line at Dingle just before 0200 hrs on Tuesday - 63 hours 47 minutes and 5 seconds after starting, achieving second in class, Spindrift beating us by over 5 hours on corrected time.

This is an edited version of this report to see full report check out my.scouts.ie

The race started at 10.00hrs on Saturday 11 June. Early on the morning of the race, the wind was very light, but picked up from the North - perfect, a downwind start!

The South coast took its toll - 6 boats from the fleet of 26 retired due to equipment failure, sea sickness or a combination of both. Despite the length of the race, Yahtzee and the other two boats in our class, were sailing in very close company, with each cross-tacking one or other boat within hailing distance.

After almost three days of wind force 6 to 8, it died away to about a force 2, just enough to keep “Yahtzee” moving at 1

In June, four Watch Leaders from 8ú Calafort - - Fionn, Darran, Harry and Theo

- signed up for the 270 nautical mile Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race on “Yahtzee”,

a 12.7m Beneteau cruising yacht. Earlier they had completed several training

cruises and an offshore race from Pwllheli in Wales to Dun Laoghaire (reported in

InsideOut Issue 18). Provisioning was organised entirely by the Watch Leaders,

and as it turned out, we were a little over-provisioned!

D2D - Dun Laoghaire to Dingle (Race)

Dingle to Dun Laoghaire (Cruise)

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Rover Scout Wins the inaugural Flesk

Extreme race

Congratulations to Rover Scout Neil Slevin from 32nd Limerick Scout Group on

winning the inaugural Flesk Extreme race held on the middle Flesk River in Kerry

on Saturday 3rd December.

The race was held over the 3km section of the Middle Flesk.

The middle Flesk is one of the premier white water rivers in Ireland grade 4-5 and

is a very technical river to paddle.

Neil completed the Course in a winning time of 12.07 Minutes.

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Phone Appeal a Success The New President Meets Scout Leaders

Due to an appeal made on Scouting Ireland’s Facebook page Dara and Cormac

Coll wants to say a big Thank you to Scouting Ireland. Below is a photo of the

words Scouting Ireland put together by Cormac Coll who now thanks to the

members of Scouting Ireland will get his new Ipad with his Autism App “Grace”.

Cormac We hope you have a great Christmas on your Ipad from all in Scouting

Ireland it was a pleasure helping!!

Below is a photo of President Michael D Higgins with leaders of 61st Dublin (Merchants Quay) Scout Group on Friday 25th November. The President was attending a function in the same building as their den when he met three scout leaders and accepted a copy of their Group history.

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Scouting Ireland Photo Gallery

If your group, County or Province are having an event and want some pictures of that event featured on Scouting Ireland’s Photo gallery then please get in contact with us at photos@scouts.ie. We have a dedicated photography section on the team headed up by Dave Coyne and we would be only too delighted to feature your group on the gallery.So if you want to avail of this service contact us by email and we can direct you on how you can go about this.

You can check out the photo gallery here

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Major Awards at De Le Salle Group

Recognition Night

29th Belfast Venture Investiture

Huge congratulations to Colm Ennis who received the Gold Honour Award at the

De La Salle Group Recognition Night. This is the first ever award of its kind to be

presented in the history of Scouting Ireland. Other huge congratulations to Paschal

Guilfoyle who received the Cú Chulainn award and was inducted in to the Order of

Cú Chulainn. Two massive achievements for these very worthy scouters.

To view more pictures of the Event check out the Scouting Ireland

Gallery click on the link

29th Belfast Venture Scouts recently held an investiture for their new recruits. In keeping with the tradition of letting the young people decide where and when it should take place, they decided to travel to the beautiful Co Down village of Rostrevor to hold their cermony high in the Mourne mountains beside the mighty Cloughmore stone. As the evening sun set behind the Cooley mountains, darkness fell and the group doned their hiking gear head torches , carefully lifted the group flag and started to climb into Rostrevor forest. The event was scheduled for the stroke of midnight, and at 23.50 the group gathered around the mythical

Cloughmore Stone. It was a sureal location due to the fact that we were surrounded by eerie shadows distorted by the swirling mist creeping up the mountain from the distant shore below.True enough on the stroke of midnight, the important investiture ceremony took place officiated by leaders Pat Lauren and Eamonn and the 29th Belfast venture section had several new members.

