Lord Mayor Councilor Brian Bermingham , Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick , Kiernan

Gildea, Chief Commissioner Youth Programme and John Brennan, Chief Commissioner for

Adult Resources with many Scouting stalwarts past and present when they attended a

reception at in City Hall

Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick addressing those

present at the reception with Lord Mayor Councilor

Brian Bermingham, Councillor, Ger Mulcachy, Dermot

O’Mahony looking on

Celebrating 100 years of Scouting in Cork on the 20th May 2009 at the Lord Mayors Reception in Cork. The Lord Mayor, Councilor Brian Bermingham, himself a former member of the 4th Cork who met at Brown Street and later on with the 5th Cork (The Lough) and indeed with St. Finbarr’s Knight Errant Clan.

In his address the Chief Scout said, “It gives me great pleasure as your Chief Scout to be present here this evening for the Lord Mayor’s Reception to honour 100 years in Cork Scouting.

It comes at a time when I stand before you as the first Cork man of any Association to have been elected to the high office of Chief Scout.” Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick addressing those present at the reception with Lord Mayor, Councilor Brian Bermingham, Ger Mulcachy, Dermot O’Mahony and David P.Barry looking on.

The Chief Scout referred to the greats like John K. Hurley and Michael Byrnes. “There were of course others that we regard as the corner stone of Cork Scouting. I think in particular of people like Con Twomey, John Corbett, Paddy Duggan, Pierce Roche and of course Wally McGrath who was Diocesan Commissioner for 21 years, all of whom have now gone to their eternal reward.” He also saluted the memory of the corner stone of Scouting in the SAI. “I think in particular of people like Ken Williams whose daughter Margo is here this evening. When

Ken took over the helm as Commissioner in the 1950’s there were only three groups in the county, the 2nd and 3rd Cork in the City and the 4th Cork in Bandon. When Ken retired there were 26 groups in the county, a remarkable achievement by any standards. “Then there was that stalwart Arthur McAdoo who only died the weekend before last and no doubt you have read the tribute to him in last Thursday’s ‘Evening Echo’.” He went on to say, “Let us be proud of our history and let’s hold it dear and together, let’s move forward that we may in time be remembered for making a difference, making a difference first and foremost in our own groups. Then assisting and making a difference at county, provincial and national level. We need good people at all levels.”

Chief Scouts Desk

Lord Mayor, Councilor Brian

Bermingham presenting Cork Glass to

Chief Scout with Cork Coat of Arms

embossed on the piece, to celebrate

Scouting in Cork for 100 years.

A Scout from the 4th Cork, presenting

Scouting Trail and Cork Group

Neckerchiefs to the Lord Mayor,

Councilor Brian Bermingham.

Other News

Fossa Scouts From Killarney on Camp in Glenbeigh Co

Kerry on weekend of 22/24 May with the Chief Scout

John O Toole Fossa presented with The Order of Cu

Cullann by the Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick

Local Farmer Joe Who has made a

campsite in Glenbeigh available to

Scouting for past 25 years, Chief Scout

commented on camping their some years

ago himself

Photo with Scout Leader, Fossa, Sean

Sweeney , John O Toole Chief Scout Marian

Hurley Kerry Co. Commissioner.

Chief Scouts Desk

Notice Board

Reviewers Wanted

Think you have what it takes to be a gear reviewer? Well if so we are looking for you to help us out.

Anyone that would like to review equipment for our magazine please e-mail communications@scouts.ie with your details together with a brief explination on what would make you a good reviewer.

This is a great oppertunity, don’t miss out!Name the Online Newsletter Winner

The winning entry was

And the winning entry was submitted by:

Peter Varian 74th Cork Frankfield-Grange

Congratulation to Peter the proud owner of a brand new Jalan Luxe Berghaus Rucksack retailing at over €199

Commissioners and Group Leaders Conference

A date for your diary.

The Commissioners and Group

Leaders Conference is being held

in the Green Isle Hotel, Dublin on

the weekend 17th - 18th October.

Programme DevelopmentWorking Weekend Dates

June 12th 13th 14thJuly 10th 11th 12thAugust 14th 15th 16thSept 18th 19th 20thOct 23rd 24th 25th Nov 6th 7th 8thDec 4th 5th 6th

Please email progdev@scouts.ie if you will be attending a working weekend. Youth members are more than welcome with completed parental consent forms & Scouter permission.

In de OUT

Beaver Scouts

Youth Participation in the Beaver Scout ColonyIntroduction – Log Chew

One of the areas of work for the Programme Team is to encourage Youth Participation. Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venture Scouts and Rover Scouts are encouraged to have a big say in the running of their sections. All of these have a much larger say in their section and its programme. Although it would seem much harder to encourage Youth Participation in the Beaver Scout section, there are different ways of doing this. One method is the Log Chew. It is for the Colony Scouter team to decide when and how Log Chews might be helpful and how often they are used. One suggestion is that they are held at every colony meeting.

Basic principles

It may be that you are already operating a Log Chew system but know it by another name. A Log Chew or forum is typically used at the beginning or end of a Colony meeting and can be an opportunity for the Beaver Scouts to talk about things that they have done during the time since their last meeting. You should also use this opportunity to allow the Beaver Scouts to express their opinions on the programme, complete their badge work or have a say in the Colony planning. It will make it easier to PLAN, DO AND REVIEW.

Why hold one?

