Category Archives: Uncategorized

Feb 17 2012

Our Scouts make headlines in Iceland

The following article was taken from MBL an Icelandic newspaper. I’ve run it through Google Translate so its a tad difficult to follow. Thanks to Rupert from the European Scout Region for bringing this to my attention - Baz

Tent flew down from the Irish tax

Irish team participating in the Winter Challenge in Iceland.enlargeIrish team participating in the Winter Challenge in Iceland. mbl.is

A group of Icelandic and Irish Scouts a youth had to pull himself up in the middle of last night when one of four hóptjalda flew down from the waterfall near the lake. However, the scouts were all ready and touched the rotation, took the tents down and went to Útilíf Center for scouts at the lake, where they received shelter.

The group consists of fifteen Irish Scouts and as many of their peers from Icelandic Scouts and youth Rescue.Ireland in this country to participate in the Winter Challenge Cream, which is held 12 to 19. February. Winter is a challenge to deal with the Icelandic winter, scores of himself and gain skills in outdoor activities. Chosen from among the applicants, but a large number were participating in this week long expedition. Irish scouts came to the country on Sunday last and the participants stayed at the lake last few days, deal with the challenges of outdoor life, working in groups, go to hópeflisleiki and set up a tent.

Today the group will walk from the lake to the old Scout pavilions at the edge of Hellisheidi, which gives teenagers the opportunity to go skiing and learn about Icelandic nature.

“It is of course a great experience for Irish teenagers to travel on Icelandic nature, but also a unique opportunity for the Icelandic teenagers get to share this experience with foreign scouts from their siblings and see the country through the eyes of Irish tax,” he said Finnbogason, project winter challenge. ”There is a lot placed on cooperation and working classes,” adds Gudmundur added, “but that gives teenagers the opportunity to learn to work with others, regardless of language and nationality.”

Irish scouts go home on Sunday, but is that Icelandic Scouts go on such a movement to Ireland in the coming years.

Feb 15 2012

Explorer Belt

I’m putting this up so our current Venture Scouts and Rover Scouts can see what’s involved in the Explorer Belt – baz. 

The Scouting Ireland 2012 Explorer Belt will be based over The Brittany & Western Loire Region.  As well as being a physical, mental and personal challenge, the aim of the Explorer Belt is to get to know different cultures. 

 
Members of the Expedition Team are currently revising the manual “How to get the most out of YOUR Explorer Belt”, this booklet will be distributed to all applicants following registration.  
 
The basic elements of the Scouting Ireland 2012 Explorer Belt are as follows
 
1.     Ten to twelve days of traveling covering a minimum of 300km of countryside through towns and villages
2.     200km must take place by hiking, and an additional 100km may be  traveled using certified public transport
3.     Keeping a log of your journey and experiences
4.     Completing a number of compulsory projects and challenges assigned to you by the Expedition Team
5.     Living on a limited budget
 
The way in which you carry out these challenges is as important as completing them.  Over the course of the 2012 Explorer Belt you and your team mate must do your personal best and demonstrate that you have done so through the Scouting Method and in line with the Scout Law & Scout Promise.
 
The destination is The Brittany & Western Loire Region, but you will not know what area until you arrive. You will however be given further detail of the destination at the time of the Compulsory Training Weekend [Friday 6th – Monday 9th April 2012] (Venue will be confirmed upon receipt of applications).  Once in the country, you and your partner will have ten – twelve days to reach base camp from your drop-off point while completing the necessary elements of the challenge.
 
A comprehensive training programme will be provided in which you must partake [failure to partake will result in you not being permitted to take part in the expedition].  The date for the compulsory training weekend is Friday 6th – Monday 9th April 2012. There may also be an additional half day workshop in May/June – dates to be confirmed.
 
Information / Communication Process Overview
 
Regarding the initial Information Meetings (at which you will be required to bring a home contact/family member), the Expedition Team will go through the organising of the expedition in particular covering health & safety measures while on the road.  Regular contact will also be made through postal/email correspondence prior to departure (to a nominated family member).  Following the day of departure, the nominated family contact will be sent a detailed letter giving details of base camp and the route overview along with contact numbers at which the Expedition Team can be contacted. 
For the safety of all involved there will be regular contact between the teams and the Expedition Team Staff, details of how this will work will be discussed at the Information Meetings.  Via this regular contact during the expedition, Family members can pass on messages from home if required.  The Expedition Team will always be available to come out to teams at any time they are requested.
 
The Explorer Belt is not easy from a physical point of view but with plenty of preparation and training, it is an achievable goal.  It is important that family members and Venture Scout and Rover Scout Leaders support the participants in every way possible through the preparation process.
 