Investiture is the most important ceremony in the life of any scout and the event coupled with the iconic surroundings only served to ensure this was an evening never to forget and grand introduction into the world of scouting for the new recruits.

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Province News

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Application Form

The Star Scout Show 2012 will take place on the 24th and 25th March 2012 in the

O’Reilly Theatre.

Expressions of interest to participate are now closed, and we currently have

groups from Carlow, Clare, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Meath and Waterford

interested in participating.

Expressions of interest to crew are still open but will be closing in January. To register an interest to crew, find us on Facebook/The Star Scout Show and leave us a post; complete the attached form and return to The Star Scout Show, c/o PH Sound Systems, Unit 10A Grattan Business Park, Clonshaugh, Dublin; or contact scoutshow@dublin.ie. Tickets go on sale in January. Ticket prices are €6 for children and €12 for adults. Special group packages available (details to follow). To secure your ticket early contact our box office at scoutshow@dublin.ie.

24th and 25th of March 2012

Follow us on facebook : THE STAR SCOUT SHOW

Expression of interest Form

On Stage

Act Application Form

Group Name: ______________________________ Phone No (M): ____________________

Contact Name: ______________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________

Crew

Crew Application Form

Name: ______________________________ Phone No (M): _______________

Address: ___________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________

Areas of interest

Sound: _____ Lights: _____ Production: _____ Other (please specify): ______________________________

See the show

Tickets for the show

Group Name: ______________________________ Phone No (M): _______________

Contact Name: ______________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________

Fill in the appropriate

form and return to

scoutshow@dublin.ie or by post

Star Scout Show Committee,

c/o PH Sound Systems,

Unit 10a Grattan Bus Pk,

Clonshaugh,

Dublin.

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The Star Scout Show 2012

24th and 25th of March

On stage or in the wings, we got something for everyone

Grab a Expression of interest Form now!!!

Any question email us on Scoutshow@dublin.ie

Star Scout Show Committee,

c/o PH Sound Systems, Unit 10a Grattan Bus Pk,

Clonshaugh, Dublin

Follow us on facebook : THE STAR SCOUT SHOW

On Stage

See the

show

Crew

Staff

Event Poster

Change of Venue for the Star Scout Show 2012

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Roscrea Ventures in Achill

On the October Bank Holiday weekend 13 Ventures and 4 Leaders headed to

Achill Island. After 4 hours on the road in brutal weather we arrived in Achill. After a

quick set-up in the Scout Den; it was time for the first hike of the evening – a 9km

hike around Dugort. The rain lashed down and at 11pm it was fairly dark; but on

the 13 brave Ventures went. After two hours and one or two mishaps in the boggy

and sodden ground the hike was over and it was time for a much earned sleep.

Onto Keem for 2pm where the weather was holding up and an 8km hike in the hills with spectular views of the Atlantic Ocean. At 5pm it was back to the Scout Den for dinner and then over to the Achill Rovers Football Club for showers. Then it was rest time after a successfulSaturday.

Sunday brought an extra hour in bed but it was still an early rise. The teams took two different routes choices – the majority took on the 18km challenge of walking from Dooega over Minaun Hill and down into Keel. The weather was extremely wet and the climb to the top on Minaun was challenging. The rest opted for a 10km walk around Saula near Achill Sound followed by a

Overnight the rain lashed down but thankfully by 8am a let up was in site. After a quick breakfast it was time for the first hike of the day over in Cloghmore. The 13km Atlantic Loop walk with its spectular scenery was the challenge for the morning. The Ventures were divided into 5 teams of 2 or 3 members and dropped at different points on the hike route. The teams had 4 hours for the hike but walking at a quick pace in windy but thankfully dry conditions each time completed the hike in between 2 ½ and 3 ½ hours. Then it was time for the transfer to Keem on the otherside of Achill for the afternoon challenge. En route there was time for a stop in the Beehive restaurant and a much need bowl of soup.