There are many reasons why you should regularly hold a Log Chew:•It will help you to get to know more about theBeaver Scouts in your Colony•At the beginning of the year you could use a LogChew to create a Colony Code of Conduct, by which all Beaver Scouts have an input and agree to abide by.•When held at the beginning of the Colony meeting it will give you an opportunity to explain to the Colony the evening’s programme and learn of any concerns that a Beaver Scout may have about it.•A Log Chew will enable you to gain an insight into the current trends amongst the young people in the Beaver Scout Colony.•It will enable the Beavers to share any good news that they may have without disrupting the meeting and in a supervised manner.•A Log Chew could be a good way to encourage the quietest or shyest Beaver Scout to speak out, as well as learn that their voice is just as important as the loudest or most demanding Beaver Scout.•Letting Beaver Scouts have a voice and be heard will give them confidence in all areas of their lives and hopefully help develop their sense of involvement, particularly in planning their own programmes as they move through the other sections.•A Log Chew could be a good way of reviewing an activity day; this could be a section, Group or County activity day review. Giving the Beaver Scouts a chance to say what they think.

Methods

There are no formal guidelines as to how the Log Chew should be operated but the following are offered as examples:•The Beaver Scouts sit around in a circle with the Leader in the middle. The Colony uses an item such as a beaver soft toy, which is in turn passed around the Beaver Scouts. Only when a Beaver Scout has hold of the beaver toy is it their turn to say something, either about what they have done in the past few days, or what they liked best about Beaver Scouts this week or what they would like to do again at future meetings.(Alternatively, you could use a suitably sized log or small stick to pass round in lieu of the toy)

•All the Beaver Scouts sit around in a circle and one sits in a chair. Only the one in the chair is allowed to talk. The Beaver Scouts then take it in turns to sit in the chair.•If your Colony is a large one, perhaps you could consider holding a Log Chew with different lodges each week.•You could hold your Log Chew after you have gathered the Beaver Scouts around to read a story or provided them with a drink and piece of fruit. They may be a little bit calmer after this type of quiet time, particularly if you have had an energetic and excitable evening programme.•Activity review – Try and structure the review. You could select an older Beaver to stand up and lead the review by asking the other Beavers that attended the activity to say what they liked or didn’t like about it. Remember to ask one or two of the Beavers who didn’t go, why they didn’t attend, and was there something about the day that if changed, would make them want to attend next time. If the activity was a group or County event, then you could invite the organiser of the event to the review.

Behaviour during a Log Chew

As with all activities in the section, there will need to be some ground rules. When it comes to conduct during a Log Chew, it is recommended that Beaver Scouts clearly understand that there should be no shouting out and that they must take it in turns. This may well help to keep the more enthusiastic Beaver Scout under control and allow the quieter Beaver Scout to feel confident enough to join in knowing no one will interrupt them when they are speaking.

Beaver Scouts

Beaver Scout Leader SurveyI would like to thank all the beaver leaders who returned the survey forms . The survey was to find out about how best we can develop the web site.

The results were as follows and I will be sending out an email to all who responded. I will also try to take on board any issues that have been brought to my attention through this survey.

95 % answered yes to question 1 that they do use the website , however only 80 % use the beaver programme section but 98 % said they would use it as a resource if new ideas were placed there regularly.

75 % suggested that it would be useful if there was a questions and answers section for the commissioner to answer.

The next question was should there be a section where the beavers could interact with the site. There was conflicting views on this one ranging from 25 % definitely , 45 % yes , 15 % Limited and 15 % No. In order to expand and reading the comments on this I can reassure leaders that while the beavers can interact with the site there would be no possible interaction with the beavers.

The next question also brought conflicting answers , this question asks should the programme team place sample monthly meeting plans using different themes on the website. 80 % would welcome this , some of the remaining

20 % suggest that we would be spoonfeeding beaver leaders. Having reviewed this I would suggest placing sample meeting plans on the website and also having a section where other beaver leaders can place there own plans that worked on the website.

A number of comments were made with regard to the next question and over 90 % felt that there should be a section about beaver events and again we should have information on it from groups that ran an event and it worked. Information should be SHARED with regard to where to go , contact details , cost , special offers , etc.

Only 70 % would like to see a section where beavers could display photos of there events. Some events that could be covered included investitures, outing, camping , award nights etc.

Over 90 % would like the website to hold competitions for beavers and a few would also like competitions for leaders.

When asked what method of communication is the best. E- mail got the most first preferences followed closely by mail drops . Posters were seen as important . Leaders would prefer information workshops held at night time rather than at weekends.

I will be working closely with Karol in national office to develop the website and to provide ongoing online support to beaver leaders on the ground.

Stephen Halpin Programme Commissioner, Beaver Scouts

Beaver Scouts

Beaver Scout Programme Survey.My name is Stephen Halpin and I was appointed National Beaver Programme Commissioner last September. I am a group leader

and beaver leader in the 98th Dublin. I have brought together a team of beaver leaders to help provide support for beavers

throughout the country. Our vision is that beavers are the future of scouting, it is through the beaver programme that scouting

skills are introduced. We now have one programme covering all sections, with the age range for beavers from 6-8 years old. This

will give us an opportunity to provide a more challenging scouting experience for all of our youth members.

We would love to hear the views of leaders around the country. Please take a few moments out of your busy schedule and

answer the questions below.

Do you use the website “scouts.ie” ? ______

Have you checked out the beaver programme section on the website ? _________

Would you use the website for programme ideas if new ideas were placed there regularly?

Should there be a questions and answers section for the Beaver Commissioner ? _______

Should there be a section where beavers could interact with the site ? __________

Would it be good if we put sample monthly planning meetings using different themes.?