Payment Schedule
 
The cost of the expedition is anticipated to be in the region of € 850.00 per participant – however please note that this will not be confirmed until Friday 24th February 2012. 
 
The typical (yet to be confirmed) payment scheme below will be applicable to all applicants.
 
 
 
a)   € 150.00       Deposit       09.03.2012 [amount to be confirmed 24.02.2012]
b)  € 250.00       Installment   30.03.2012 [amount to be confirmed 24.02.2012]
c)   € 250.00       Installment   27.04.2012 [amount to be confirmed 24.02.2012]
d)  € 200.00       Installment   25.05.2012 [amount to be confirmed 24.02.2012]
 
Sterling conversion to be confirmed 24.02.2012
 
 
All participants must be available for the training weekend and workshop. All payments must be made in accordance with the payment schedule above (cheques/postal orders/bank drafts) to be made payable to Scouting Ireland); failure to do so may result in you losing your place.  
 
If you are interested, sign-up for what will be one of the most challenging, rewarding and enjoyable experiences of your life by sending in the Generic Booking [available from www.scouts.ie/events] along with the deposit of € 150.00 by the 9th March 2012 to:
           
                        National Events Team
                        Scouting Ireland
                        National Office
                        Larch Hill
                        Dublin 16
           
On receipt of your deposit you will be forwarded further detail regarding the payments schedule, training weekend & information meetings.
 
Stipulations
 
  1. You and your partner must be 18 at the time of the Explorer Belt’s departure
  2. You and your partner must be 20 or under on the 31st August 2012
  3. You and your partner must be an active and registered Rover Scout in Scouting Ireland at the time of application
  4. You and your partner must have experience of camping and serious walking
  5. You both must be comfortable with spending ten to twelve days on the road as a team
  6. You will have to carry all you need on your back, plan your own route back to base camp and provide for yourselves from your limited budget.
  7. Single applications are welcome and the National Events Team will endeavor to pair you with a suitable partner.
  8. Where mixed gender teams are entered / formed please read NE6 [available from www.scouts.ie/events]
 
Pick your partner well! You will have to spend every waking and sleeping minute with this person, on all aspects of the Explorer Belt you are expected to work as a team, so whom you go with is very important. You should also do as much training together before you go as possible as this will help you to work better as a team. 
Feb 15 2012

Venture Scout Challenge

The Scouting Ireland 2012 Venture Scout Challenge will be based over The British Isles.  As well as being a physical, mental and personal challenge, the aim of the Venture Scout Challenge is explore your “own” culture and “other” cultures. 

 Members of the Expedition Team are currently revising the manual “How to get the most out of YOUR Challenge Expedition”, this booklet will be distributed to all applicants following registration.  
 
The basic elements of the Scouting Ireland 2012 Venture Scout Challenge are as follows
 
1.     Five Days on the Road
a.     Meet in Dublin as Group
b.    Travel through the British Isles – where you will be dropped off to undisclosed locations in teams – Day ONE Commences
c.     Carry out the challenges 2 – 8  as listed below
d.    At the end of Day FIVE meet back at base camp as a team
 
2.     Work Together as a Team
a.     Complete a number of prescribed projects as a team
b.    Complete a number of personal challenges defined by you the individual
 
3.     Walk 100km in total on foot
 
4.     Utilise in an addition 100km of a public transport allowance (max 20km journey per day)
 
5.     Carry all your belongings
 
6.     Complete a major physical challenge
 
7.     Survive on a Limited Budget
 
8.     Take part in post-expedition Assessments
 
9.     Achieve the Challenge Badge, Certificate and the infamous Expedition award – the Challenge Woggle!
 
The way in which you carry out these challenges is as important as completing them.  Over the course of the Expedition you and your team-mate must do your personal best and demonstrate that you have done so through the Scouting Method and in line with the Scout Law & Scout Promise.
 
A comprehensive training programme will be provided in which you must partake [failure to partake will result in you not being permitted to take part in the expedition].  The date for the compulsory training weekend is Friday 6th – Sunday 8th April 2012. There may also be an additional half day workshop in May/June – dates to be confirmed.
 
Information / Communication Process Overview
Regarding Parental / Guardian communications, the Expedition Team will go through the organising of the expedition in particular covering health & safety measures while on the road.  Regular contact will also be made through postal correspondence prior to departure.  Following the day of departure, parents / guardians will be sent a detailed letter giving details of base camp and the route overview along with contact numbers at which the Expedition Team can be contacted. 
 
For the safety of all involved there will be regular contact between the teams and the Expedition Team Staff, details of how this will work will be discussed at the Information Meetings.  Via this regular contact during the expedition, Parents/ Guardians can pass on messages from home if required.  The Expedition Team will always be available to come out to teams at any time they are requested.
 