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Province News

8km walk around Keel. After 5 hours of walking everyone completed their hikes

Monday brought the last of the hikes – a nice 6km hike around Achill’s deserted village. After the hike it was time to complete the logs, reflect on the weekend and tidy up and hit the road for the four hour journey home.Well done to the 13 Ventures on completing the Expedition element of their Chief Scout / Gaisce Awards ~ Kalen McNamara, Tommy Ryan, Billy Breen, Sinead Flanagan, Shane Culleton, Eoin Hobbs, Mark Murphy, Niamh Marks, Jack Delaney, Fergal Flanagan, Eoin Cooke, Cillian O’Meara and Kyle Cahir.

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Provincial Venture Scout Reps + Substitute

Clare County Youth Forum

This year’s Provincial Youth Forum for Scouts and Venture Scouts was held in

Tuam Scout hall on Sunday 27th November. The host, John Egan (Western

Provincial Youth Programme Rep) was very pleased with the good turnout on the

day; with scouts present from all five counties in the west.

As well as getting to know each other and having plenty of fun, the counties

Reps discussed issues around Youth Involvement and elected Provincial The Clare County Youth Forum 2011 was held on the weekend of the 5/6th Nov at Ruan Scout Center, Co. Clare. The weekend began with a training session for the PL’s & APL’s with modules on Leave no Trace, Special Interest Badges, Patrol Identities & working in patrols and the Chief scout award. The day was broken up with some team building games and activities. After dinner Saturday evening the scouts and ventures held their fora. Each forum was youth led and run with the outgoing reps chairing the fora. Many topics were discussed by each age section including their role within the county and at county meetings, review of county events and thoughts on upcoming events, and even some ideas for new events like a county disco. At the end of the fora the scouts/ventures who were seeking election as reps gave brief speeches to the group to make their political pitches. The venture forum elected their county reps on Saturday evening. Congratulations to Nial Greaney, Alex Huddleston, Jason Dineen & Gearoid Shannon who were elected by their peers to represent them. The scout section had their election on Sunday morning after their scouts own reflection. Congratulations to Donal

Scouts & Venture Scout Reps. Congratulations to our newly elected Provincial Scout Reps: Meabh Gardiner, Kayleigh Malone, Donal Watson, Karl Mallon, Nathan Dean, Sam Belton and our Venture Scout Reps: Jason Dinneen, Alex Huddlestan, Ailis Gavin, Niamh Donnelly, Dirmuid Finnan, Ivana Connor!

The Venture Scout Reps that were elected at last year’s forum did a great job at facilitating the discussion and helping with the running of the Forum.

Thanks to all the Scouts & Venture Scouts who came to the Forum, to the helpers & drivers and to 2nd Galway Tuam for the use of their great hall!

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Province News

Watson, Ben Blessington, Meabh Gardiner & Kayleigh Malone who were also elected by their peers to represent them. All in all the weekend was a great success with friendships made and furthered and hopefully some learning done along the way by the scouts and by the adult scouters in seeing some of the directions the youth members would like the county to go in. Again Ruan proved a most appropriate venue for this type of event with the various buildings on site providing more than adequate areas for training and games with the new steeltech building ably doubling as kitchen/dining shelter and games and training room and as ever the campfire circle was the perfect setting to end the night with some entertainment.

Provincial Scout Reps + Substitute

Clare Scout County Orienteering Day 2011

On Saturday 26th Nov 2011 Scouts and Venture Scouts from around Clare descended on Cratloe Woods for the annual County Orienteering competition. 77 entrants in total were there to compete for the wonderful prizes on offer. The course was of moderate difficulty with a winning time of 56 mins in the venture section and 1hr 30 min for the scout section. The

Provincial Youth Forum in the Western Province

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12th Galway Claregalway

the Scout competition. The scouts while having a great day out mixing with their friends from groups all over the county also get to feel very proud of themselves by living up to their promise of helping other people and we were delighted to forward €580.50 to TLC4CF and to help in a small way raise awareness of what they are about as a charity.