Should there be a section about beaver events. ? ____________

Should we have a section where you can display your photos ? __________

Should we have a section for your views.? ____________

What other methods would you like us to pass on programme ideas. ?

Mark in Order of preference.

Mail drops PostersE-mailWork shops – information nightsWork shops – information days

Contact Details Please return Form to :Name :____________________ Address:___________________ __________________________

Group ____________________

E- mail ____________________ Please use the space below to add other ideas or queries and we will strive to answer them.

Stephen HalpinNational Beaver CommissionerScouting IrelandLarch HillTribaddenDublin 16

Beaver Scouts

Cub ScoutsWhoo Hoooo !!! The Summer has arrived … sun is out, sun cream in on and we are all set to have a summer of fun!

Here are some ideas for getting out and about in the summer, I have included links to websites where you will get more information.

Hope that enjoy some of these activities, Annette

Being active is fun for everyone. Below are some ideas and links to websites that will give you info about how to get started. If you are still stuck for ideas after looking at the links below you can always visit sites like dayout.ie, fundays.ie or ni4kids.com.

WalkingWalking is a great way to work on your fitness. Whether, it is round your local park, a forest trail or something more adventurous in the countryside. All you need is a good pair of shoes or runners and clothes that will keep you warm and dry.

http://www.walkireland.ie/ and www.walkni.com have lots of routes and information about walking throughout the country.

The Irish Heart Foundation has information about the Slí na Sláinte walks. These are routes around towns that are signposted and is can easily be completed during your meeting time. You can download the routes from the Irish Heart Foundation Website.

The Fáilte Ireland website www.discoverireland.ie/walking has over 70 routes all around the country

Forest trailsCoilte has over 10 forest parks and 150 recreation sites around Ireland. Most of the recreation sites have forest trails to suit all ages. They are very happy to welcome Cub Scouts to all of their parks and you could set up your own forest trail or do some track and trail in the forest.

Take a picnic and you can easily find things to keep you busy for the whole day. http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/Orienteering can be great fun www.ecotrailsni.com

SwimmingSwimming is a great way to get active particularly if it’s wet outside. You can find contact details for a swimming pool in your area by looking in the golden pages or on the golden pages website

CyclingDiscover Ireland has around 20 cycling routes and www.cycleni.com is a great resource for routes in Northern Ireland.

BeachesIreland has some of the best beaches in Europe. If you live close to a beach, and many people do, they are a great place to spend an activity packed day. Soccer, hurling, paddling, building sandcastles and kite flying are fun for the whole pack and you can take along a healthy picnic which means you can stay out for the whole day. Most city or county council websites will have information about beaches in your area. Irish Water Safety has a list of beaches that have are manned by life guards during the summer months and Discover Northern Ireland has a list of beaches in Northern Ireland.

ParksThere are parks in most towns around Ireland. They are great places for the whole family to get active whether it is kicking a ball, throwing a Frisbee or playing on of our active games.Heritage sites, castles and gardens

Cub ScoutsYou’d be surprised how just getting out into the fresh air encourages children to run around, many of the heritage sites and castles around the country have large open areas where the kids can burn off some energy. Many sites have walking trails. You can find out more about places of interest in your area on the Heritage Ireland website www.heritageireland.ie

Organised sportGetting Cub Scouts involved in organised sport is a great way to set them on the road to being active right through to adult hood. Most sports have associations that can put you in contact with your local club. If you want to find out more about sport in your local area you can contact your Local Sports Partnership or the get a life get active campaign website in Northern IrelandYou can find information about getting involved in a range of sports from the National Associations or governing bodies. Find links for a range of sporting organisations here.Sport NI and The Irish Sports council have lots of information about sport throughout the Island of Ireland.

Catch the Balloon Indoor Equipment: Several balloons, pieces of paper with individual numbers on them, safety pins, and musicGet everyone to select a piece of paper with a number on which they then pin to their chest. The Cub with the highest number is given a balloon. The Cubs then all dance round the room to the singing and when the Scouter blows a whistle the cub with the balloon has to throw it in the air and shout out one of the numbers. Whoever’s number he shouts out, has to run and catch the balloon before it reaches the floor. If the cub is successful, they then have the role of the balloon thrower in the next round.

Cotton Balls Indoor Equipment: Two large bowls or buckets, two chairs, a large ladle, bag of cotton wool balls and a blindfold. For each line

Line up in equal lines (according to the number of cubs)For each line you must place two of the chairs opposite each other about 2 metres apart. On one

chair place a bowl of cotton wool balls and on the other an empty bowl. Blindfold the first player, give them a few twirls and then place them in front of the bowl of cotton wool balls. Using the ladle, they then have to try and scoop up a cotton wool ball (or more) and carefully carry it and place it in the bowl on the opposite chair. Set a time limit of one minute so that everyone gets a go. The winner is the team who transferred the most cotton wool balls.

Ducks and Chickens Outdoor Equipment: Treasure items such as sweets, small toys.In advance hide some treasure in various places. Pick 2 team captains and have them choose their team one at a time. The groups are called ‘Ducks’ and ‘Chickens’ with their leaders called ‘Mother Duck’ and ‘Mother Hen’. The leaders are blind folded and then the teams of ducklings and chicks have to rush off and find the treasure. When they find some they mustn’t take it but must instead say “Quack quack” or “Cluck Cluck” in order to attract their mothers attention. She must find them and then collect the treasure. The funny part of this is that they cannot touch them and they cannot call them by name. The team with the most treasure at the end is the winner!

