Official online magazine of Scouting Ireland

Camp North East all the Action!Venture Scout Challenge!

Rover Action Week Video!Section Resources Keep Coming!

Camp Two!

And much much more inside

May 2014

Welcome to this month’s issue of Inside Out. In this month’s issue we have coverage of Camp North East were over 1,000 Cub Scouts and Beaver Scouts took part over the May Bank holiday weekend.

Some other highlights this month include, a look back at the Venture Challenge training weekend, Munster MPC and much more. We again have some more great resources from the programme sections. We have a video which was put together by the Rover Scout team during this year’s ‘Rover Scout Action Week’. We look forward to some National Activities which are scheduled to take place over the next few months. So why not get involved. And there is lots more!

This month as in every month we feature many articles and Pictures from all around the Country from groups just like yours. So what are you waiting for get your group or county event featured? We are making it easier for you to submit your article and pictures. We now have a dedicated page set up to enable you to make a submission Just click here and fill in the details.

If you have any Queries please contact us at communications@scouts.ie.

Please forward this month’s issue to all Scouters and Youth Members in your group. Don’t presume they have got it. Deadline for next month’s issue is the 31st May.

The Communications Team

Communications Commissioner Intro

4917284572

Quote of the Month

In this issue...

National NewsBeaver ScoutsMunster MPCCamp North EastFIGSInto Da West

“We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled but as candles to be lit.”

Darkness to Light P.10

National News from the May National Management Meeting

National Fundraiser

The National Management Committee (NMC) noted that the ‘12 Days of

Xmas Draw’ review is complete and the licence application is being made

in the coming week. The ‘12 Deeds of Xmas’ initiative will be launched at

the same time for Scout Groups in Northern Ireland.

Strategic Planning

Each member of the NMC completed a task set by the Chief Scout to

review the Vision 2020 proposals made to the National Council. The NMC

agreed to form a sub-committee to review these findings and to report to

the next meeting.

• 2014 Camp TWO: Lough Dan• 2015 Camp THREE: NWAC & Killaloe campsite• 2016 Camp FOUR: Castle Saunderson (Cross boarder / multi Association)• 2017 Camp FIVE: Mount Melleray

Garda VettingThe Chief Commissioner (Adult Resources) informed the NMC about some developments in the Garda Vetting Process and how the Garda Vetting Unit are researching an online option. Scouting Ireland

Youth Programme Effectiveness review

The terms of reference for the Youth Programme Effectiveness review were adopted by the NMC. Louis Mullee was appointed the Project manager. The terms of reference can be downloaded from HERE.

National CampsThe following dates & locations were noted for national Camps;• 2013 Camp ONE: Larch Hill

are discussing these changes with the Garda Vetting Unit and more information will follow the association as soon as it’s available

Scouters ConferenceThe NMC were informed that it is planned to run a Scouters Conference from 7th – 9th November 2014. This will be hosted by the Chief Scout and the two Chief Commissioners.

The extended mutual agreements that the two Chief Commissioners will be having with the Provincial Teams and the County Commissioners, CPC & CTC’s over the coming months will assist in focusing the programme for the conferences.

The proposed participants are;

• Section Team Leaders• Group Leaders• County Programme Coordinators & Assistant County Programme Coordinators• County Training Coordinators• County Commissioners

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The National Secretary & National Treasurer will facilitate “market place workshops” that will support and lead into support workshops linked to National Council.

Further details will be circulated as soon as it becomes available

Training ReviewThe NMC noted the training review is ongoing and the Project Manager and Training Commissioner will update the NMC at the September meeting.

National Council 2015 – PlansIt was noted that the RDS has been booked for a one day meeting on 18th April 2015 and plans are progressing. The NMC agreed to proceed with a Scouting Ireland annual dinner that will take place on Saturday 18th April 2015. The National Secretary will be establishing a team to work on planning this event.

Castle Saunderson CommitteeAs part of the funding received from SEPUB, it was agreed that a joint committee would be formed in included six members of Scouting Ireland, three members of NISC and a representative of Cavan County Council. Scouting Ireland nominated the following personnel to this committee

• Jack Keys – Chairperson• Gerry Finnegan• Jimmy Cunningham • Michael John Shinnick• One Scouter from RoI – To be agreed• One Scouter from NI – To be agreed

Support Officer for Campsites and Facilities will be an ex-officio member

Retrospective VettingThe NMC noted the list of members that no retrospective vetting had been completed on. This list is to be actioned with high priority and will be reviewed again at each NMC meeting going forward.

Appointment of Team Leader Campsites and FacilitiesFollowing a recommendation from the interview panel, the NMC appointed Gerry Finnegan as Team Leader Campsites and Facilities

National Committee AppointmentsAll National Committees were reappointed

Operation Lelievlet Sub CommitteeThe Operation Lelievlet sub-committee was appointed – terms of reference to be approved at the June meeting of the NMC. The members of the committee are;

• Chief Scout• Chief Executive Officer• Provincial Commissioner (Western Province)• Provincial Commissioner (Southern Province)

NSRAPThe report of the Faith & Beliefs (FAB) working Group was noted. It was agreed to progress the reestablishment of the National Spiritual & Religious Advisory Panel. The NS will correspond with each of the main faiths in Ireland and progress this matter. The current FAB Working Group are to be tasked with establishing the “ways of working” for when NSRAP is established – so that they are aware from the outset of their requirements and how the interactions with the various SI bodies is to proceed.

Operations Support Team TORThe Terms of Reference for the Operations Support Team were approved. The terms of reference can be downloaded from HERE.

SID 60/10 - Policy on Annual Registration Fee & Rebates/Grants to Scout Groups/CountiesThe noted changes to SID 60/10 were approved. SID 60.10 can be downloaded from HERE.

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International Trip AdvisorThe International Team ‘Trip Advisor’ is now live and notes international campsites that Scouting Ireland Groups have previously used. This can be seen HERE – Insert LInk

Head of Contingent - Roverway 2016Following the recommendation from the interview panel the NMC appointed Glenn Webster as the Head of Contingent for Roverway 2016

Head of Contingent – World Scout Moot 2017Following the recommendation from the interview panel the NMC appointed Michael Brennan as the Head of Contingent for the World Scout Moot 2017

International Conference & Seminar Delegate Academy It was noted that the International Conference & Seminar Delegate

National News from the May National Management Meeting

World Scout Youth Forum (and then on to the World Scout Conference)Two delegates to the World Scout Youth Forum will be selected from the Academy by the International Commissioner and the Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme). These delegates will then join the rest of the delegation at the World Scout Conference.

World Scout Moot Bid 2021The International Commissioner noted that an open call had been issued for Rover Scouts to join the World Scout Moot Bid Team. Fifteen applications have been received and the NMC agreed that six members should be selected from the applicants.

Website DevelopmentThe NMC noted a detailed presentation regarding the development of the Scouting Ireland Website and an outline of the project plan for the development of content.

Academy (The Academy) has been established and conducted an open call for the ’20 other members of Scouting Ireland’. The International Commissioner noted he had received 24 applications to join the Academy and the NMC agreed to appoint all applicants to the academy

World Scout Conference Delegation 2014It was agreed to send seven Scouters to the World Scout Conference in Slovenia. The delegation will be as follows

World Scout Conference Delegates• International Commissioner – Head of Delegation• Chief Scout• Chief Commissioner (Adult Resources)• Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme)

Observer• Chief Executive Officer

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The Scout Shop AGM

The AGM of the Scout shop the retail arm of Scouting Ireland took place

recently in Larch Hill.

This year the attendance included not only the National Secretary,

National Treasurer , and CEO but also included 3 other members of the

NMC in Communications Commissioner, Jimmy Cunningham, Provincial

Commissioner James O Toole and Ordinary NMC member Ollie Kehoe.

behalf of Scouting Ireland.The Chairperson of the Scout Shop urged all members of Scouting Ireland to give the scout shop first chance at quoting for any of their Gear requirements. The Scout Shop would endeavour to meet any quotes received from external companies and possibly better those quotes. If it couldn’t then there was no harm done but if the sale went to the Scout Shop then this would help sustain Scout Shops and also boost the chances of a bigger donation back to Scouting Ireland. One of the biggest problems facing Scout shops and one that the current National secretary committed to addressing is rouge traders who

After the formal business of the AGM a discussion took place on how the Scout Shop could support Scouting Ireland Better and vice a versa and how Scouting Ireland could start supporting the Scout Shop better.

Scouting Ireland welcomed the Donation over the last 12 months of €150,000 from the Scout Shop and thank the volunteer board of the Scout Shop for their continued support and effort in developing the Scout Shop on

were illegally using the Scouting Ireland Brand on various Products. It is important that anyone in Scouting Ireland should only Purchase apparel, uniform from the Scout Shop our official licenced distributor.The Success of the new Scout Brand apparel in terms of sales and in the image of scouting has been a plus for both companies and it was agreed by both the Communications Commissioner and the manager Scout Shops to continue this partnership and to encourage the continuing involvement of the National Youth Fora.

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It was decided to have another informal meeting of both companies later on the year to address any issues from both sides.

Chief Scout Award Mentor Conference

The 7th June is the date for the Chief Scout Award Mentor Conference in

Larch Hill.

All CSA Mentors are part of the CSA Mentors Network and it is the

responsibility of this network to ensure that the highest possible standard

of support is provided to each and every youth member undertaking

the award. In order to achieve this, we, as Mentors, need to be properly

equipped to support our youth members. For this reason, it is vital that

all Mentors attend this event, and as such, are required to do so in order

of the CSA. Therefore, to aid the review process, it is essential that as many mentors as possible attend this conference. Prebooking for this event is required. The form to register your attendance at the conference is available at this link

to stay on the active register of Mentors. I believe by working together we can continue to uphold the high standard of the superlative youth member award, while sharing methodologies in order to make the award journey more accessible.

As you may already know, motions passed at both this year’s and last year’s National Councils require that a review of the CSA and of the whole youth programme, respectively, are conducted and reported on. The conference is one of the first steps in our review

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To View the latest Mentor connections booklet which has loads of support and information for Scouting Ireland Chief Scout Award mentors Click this link

Let’s Go Camping ResourceHAPPY CAMPING!!!

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Beaver Scouts- Let’s Go Camping

The Programme Commisioner for Beaver Scouts and her team would like to promote the initiative “Beaver Scouts Under Canvas” in the coming months. In order to help you get your colony camping you should find all your questions answered and fears allayed by accessing the resource document via the image right:

Check Out this great resource from the Beaver Scout Team about Camping for Beaver Scouts.

Click on the image to get the full resource

Scouts Play Major Role in

Darkness into Light Event

Many thanks to all of the volunteers from Scouting Ireland who helped

to make Darkness Into Light a success. Marshaling, directing traffic or

just being a Scout and helping out is the background work that makes an

event like this work. It’s great to see the support that such a worthy cause

receives every year and long may it continue. Bravo!

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Boy scout accidentally sets himself

alight while trying to prove he can

start fire

A boy scout teased by friends for failing to start a fire has ended up setting

himself ablaze.