weather on the day proved most favourable remaining dry throughout and pretty mild too. Hot chocolate was waiting for all the competitors as they finished the course. The ventures completed the course as individual competitors while the scouts competed in teams of 3 or 2. Congratulations to all who took part and finished the course but especially to Cathal (Newmarket on Fergus), Jason (Killaoe) and Robert (Shannon) who came 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Venture competition and to the teams of Ryan & Rory (Ennis), Dean Calum & Tommy (Sixmilebridge) and Darragh & Barry (Ennis) who came 1st, 2nd & 3rd in

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Province News

The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts of 12th Galway joined forces in November for a hike along the shore at Rinville Park, Oranmore, Co Galway. The older Cubs enjoyed learning some fire making and backwoods cooking skills from the Scouts. While the Beavers and the remaining Cubs enjoyed exploring the rocky beach.

12th Galway Cubs also visited Ireland’s only computer museum exhibition at the Digital Enterprise Research Institute in the IDA park in Dangan, Galway. They were given a guided tour and were told the fascinating story of key moments

in the history of communications. From how their grandparents played and were educated, to how the typewriter was replaced by the modern computer. The legendary video games from the 1980s was the most popular display, which included Pacman, Space Invaders, and Asteroids.

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River Valley Scout Group Rathcormac Scouts News

12 members of the River Valley Scout Group today become the first people to be

assessed under the

new Irish canoe union ‘sit on top’ award scheme, and they all passed despite the

adverse weather conditions

This new syllabus had been two years in development by the Irish Canoe

Union, and it is ideal for cub packs, younger scouts and for those with less water Rathcormac Scouts wish to thank the management and staff and customers of Herlihey’s Centra Fermoy for the help and support which we received last Saturday for our Bag Packing also thanks to the all Scouts, Leaders and Parents who helped on the day this is very much appreciated.

Also the Rathcormac Scouts participated in the Sionnach Adventure challenge last weekend which involved hiking and camping out over the weekend. This event took place on the Burren Co. Clare and was enjoyed by all.

confidence as the boats are more stable then traditional Kayaks and as they are not enclosed there is less chance of issues with capsizing The group was also able to input to the syllabus as we requested the inclusion of tandem canoes in the assessment process. The River Valley Group has engaged in an intense canoe training programme over the summer culminating in the attendance and achieving their ICU Kayak Level 2 awards. The group is currently engaged in a level 3 training programme with the ICU The assessment today finished the programme cycle with the cubs and those linking to the scout section getting their sit on top awards.

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Province News

Rathcormac Scouts Big Investment

Rathcormac Scouts have just take delivery of their new Kayaks the Dagger GT Series which they purchased from the Great Outdoors at cost of nearly €4,000.00. These new Kayaks will be used by the Rathcormac Scouts and Venture Scouts to deliver the Paddling syllabus of the new Adventure Badge Scheme as set out by Scouting Ireland.

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Spider Beavers

14th Fermanagh Cub Halloween Night

On the 17th November, 21 Beaver Scouts and 3 Cub Scouts from the 8th Kildare

Maynooth went to the National History Museum, climbing at Trinity College and

finished up eating pizza in Pearse St Station.

After spending time completing work books in the National History Museum, we

went to Merrion Square Park to have lunch and play some wide games. Then

it was on to Trinity for some climbing fun. For most it was their first time ever to

Cub Scouts went all out for Halloween this year in the 14th Fermanagh. All the Cubs came along in fancy dress and great fun was had by all.

don a harness and try their hand at climbing. With everyone including the Scouters having a go, and most getting at least half way up, it really was a memorable day.

According to 1 of the Beavers climbing was definitely the best part of the day, with eating pizza in the train station a close second

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Province News

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Memorable Scout Ceremony at

Merchants’ Quay

On Sunday 20th November 2011, a ceremony was held at the Franciscan

Church, Merchants’ Quay, Dublin, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the

establishment of the 61st Dublin Scout Group and also to remember the deceased

members of Dublinia Scout County. The event was attended by hundreds of scouts

from groups in Dublinia Scout County and also by the De La Salle Waterford Scout

Pipe Band. Fr. Hugh McKenna ofm, accompanied by the friars of the Merchants’ Quay community, two former National Scout Chaplains, Fr. Larry Mulligan, and Fr Peter Kehoe, and the current National Chaplain Fr. David Kenneally. The event was also attended by the former Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland CSI, Peter Dixon.