Cub ScoutsGyrocopter

Gyrocopters spin around when they fly and can be fascinating to watch. Learn how to make a gyrocopter.

What You’ll Need: Paper Ruler Scissors Paper clip

Step One: A “gyre” is a circular motion; a gyrocopter spins around when it flies. To explore gyre motion, make your own gyrocopter.

Step Two: Cut out a 6-1/2 X 1-1/2-inch strip of paper.

Step Three: Starting at the top, cut a 3-inch slit down the middle of the strip to create a pair of wings. Fold the wings in opposite directions. Attach a paper clip to the bottom of the strip for weight.

Step Four: Drop the finished gyrocopter from an elevated spot, and watch it spin to the ground.

Step Five: Now try experimenting. Make larger and smaller gyrocopters to see if size makes a difference when they fly. Think up other experiments you can try -- make the wings longer, add two paper clips to the bottom.

Have gyrocopter races

Cub Scouts

Sea ScoutsCommemoration of Irish Seamen lost in World War 2.

For over 40 years, the Maritime Institute of Ireland has made arrangements with City Quay Church and with St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, for Memorial Services for all seamen victims of the wars of the last century, and particularly those from Ireland. Being neutral in World War 2 was very little protection against attack. These services to honour seamen lost while trying to bring essential supplies to our country are usually very well attended. For many years the Port of Dublin Sea Scouts have assisted in these commemorations, carrying the flags of the old Irish shipping companies that existed at that time.

For the past few years the 4th Port of Dublin Sea Scouts (Dodder) have provided the flag bearers and escorts at the Mass in City Quay, and afterwards at the wreath laying at the nearby Memorial.

Colour Party from 4th Port of Dublin Sea Scouts

at the memorial Mass for Irish seamen, City Quay,

Dublin.

Centenary of Sea Scouting

Sea Scouting grew from the roots of Scouting itself, with the full approval and support of B-P. Within the first year of Scouting in Britain, some Troops in maritime cities and towns were including boating in

their normal activities. This was the case with the first Scout Troop in Ireland - 1st Dublin Troop Boy Scouts - whose foundation we celebrated in February 2008. Regular rowing, seamanship and signalling instruction at the Coastguard Station in Ringsend was a part of their programme from the beginning.

Baden-Powell published a booklet called “Sea Scouting for Boys” in 1910, and this has usually been taken as the starting date of Sea Scouting. However, further exhaustive historical investigations, particularly by Roy Massini, have established more facts that point to 1909 as the real date of foundation of Sea Scouting.

The first recorded use of the title “Sea Scout” for a Group was in Glasgow early in 1909, Later in the same year B-P ran the last of the 3 camps organised by himself. This camp was at Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River, and on the Training Ship “Mercury” on the Hamble River. There were 50 Scouts at each venue and they changed places after a week. Thus they had 7 days of camping, land activities and games, cooking, hiking, bivouacking, tracking and pioneering, and 7 days of rowing, sailing, swimming, life-saving, seamanship and signalling. When the Scouts were on “Mercury” they were issued with sailor caps with “Sea Scouts” embroidered on the tally band. Subsequently, many Troops started calling themselves “Sea Scouts”.

So 1909 is now regarded as the start of Sea Scouting in the UK, and will be celebrated with a Sea Scout Centenary Jamboree at the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham in August, and also by a circumnavigation of the UK by one of the training yachts of the Discovery Trust, part of the London Dockland Scout Project.

Reminder – have you switched to 406?

The International Cospas-Sarsat System ceased satellite processing of 121.5/243 MHz beacons from 1 February 2009. Owners and users of 121.5/243 MHz beacons should have replaced them with 406 MHz beacons. From that date, only 406 MHz beacons are detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system.

This affects all maritime beacons (EPIRBs), all aviation beacons (ELTs) and all personal beacons (PLBs). However, other devices (homing transmitters and “man overboard” systems) that operate at 121.5 MHz and do not rely on satellite detection will not be affected by the phase-out of satellite processing at 121.5 MHz.

Waterborne Expeditions and Passage Planning

Many Sea Scout Groups will undertake water-borne expeditions during the Summer, on coastal or inland waters. The Boating Rules, Nos. 11 to 19 inclusive (printed in the “Sea Scout Leaders Handbook”), cover day cruising or more extended cruising and deal with qualification, craft and equipment, shore contact person, distress signals, emergency radio, etc. The requirements of Regulation 34, SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) Chapter V, mean that the Scout regulations about Passage Plans for sea journeys are backed by maritime law.

Any Group planning such a sea journey must comply with Marine Notice No.5 of 2002. Most of the details in this document refer to commercial shipping, but a summary of the contents for Scout use is given in “Sea Scout and Water Activity Information Document 007”, which can be downloaded from –

< www.scouts.ie/sea-scouts/information-forms >

This document also includes a suggested Passage Planning Form. A specific shore contact person must be designated beforehand, who should be contacted on arrival at destination, and again on departure next day, and who should be advised of any change in plan. The County Commissioner should be informed if the expedition is outside the Group’s County.

Inland waterway journeys are not covered by the SOLAS regulations, but Scout Leaders should still take Information Document 007 as the guideline, especially on large lakes such as L.Ree, L.Derg, L.Corrib, L.Erne, L.Neagh.