Edward Hawkins, 14, started the fire by lighting pieces of wood in his

garden using petrol as an accelerant.

badly I was burnt,’ he said.Edward Hawkins, shed fireThe fire got out of control and spread to a shed (Picture: Masons)

Edward rolled on the ground to try and put the flames out, while neighbours covered him with wet blankets.

They were able to extinguish the fire and he was transported to Medway Maritime Hospital.Edward Hawkins, shed fireThe remains of the shed (Picture: Masons)

The teenager’s mother Carol, who was taking his brother to school at

The schoolboy had begun to film the blaze on his smartphone when it got out of control and engulfed the shed, which housed £10,000 worth of tools.Edward Hawkins, shed fireEdward, 14, right, with mum Carol Hawkins (Picture: Masons)

When Edward tried to retrieve the tools he too became engulfed in flames.

‘Apparently I was shouting, but I couldn’t feel anything, I was just panicking and didn’t realise how

the time, added: ‘To be honest, Edward wasn’t thinking about himself, he was more worried about how angry his dad would be that the outhouse he built from scratch, and all his tools, had been destroyed.Edward Hawkins, shed fireEdward may need to get a skin graft for his injured thumb (Picture: Masons)

‘But at the end of the day they’re replaceable, my son isn’t and I’m just so happy and relieved that he is alive.’

Edward mostly suffered minor burns but may require a skin graft on his injured thumb.

Article from Metro.co.uk

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HeatAir

Fuel

Fire Triangle Mound FiresFollowing Leave No Trace principles - mound fires are the suggested method of fire setting. The method offers protection of the ground plus the creating of smaller more useful fires.

Mound fires can be constructed on many durable surfaces without destroying the earth beneath it. A covering made of a fire blanket or heavy duty tin foil is placed on the surface. Then a mound of clay is placed on top on which the fire is built.

The fire is easy to construct - first choose a location, what you are looking for is a durable or scrub surface free of vegetation. The sandy or pebble banks beside a river are ideal.

Collect the clay, sand for the mound in the plastic bags and build a mound at least 150 mm high this thick layer of clay will insulate from the heat of the fire. The tin foil or cloth gives extra protect both to the direct heat and from sparks and stray embers that might fall to the ground.

The size of the mound circle should be wide enough to allow for cooking utensils and the spread of coals from the fire.

The art of firelighting is a real scouting skill, to be mastered by all. Scouts should be able to light a fire using only natural materials and one match. No fire lighters allowed. Every Scout worth his or her salt should be able to do it and it is a skill that should be learned from the beginning of their time in Scouting. There are three parts of the triangle of fire; fuel, heat and air. In order to light, a fire must have all three elements. It needs fuel to survive, like we need food. It builds up heat gradually, from your match, to tinder, twigs and bigger fuel. Finally, like us, fire needs to breath!

When you want to extinguish the fire, simply remove one or more of the parts of the triangle; keep unused fuel out of the fire, cool the fire down with water or snow, or smother it with water or clay.The stones and logs surrounding your fire need to be spaced to allow air to be drawn into the fire base

Start building your fire by first placing your tinder on the ground in a light pile. Light your match and let your flame catch hold on the matchstick. Then place it carefully under the tinder and hold it there until the tinder lights. As the fire burns place light tinder and twigs on top of the flame, taking care not to kill the flame as you do so. As fire flares up create a pyramid of timber over the fire.

Once this timber has taken hold introduce heavier logs onto your fire.

A fuzz stick is an excellent way to create dry tinder. You need a sharp knife and a dry - dead wood - stick. Carve the stick into a fuzz as shown. Create long curly shavings if you wish, and collect these to add to your tinder pile. A number of fuzz sticks will be required to light your fire.

TinderTinder is light dry materials that ignites quickly. They are essential to lighting a fire quickly and successfully, using only one match and no paper or firelighters. The simplest of tinder is fluff from pullovers and fleeces. You can also use frizzed up sisal or dry moss. Another good tinder is paper thin bark strips. By far the best natural tinder is dry curly timber shavings created by carving a dry stick. These shavings must be from a dry deadwood stick rather than a green sapling. If you cannot find a dry stick carve off the wet bark; usually the timber is dry underneath.

Fire - lighting

Be smart - Be safeAs Scouts we foster the art of firelighting and care of the environment so mound fires and leave no trace are key skills to have. Do light

fires until you have this knowledge.

Fires are alive and need to be tended and watched other wise they become dangerous.

Keep all flammable material away from the fire. Do not light a fire with fuel or highly flammable

materials.

Keep fuel stoves and bottles well away for a fireplace.

Under no circumstances should paraffin or petrol be used to start or revive fires.

Watch what you are wearing - loose clothing for example, a neckerchief dangling, other items hanging around your neck or from belts - that

can easily catch fire.

Always beware of your own actions and those of others around the fire place.

Place your fire well away from tents, or cluttered areas of the campsite and pay close

attention to wind direction.

Keep fires small and manageable - there is no need to have a fire burning continuously during

camp.

Altar fires should be built at comfortable height to cook safely normally about 450mm (18

inches) above ground level and built so they are steady and firm to work off.

“ . . . t h e p e r s o n w h o g o e s w i t h r e v e r e n t f e e tt h r o u g h t h e h i l l s a n d v a l l e y s , a c c o m p a n i e d b yn e i t h e r n o i s e n o r d u s t t o s c a r e a w a y w i l dc r e a t u r e s , s t o p p i n g o f t e n , w a t c h i n g c l o s e l y ,l i s t e n i n g c a r e f u l l y . O n l y t h u s c a n t h e y , a tl e n g t h , f e e l a t o n e w i t h w h a t i s , a f t e r a l l ,t h e i r n a t u r a l e n v i r o n m e n t ” .

R O B E R T L L O Y D P R A E G E R , 1 9 3 7

T h e S e v e n P r i n c i p l e s o f L e a v e N o Tr a c e

P r a c t i s i n g a L e a v e N o T r a c e e t h i c i s v e r y s i m p l e :

M a k e i t h a r d f o r o t h e r s t o s e e o r h e a r y o u a n d

L E AV E N O T R A C E o f y o u r v i s i t .

1 . P l a n a h e a d a n d p r e p a r e2 . B e c o n s i d e r a t e o f o t h e r s3 . R e s p e c t f a r m a n i m a l s a n d w i l d l i f e4 . T r a v e l a n d c a m p o n d u r a b l e g r o u n d5 . L e a v e w h a t y o u f i n d6 . D i s p o s e o f w a s t e p r o p e r l y7 . M i n i m i s e t h e e f f e c t s o f f i r e

L e a v e N o T r a c e

Scouters we have a resource for you to help your scouts as they plan their Summer camp!

This resource looks at the presentation scouts make on their interest to their patrol for the Terra Nova award. See how Alex, Cuan and TJ introduce their patrols to environmental issues, comics & superheroes, and art through patrol activities.

For the Terra Nova Award, you need to ‘demonstrate how you apply the Scout Promise and Law in daily life’, this week’s resources is designed to help scouts and PLs with this.

Munster MPC

Twelve Scouts and three Scouters (Leaders) from Scout Groups in Tolka

Scout County recently participated in the Munster Mountain Pursuit

Challenge held over the weekend of 11th to 13th of April this year in the

Knockmealdown Mountains located on the border of County Tipperary and

Co. Waterford. These Scouts and Scouters were from the 4/5/129/190th

Dublin (Navan Road) and the 9/10th Dublin (Aughrim Street) Scout

Groups.

The Mountain Pursuit Challenge (MPC) event takes place four times, one in each Province, each year, this is the twenty third year of the MPC’s being held. Each MPC is organised, developed and staffed by members of the MPC Team who are all experienced Scouters, some holders of the Mountain Leader (ML) Award all experienced in mountainous terrain, including remote emergency care and management skills.

A MPC is an event that provides the opportunity for four Scouts and a Scouter (Leader) to participate in an event in the mountains of Ireland, camping and cooking for themselves

Tolka Scout County supports and develops Scouting in North West of Dublin City (covering postal districts of Dublin 1, Dublin 7, Dublin 9 and Dublin 11), it has eight active Scout Groups in these areas, covering all age ranges from 6 to 26 years. More information can be found on the Scouting Ireland website: www.scouts.ie , on the Scout Group locator http://www.scouts.ie/join_today/group_locator.html and on the Tolka Scout County Face Book page – go on and like us !.

undertaking a defined route through the mountains, testing their scout skills, especially their self sufficiency and working as team. Such an event is aimed at Scouts aged between 13.5 years and 16 years. A total of twenty teams participated in Munster MPC this year and came from all parts of Ireland including Belfast, Dublin and Cork. The weather and the terrain are obviously huge factors in undertaking an MPC.

The recent event was no different, lovely moon lit dry night on Friday night (after checking in and a gear check) with a walk into Base Camp along logging/forest roads, with tents up and all in bed just after midnight. Saturday dawned bright

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route, via forests, fire breaks and logging/forest roads back to the finishing point of the event (which is also the start point).

Checking in at finishing point offers the opportunity to relax, obtain a new MPC tshirt or hoodie (the latest fashion don’t you know !) and chill out for a while with friends both long standing and newly made, before all depart homeward bound – another adventure over and already planning a new one, who says being young, being a Scout isn’t fun !. Alex a Scout from Navan Road says that “he cannot wait for the next one”

and sunny, but that changed to mist, coupled with wind and rain until the late afternoon. The visibility on Saturday was less than 10m so navigational skills were to the fore as the event certainly lived up to the “challenge” in its name. Zara, a Scout from Navan Road reported “that the weather made the climb tough, but I’m so glad I did it”

The weather front moved through and was replaced by wonderful sunshine, clear blue skies and a gentler wind for the rest of the

The final words go to Ben and Leon from Navan Road Scouts, Ben who said “One of the hardest things that I ever done, but it was great !”, while Leon said “that was just brilliant”.

Munster MPC – April 2014Leinster MPC – May 2014Connaught MPC – September 2014

Ulster MPC – October 2014

More information at:

www.mpcteam.ie

Bookings: mpcbookings@gmail.com

For More Images of the event check out or image library here

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afternoon and evening. High Camp was around two small lakes at the head of a valley with the majesty of Knockmealdown Mountain (794m) as the back drop.

On Sunday morning a Scouts Own was held, where those present acknowledge what they achieved over the weekend, equally remembering those who do not have as much as they do, following which all the Scouts and Scouters receive their MPC badge.

High Camp was then disbanded and all teams hiked down from the mountains, continuing the defined

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An Icelandic Expedition

At the February mid-term I had the adventure of a lifetime. I went on the

Crean Challenge Expedition to Iceland with Scouting Ireland.

The adventure began in May 2013 when I applied to participate in the 2014

Crean Challenge Expedition.