The Chief Scout, M. J. Shinnick, was welcomed on arrival by the Guardian of the Franciscan Friary, Bro. Niall O’Donnell ofm, the County Commissioner, Pat McCartin, and the Group Leader of the 61st Dublin, Declan O’Reilly. A guard of honour of beavers, cubs and scouts from Dublinia Scout County was inspected by the Chief Scout to the accompaniment of the Waterford Scout Pipe Band. The ceremony commenced with a parade of group flags into the church led by a main colour party of Merchants’ Quay scouts dressed in the five uniforms worn by Merchants’ Quay since its foundation in 1931. Mass was celebrated by the Fr. Provincial of the Franciscan Order,

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Province News

An excellent choir of young members from scout groups in Dublinia Scout County was organised by Anne Browne and Frank Lawlor of the 35th Dublin, Donore Avenue Group.

In a very moving part of the ceremony, the original 61st Dublin Scout flag and the neckerchiefs of all the scout groups of Dublinia Scout County were carried into the church and placed in front of the high altar. The bearers were elder scout leaders and past members who collectively have given over 400 years voluntary service to scouting.

Following the communion, a commemoration ceremony was held in which the story of the founding of the scouts was read out, followed by a collective rendition of the scout prayer by all present. This was followed by a stunning performance of the lament, Highland Cathedral, by the Waterford Scout Pipe Band which drew a sustained round of applause from the congregation. The old 61st Flag and the group neckerchiefs were then carried from the high altar by present day members of the beavers, cubs and scouts of Dublinia Scout County.

In his address to the gathering, the Chief Scout paid tribute to the long history of scouting in the 61st Dublin. He

gave particular praise to the resilience of the current team of scout leaders in Merchants’ Quay who had guided the group through a very difficult period in recent years. He also acknowledged the contribution to scouting of the scout groups in Dublinia Scout County, some of which are among the oldest scout groups in the country.

The ceremony was followed by a parade and march-past of scouts along the South Dublin Quays led by the pipe band, following which there was a reception for all present in the Franciscan Friary. All in all, it was a day to remember for existing members and for the many past members, friends and parents who attended.

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Cluain Toirc Beaver Scout Quiz18th Santry get €2000 grant From Dublin Bus

The Cluain Toirc Beaver Scouts held their County Quiz in the 44th (Dublin

Whitehall) Scout Den recently.

There was over 50 Beaver Scouts in attendance and 18 leaders.

The following Beaver Scout colonies attended on the day with

teams,18th Santry, 44th Whitehall, 58/85th Donnycarney, 92nd

Clontarf, 127th Drumcondra, 140th Beaumont & 160th Ardlea

The winners were a combined team from 92nd Clontarf/44th The 18th Santry were awarded a €2000 grant from Dublin Bus at recent awards ceremony which took place at Croke Park Dublin.

Whitehall 2nd was 160th Ardlea 3rd was 58/85th Donnycarney All Beaver Scouts and leaders got a special badge for attending.

The questions were set in the following categories Disney, General knowledge, picture round, Beaver Scout, Sport, Nature and Not me!

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Province News

51

Donabate Summer Camp

14th Port Donabate Sea Scouts travelled the 68km down the River Barrow by

canoe and kayak from Athy, Co Kildare to St Mullins, Carlow for their annual camp

2011. The journey took the 22 Scouts and 6 leaders 8 days, on paddling down

23 weirs and 3 wild water rapids the way and camping either on the towpath that

follows the river or at the locks of the Barrow navigation that allow boats pass up

and down the river.

camping by the lock, swimming and paddling down the adjoining weir and rapids.

The river passes through the towns of Carlow, Bagenalstown, Graiguenamanagh and passes by where the ancient seats of the High Kings of Leinster were at Leighlinbridge and Borris. King Henry VIII insisted that weirs on the Barrow be passable to canoes and that towpaths be kept clear to allow boats be hauled upriver! The Barrow is unique among river in Ireland as it has locks and many weirs of interest to paddlers looking for a challenge. The Shannon and Erne have locks but few weirs and other rivers with weirs such as the Suir, Boyne, Blackwater no locks.