Sailing on “Lord Rank”

Scouts joined another cruise on the Lord Rank recently from Killybegs to Galway.There were 8 from Sligo and 4 from Derry on the cruise. The Sligo contingent consisted of 4 Venture Scouts and 2 Cub Leaders from 3rd Sligo (Rosses Point) Sea Scouts and 2 young leaders from 2/3/10 Sligo (Town).

Lord Rank will be in Galway during the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover, and will be available for day sailing in Galway Bay 18 May to 6 June. See the “Adventure under Sail” notice.

South East Provincial Sea Scout Camp Lough Dan May holiday Weekend Friday 1st to 4th May ’09

Jimmy Myler, 9th Wicklow (Arklow)

Sea Scouts

This was the second Provincial Sea Scout Camp, following the success and the lessons learned from last year. The camp was for Sea Scouts and Scouts that do water activity. We were joined by a number of Sea Scout Troops from inside the Pale, because their annual Splashdown Camp was cancelled at the last moment and they requested to join ours and welcomed they were.

We had two-hundred and fifty-four members from eleven troops - Arklow Sea Scouts , New Ross Sea Scouts, Wicklow Sea Scouts, Wexford Sea Scouts, Greystones Scouts, Bray Sea Scouts, Dodder Sea Scouts, Malahide Sea Scouts, Howth Sea Scouts, Donabate Sea Scouts, Naas Scouts and the Killaloe Sea Scout S.I.G. We also had ventures from Kilmacud, Arklow and Bray. All troops looked after theirown camp fees and organised their owngrub

Sea Scouts

lit and the scouts ging-gang-goolied the night away. Drizzle for Monday morning (which is to be expected when you’re taking tents down). Camps were struck, scouts milled about swapping numbers, boats were trailer’d, We were all off site by 13.00hrs.

Thank you to the Scouters all of whom just got on with the job of having a good camp,

Lough Dan # Brilliant campsite wardens and Rangers. These young people are a credit to themselves, their troops and Scouting Ireland.

Craft for the camp40 Sit on top canoes, 28 Kayaks

5 Amphicats, 2 Canadian canoes

2 BP18 rowing, 4 Pico Sailing Dinghies

2 Laser sailing dinghies, 1 Darragh Sailing Dinghy

1 (Dun Brody) jolly boat, 6 Ribs

For more photos of the weekend go to www.arklowseascouts.ie

It was very noticeable that scouts and leaders moved about each others’ campsites in a manner as if they had known each other for years (some of us have). The reason was that there were no campsite boundaries built, arriving troops just put up their troop tents in the next available space. This lead to one big provincial campsite.

Late Friday evening loose meeting was held, to determine what boats etc. we had, and how many scouts were on site. At this point I will compliment the scouters on how they came together with one mind, to make this a great camp. As we had enough gear to put over one-hundred and thirty afloat, we planned to split the activities into two broad disciplines ~ land and water (best made plans are made to be broken).

On Saturday morning the Scouts were up (very) bright and early. All the boats were made ready for the water, the weather was glorious. At 10.30 half of each troop hiked up Scarr and half went afloat with a turnaround after lunch. We had Rowing, Sailing, open boat canoeing, Kayaking and Power-boating. The Scouts were buzzing after the day.

On Saturday evening we had a “Boat Bivvie” to the end of the lake, ferrying sixty-four Scouts in the Ribs. Unfortunately at one in the morning a huge squall with a flash of lightening and a sheets of horizontal rain hit, and Barry the Lough Dan Warden, made the correct call to bring them home, Scouters mucked in and cars were sent down to ferry the scouts back to Barn on site where they were given hot drinks and cake. As far as the Scouts were concerned there was no big deal, a number of them were still chatting in the Barn at four in the morning.

The wind stayed up for Sunday morning so we did not have any water activity for Scouts. However, plenty of games were put in place on the troop sites, and Scouts completed them in a round-robin fashion. In the afternoon the wind eased so afloat they went again in Sit-on-tops, kayaks, power boats and rowing boats, no sail boats. A large number of scouts completed the brand new Lough Dan (muddy) Assault Course… again photos will show how good it was. At nine that evening a camp-fire was

Sea Scouts

Rover Scouts

Rover Scout Consultation Gathering – 1

Hey Everyone

Planning for Rover Scouts is now underway and as part of the process of developing programme ideas, identity and events, the Rover Team want to hear your views and get your reaction to the Rover Scout vision for Scouting Ireland.

As part of the first wave of consultation with membership, we are arranging TWO consultation sessions in June 2009 aimed at Venture Scouts, Venture Leaders, Rover Scouts and Scouters in the 18-21 or so age range.

The FIRST of these gatherings will take place on SUNDAY, June 21st 2009 in the Millennium Room, Larch hill, Dublin from 12noon til 3pm.

SPREAD THE WORD and get as many people who are Rover Scout age (or who will be Rover Scout age within the next year or two) to attend and give their opinions so that we can factor them into the Rover Scout concept!

Rover Scout Consultation Gathering – 2

The SECOND Rover Scout Consultation Gathering will take place on SATURDAY, June 27th 2009 at Vmoot, Mount Mellary, in County Waterford from 11am til 12noon.

This is open to participants at Vmoot and to any other Venture Scouts, Venture Leaders, Rover Scouts and Scouters aged 18-21 who will find this venue more convenient that Dublin on June 21st.

Further consultations will be taking place and if you want one in your area and can round up 20 people or so, let us know and we’ll come visit!

Email roverscouts@scouts.ie

We hope to see you in June!