The Crean Challenge is a week-long expedition to Iceland in the spirit of

Tom Crean, Antarctic Explorer, who is the inspiration for the Scout Section

of Scouts. The centre piece of which is a day- long hike in conditions

similar to what you’d experience in the Antarctic.

for the night which we slept in and it was the end of September. In November we went to Camross in Co. Laois for our second training weekend and the final training was In my application I had to prove

that I had the necessary skills and determination to complete this very arduous adventure. I was successful in my application and was the only Scout from the West of Ireland to be selected for the Expedition. My training began immediately as I had to complete ten 15-20km hikes before I departed for Iceland. In addition we had three formal training weekends in preparation for the actual expedition, one in Cork in September where we kayaked out to Spike Island, had to find food and build shelters

good English as my Icelandic is pretty poor.

On the Monday morning we did Rock climbing and Abseiling and Pioneering which is a key scouting skill as you often have to make your own equipment using timber poles and rope. In the afternoon we hiked to our campsite for the night. We slept out in tents and it was -12~C. I have never been so cold in my life and I thought my feet were going to fall off.

On Tuesday we hiked back to the scout centre we did activities such as breaking the ice on a frozen lake so we could get a boat in. This was a challenge Tom Crean faced when his ship, Endurance, got trapped by ice on its way to the Scout Pole with Ernest Shackleton in 1914, 100 years ago this year. We also got to meet some husky dogs, did a route plan, some first aid, yoga and orienteering. That night we had a traditional Iceland meal, it was one of the weirdest meals I ever had. We had sheep’s’ brains and sheep’s testicles which were both disgusting but nothing compared to the taste of shark which was really, really bad.

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held in Dublin. We learnt loads of stuff on these camps that would assist us in our week long expedition in Iceland, navigation which covered map reading, route planning, compass work, food preparation and cooking, packing, gear repair maintenance and first aid. Finally the big day arrived and my Dad drove me to Dublin. We were staying in the Raheny Scout Den as we were leaving very early on Sunday morning for our flight to Reykjavik via Glasgow. When we arrived in Reykjavik we met up with a group of Icelandic Scouts who were going to join us for the week. Luckily they all spoke really

fun. I was going to sleep in the snow cave with one of my Icelandic friends but ours needed a bit more work.

On Saturday we travelled home to Ireland.

A lot of people have said to me that this was a “once in a lifetime” experience but I’ll be back to Iceland as I enjoyed it so much. I learned loads of new skills, made new friends and challenged myself. It was a fantastic opportunity and I am very thankful to Scouting Ireland and in particular all the Scouters who made the trip possible.

Dylan BuckleyScout – 12th Galway, Claregalway Scout Group

On Wednesday we had a hike to a cave but it was windy so we didn’t actually get as far as the cave. We went back to the centre and had a few talks from two different guys, one who climbed Everest. We then prepared for the Crean Challenge hike the next day. On Thursday we got up at 6.30am to get ready for the big hike. I was feeling a bit nervous. The hike was only 17.7km which in Ireland would normally take 4 to 5 hours but in Iceland in the middle of February it could take up to 12 hours. The weather when we set off was good but after lunch it started to snow pretty heavy and the wind picked up. As the afternoon progressed the weather got really bad and when the huts we were going to stay in that night came into view, I went to my knees and bowed. That’s how relieved I was. The hike only took us eight hours which was the fastest Crean Challenge so far. Last year it took them 11 hours and the year before 12 hours. On Friday we got to build an igloo and a snow cave which was great

Our rivers, lakes and coastal waters have long been one of the most treasured playgrounds of Scouts in Ireland. As we head into another season on the water, the Programme Team (Sea Scouting) has produced a series of resources to support all sections to learn skills and get their feet wet this summer. During the month of May 2014 we will be releasing section-specific resources which are accessible to all young people in Scouting Ireland, not just Sea Scouts. Among the resources are documents to guide you through the Nautical Training Scheme of badges. These badges are an optional part of ONE programme which emphasise waterborne adventure and the age-old maritime traditions of an island nation. They add an extra dimension to section programme that is well worth a try!

To view the 3 resources produced to date click on the images on the following pages

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Resources from the Programme Team Sea Scouting

Scouts On the water –

The Bronze Helmsman

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On the water -

LNT afloat

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Beavers on the water -

Coracle

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Venture Scout Mailing

With Summer Time quickly approaching I am sure you are all busy finalising your Summer Camp plans. Our communications team, under the guidance of Ruari , would be delighted to get your photos from camp and articles telling us about your camp plans. Our National Venture Reps are busy tweeting and keeping Venture Scouts around the country in the loop about what’s happening on the Venture Scout scene. Ross, our National Activities lead has been busy finalising the plans for this year’s challenge. They are currently holding meetings all around the country with the applicants. Our first Mountain Havoc took place in March and although it was a bit wet, a good time was had by all. The Venture B&B took place in our National Campsites over the St. Patricks Weekend. It was great to see new Scout Groups attending National Venture Scout activities. Graham, our Venture Programme Support and his team hope that you are enjoying their Programme Support ideas published in Inside Out and available on my.scouts.ie and through Facebook. Over the next few months, watch out for; • Echo System • Legal High • River Run • Gold Rush

In May we are asking all Ventures around the country to volunteer and help out with the “Darkness into light” walks/run. You could volunteer to marshal or help out in any way with this very worthwhile cause for your community. Log on to the following site to get contact Information for your area. http://dil.pieta.ie/venues

Sue in our Adult Support for Ventures is busy working on documentation to support the Venture Scouter in the delivery of the Venture Programme. Once again we have included the Venture Calendar for 2014 and we would love to see you on some of our National Activities for 2014. For a short time only the Scout Shop are promoting the Venture Handbook at a special price of 9.99. This is a great opportunity to replenish your stocks within the section. Should you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to send us an email at venturescouts@scouts.ie Please click image to download the latest version of the Venture Scout Mailing

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Training Weekend for our Venture Scout challengers!

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Training Weekend for our Venture Scout challengers!

Camp North East

Camp North East took place recently with over 1,000 Cub Scouts and

Beaver Scouts taking part. All bases were run and organized by Venture

Scouts and Rover Scouts. Real Youth Empowerment in operation. Well

done to Liam Boyd, camp chief and his team. Also Castle Saunderson

looked well with over 1000 camping on the main campsite for the first time

and there is room for more!

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To view more images of the Camp click on the Link to the right.

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A big well done to Brian Doyle and all the Rover Scouts who completed this project for St Michaels House. It is projects like this that make you feel proud to be a Scout. Check out a short video of some of the action by clicking on the image to the right.

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Rover Scout Action Week

Only two months after revival, NUIG Rover Society came away with Best Society Photo at this year’s Board of Irish College Societies awards. The aim of the photo was to depict some of the activities of the society, based around the scouting ethos. Two of our committee members travelled to Belfast for the award ceremony.

Our society, like scouting, is based around all that is to be enjoyed in the great outdoors. We organise activities for all students with a sense of adventure from NUIG and GMIT), not just exclusively for members of Scouting Ireland, but also for former scouts and people who have never been part of a scout troop, but who have an interest in Scouting and what we do.

We have already organised a few events already this year including a talk on wild edible plants and a camping trip to Cork, and we have several ideas for next year ranging from kayaking to an island for the night to having a few local campfires. All of our events are organised by our Rovers for our Rovers so any ideas will be considered to bring something to the table for all!

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NUIG Rover Scout Society

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Beavers Under Canvass 1st May –

31st May (Local Activity)

In April 2014, the National Team for Beaver scouts, will be issued

a “How To Camp” resource to support programme scouters getting “Out of

Doors”. This resource will be promoted during the months of May and June

2014. It will include a planning section, kit lists, equipment list, staffing etc.

We are hoping to see as many beaver scouts as possible under canvas with

their scouters during these months and indeed into the summer months. For

those scouters who are not taking their beaver scouts camping or do not feel

confident taking their beaver scouts away, we are including a “how to” buddy

system for Groups and/or Counties which will encourage and assist those

scouters in taking their first step at camping. To View the resource click HERE.

Scouting Trail Remembrance Day Larch Hill 21st JuneAs the life of Scouting progresses, many of our Scouts have ‘Gone Home’ and it is in recognition and memory of those you have gone before and laid the trail that the Scouting Trail Remembrance day has been establish as a new tradition of memory and homage to those who have taken the Scout Promise and have now ‘Gone Home’- as we say in Scouting.All Groups are invited to take part. To reserve your place fill out the Online form HERE

Patrols in Action Skills Day 2 (Water Based Skills) Killaloe 21st JuneThis is the second of the three skills days scheduled for this year to give your patrol the opportunity to learn new skills and take part in activities with other scouts from around the country. This one will take place in Killaloe and will be based on the water. If you want to take part book HERE

Challenge 2014 23rd July – 31st July Somewhere in Ireland!Challenge is an annual intercultural expedition for Venture Scouts. It is an expedition of exploration and discovery. You will equally learn about yourself, through everything you do and by setting yourself targets to achieve. Your time on the expedition will be one of the most challenging, most fun, most draining, and most rewarding time of your life. The people you encounter and the memories you make will stay with you always. Each team will return to base-camp after 5/6 days on the expedition, full of energy and enthusiasm and eager to share their experiences. While the event incorporates an assessment at completion, the Challenge is not a competition or a test, but an experience requiring teamwork, initiative, resourcefulness and endurance. To this end assessment is made on the basis of personal progress, not absolute standards. Challenge is an event of the highest quality achieving in a very evident way, for those who participate and the Association, the aim of scouting….. and it’s a unique adventure!

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Explorer Belt 2014 Slovakia & Hungary 27th June – 13th August

Camp Two (Patrols in Action) 16th - 20th July Lough Dan Are you ready to explore the heart of the Wicklow countryside, it’s mountains and lakes? Scouts camping in patrols will look after themselves while their adult leaders camp close by. Camp Two consists of 5 days camping, teamwork, activities, exploring, trying new things and learning new skills as a Patrol, as well as meeting scouts from across the country.Programme will include kayaking, sailing, rafting, commado course, geocaching, tree climbing, archery, currach making, hut building and lots more.Click HERE to book your place

The aim of the weekend was to try out some pioneering and campcraft, as both groups have a lot of mew members and us old fogies wanted to show off. The first challenge of the weekend was simple. Each person was given a length of wood on arrival and were told that by Sunday morning, they must have carved a spoon that they were able to eat their cornflakes with, otherwise there would be no breakfast. Much experimentation ensued with a huge variety in the type of spoons carved, from a dainty little teaspoon with a flat blade that proved to be very successful, to a monstrosity of a bowl with a handle that proved too huge for anyone to actually fit it in their mouths.As well as individual projects, the main aim of the weekend was to gain some good pioneering experience with a few large projects. The first was a zipline across the campsite from the large tree in the centre over towards the gate. A bit of manoeuvring was needed in order to tie it around the trunk but with a large store of pioneering equipment including pulleys, blocks and large cables available to us, we had no problem with the setup.

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Rover IV

On the first weekend in April, UCC and NUIG Rovers camped at Fota

campsite in order to make some ties between the college groups and to

show off our cool scouty skills. As a warden at the campsite, Chris arrived

3 hours early to open up and get the site ready, the only problem was, the

food wasn’t arriving for another 3, and with no dinner, himself and Fiachra

survived on black tea and whinging.