Camping gear was loaded each morning into a Sea Scout boat, the BP18 and it was towed to the next campsite by barge. The canal locks are served by lockkeepers of Waterways Ireland who gave advice on where to get water, where to see otters, kingfishers and where to recycle waste. But for much of the river’s route flows through wilderness of wooded valleys with no fields, houses or roads nearby. Two of the campsites were remote and for several days no other boats were encountered. Campsites chosen would often be beside a challenging set of rapids, which the next morning the kayaks would shoot again using the canal to travel upstream. The favourite site of the Scouts was at Ballytiglea where the Troop lingered for 2 days,

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Province News

Below St Mullins the river becomes tidal with no further weirs passing New Ross and Passage East, Co Waterford on the way to the sea. On the last day of camp the Scouts turned north and paddled upstream to haul out at Graiguenamanagh, where the annual canoe/rowing regatta was being held. Donabate were joined by 2 trainee kayak instructors from 9th Port Malahide Sea Scouts who were logging hours in preparation for own instructor assessment by Canoeing Ireland. On the camp 10 Scouts passed their Level 2 skills assessment (Scouting Paddling proficiency Level 6). With the rest practicing for their Level 7 and 8.

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Caherdavin Scouts take on Extreme

Fundraising Challenge

Last Bank Holiday weekend a group of 15 Scouts, Venture Scouts and Scouters

took on an ambitious fundraising challenge that saw them sleep in a cave and then

sleep on Ireland’s highest mountain on consecutive nights.

On the night October 28th the High & Low Challenge began as 15 members of

Scouting Ireland abseiled down into a large pothole just a few miles outside of

Lisdoonvarna. At the bottom of the pothole lay the entrance to Poll na gColm,

Ireland’s longest cave system.

climb Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. The route chosen to go up the mountain was quite challenging especially for the first timers in the group, and included some hiking in the dark but several hours later the group made it to our campsite for the night, an impressive 750 metres high. To make it even more interesting, we decided to go without tents for the night and instead relied only on our sleeping bags and orange plastic “survival bags” to keep us dry and warm. In the morning, the weather was less than ideal, so the decision was made to split the group – one group would go for the summit, while the other would return to the valley below by the climbing route taken the night before. Both groups met at the ford in Hag’s Glen later that morning, and tired and weary, walked out to the car park at Lisleibane, for the drive home.

The group entered Gunman’s Cave, where they slept for the night. The cave was dark, damp and cramped but it didn’t stop the scouts having fun. The group stayed there until 8am the next morning when they emerged from the cave and climbed back up the rock face to the main road during a downpour. After a quick meal of sausages, rashers, bread and tea, the group headed back to their Scout Hall in Limerick.However that wasn’t enough for these Scouts. After a quick stop in Limerick they were on the road again, this time heading to Killarney. The second challenge was to

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Province News

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Charleville Scouts Flying High!

Bandon to Botswana

Charleville Scout Group had a great Day Out on Saturday 12th with the Beavers,

Cubs &Scouts together as one large group.

We had 44 Youth Members in total, aged from 6 to 16, with 11 Leaders & Adults.

Agenda for the day :

Visit to Coonagh Airfield & Aerodrome, the home of the Limerick Flying Club where

we met a Pilot & Flight Instructor from the club. All the kids got to get up close to

the recently acquired Tecnam and AT-3 R100 aircraft. The instructor started off by

he asked him to sit in the cockpit and to operate the controls so that we all could see how they changed the position of the Ailerons, Elevators and Rudder on the aircraft. We were also shown how the Flaps worked and why they are used during Take Off and Landing.All of the other Beavers, Cubs & Scouts then got to sit inside the aircraft to try out the controls for themselves. One of the other pilots performed a Take Off, Low Fly Over and Landing in the Tecnam aircraft in front of us before we left, which was a treat.