One Scout Programme Working WeekendApril- May 2009

Volunteers at the latest programme working weekend relived their school days (a more distant memory for some than others!) as they got creative making a collage representing each of the sections of our one Scout programme. Getting covered in glue was just one of the many memorable activities which focused the volunteers following National Council. National Office lost count of the number of Rich Tea dunked into tea as vibrant debates drove forward the work on our programme.

Considerable discussions took place on youth member and Scouter Adventure Skills instructors. These outline proposals will fuel the work of the Adventure Skills team going forward. Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme) Kiernan Gildea led a discussion which agreed the principles for awards similar to the Chief Scout’s Award which will now be brought to the National Youth Programme Committee. The weekend was the highlight of two exciting months in the development of our programme.

The April working weekend completed a review of the decisions of National Council and revised the work plan for our programme. A bbq gathering on the Saturday evening gave Scouting Ireland an opportunity to thank some long standing members of the Programme Development Team as they took a step back from the work. Diane Dignam,

Dominic Byrne, Mary Nugent and Stevie Oakes were all presented with a mounted collection of the piloted badges in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the programme development process

At the April meeting of the National Management Committee, Pauline Lucas was appointed Programme Commissioner (Programme Development), while Ruth Wylie became Programme Commissioner (Venture Scouts) and Garrett Flynn took on the newly created Programme Commissioner (Rover Scouts) post. These key appointments will ensure that Scouting Ireland can deliver the decisions of National Council on our one Scout programme. Pauline, Garrett and Ruth will join Stephen (Beaver Scouts), Annette (Cub Scouts) and Morgan (Scouts) in developing the section handbooks and finalising elements of our programme such as the Personal Progression Scheme in each section.

Drawing on the sense of excitement over the weekend, Pauline Lucas believes that ‘our task is to deliver the best package for our one Scout programme’. The National Youth Programme Committee and National Adult Resources Committee are committed to providing Scouts and Scouters with every necessary support for the implementation of our one Scout programme. Future working weekends will progress work on the Personal Progression Scheme, Adventure Skills, youth and adult handbooks, training and the implementation plan. Volunteers are very welcome to get involved in this exciting process.

Programme Developement News

Scouts raise €5,700 from the “Neven Maguire Experience”

The 3rd Monaghan (Carrickmacross) Scouts and over 300 guests were certainly shown how to ‘Be Prepared’ with regard to culinary excellence by celebrity chef, Neven Maguire at the Shirley Arms Hotel in Carrickmacross recently....

The event raised a fabulous €5,700 for the local scout group towards the continuing development of their new Campsite.

Those in attendance came from near and far to see Neven dish up his culinary delights and all in aid of the local scout group which is one of the most successful in Ireland. Neven was on hand to meet and give advice to anyone who wished to ask, he also delighted everyone by posing for photographs and signing autographs of his new book “Neven’s Food for the Sun”.

The event would not have taken place but for the hard work of the parents and friends support group and all of the Group would in particular to extend their sincerely thanks to David O’Rourke and Flogas, The Shirley Arms Hotel and anyone who helped in

any way to make the night such a huge success.Scouts raise €5,700 from the “Neven Maguire ExperienceThe 3rd Monaghan (Carrickmacross) Scouts and over 300 guests were certainly shown how to ‘Be Prepared’ with regard to culinary excellence by celebrity chef, Neven Maguire at the Shirley Arms Hotel in Carrickmacross recently....

The event raised a fabulous €5,700 for the local scout group towards the continuing development of their new Campsite.

Those in attendance came from near and far to see Neven dish up his culinary delights and all in aid of the local scout group which is one of the most successful in Ireland. Neven was on hand to meet and give advice to anyone who wished to ask, he also delighted everyone by posing for photographs and signing autographs of his new book “Neven’s Food for the Sun”.

The event would not have taken place but for the hard work of the parents and friends support group and all of the Group would in particular to extend their sincerely thanks to David O’Rourke and Flogas, The Shirley Arms Hotel and anyone who helped in any way to make the night such a huge success.

The Neven Maguire Experience

The World Jamboree

In July 2011, a green grassy field outside the town of Kristianstad in southern Sweden will be turned into a bustling town of more than 30,000 people.

Small tents, cooking fires, uniforms, music, nature, food, dancing, cafés, wood, adventures, singing, environment, orienteering, meetings, Scout scarves, letters from home, meditation, rock bands, patrols, ice cream, email, celebration, bicycles, pioneering, singing, cleaning, calm, water, sunshine, reunions, sleeping, laughter, solidarity...

This is the World Scout Jamboree.

Visit the World Jamboree website;

www.worldscoutjamboree.se

There are three ways that you can attend the World Scout Jamboree…

Participants

To be a participant at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011, you need to have turned 14 but not yet had your 18th birthday at the start of the camp. That means you must have been born between 25 July 1993 and 27 July 1997.

Each Scout only has one chance to be a participant at a World Jamboree, so if you are in this age group, now is your chance!

To attend the World Scout Jamboree, you need to apply to become a member of the Scouting Ireland contingent. The contingent is made up of all the Scouts & Scouters travelling from Ireland. Scouts are then split up to form units. In each unit there is 36 Scouts & 4 Scouters.

Over the coming months more information will be released from Scouting Ireland in relation to the registration process

Unit Leaders/Assistant Unit Leaders – Final Call

To be a Unit Leader or Assistant U.L. at the World Scout Jamboree, you must be an active Scout/Scouter and you need to have turned 18 at the start of the camp. That means you must

Final call for Unit Leaders for the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011

World Jamboree 2011

have been born on or before the 24 July 1993. You should hold the Woodbadge or be working towards it. You should have five years Scouter experience and have lead 1 Summer Camp / Venture Scout Expedition abroad.