Fionn, the vice-auditor of NUIG proved invaluable, his sea-scouty skills helped us no end in tightening and tying of the large rope. For a video of the zipline in action, make sure to check out the NUIG Rovers facebook page. Our second large project for the weekend was a bridge across a small tidal stream that leads from the wildlife park, beside the entrance to the campsite into the sea. We chose to do this at high tide for the added drama, with much wobbling

in the early stages as our intrepid advance party shinned across logs in order to set up on the otherwise inaccessible opposite bank. The bridge itself held up well for a group with a few hours pioneering experience on the bridge under their belt, but structural faults soon started to show as the bank was worn away and with everybody standing on it started to sink into the drink. Chris was left standing on the opposite bank in order to dig the bridge out of the bank, and with no safe way back had to get wet while being towed on an old bridge float we had found.

The rest of the day was spent whittling and preparing dinner with some of NUIG deciding to brave the mud and go swimming (they are absolutely bonkers by the way). As we were about to start, the heavens opened and by general consensus, an indoor campfire was lit in the living room. A night of ceilidh songs, marshmallows and mad banter made for an enjoyable night but as bedtime approached, the tents were looking less and less appealing with many people deciding the best course of action was to shove as many mattresses as was humanly possible in the living room and have a sleepover instead. They may have had the right idea as the rest of us froze solid. On Sunday, our only activity was an orienteering course which was completed by the UCC team in record time. (No surprise as they’d been there before!) The rest of the day was spent cleaning and packing up. We were sad to go but we knew that with one such camp under our belt that many more were possible, so we set a date for a proper intervarsity competition in September between all the

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university groups so make sure to look out for that in a later issue. Chris Boyle

UCC Rover Scouts ClubVice Captain & Inter-Varsity Convenor

Friends in Scouting,

Roverway is a unique opportunity for 16-22 year olds to take part in. It is a European scouting event that aims to promote the intercultural learning and offer an experiment of European citizenship. This is achieved through the Venture/Rover Scouts teaming up with Irish scouts to form patrols who in turn form tribes with others patrols from Europe. Together this tribe will follow a 5-day path of adventure, learning and culture followed by a 4-day Jamboree style camp where all tribes come together in one location.

As part of building the Contingent Management Team for Roverway 2016 to France, I would like to seek applications for the following positions.

• Team Lead (Marketing)• Team Lead (Admin. and Finance)

A brief overview of each job is given below and I would be delighted to discuss the role with you in more detail by phone or email.

There will be other opportunities for other Team Lead roles (in the areas of Programme and Logistics/Support) advertised later in the year.

Team Lead (Marketing)

… communicating news of the event with Scouting Ireland through quarterly newsletters, website, Inside Out, social media etc.… developing and implementing a one year marketing plan to maximise participation… leading the team of Roverway Ambassadors

Team Lead (Admin. and Finance)

… agreeing the event cost and event budget with C.M.T/National Treasurer

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… maintaining budgetary control… advising and supporting members of the Management Team on budgetary compliance… managing the administration side of the contingent

I would welcome applications by email to roverway2016@scouts.ie by June 30th 2014. Applications should consist of a small biographical piece about your current scouting interests and outline reasons for your suitability to this role.

Open CallRoverway 2016 Team Leads

Applications will be reviewed and appointed by the end of July. Mutual agreements will be conducted with all Team Leads prior to coming on board the Contingent Management Team.

Yours in Scouting,

Glenn WebsterHead of Contingent, Roverway 2016

Malahide Sea Scouts Launch Day

Below are images from the boat launch day which took place recently in

Malahide Sea Scout Group.

To see more images of the day check

out our photo Storage area here

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Mountain Havoc

Mountain Havoc a mountain experience for Venture Scouts took place

recently in Mayo. Below are some of the images from the event

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Building a two story Campsite

Dollymount Venture Scouts putting the “tents in the trees” program idea

into action by building a two story campsite. Now that’s one way of getting

the patrol sites smaller!

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THE FELLOWSHIP OF IRISH

GUIDES AND SCOUTS - (FIGS)

The Fellowship of Irish Guides and Scouts - FIGS - is the umbrella

organisation in Ireland for members of Scout Fellowships or Guilds – adults

who want to continue their involvement in Scouting/Guiding even if they

are no longer active leaders. It is also the official member for Ireland of

International Scout and Guide Fellowship. FIGS has existed for many

years, but in the recent past only had members from Irish Trefoil Guild

(IGG). However, during the past couple of years, there have been some

changes and Scouting Ireland’s network of Fellowship Patrols are now part

of FIGS.

representatives from FIGS attended, where they joined 174 others. As well as some formal proceedings there were social activities, sightseeing and plenty of opportunities to meet and chat with other delegates. The theme of the conference was “crossing borders” and it took place partly on a ship (with conference facilities) to and from Helsinki in Finland. Forthcoming events include a World conference which is taking place in October 2014 in Sydney, Australia and FIGS plan to send a delegation from Ireland. The next Gathering will be in Belgium, hosted by the Belgian Scout and Guide Fellowship with the theme of “Living together” and will be in September 2015.

Both FIGS and ISGF are independent organisations, even though members must be affiliated to Scout or Guide associations. FIGS has a constitution, which includes its aims which are in line with those of ISGF - • Personally to keep alive the spirit of the Promise and Law as laid down by Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout and Guide movements.• To bring that spirit into the communities in which the members live and work

Catholic Guides of Ireland are currently forming a similar group for adult members – Le Chéile and hope to join FIGS also.

International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF) has over 60 affiliated member countries and individual members from many more. FIGS is the affiliated member for Ireland

By being part of an international organisation, members of FIGS can travel abroad to a variety of events and meet adults who share similar interests. Conferences, workshops

• Actively support Scouting and GuidingOn a practical level, FIGS has a committee which currently has representatives of Trefoil Guild (IGG), Scouting Ireland and CGI which meets about 4 times a year. Part of its function is to facilitate communication between Guilds and Fellowships, encouraging sharing of ideas and activities. The advantages to an individual of being a member of FIGS include being part of a national network of Fellowships/Guilds and have opportunities to travel abroad, either as an individual or with a group, to meet and enjoy the company of others who share similar interests. Even if not free to travel, groups can twin with others overseas and share ideas and friendship.

FIGS now has a website www.figsireland.org which will be used to promote the organisation and enable groups to share ideas. ISGF also has a website where all details of international events can be found www.isgf.org.

For more information, contact Margery Godinho, (FIGS secretary). marge.godinho@gmail.com

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and Gatherings are held all around the world at regular intervals. Gatherings are informal, mainly social events, organised and hosted by a member country. In September 2012, it was Ireland’s turn to host one and this was held in Cork - Cois Laoi 2012. About 130 participants from 13 countries had a memorable stay in the Montenotte Hotel. The programme included visits to Blarney Castle, Cobh, Fota, the English market, craft sessions and a Céili.

ISGF is organised into regions and sub-regions. The European regional conference was held in Stockholm in September 2013. Four

WSJ- Bulletin Number 4

Along the Scouting Trail

Click on the image below to download the 4th issue of the Bulletin for next

year’s world Scout Jamboree.

Dear ScouterScouting has been around now for more than 100 years, and in that time, thousands of young people have become Scouts and experienced the many aspects of Scouting that our programme can provides. Within our ranks, many people have laid the trail for our present Scouts to discover and enjoy. As the life of Scouting progresses, many of our Scouts have also ‘Gone Home’ and it is in recognition and memory of those you have gone before and laid the trail that I now want to establish a new tradition of memory and homage to those who have taken the Scout Promise and have now ‘Gone Home’- as we say in Scouting.

This new celebration will remember those that have been members and laid the trail but also to celebrate our current time and place in the history of young people’s lives.All Groups are invited to take part in this celebration. How it will workEach Group is requested to create a Scout Stave, on this stave is placed a number of ribbons, one ribbon for each member who has ‘Gone Home’. These ribbons can be historic, if you wish, listing all Scouts who have been members and have died. The criteria for including them on your stave could be related to the service, contribution or memory to which your Group holds this person. The criteria is for you and your

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Groups are invited to make it a day of stories, fun and remembrance of times past. Groups should bring the makings of a picnic – we can provide tea and coffee, if necessary, or you can go the full traditional route and cook up your brew on an open fire. PracticalitiesWe would like to have as many Groups represented as possible. This will require some immediate work on your behalf – the research of decreased past members, for example, so that a ribbon can be created for each one and of course

Group to decide but it should include Adults and young people. I see a simple ribbon with the name of the person on it that is attached to the stave; one ribbon for each person.Each Group is also requested to provide the names of these people so that they can be placed on an official ‘Roll of Honour and Remembrance’… once a Scout always a Scout... This Roll will be kept in our National Office and can be viewed by anybody. The Roll will also form part of the ceremony planned for the event each yearThe Scout Stave will be the property of the Group and they will hold this stave in good keeping and honour within their Group between ceremonies. The ceremonyAll Groups are invited to the celebration, which will be held in Larch Hill, this year it will be held on the 21st June 2013 at 2pm. A special remembrance area will be created. Groups will come to the ceremony as a ‘Stave bearing’ and ‘Flag bearing’ group. The ceremony will commence by Groups, in turn

the creation of your Scout Stave. This can be a simple or elaborate creation, but we are sure someone within your Group could create such an item.Perhaps for this year a simple stave is within the remit of any Group and perhaps in future years more elaborate staves can be produced. For now I want to get things rolling as this is an area of personal concern to me and something I want to start immediately.I do hope you see the merit of my suggestions and will make sure that your Group participates by sending a small representative party to the ceremony.In order to prepare the event can you indicate to me, your interest in talking part as soon as possible by clicking HERE and completing the simple online form.Yours in Scouting Michael John ShinnickChief Scout

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and with suitable acclaim placing their stave in the remembrance area – thus creating a small ‘forest’ or ‘grove’ of staves. Staves will be placed in specially prepared wooden stands – they will not be placed in the ground. Groups are also asked to bring a small hurricane lamp with them that can be lit during the ceremony (a candle will tend to be blown out by the wind and a hurricane lamp is Scout ‘traditional’ standard equipment)A Scouts Own service will then take place in honour of our departed Scouts.The Groups can then retrieve their Group stave and update the official Roll of Honour and Remembrance’

39 important things to help you prepare

for the next World Scout Jamboree by

John May

• If you’re one of the lucky 30,000 young people, or members of the

adult international service team, who’ll be attending the next World Scout

Jamboree in Japan, you’re probably already fundraising and you may even

be getting to know your fellow Unit members. It isn’t too early to start

preparing for the culture-shock of visiting a country that is very different

from your own. What follows is based on the brilliant advice that my friend

Callum Farquhar, a Scottish Scout Leader, has given to his Scouts when

porcelain bowl sunk into the floor that you squat over (uncomfortable for those of us used to sitting), facing the wall. Hygienic, certainly, but very strange, if you’re not used to them. And I’m not.• When you use the lavatory in someone’s home you may need to put on designated bathroom slippers so as not to contaminate the rest of the home.• Raw horse meat is a popular food in some parts of Japan. You may well find yourself eating it during home hospitality.• Sometimes the trains are so crowded railway staff are employed to cram passengers inside. Be

visiting the country, along with a few things I’ve picked up on my own visits. When I shared these with Japanese friends they agreed they were pretty accurate – and they made them laugh as well!• People in Japan bow — a lot. It’s their version of the handshake, only more complex, and failing to return a bow is considered impolite. Practise before you go. It feels very strange at first, but you soon get used to it.• If you’re invited to someone’s home, bring a gift. It’s useful to have a range of small gifts with you on