asking the group the question”How does the aircraft manage to fly ?”. They had been well-prepared from work that the Leaders did with them at weekly meetings and from homework assignments.Daniel Kennedy was very quick to respond with a detailed explanation of how the design of the airplane’s wing allows it to be lifted up due to the difference in air pressure between the top and bottom of the wing. The flight instructor was so impressed with Daniel’s answer that

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Province News

23 members of the Bandon Scout Group will travel to Botswana next July where they will renovate an Orphanage at Old Naledi; They will also be working in the Serowe SOS childrens village. Most of the children they will be working with are Aids Orphans. The Bandon Group is made up of Venture Scouts, Rover Scouts and some Scouters. All participants are paying their own fares and are raising money to improve conditions in the Orphanage. The Group undertook a sponsored cycle in which they covered the distance from Bandon

to Botswana on gym bikes. Other fundraiser events have included coffee mornings in the various secondary schools in Bandon town, a Ladies night in the scout hall and pub quizzes in various premises. The Group have set themselves a target of €20000.

Below is a photo of the Group on the completion of the cycle in the Riverview shopping Mall in Bandon.

Anyone wishing to donate to this project may do so online through mycharity.ie. by searching for B2B.

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Scouts Venture on Mangerton Mountain

Lifetime Awards at Mayfield CelebrationsThe was a large gathering last week of old and present day members gathered at the John McCarthy Scout Hall, Dillon’s Cross to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the 21st Cork Scout Troop.

The Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick and his wife Marion were quests of honour on the night.

Last weekend saw the Scouts of the Lee Valley Scout County set off on one of their activities set out for this Scouting year. Organised by Adrian Kay of the 45th Cork (Blarney), the Scouts in three age groups of scouts, venture scouts and rover scouts met at the base of Mangerton Mountain, not far from Killarney. Shortly after 10 am the groups set out for their adventure.

The weather to start with was not as bad to start with compared with torrential rain that was to meet them. All Scouts left in their patrols equipped with maps, compass’s and route cards. The climb went extremely well for them as they approached the infamous Devils Punch Bowl, which is an amazing landscape to view and admire on the way.

Unfortunately the weather turned for the worse. Wind speeds picked up dramatically and the rain gradually got heavier with very little chance of anyone coming home dry.Regardless, everyone held their heads high and carried on with the climb.

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Province News

As the Scouts reached the peak of Mangerton it was near impossible too see the beautiful lakes and mountains surrounding. With more focus the Scouts could peer through the strong mist and see the Devils Punch Bowl from the peak.

After reaching the peak the Scouts were more than ready to make their descent. To their amazement the clearly visible path on the way up was now a flowing river on the way down. Care had to be taken by all as the soil covered water raced to the bottom of the mountain. Thankfully everyone made it down safely but not without getting stuck in a bog, as the base was now water logged.

Overall, the Scouts enjoyed the day and certainly saw it as a challenge.

The Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick spoke about people who appreciate a pat on the back through there involvement in scouting and this was a nice lead up to the high light of the night. The awarding of two Life Time achievement awards to Mick Carroll and Paul Madden who were taken completely by surprise. The awards were given for their involvement in Scouting over many years. They are still active today and are very good attendee’s at the monthly meetings of the Fellowship Patrol.

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Southern Provincial ForumMidleton Proves Enjoyable Challenge

On Sunday last at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow the Scout, Venture Scout and

Rover Scout youth representatives from the Southern Province gathered to

participate in the Provincial Youth Forum. Almost forty youth members gathered to

discuss issues like Uniform, Communications, National Events and Programme to

mention a few.

The day also included the election of Provincial Youth Reps that will go forward

to represent the Southern Province at the National Youth Forum which is to take

place on the 28th and 29th of January 2012.

The following representatives were elected. Scouts - Sinead Callanan (Limerick

Scout County), Claire Fehilly (Tipperary Cois Suire), Shane Morgan (Cork South),

The Lee Valley Urban Challenge for scout troops in the county took place last weekend. All the teams met at Kent Station on Saturday morning to catch the 10.15am train to Midleton to complete the 2011 Urban Challenge. This consisted of 35 questions in the morning bases around the town.