Unit Leaders will be Ambassadors for the contingent, they should be able to get involved in the recruitment process for Scouts. Scouters should have a high level of scout skills. They should have experience in working the Patrol System and be able to work as part of a team.

The application deadline for Unit Leaders is 26th June 2009. Following this, the Contingent Leader, John Lawlor will be in touch regarding the interview process.

Unit (Troop) Leaders should send their expression of interest to worldjam@scouts.ie & attach a Scouting C.V. outlining their experience and skills.

IST

To be a member of the IST at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011, you must be an active Scout/Scouter and you need to have turned 18 at the start of the camp. That means you must have been born on or before the 24 July 1993.

Members of the IST should be able to speak English and/or French and be prepared to take on any task needed to create the Jamboree. IST must arrive on site 25 July 2011 and can leave 8 August 2011.

The 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011 will have over 6000 Scouters working on the International Service Team. These older Scouts will help with all areas of the Jamboree, making it possible to deliver a fantastic experience to all the participants. Opportunities will be available in so many different areas: programme, infrastructure, human resources, and much, much more.

At the moment we are registering expressions of interest for IST & you will be placed on the mailing list. The official application process will open in mid 2009.

You can register your interest by emailing your details to worldjam@scouts.ie

Over the coming months more information will be released from Scouting Ireland in relation to the registration process

It’s time to get involved!!!

World Jamboree 2011

Adult AwardsIt’s that time of the year again when Group Leaders and County Commissioners have the opportunity through the Adult Awards Scheme to recognize the work of Leaders in their Group and say thank you.

Scouting Ireland encourages all County Commissioners to ensure that members are recognized for their commitment to Scouting and are nominated for awards as appropriate.

Nominations may be made by a Group Leader, or by a County Commissioner, a Provincial Commissioner or a member of the National Management Committee. All award nominations are sent to the Adult Awards Committee for consideration.

Nominations must be submitted by the 30th June.

Categories of Awards:

• ServiceAwards• MeritoriousAwards• HonourAwards• OrderofCúChulainn• ScoutingIreland-CommunityAward

Service Awards:

• 5YearBronzeServiceAward• 10YearBronzeServiceAward• 15YearSilverServiceAward• 20YearSilverServiceAward• 25YearGoldServiceAward• 30YearServiceAward• 40YearServiceAward• 50YearServiceAward

All Service Awards are given for satisfactory service in any recognised Scout or Guide Association.

Meritorious Awards:

• The Thanks Badge is awarded to Non-Members for sustained service.

It is awarded by the Group Council and approved by the County Commissioner. The National Adult Awards Committee is notified of individuals awarded with the Thanks Badge.

• The Chief Scout’s Commendation is awarded for service above the normal standard.• The Bronze Merit Award is awarded for service of an exceptional character.• The Silver Merit Award is awarded for exceptional & notable service to Scouting.• The Gold Merit Award is awarded for leadership of the most inspiring kind in Scouting.

All meritorious awards, other than the Thanks Badge, are awarded by the National Adult Awards Committee, on the nomination of a Group Leader, County Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner, or member of the National Management Committee. When considering nominations, it is important to remember that the award is intended to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of the nominee, as distinct from the length of their service.

Honor Awards:

• The Chiefs Scout’s Commendation of Honour is awarded for active participation in rescue operations or for Scouting under difficulties.• The Bronze Honour Award is awarded for active participation in rescue operations in hazardous conditions, or for Scouting under difficulties.• The Silver Honour Award is awarded for active participation in rescue operations at personal risk to the rescuer, or for Scouting under difficulties.• The Gold Honour Award is awarded for active participation in rescue operations at extreme risk to the rescuer, or for Scouting under difficulties.

All Honour Awards are accompanied by a Citation, and may be awarded to Youth and Adult members of the Association. Honour Awards are awarded by the National Adult Awards Committee, on the nomination of a Group Leader, County Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner, or member of the National Management Committee. In the case of Honour Awards it is important that the prevailing circumstances, sensitivities and conditions are taken into account.

Order of Cu Chulainn:

• The Order of Cu Chulainn is awarded for profound and long service to Scouting. Nominations can be made by Group Leaders, County Commissioners, Provincial Commissioners or members of the National Management Committee. It is awarded by the National Adult Awards Committee and presented by the Chief Scout.

Scouting Ireland Community Award:

• The Scouting Ireland Community Award is awarded to Non-Members, or to Communities, for Services to Scouting or

the Community. Nominations can be made by Group Leaders, County Commissioners, Provincial Commissioners or members of the National Management Committee. It is awarded by the National Adult Awards Committee.

Autumn Awards Meeting:

• Nominations must be submitted by the 30th June.• The Autumn Awards Meeting is held before the 31st July.• Awards approved are notified to nominators, and to County & Provincial Commissioners.• Awards are sent for presentation to County Commissioners• Awards should be presented by the 31st October.

• It is important that award categories and criteria are fully understood when making nominations. The appropriate forms must be used, and fully completed. This is of vital assistance to the National Adult Awards Committee in determining the appropriate award, and in formulating a detailed citation.

• The National Adult Awards Committee reserves the right to request further information before releasing an award for presentation.

• Nominations for awards may be made at any time. Decisions will be made by the National Adult Awards Committee at the meeting following the next closing date for nominations.

• If a member has received an award from either of the founding Associations, they shall not be eligible to receive an equivalent level of that award from Scouting Ireland.