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each occasion that you may need them so that you have something appropriate for everyone. Tea towels with pictures local to your home area are light, unbreakable and provide a talking point.• Western-style lavatories are generally found in larger department stores and many restaurants. In fact, if you’re looking for the latest in high-tech facilities, Japan is the place to go. Be ready to experience a jet of warm water to get your bottom extra clean – and even hot air to dry you off, all whilst still sitting down. But, you’ll also come across “squat” lavatories. These are a

ready to experience a different understanding of ‘personal space’. (Unless, of course, you have grown up in London and are used to using the tube during rush hour…)• Poorly written English can be found everywhere, including T-shirts and other fashion items. Don’t snigger. Just how good is your Japanese? Be polite about it to your hosts. Politeness is an art that the Japanese have taken to a level unknown by the rest of the world.• More than 70% of Japan consists of mountains, including more than 200 volcanoes. Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, is an active volcano (although scientists have

psyche when you’re with a crowd of people watching sport.• On average there are around 1,500 earthquakes every year in Japan. But don’t worry. The Jamboree site has been carefully chosen.• In Japan it is not uncommon to eat rice at every meal, including breakfast.• The Japanese language has thousands of foreign loan words, known as gairaigo. These words are often truncated, e.g. personal computer = paso kon. The number of foreign loan words is steadily increasing.• Fast food is popular. The Japanese don’t say McDonalds, they say Ma-ku-do around the Kansai area or Ma-ku-do-nal-do in the rest of Japan. Of course, the name change is just the beginning… Be ready for Teriyaki Burgers and the McPork Sandwich.• The term karaoke means “empty orchestra” in Japanese.• Raised floors help indicate when to take off shoes or slippers. At the entrance to a home in Japan, the floor will usually be raised about 6 inches indicating you should take off your shoes and put on slippers. If the house has a tatami mat room

not reached a consensus on what defines “active”).• Religion does not play a big role in the lives of most Japanese and many do not understand the difference between Shintoism and Buddhism. However, there are also many Japanese who do understand the difference. It might be worth doing a bit of homework before you go.• Fruit can be extortionately expensive. A really good melon, similar to a cantaloupe, may sell for over £150 GBP. For example, a nice specimen of Yubari melon. These are often physically perfect, not like their European counterparts with dark smudges and scars.• There are four different writing systems in Japan; Romaji, Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji.• Coffee is very popular and Japan imports approximately 85% of Jamaica’s annual coffee production.• Japan’s literacy rate is almost 100%.• Sumo is Japan’s national sport, although baseball is also very popular. If you get the opportunity to see either, grab it. You get a whole new view of the Japanese

the same in all situations: first, remove your clothing and (after discretely covering the front of your body with your washcloth), proceed to the bath area; before actually entering the bath, you must first wash yourself. Basins and stools are situated near taps — fill the basin with water, sit on the stool, soap down completely, then rinse off the soap. Once you’re clean, then you may enter the bath. The water will be very hot, but as you relax, you’ll learn to love it.• The legal age for drinking alcohol in Japan is 20.• When drinking in public, always allow someone else to fill your glass (tricky if there are just two of you), and never allow the glasses of your companions to get completely empty.• The traditional salute is “kampai” (kahm-pie). Chin chin refers to male genitals. Just a warning.• If you’ve got a tattoo, be ready to cover it up, with a plaster if it’s on skin that isn’t hidden by your clothes.. Tattoos are considered a symbol of a criminal gang and many public baths and swimming pools will not allow those with tattoos to enter.

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its floor may be rasied 1-2 inches indicating you should to take off your slippers.• Ramen noodles are a popular food in Japan and it is widely believed extensive training is required to make a delicious soup broth. This is the subject of the movies Tampopo (1985) and The Ramen Girl (2008).• Ovens are not nearly as commonplace as rice cookers in Japanese households.• Some Japanese companies conduct a morning exercise session for the workers to prepare them for the day’s work.• Many companies hire people to hand out small packages of tissues which include a small advertisement flyer. If you’re offered a pack, do take it. Public lavatories are often short of lavatory paper…• Blowing your nose in public is considered to be bad manners. Excuse yourself and go into the lavatory. Strangely enough, sniffing is not seen as rude.• Expect to use a public bath at least once. They’re still a normal place for people to wash in Japan. Men and women bathe separately. Someone will guide you through the process, but the ritual is generally

corners, in shopping malls and will even be on the Jamboree site. They generally serve drinks (hot and cold) although in Japan you can pretty much buy anything and everything from a vending machine.• You may find that you won’t be given a bed if you stay in someone’s home. Instead you’ll get a mattress that lies on the floor, like a futon. Your pillow might also be a bit harder than you are used to. Don’t worry. It’ll be more comfortable than your tent at the Jamboree.• Walls in Japanese homes can often be very, very thin. Sound travels. You have been warned.• At the practice camp for the Jamboree, it was very, very hot and very, very humid. You may wish to pack a small towel to dip in cold water and wear round your neck. You’ll feel an idiot for about thirty seconds 0 and then you’ll see that all the Japanese Scouts are wearing them. They really do help you to feel cooler. Remember to take on fluids during the day, a little at a time but often. If you feel thirsty, then you’ve already left it too long since your last drink.

• Slurp your noodles! This is quite acceptable and in fact it’s even considered rude not to do so. For noodle soup, use your chopsticks for the noodles, meat and vegetables and bring the bowl to your mouth to drink the liquid. Spoons aren’t usually provided.• Shoes are considered unclean and generally, shoes are removed before entering Japanese homes, temples, ryokan, and various other public places (including some restaurants). Again, it’s helpful to follow the lead of locals — don’t panic, your shoes won’t be stolen while you’re off touring a temple.• When you are required to sit on the floor, either tuck your legs underneath you or sit cross-legged. Don’t stretch your legs out in front of you.• Visiting cards, or business cards, are essential. They’re exchanged immediately on meeting someone – presented with both hands and the writing facing the person you’re giving the card to. Examine their card carefully. It’s rude just to put it immediately in your pocket.• There are vending machines everywhere. They’re on street

• Practise eating with chopsticks. You’ll need to have mastered the skill of doing so or you will go hungry. There are a number of rules associated with chopsticks. Try to avoid:o spearing the food with your chopstickso placing your chopsticks on the table between courses – use the chopstick rests providedo using your chopsticks to rummage around in a dish trying

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to find what you want. If serving chopsticks haven’t been provided, it is polite to use the other end of your chopsticks (the end that hasn’t been in your mouth) to take food from communal plates.o passing food to somebody else with your chopstickso waving your chopsticks above a dish while trying to decide what to take nexto standing your chopsticks vertically in the rice. This is how rice is served to the dead.

1st Armagh Ventures & Rover Scout

Investiture

1st Armagh Ventures & Rovers decided to hold their Investiture somewhere

different for 2014 so the youth members came up with a few different ideas

and it was finally agreed to hold it in the dome for the star shows at Armagh

Planetarium.

On the 5th March we invested 15 Ventures and 2 Rovers. Thanks to

Damien Toal our Group Leader for attending and to Joe Corey our County

Commissioner. After the Investiture we all watch a fantastic star show and

then all the Ventures and Rovers had the opportunity to do a bit of star

gazing through the telescopes at the Planetarium.

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Province News

9th Port of Dublin Tonnta Cub Pack visiting Baldonnell over Easter.

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Province News

29th and 37th Belfast Venture

Scouts CRED project

Over the Easter break, Venture scouts from 29th and 37th Belfast, travelled

to France as part of a local CRED project. They joined over 5000 European

and American scouts at an international Jamboree based in Normandy to

commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the DD landing of June 1944.

In a week spent visiting local areas of historical interest, the Ventures

participated in several ceremonies, including a campfire on Omaha Beach,

a commemoration on Utah Beach and Pointe du Hoc and a Mass for peace

and brotherhood in the cathedral of Bayeux,

of jets flying over Omaha beach and were able to observe warships that were anchored a short distance off the beach.

On Saturday night, they attended a massive fireworks display and finally, on Sunday morning at 9:00, all the Scouts went to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer to take part in the sombre closing ceremony. A truly remarkable week filled with remembrance for the many young soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending Europe against fascism and tyranny.

There was a strong focus on all the young people being “Messengers of Peace” as they remembered the historic landings of allied troops on 6 June, 1944 and the Battle of Normandy.

Scouts came from all over France, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Austria.

During the ceremonies, scouts were treated to a massive display

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Province News

“Devizes to Westminster 2014”:

Two Irish Sea Scout Leaders

Paddled Stupidly Far For Charity

(Tá Gasóga Mara Mhullach Íde/Scouting Ireland) – Rowing aficionados

have their annual Boat Race (for all but the 16 rowers from the Universities

of Cambridge and Oxford only an affair to watch) on the River Thames.

But the real sports man or girl is not satisfied with watching. It’s being on

the water oneself that counts, and if one can combine the effort with fund

raising for a good purpose, it is even better.

teams paddling some 200km downriver on the Thames, from Devizes, in the County of Wiltshire, all the way to Westminster Bridge in That is what Alan and Tiarnán, two

Sea Scout Leaders from Malahide Sea Scouts, in Dublin, Ireland, must have had in their minds when they decided to compete in this year’s Devizes To Westminster International Canoe Marathon. The Race Course: 125miles downriver from Devizes to WestminsterA quick look on your map will tell you: that’s far from being like a pleasant Sunday afternoon on the Serpentine. No. This is a real marathon race, with mostly tandem

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Province News

water and back in a few minutes later, having carried boat and gear past the obstacle), typical foolish April weather, the dark hours of a long and cold spring night, tricky effects of high and low tide, and surprise encounters with all kinds of creatures of wildlife.”“To top it off”, says Tiarnán, “the race is normally for a tandem canoe. So teamwork is critical to avoid capsizing in freezing waters and rough currents. And more than 20 hours of non-stop paddling must not be underestimated, even with the odd technical halts every now and then!” Alan and Tiarnán in actionNovices of the sport know that

the heart of London.This year’s race was held on the Easter weekend 2014. A large support team and a van-full of equipment had accompanied Alan and Tiarnán across the Irish Sea to their temporary headquarters in Reading. With the two Sea Scout Leaders having more than six months of tireless training out of and on the water behind them. Some essential kit for the race“This is really the ultimate endurance test”, agrees Alan, “125 miles (some 200km) of gruelling waterways to negotiate, including uncountable locks and weirs (which make it necessary to get out of the

their effort was such, that progress reports made it to national press. And they beat the goal by finishing in just under 90 hours! Also essential: regular technical haltsAnother challenge was added in the 1980s when competitors were formally encouraged to raise funds for charities by being sponsored to complete the race. Since then, every year many thousands of pounds are collected. And the team raising the largest amount is awarded a special trophy for their efforts!And Alan and Tiarnán? Well, it appears that they sat together on a mild St. Patrick’s Day last year when they made the decision to compete, as they recall: “It was on that evening back in March 2013 that we had the enlightened idea of attempting the ‘Devizes to Westminster’, this legendary canoe/kayak race with a reputation for being the world’s toughest. We were inspired by two of our former Leaders from Malahide Seas Scouts, Andy and Paul, who had completed the same race a decade previously (finishing 12th out of 52 teams). And the advice we have received from these guys, as well as

canoeing is not so easy as it looks when watching from the riverbank. But in darkness on a river amidst some 200 hundred competing teams? No wonder, about a third of the teams drop out before reaching the finishing line.By the way: the origins of the race go back to the late 1940s, when Rover Scouts from the local 1st Devizes Scout Group would aim to complete the distance in less than 100 hours in home built double kayaks. The first “race” took place at Easter 1948, with Brian, Peter, Laurie and Brian, all not yet 18 years old, and the nature of