The Venture Scout Challenge is not easy from a physical point of view but with plenty of preparation and training, it is an achievable goal.  It is important that Parents / Guardians and Venture Scout Leaders support the participants in every way possible through the preparation process.
 
Payment Schedule
 
The cost of the expedition is anticipated to be in the region of € 390.00 per participant – however please note that this will not be confirmed until Friday 24th February 2012. 
 
The typical (yet to be confirmed) payment scheme below will be applicable to all applicants.
 
 
 
a)             € 140.00       Deposit         09.03.2012 [amount to be confirmed 24.02.2012]
b)            € 125.00       Installment   30.03.2012 [amount to be confirmed 24.02.2012]
c)             € 125.00       Installment   27.04.2012 [amount to be confirmed 24.02.2012]
 
 
Sterling conversion to be confirmed 24.02.2012
 
All participants must be available for the training weekend and workshop. All payments must be made in accordance with the payment schedule above; failure to do so may result in you losing your place. 
 
If you are interested, sign-up for what will be one of the most challenging, rewarding and enjoyable experiences of your life by sending in the Generic Booking & the form NE4 [available from www.scouts.ie/events] along with the deposit of € 140.00 by the 9th March 2012 to:
           
                        National Events Team
                        Scouting Ireland
                        National Office
                        Larch Hill
                        Dublin 16
           
On receipt of your deposit you will be forwarded further detail regarding the payments schedule, training weekend & information meetings.
           
Stipulations
 
1.     You and your partner must be 15 at the time of the Challenge departure
2.     You and your partner must be 18 or under on the 31st August 2012
3.     You and your partner must be an active and registered Venture Scout in Scouting Ireland at the time of application
4.     You and your partner must have experience of camping and serious walking
5.     You both must be comfortable with spending five to seven days on the road as a team
6.     You will have to carry all you need on your back, plan your own route back to base camp and provide for yourselves from your limited budget.
7.     Single applications are welcome and the National Events Team will endeavor to pair you with a suitable partner.
8.     Where mixed gender teams are entered / formed please read NE6 [available from www.scouts.ie/events]
 
Pick your partner well! You will have to spend every waking and sleeping minute with this person, on all aspects of the Venture Scout Challenge you are expected to work as a team, so whom you go with is very important. You should also do as much training together before you go as possible as this will help you to work better as a team.
Feb 10 2012

Crean Challenge Expedition

The 23rd Limerick would like to wish our three Scouts Andrew O’Neill, Conor Hempenstall and Michael Quigley who will be setting off on their Icelandic Adventure at the weekend. Last August the three Scouts were selected to be part of the first ever Crean Challenge Expedition which is being run alongside the Icelandic Scout Association. Only 15 Scouts from across Ireland will be taking part in the expedition.

In September they met up with the Expedition Leaders and their fellow participants for a training weekend. The Patrols hiked from Castleconnell to the National Water Activity Centre in Killaloe where they made their way out to an Island and bivied for the night. A second training weekend was held in Dublin in Decemeber. At this weekend they got to meet Guðmundur Finnbogason from  the Icelandic  Scout Association and Brendan O’Brien, grandson of Tom Crean. A final meeting for each patrol was held in January. In between the training weekends, the participants had to go on several training hikes, keep a logbook of their preparations and work on personal challenges they had agreed with the Expedition Staff.

The Troop will depart Ireland and head for the Iceland where they will be challenged by the climate and terrain. Using the physical and mental training that they have completed in preparation for this Expedition they will overcome these challenges.

The initial few days of the trip will be a learning experience to allow them to familiarise themselves with some of the equipment that they will use throughout their Expedition including, Skies, Sledges and Safety Ropes. On top of this they will be shown how to build Snow Holes, Igloos and trek in the difficult snowy terrain.

They will then take part in a Two Day Expedition trekking to basic Mountain Huts high in the Iceland Mountains, spending a night in these basic lodges and returning to base camp the next day. The end of the event will involve a review and an assessment of the individual Scouts expedition and hopefully they will be awarded the Crean Challenge Expedition Award.

We  would like to wish our 3 scouts, their fellow patrol members and the expedition staff the best of luck on their epic voyage and look forward to hearing their stories when they return.