The Scouts were given a folder with all the equipment needed to carry out the first part of their challenge, which consisted of 35 questions about Midleton, they were also required to complete two sketches of local landmarks plus a sketch map of the town itself. They all met up again at the park at 1pm to complete four bases. These were a logic type riddle base, a postcard jigsaw, a “lost at sea” scenario ranking base and a reef knot relay base with a difference. In this base the Scouts had to work in pairs but only using one hand each to complete the knots.

Shaun Pittman O’Connell (North Cork), Kristjan Amann (Lee Valley) and Padraic Malone (Cork South).Venture Scouts - Michael Vaughan (North Cork), Stephen Martin (Lee Valley),Tom Treacy and Jason Dinneen (Limerick), Gillian Seery and Shannon Lyons (Cork South).Rover Scouts - Máire Fitzgerald (Lee Valley) and Ciara Murray (Limerick).

Speaking to Chris McSweeney from Innishannon who was running the forum, he said that he was very pleased with the quality of the attendance and in particular the contribution each group made in the feed back session.

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Province News

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Scout Shop Mark 40 Years Cubs Find the Orienteering Markers

There was a very nice mix of people at a reception to mark the 40th anniversary

of the Scout Shop in Cork last Thursday evening. The shop originated out of a

uniform depot which was based adjacent to St. Patrick’s Church, Lower Road

from the 1950’s to the opening of the first full time shop supplying all uniform parts

and camping gear in 1971. Last year the shop moved to a more central location

at Paul Street. The attendance included the Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick

and John Brennan, Chief Commissioner along with past staff members and many

current leaders and supporters.

The Cub Scouts/Macaoimh from Lee Valley County enjoyed the best of the weather last Saturday for their annual Orienteering Event held at Ballincollig Park. The setting was ideal and the event was organised by Pat Spillane and Carol Nichols under the watchful eye of Colin Heas.

The young spirited Cub Scouts went off in groups of three or four and were accompanied by a leader or by a willing parent roped in for the day. As the teams came back with their scores they were still as fit as a fiddle, the same of which could not be said of the accompanying adult.

A little known fact is that Orienteering was brought into this country through Scouting from Scandinavia in 1968 and the first National Orienteering Competition organised by Jim Prendergast from the National Scout Training Team was held at Watergrasshill, Co. Cork the same year.

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Slieve Foy Scout group Leader Gerry Finnegan has come up with a novel way of increasing the number of new adult recruits joining the Group. The idea is a twist on the “Bring a Pal” method, only difference is this is not for youth members it is for Adults. How it works is that this specially designed exclusive Kneckerchief leader is presented to the leader in the Group who can get more adults to join the Group. They get to wear this neckerchief on condition that they are in the lead, that is the person that has recruited the most leaders. Once they lose their position they have to pass it over to the next leader who recruits more. The Changeover takes

Bruce Weldon died peacefully at home on 30 November 2011. Bruce’s Scouting career started in 17th Dublin (Blackrock), and later he became a Leader in 25th Dublin (Mount Merrion). Subsequently he was appointed District Commissioner for Dun Laoghaire. As well as his interest in Scouting, Bruce was also a keen sailor, and sailed regularly in Dublin Bay.

When SAI procured the former lightship “Albatross” from the Commissioners of Irish Lights as a Training Centre in Dun Laoghaire, Bruce volunteered for the Committee, and became Training Officer. He formed a Team to run the various courses on “Albatross” – sailing, rowing and seamanship - and this Team later became the Sea Training Team of Scouting Ireland.Subsequently he served a term as National Commissioner for Sea Scouting.

In the past few years, Bruce had experienced, and faced down, a formidable series of health problems, with the help of his doctors and staunch support of his wife, Di, and his family. When the end came, it was quiet, peaceful and at home.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

place at each Group Council when the current state of play is announced.This novel way of recruiting leaders seems to be working well for Slieve Foy and the competition is really on. Would this work for your Group?

New Recruitment Idea in Slieve Foy Scout Group

Gone Home - Bruce Weldon

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Larch Hill Gate Lodge

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