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Province News

are true leaders in our Group, as they have demonstrated more than once and lead by simply doing and this is true leadership in life and in Scouting!”“And, as the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once said: ‘Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life’s about creating yourself’”, concludes Robert, “and this is what Alan and Tiarnán have done in their Scouting journey to date.”We can only join Robert and the large family that is the Malahide Sea Scouts – 9th Port of Dublin and congratulate Alan and Tiarnán for what they have achieved: “Tá Gasóga Mara Mhullach Íde an-bhródúil as duit agus do bhaint amach iontach!” (*)

members of their support crews has been invaluable!” Alan and Tiarnán 23 hours and 200km later: happy, proud and… very tiredAnd it is not just the endurance challenge that motivated the canoe tandem from Dublin: “As is customary with this race, we had also chosen to help raise funds for two particular charities”, explains Alan, “and we are very happy that we reached close to 60% of our target, collecting just under EUR 3 000 for Diabetes Ireland (to help continued research and support of 200 000 people suffering from diabetes in our country) and for our own Sea Scout Group in Malahide, where funds for repairs and redevelopment of current facilities are always welcome so that we can continue contribute to the development of children and young people in our community.”Robert, Group Scout Leader of the 540 member-strong Malahide Sea Scouts, remembers the months prior to the big race: “Over the many months that Alan and Tiarnán were training for this event, they showed all of our Group that hard work and total persistence pays off. They

Venture Bivvy & BBQ

Five hardy Ventures from Ashbourne travelled to Larch Hill to Bivvy for the

first time and live backwoods style for the weekend with other Ventures

from around the Dublin and wider Leinster area.

The weather was very much in their favour and was mild enough to sleep

out in a Bivvy. The Ventures set theirs up before a quick lunch and then

onto some ice-breaker and team building games.

Between backwoods cooking, wood carving and fire lighting exercises we

even got to watch the Irish Rugby team’s epic win which had everyone in

good spirits before the BBQ.

work with fixed blade knives and a spoon carving knife, they also carved some tent pegs.

The fire lighting showed the ventures how to use a fire steele and how the different types of kindling (cotton wool balls, lint from tumble dryers, paper bark, dried moss and reed mace heads) are used to start a fire from scratch. Needless to say campfire was a satisfying experience knowing it had been lit from scratch by themselves.

Sunset was something to behold as was the view of the city from Larch Hill - it was a beautifully clear night for star-gazing too. Breakfast for some the following morning was also a backwoods affair or cooked over a portable stove.

While they may not have had a quality night’s sleep they all went home satisfied and with plenty of new skills, new friends and new badges!

For Backwoods cooking, the Ventures gave a demo to some of the beavers, that were also staying on the hill, in how to gut a fish and cook it over an open fire. While the poor Beavers were completely grossed out, the mackerel and apple (eaten with our own hand-carved chop sticks) tasted amazing! Also on the menu were scones - cooked on hot stones which had been heated in the open fire. As part of the carving lesson, they learned knife safety and how to

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CALLING ALL SCOUTERS

– we are looking for you!

Celebrating 40 years of scouting in Celbridge

It was formed under the SAI (Scouting Association of Ireland) and meetings were held in the Slip hall at Christchurch, Celbridge (beside Castletown gates). It was started with a cub section consisting of 11 boys and part of Liffey Valley Region with 48th Dublin (Lucan), 43rd Dublin (Palmerstown), 8th Kildare (Allenwood), 1st Kildare (2nd Celbridge).40 years on the group has gone from strength to strength. Things have changed within scouting over the years. In 2004 we became Scouting Ireland which is a merger of CSI and SAI, we are now part

Celbridge, Kildare: 3rd Kildare (1st Celbridge) Scout Group are celebrating 40 years of adventure on 28th June 2014 with a fun day and barbecue for all former leaders and scouts. They are trying to find as many current members, former leaders and scouts who have lost touch, to come back and find old friends. Travel back in time to enjoy the Scouting experience for one more day.

There are already lots of people coming who were involved all the way back in 1974, it is now time to find some more! Anybody who was linked to the group is welcome, whether you were a fundraiser in 1995, Cub Scout in 1982 or the mystery Leader in this picture from 1974.

There will be tents and fires (not too close to each other!) and a hog roast feast. Fun and frolics for all!

of Cill Dara County. We presently have 4 sections, 92 Children and 42 Leaders. We have Beavers (6-8) Cubs (8-11) Scouts (12-15) Ventures (15-18) and we hope to have a Rover Section from next year.

The group was originally set up with boys from Primrose Hill NS which is celebrating 200 years this year. Canon Strong who was the rector in the parish decided in 1974 that it needed something for boys and he approached Robert Moody and Fred Attride and that’s where the journey began with the Girl Guides following in 1975.

Since 1974 as far as we can see there has been at least one section running every year. The group was all boys until 2003 when girls joined.

The Scouting programme changed to “The One Programme” in 2010. This means that all scout groups in the Island of Ireland follow the same programme. There are 9 Achievement Badges with 9 sections within each. The Journey starts when you join scouting and every section follows the same programme starting at stage 1. There are also the Special

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Entry is €5 per person, free for under 5s. For a family of 4 the cost is reduced to €15.

A Brief History

3rd Kildare (1st Celbridge) Scout Group was founded in 1974 by Robert Moody and Fred Attride.

What is Scouting?

Scouting is about Self Development, Creating a better world and developing Cultural knowledge and Friendship.

Scouting requires the active involvement of young people in the process of their own development and makes each person the principal agent of that process.This includes placing an emphasis on the peer group, giving access to responsibilities and involving young people in decision-making. Another important aspect is developing positive relationships between young people and adults who are

Interest Badges which cover Skill, Community, Physical, Spiritual, and Environmental. There’s also a Chief Scout Award for each section with the Scouts and Ventures being able to gain their Bronze and Silver Gaisce Award.

Over the years our Scout and Venture sections have gone on camps in Ireland and also to places including Skiing in Austria, World Jamborees’ in Sweden and UK, and camps in Belfast, Switzerland, Belgium and UK.

Our Cub section has attended camps in Ireland and has been on Jamoige which is a Jamboree for cubs. They have won the County Challenge and have represented the County at National level where they came 2nd, which is a great achievement.

Our Beaver section has been camping since 2012 when it became part of the programme for beavers to camp outdoors.

As a group we have done work within the community through

able to provide support, confidence, real challenges and opportunities to assist them in trying out adult roles and acquiring skills recognised by society. Scouting contributes to the development of young people; helping to build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. Scouting:• Offers young people responsible fun and adventure• Instills in young people lifetime values and ethics• Promotes citizenship, service, and leadership in young people• Is democratic, youth-led and committed to equality”

To find out more about the event:

Judith Gleeson - Tel: 087 9143621 Email: 3k1c.reunion@gmail.com

Or Contact BeSeenOnline Agency – details below.

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helping organisations with fundraising through bag packs etc, St Patricks Day Parade Committee, RNLI, Toilet Twinning and Cancer Research (Marie Keating Foundation).

We have also supported the community by partaking in the St Patricks Day Parade and we have renovated the garden at the back of the Church and are now starting on a project to renovate one of the houses attached to the slip hall to add extra meeting space. We also helped out in Castletown house with a Flower sale which they held a few years ago.

Claregalway Scouts Easter Camp

Claregalway Scouts held a Group Camp the first weekend of the Easter

Holidays at Western Bushcraft’s campsite in Cregg Castle, Corrandulla.

There was a busy schedule of activities for the Beavers, Cubs and

Scouts with a total of ten bases over the course for the weekend. These

activities included; fire lighting, shelter building, backwoods cooking,

archery, trapping, camouflage and concealment and loads of games. The

traditional campfire was a great hit with the youth and adult members

performing a song, skit or sharing a joke.

The County Commissioner, Chris Roche, attended the Camp to present the Cub Chief Scout Award to five Cubs from Claregalway; Josh Buckley, Ethan Kaya, Enda Lawless, Emer Lenihan and Oisin Tobin. For this award the Cubs have completed Adventure Skills in Hillwalking, Backwoods, Camping and Air as well as a 20KM hike, an Intercultural Camp and four Special Interest Badges covering activities in Community, Environment, Physical and Personal Skills.

All the food was prepared by the members in backwoods style and food on camp always tastes better.

For many of the youth members especially the Beavers this was their first time camping and being away from home and they really enjoyed the experience.

The camp was run by Steven Lenihan of Western Bushcraft Skills who is also Scout Section Leader for Claregalway Scouts.

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Recipients of the Cub Chief Scout Award; Ethan Kaya, Emer Lenihan, Enda Lawless, Oisin Tobin and Josh Buckley with Gillian Buckley, Group Leader, Chris Roche, County Commissioner and Rionach Timon, Cub Section Leader.

Cluain Toric Beavers Sportsday

On Sunday the 6th of April the County Beavers held their Sports day at

Santry Den. 80+ Beavers and Leaders enjoyed a afternoon of games such

as 3 legged race, egg and spoon race , sack race, wellie throwing ,target

disc throwing ,penalty shoot out, long jump and obstacle race. Then after

the finals the major event of the afternoon the Tug Of War Competition

which was won by the Drumcondra Beaver Scouts. Despite the wet

morning the gods smiled on us again and the Afternoon was bathed in

warm sunshine.

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Campcraft Weekend at Kilcully

Recently the Cois Laoi County held their annual county shield at Kilcully

Campsite. It was very much a campcraft showpiece with the very best of

pioneering gateways and gadgets of every sort being erected at speed and

with skill learned over the winter months. There appeared to be a great

variety in the Menu’s for the Saturday test meal and I was particularly taken

by some of the deserts on offer. For instance the 66th Cork (Agheda) had

Fruit Kebabs with melted chocolate while the 46th/92nd Cork (Glanmire)

had Meringue with Strawberries and Raspberries topped with whipped

cream. Across the other side of the campsite the 3rd Cork (St. Patrick’s)

before they were allowed to enter the water. All participants were fully kitted with life jackets and safety helmets. There was a great atmosphere with no shortage of cheering and encouragement from the banks as they ran alongside to keep up with the rafts. In a very tight finish the 80th Cork (Little Island) proved to be the strongest and most coordinated rowers.