By caherdavinscouts • Posted in scouts
0
Jan 18 2012

Clonmacken Cub Pack Upcoming Events & Dates

Dear parents

Due to the following reasons we have decided not to take part in Jamoige in June

  1. Insufficient no.of Leaders
  2.  Only 12 boys interested in going
  3.  If we had decided to take part in JamOige we would not be able to have any other sleepovers or outings due to the high costs       involved with JamOige

The following are the Sleepovers we are doing between now and the end of May

  1. Sleepover in the Scout hall  4th February
  2. Sleepover in Curraghchase Scout House  Sat/Sun 14th/15th April       Cost €25
  3. Cup Camp Srahan Scout Centre  Roscrea    Friday to Sunday May 25th to 27th            Cost €60
Anybody who has paid a deposit for JamOige can either have the money back or if they so wish they can put it towards any of the above events.
Please let us know which events you wish your son to attend
A deposit of €5 for Curraghase sleepover is required
A deposit of €10 will be needed for Cub camp
Please contact any of the leaders about any of these events if need be
Nov 27 2011

Discovery Weekend (Scouts)

This weekend the Scouts headed off to Dundrum Scout Centre in Tippery for the “Discovery Weekend”. Friday night was spent playing wide games in the forest. Saturday morning saw the patrols collect fire wood while Conor and Eoin cooked breakfast. This was followed by a session on camping skills. After lunch, the Scouts worked on their pioneering- building towers for a game of man hunt later that evening.

We then had a campfire and scouts own. Barry invested Daniel into the Troop and then presented the Discovery Award badges, the first stage of the Crean Awards (the new scout award scheme) and Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader Badges. After the campfire the group split in two. The Ventures lead the younger scouts on a hike along the forest track while Barry went with the 3 older scouts on a cross country night navigation excercise through the forest as training for the Crean Challenge.

The next morning everyone got up and clean the house before getting to try out the impressive zip line on the site.

Thanks to all the Scouts for their work this weekend and thanks to the ventures (Andy and Ashley) and leaders (Baz, Mike and Neil) for running the weekend. Thanks also to Charlie Sullivan, the warden of the site. Photos available here.

By caherdavinscouts • Posted in scouts
0
Nov 23 2011

Discovery Weekend (Scouts)

Venue: Dundrum Scout Centre, Tipperary
Date: 25th-27th November 2011

Gear List:
• Neckerchief
• Old Clothes & Shoes
• Uniform
• Sleeping Bag
• Ground Mat
• Rain Gear
• Torch (preferably headtorch)
• Hat & gloves
• Packed lunch for Friday night

For more on what to wear/bring please consult the “Preparing for Adventure” chapter of the Scouting Trail

Programme
Over the weekend we’ll be covering the final parts of the Discovery Award as well as elements of the Pioneering and Camping Adventure Skills badges. On Sunday we will be having the investiture of the new scouts into the troop.

Transport
Scouts to arrange their own transport to and from the event. We’re asking all Scouts to be at the centre for 8pm on Friday. Collection is at 2pm on Sunday. Directions can be found here

By caherdavinscouts • Posted in scouts
0
Nov 9 2011

Caherdavin Scouts take on Extreme Fundraising Challenge

Last Bank Holiday weekend a group of 16 Scouts, Venture Scouts and Scouters took on an ambitious fundraising challenge that saw them sleep in a cave and then sleep on Ireland’s highest mountain on consecutive nights.

On the night October 28th the High & Low Challenge began as 15 members of Scouting Ireland abseiled down into a large pothole just a few miles outside of Lisdoonvarna. At the bottom of the pothole lay the entrance to Poll na gColm, Ireland’s longest cave system.

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

However that wasn’t enough for these Scouts. After a quick stop in Limerick they were on the road again, this time heading to Killarney. The second challenge was to climb Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. The route chosen to go up the mountain was quite challenging especially for the first timers in the group, and included some hiking in the dark but several hours later the group made it to our campsite for the night, an impressive 750 metres high. To make it even more interesting, we decided to go without tents for the night and instead relied only on our sleeping bags and orange plastic “survival bags” to keep us dry and warm.

In the morning, the weather was less than ideal, so the decision was made to split the group – one group would go for the summit, while the other would return to the valley below by the climbing route taken the night before. Both groups met at the ford in Hag’s Glen later that morning, and tired and weary, walked out to the car park at Lisleibane, for the drive home.

Thanks to all the Scouts who participated in the event, their leaders  Mark, Neil, Barry, Aaron and David, the support team of Ger, Ger and Mike and the home base team of Laura and Catherine. And a special thanks to all our friends, family and local businesses who sponsored us.

This fundraising activity was to raise funds to send three of the Caherdavin Scouts on the inaugural Tom Crean Challenge Expedition which will take place in Iceland next February. The three Scouts – Conor Hempenstall, Michael Quigley and Andrew O’Neill – were amongst only 15 scouts from across Ireland selected to take part in this once in a life time trip that will see them try hiking in difficult conditions, ice climbing, cross country skiing, building ice caves (igloos), sledging and much more.

A table quiz will be held by the Scout Group on November 17th in Na Piarsaigh GAA Club, Caherdavin Lawn (just off the Ennis Road, opposite the Greenhills) at 8pm, as part of the fundraising efforts to facilitate opportunities like the Crean Challenge for the youth members.