RESULTSAs in all competitions there has to be winners but I would have to add in what I had seen they were all winners and had a great weekend. The 3rd Cork (St. Patrick’s) swept the boards winning the Expedition Log Book, Shield Log Book, the campfire sketch, expedition and of course Winners Overall County Shield In second place was the 46th/92nd Cork (Glanmire) with the 29th Cork (Brooklodge) in third place. All three have now qualified to represent the county at the ‘Phoenix’ All-Ireland Scoutcraft competitions to be held at the National Campsite Larch Hill in the middle of August. It was a great result for Brooklodge who only started campcraft just ten years ago and are now going forward to

had their own rendition of Banoffee Pie that not looked delicious, it really tasted great. In difference next to them the 32nd/35th Cork (Youghal) were making pancakes that they were topping off with chocolate. Its no wonder they all love going off on these kinds of camps.

Rafting was the special event of the weekend which was held on the River Lee at the Lee Fields. Great care was put into constructing the rafts and indeed there was a stringent safety check on all rafts

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the national finals in August. It was also very nice to see the 66th Cork (Agheda) Sea Scout Troop entering the competition for the first time.

Fun Filled Weekend at Fota

Recently the Douglas and St. Fin Barre’s Scout Group headed to Fota

Campsite for a fun filled camping weekend.

On Friday night approx. 50 Cub Scouts/Macaoimh, Scouts, Venture

Scouts and Leaders headed to Fota by train. When they arrived they were

assigned their tents which were all ready to be occupied having been

erected by dedicated scouters earlier that day. They all changed into rain

gear and headed into the woods for some games. As the weather got a bit

worse everyone moved into the cottage where they had hot chocolate and

biscuits before retiring to their tents for the night.

headed back out again on more activities; these included a zip wire built by two of the scouters, building and using a tree house, scavenger hunt, shelter building, tracking trails, cooking bread twists over an open fire, a hike and many more. This occupied all of the afternoon and when they were finished they had dinner of sausages, baked beans and mashed potatoes. By the time everyone had washed up it was time for the campfire. This was enjoyed by everyone. There were a lot of tired young people by the time the campfire was over and it wasn’t long before everyone was asleep.We awoke Sunday morning with the sun shining brightly and after breakfast it was time to up their gear and help to take down the tents. All the Beavers, Cub Scouts Scouts, Venture Scouts and Scouters really enjoyed their weekend in spite of the mixed weather and everyone got a badge for partaking before they went home on the train.The group want to thank Clare, Nick and Richard for all the work they did in planning the weekend. We would like to thank all the leaders (scouters) for giving up their time and all the hard work that was done. And last of all we would like to thank

all the youth members for coming along as we couldn’t have held the weekend without them. A big thank you to all the youth members on their behaviour on the weekend.

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Saturday dawned a bit drier and after everyone had breakfast of cereal and toast. Then the Cub Scouts, Scouts, Ventures and Scouters headed off on some bases which included fire lighting, knots and tent pitching. 40 Beavers and their Scouters who were staying for one night then arrived by train and were given their tents where they changed into rain gear and headed off to do some games and join in the bases with the rest in tent pitching and shelter building. After a lunch of hot soup and sandwiches, everyone

New Group Joining Scouting Ireland

Congratulations to Jane Coyle Group Leader of a new group 14th Louth St.

Martins and all the new Scouters and youth members who had their official

opening and first investiture recently in Drogheda. There to welcome the

new group into Scouting Ireland was Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick.

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7th Meath Dunshaughlin Thursday

Cub Scouts

Gleann Na Boinne County Cub quiz

25 Cub Scouts attended the Never Never land theme Camp North East in

Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre in Co. Cavan from the 2nd

May to the 5th May. It was attended by 1,000 Cubs and Beavers. We did

Canoeing, Backwoods cooking, airplane and kit making and so much more.

Ben came third in our Sub camp - Apache talent competition. We had great

fun and meet lots of Cubs from Dublin, Meath and Cavan. At the end of

camp we were awarded our Peace award badges and Camp North East

badge. A big thank you to Liam and his crew for organized such a fantastic

weekend.

Dunshaughlin Thursday Cub Scouts traveled to Ballivor for the Gleann NaBoinne County Cub quiz. The competition was open to all Cub groups from all over Meath. The Dunshaughlin Thursday Cub Scouts entered 2 teams and Ben,Joshua,Tony, Saorirse and Aimee were the brightest Cubs in Meath and they were awarded with the first place Trophy, well done to our other team Lee,Christopher,Roisin, Olivia, Robbie and James. A big thank you to George and Mandy from the county commissioners team for orgainising the very enjoyable event.

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37th Dublin go light weight camping

While many scouts and Scouters finished up in work or school for a well-

earned rest on the St Patricks weekend 12 scouts and 2 scouters were

making their final preparations to take on our first troop expedition.

We met at our den where we organised our gear. Sent someone off to do

the shopping and marked up the route on our maps.

At 21:00 we set off for Larch Hill and the start of our hike. We followed the

road to Tibradden woods and then the forestry trail as it climbed the hill.

Just before the trail reached open ground we found a small trail leading into

a clearing in the woods. Perfect for our first nights camp. By midnight tents

side of the river. We then followed the forestry trail up the side of Knocknagun. When we reached grid O162200 to the trail ended. The were up supper was had and we

were settling in for the night. Many of the scouts were kept awake by the wind blowing in the trees. We had a bit of a slow start in the morning but once up we quickly had breakfast, struck camp. Last to leave policed the site to ensure that we left no trace and set off up the trail to the top of Tribbaden mountain (467m).We turned south and followed the Wicklow Way as far as the Pine Forest Art School. We had Permission to go across their land to the forest on the other

go out on the open ground. A short distance further along military road we followed a track down to the river where there was supposed to be a bridge. We crossed over and headed up the hill. The cloud was very low and at times visibility was down to less than 50m even though it was quite breezy.By time we reached Glenadoo summit we were going point to point on compass bearing. We decided to turn north to get us out of the clouds quicker. We found a dip in the ground so we could take shelter from the wind and have a bite to eat. We then continued on out northerly decent off the mountain. After that it was an easy stroll along the road and through Tribradden woods back to Larch Hill.

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group split in two. 8 scouts, who felt capable, were sent across open ground up the spur to the top of Knocknagun (557m). While the two scouters helped the other 4 scouts navigate across the open ground through the saddle (492m). Both groups met at grid O151181 and stopped for a well earned lunch.We had an easy stroll along military road (R115) turning off at the top of Glencree valley for Aurora. Here we set up our camp once again and got ready to make dinner. To our surprise two more of our scouters showed up bringing with them two big tents and a big pot of stew. We gave our hike tents over to the scouters and set up the patrol tents. After dinner we played some games and then gathered around the fire. We had to be extra careful with the fire as the wind was quite strong. During the night the scouters had to bring up some logs to prevent the girls tent from lifting. Sunday morning was nice and sunny but it took a while to strike camp due to the strong winds. By time everything was ready for us to move out the weather had changed. We followed the road back to Glencree woods where we took shelter and put on rain gear ready to

Galway Scout County CSA

intercultural camp

49 Cub Scouts from 8 groups in Galway Scout County held a CSA

intercultural camp in the wonderful campsite at Ruan, Co. Clare from 25th

to 27th April.

The cubs devised the programme themselves at a series of county cub

forums and elected their own cub camp chief.

After bravely surviving a wild night on Friday they got up on Saturday

morning and made their own breakfast then got on with a fun packed day.

cubs at a games afternoon at camp.The campfire was rained off so the cubs all congregated in the Ruan dining shelter and performed skits from their chosen country and some traditional campfire songs.On Sunday morning they had a backwoods bake off where each group had to cook a backwoods meal in a galvanised bucket without pots and pans. They also had to light the fire themselves using fire steels and fuel from the local woods. The judges were the cub camp chief, one of the cub county reps and Scouter camp chief Darren Hill.

In the morning on Saturday after flag break they made catapults, played fun water based sisal trail and has a wide game in the woods (find Bigfoot!).They picked food as the theme of the camp and each group had to pick a country and cook a meal from that country at a fair held on Saturday evening where they hosted their fellow cubs. The cubs cooked all their own meals at this camp.From this idea they also decided to devise a game from their chosen county and play it with their fellow

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They finished with a Scouts Own and flag ceremony. Happy cubs, happy scouters we will definitely do this again next year.

Letterkenny Town Park

Northern Province Ventures, Rovers and Scouters marshalled the event.

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Upskilling our Paddling Skills

On the 5th & 6th April 2014 our Northern Province Youth Team met in

Draperstown. What a fantastic overnight and day out. At this event we

upskilled our paddling skills. We covered every emergency there was in

the water, and the team learned a lot and had a good laugh. Everything

was very well organised, huge thanks to Karen (rover rep), Ellen &

Callum (Scout reps) for hosting the event. The Youth Representatives

and I designed a New Grant Application and accompanying information,

discussed National Council and the new Scouting Apparel, worked on

scrapbooks, started planning the summer camps (one in 21st-26th July and one in 1st-7th August) and having the opportunity to twin with a french group just added to the enthusiasm.

Cathereen Wells DohertyNorthern Province Youth Programme Representative

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Roscrea Beavers win Slieve Bloom

Beaver Scout County Challenge

On Sunday 27th April, in glorious sunshine, the first ever Slieve Bloom

Beaver Scout County Challenge took place at Srahan scout centre situated

in the middle of the Slieve Bloom mountains.

Beaver Scouts (ages 6-8) from all across Slieve Bloom Scout County,

which is made up of Laois, Offaly and 2 groups from North Tipperary, took

part. In total there were 124 Beavers involved on the day.

17 teams consisting of 6 – 8 Beavers per team took on the challenges at each base and were marked on their participation and overall competency on the skills. When all the scores were added up one team from Tuesday Beavers of the 6th Tipperary Scout Group Roscrea were announced as the overall winners of the event with Wednesday Beavers from 3rd Laois Durrow 2nd and Portlaoise Beavers finishing in 3rd place.

The event proved to be a huge success and with National Finals

The challenge consisted of 6 bases Pioneering, Orienteering, Backwoods, Emergencies, SPICES (which are the 6 areas Scouting Ireland aims to help in a Scouts personal development, Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character, Emotional and Spiritual development), and a talent base. At the end of the competition there was a quiz consisting of 4 rounds of 5 questions.

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to aim for in 2015 should be even more keenly contested next year. The standard at this years event was incredibly high proving Beavers are more than capable of doing everything older scouts do.

Roscrea Scouts are extremely proud of all the Beavers from the group (24 in total) who took part

and everyone involved in the Group would like to congratulate the winning team Clodagh Dooley, Molly Hogan, Kevin Maher, Evan Geraghty, Adam Stanley, Cathal McDonald and Gearoid Gaynor on their achievement.

Western Province “Into Da West” –

Wacky Races

Following the success of the inaugural “Into Da West” last year, the

Western Province are delighted to announce the details of this year’s event

for Ventures and Rovers

Lough Keel Campsite in Boyle, Co. Roscommon is the venue for this years

“Into Da West” which is being held on the 21 / 22 / 23 & 24th of August 201,

with this year’s theme – “ Wacky Races part 1”

the 2014/15 term, and it is the ideal event to chill out and have a hoot. Numbers will be limited to this event so early booking is advisable.

Cost for the event is being kept low at €40 for those who have booked and paid in full by Friday 4th July. A Late fee of an additional €10 is payable for the event up until the 1st August.

This year we will be having new events with Woodland Segway and time trials around Lough Keel Campsite ~ Zip It ~ Boda Berg ~ Archery ~ Clay Pigeon Shooting ~ Horse Riding ~ Paint Ball ~ Pioneering - Ballistas ~ Bushcraft ~ Wacky Berg Go Cart Racing ~ Tethered Hot Air Balloon ( weather permitting ) ~ Kayaking ~ Canadian Canoeing ~ Boot Camp ~ other events will also be included. The timing of this event coincides with school or college restarts for

Transport from Boyle Train station can be arranged ( Dublin to Sligo line)

e: intodawest@gmail.com for more info and booking formTel: 087 1306553Facebook : Intodawest.

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168th Dublin’s Hike that was Just

Something Else

As with all memorable activities this one started out with a perfect plan.

What was this plan I hear you say? Well, it was originally a sunrise hike

with hopes of seeing a beautiful sunrise (and also a way of getting some

much needed sponsorship for our Annual camp this year in Wales). But of

course that didn’t happen!

Our cubs – 21 strong with 5 determined young leaders all planning a

mammoth hike through the wilderness in the dark to emerge into the

sunlight at Dawn. Sounds wonderful don’t it? And it would have been too

Volley Ball, Water Slides, Obstacle course relays, Doughnut making all before Dinner. Afterward followed with a Quiz, a disco and some much needed shut eye. Sunday followed in the same fast paced speed with our team making the Semi Finals of the football tournament. After that there was a chariot race, closing ceremony and then the County left. Checking on the weather for the Monday morning and looking at how tired the cubs already were the leaders made a resounding decision to get dinner sorted and go on the Hike on the Sunday night so the kids could sleep in of course, turning it into a sunset hike instead. Leaving Larch Hill at 7PM all of us started with much Gusto towards the top left hand corner of the Cub Field. Following the main road we walked towards Kilmashogue Car Park and began our trail to the summit of the mountain. The first uphill part was a complete killer for kids and leaders alike. But soon we went off trail and kids relished in the chance to march up big rocks and duck under the forest trees until we emerged just a few hundred metres from the Summit. As we march on through the gorse and bushes we could turn around and watch as all the lights

were it not for some miserable weather and some very exhausted cubs. Let me start at the beginning, we needed something which could raise us some sponsorship for our 5 day stay in Breacon Beacons this summer. So, we planned a 3 day camp on the May Bank Holiday weekend to take place in Larch Hill, luckily for us our county fun day / camp was also on that weekend and my didn’t that make things easier. On the Saturday the county arrived and from there the fun began. Bouncy Castles, Water

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of Dublin began to turn on one by one. And at the summit we could see the clouds begin to wrap the sky like a blanket around the city. Whilst at the summit we all had some fruit and some cereal bars to keeps us fuelled for the way down. We wrapped our way around the summit and began walking down through more gorse and bushes

7th Port Howth Camping in the Coome

This was definitely a win for scouting and outdoors over the TV video games and the indoors.

Roll on WALES 2014Chris Stokes - Camp Chief

and zigzagged our way to avoid some fairly big holes filled with a hell of a lot of water. It was long until we were back on the tracks and soon enough back out on the road to Larch Hill almost three and a half hours after we had left just as dust began to fall. The cubs loved the hike; it had something different, something not normal. There was very little following tracks, there were no torches and the kids talked and sang all the way up and over and down the other side.

Dublin Dollymount Valquaries Troop, 9th Port of Dublin Malahide Neala Troop, 22nd Dublin Mafikeng, 287th Port of Dublin Howth, 35th Dublin Grange, 46th Dublin Trinity,73rd Dublin Raheny as well as 2nd Longford Athboy and 5th Westmeath Killucan along with other Groups from the Dublin Province.

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Reachra Scout County had its annual Easter Gathering in their traditional home that is Powerscourt. Powerscourt as a campsite is a magical place to camp with its lofty pines and soft floor on the banks of the River Dargal. As Scouts camp amongst these huge trees they are transposed from what might be considered a normal campsite but will create memories for evermore,]. From the smell of a wood fire the smoke finds it hard to escape from the valley and seems to create a soft focus over the entire campsite. Present from the North Eastern Province this year were 5th Port of

Days Fishing at Ballyhass Lakes

Taking a day out during the Easter Holidays, four venture scouts from the

37th Cork (Togher) headed for Mallow and went to the Ballyhass Lakes and

activity centre. Three of the scouts arrived with rods and all the gear while

the fourth was able to hire the necessary rod and bit and pieces.

Not being a fisherman myself I was unaware of such a great facility just

outside Mallow where the fishery has two separate lakes. The main lake is

12 acres of spring water some 35 feet deep and is reserved for fly fishing

with rod hire. The fishery is open 364 day per year from 9 a.m. until dusk. Not alone is the fishing good, it is very much an activity centre with a whole range of activities including a camping area for scouts with a campfire circle.

The impressive activity centre at Ballyhass makes full use of the natural environs with a whole range of activities including kayaking, raft building, rock climbing and abseiling on the limestone rock faces, and

only. It can be fished by boat or from prepared fishing stands on the bank. On lower lake where the venture scouts headed for worm spinning and bubble and fly methods are permitted. Extensive safe fishing stands surround the lake though the lake was higher due to the extensive rain

The visit was a first one for me and I was amazed at the facilities they had with in a fishing lodge with tackle shop for fly and bait along

specially constructed low ropes courses, archery and team building games on the lawns. What is good about the centre is that they have the instructors on hand as needed for the various activities.

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Scouts Talent Show 2014

The De La Salle Pipe band travelled up to Dublin to play in the Scouts

talent show on the weekend recently and participated with numerous other

scout groups in Ireland. Ferry bank scouts have yet again participated in

the talent show this year with the same enthusiasm and delight that they

always seem to have. The lads had a good laugh and enjoyed the thrill of

playing and performing for other scout groups on a stage.

Highland Cathedral. Other scout troops done their piece after wards and then we had to come back on stage to do the second piece playing the same tunes. All our members had to participate with the other scout troops in the finale which was fun and we fell onto the bus tired at half nine in the night. We arrived at Waterford at eleven and had a few hours sleep until we had to rise again in the morning to repeat the same day

The next day we left at half ten instead and arrived at around half one. We got ready for our last performance and we played the same tunes we did the last day. We hung around for a while then we headed to participate in the finale. We said goodbye to the other scouts we made friends with and headed back down to Waterford, arriving at half eight in the night but we were still buzzing from the laughs we had.

2014 was the 26th year of the Scout Show held mainly at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin on 22nd and 23rd March 2014. The purpose of this event is to give scouts nationwide the

The pipe band travelled up to Dublin at half nine in the morning on the Saturday 22nd of March. After a three hour bus drive, we got our gear into a room and got ready to play. We had to get make up put on (which I wont comment on but the lads were stunners) before playing the first out of two different sets that we had to do. We played Minstrel Boy, Mo Ghille Mear, Green Glens of Antrim, March to Battle and the ending was played by solo piper Eimear Costello and her sister Emily who is the Drum sergeant, they both played

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chance to explore their creative talents on stage through the Scout programme, in doing so they may discover hidden talents they did not know exist.

The event is always attended by the Chief Scout and his team, directed by Pat Hollingsworth from

enthusiasm as they have the last ten years that they went to the talent show. This year they did a comedy sketch and an Act from the musical Cats called A Taste of Cats. The Cats Act was invited down to National Council in Cork last weekend to perform the act as after dinner entertainment to many scouters, which was a great achievement for the group.Many of the Dublin scout groups, put together acts from musicals which included Hairspray and Oklahoma and were very entertaining.It is the only event in the scouting calendar where all sections from Beavers 6 -8 yr olds through to Rovers 18-26 yr olds can participate in the same event.

66th Naomh Eoin, Clontarf,. With participation from several groups which included 18/26th Ferry bank’ and De LA Salle pipe band from Waterford Other groups included 11th Wicklow, 5th Kildare,1st Carlow, 103rd Dublin, 66th Clontarf, Ath Cliath 15, 19/36th Phibsboro, 4th Laois, Portarlington.

I want to give a major shout out to the Ferrybank scouts who participated with exceptional

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Province News

Tonnata Badge

Ashbourne Paddy’s Day Parade

Ashbourne Scout group continues to go from strength to strength with a great turn out for the Ashbourne St. Patricks day parade. Beaver scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts & Venture Scouts and their leaders all turned out in full uniform, glittering with hard earned badges, to show they are some of the ‘Superheroes of the Community’.

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Province News

Beaver leader Alan (I’m Batman) Power stole the show in his costume!Beavers & Cubs in the superhero capes & ‘SPICES’ shields beamed with pride as their friends and family members waved and called to them as they happily marched in the parade.

The Scouts & Venture colour party lead the Scout Float (of a typical

camp scene with a pitched tent and pot hanging over the fire) borne high on the back of our sponsor Murtaghs flatbed truck which had been decorated with the Groups colours of yellow and green.

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Province News

The scout group is continuing to grow and with the new Den project getting underway in earnest this year we expect the group to grow further in the coming years.

Scout Brand launches New Range

The Scout Shop have just launched a new range of Tee Shirts in the New

Scout Brand. The Scout Brand now has a dedicated website for all the

New Scout Brand Products The site is located at http://www.scoutbrand.ie/

You can now check out and Buy all the Scout Brand items on this website.

Check it out by clicking on the image right.

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A New Way to Submit Your

Articles for Inside out

Because of the Volume of Articles we are getting from Groups and

Counties each month we have decided to make it easier for Groups and

Counties to submit their Articles and Photos each month. And we love to

get them all.

We now have designed a dedicated page where you can upload your

Article and your Photos with no hassle and get a message back straight

away to let you know that your article has been received.

If you just Click on this image to the right it will take you to a form where you enter your details and then attach your article and photos. Then when you have all done press submit. If your article is received you will get an automatic reply to say we have received your article and a thank you.

See right a screen Shot of the Form.

If you need any help at all with this contact me at communications@scouts.ie and I will endeavour to help.

Now wouldn’t it be great if we got a small article from every group in the country just to let everyone know that you are there!

Communications Team

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Public Website:- www.scouts.ie

Members:- my.scouts.ie

Email:- communications@scouts.ie

Facebook:- http://www.facebook.com/scoutingireland

Twitter:- @scoutingireland

May 2014

Contacts Coming Next Month

More National ActivitiesSection resourcesAnd Lots lots More