Adult Awards

Going Where No Irishman Has Gone Before

Romania Orphanage Playground Project

Dublin Scout Province

By now each group in your County should have received their Retention 101 pack. Retention 101 is a new initiative from the Chief Scouts Desk to support groups in the recruitment and retention of Youth Members.

The Bring a Pal concept is a specific introduction to the Scouting Programme, where existing members are encouraged to invite young people to join in the adventure of Scouting. A special neckerchief will be available for any new pal who comes along and chooses to stay.

This method of recruitment could be used by existing groups who:

• Have vacancies in their section(s).• Wish to expand a section.• Wish to open new section(s).

Groups should be encouraged to discuss and plan the recruitment of new youth and adult members in order to support and retain prospective members. They can be helped with this from the PSO or GSF.

• The group needs to discuss and agree recruitment method.• Each section needs to organise a special ‘Bring a pal meeting or activity’.• All the current members of the section are asked to ‘Bring a Pal’ to this meeting or activity.• If these prospective new members decide to join the group the Scouter in charge can apply for a specially designed neckerchief for new members to wear until their investiture.

The neckerchiefs will be sent out to eligible groups upon completion of an application form. This form can be sent out by the PSO or GSF and can be downloaded from www.scouts.ie/dublin-scout-province/ . If you have any questions or want any more information contact Ger or Niamh.

Ger and Niamh.PSO & GSF

Dublin Scout ProvinceBRING A PAL is a simple idea...existing members are asked to ‘Bring a Pal’ to their next meeting or activity. The Section should run a special meeting or activity or it can be their normal planned programme. A special neckerchief will be available for any new pal who comes along and chooses to stay.How to apply for your neckerchiefs?• Firstlyyou’resectionneedstoorganiseaspecial‘Bringapalmeetingoractivity’.• Allthecurrentmembersofyoursectionareaskedto‘BringaPal’tothismeetingoractivity.• Iftheseprospectivenewmembersdecidetojoinyourgroupyoucanapplyforaspeciallyde-signed neckerchief for them to wear until their investiture.

Name of Group: Section:

Outline of activity:

Date of Bring a Pal initiative:

Scouter in Charge:

Address:

Membership of Section before Bring a Pal event:

List names of new members to receive Bring a Pal neckerchiefs:

_____________________________________ ______________________________________

_____________________________________ ______________________________________

_____________________________________ ______________________________________

_____________________________________ ______________________________________

_____________________________________ ______________________________________

Membership of Section after Bring a Pal event:

North Eastern Province

Welcome Back to North Eastern Provincial News!

Cavan/Monaghan Scout County Competition

The 8th of May saw the scouts of Cavan Monaghan gathering to take part in the County competition which was held this year in the Carrickmacross campsite in Dún a Rí

This year’s competition was a standing camp style weekend which included a night hike to prepare the scouts for the Provincial night hike being held later this month.

The weekend ran from the Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, which saw different events taking place including inspection, bases on the Saturday, competition dinner, campfire and skits, night-hike and final inspection.

Sunday the winners were announced and everyone was congratulated on their efforts. Every patrol on the weekend was awarded bronze, silver or gold standard for their participation. The standards were so high that only silver and gold awards were awarded. The winning patrol was from 3rd Monaghan Carrickmacross followed very closely by 2nd Monaghan Ballybay. In third place was 4th CavanBailieborough. All the patrols were thanked for their efforts over the weekend. Also thanked, were the leaders who helped make it happen and

with getting the site ready and running various things over the weekend.

Louth Scout County Competition

The Louth Scout County Camp Craft Competition took place on 8/9/10 May in Ravensdale. The theme of the camp was Cú Chulainn 10 Patrols took part from Dundalk, Drogheda and Omeath. Each patrol started to set up their sites from 7pm Friday night. They had to each have a sleeping tent, store tent, table, dresser, bins, gate, alter fire and an extra gadget of their choice. Each patrol was also given a log book so they had to keep a diary of the weekend. On Saturday morning they finished their sites and at midday all the patrols set of on a hike that had 10 bases along the way. The bases included compass work, pioneering, mind games, kims games, first aid, scavenger hunt, backwoods cooking and many more. When the bases were finished the patrols had to cook an inspection meal, which was 3 courses and 2 courses had to be hot. They also had a budget of €3 per patrol member. After the meal site inspections were carried out then a short spiritual service was carried out by the county spiritual adviser Fr Rushe. After the short service we had a campfire where all the patrols had to perform their sketches bases on the Cu Chulainn theme. Songs were sung by many leaders then off to bed.

Sunday was an early start with all patrols taking down their sites. Luckily the weather was on our side. Final inspections and uniform inspections were carried out then the presentation was held.

The winners were:Camp Chef - 4th Louth, St Oliver’s, Drogheda Log Book - 3rd Louth, St Oliver’s, Drogheda Pioneering – 3rd Louth, St Oliver’s, Drogheda CCCC Overall winners - 3rd Louth, St Oliver’s, Drogheda

Crowne Plaza Abseil

The Scouts from St. Patrick’s group, 1/2/5 Louth have announce the details of a very unique and exciting fundraiser for the Group.

On 14th June they are giving people the chance to abseil off the 14 Story Crowne Plaza Hotel.Speaking from the roof of the Hotel Scout Leader, Finbar Gethins, said “The views from up here are fantastic. Although I’m not sure anyone will be looking at them on the 14th June, and looking over the edge it sure is a long way down”.

The Fundraiser is open to members of the public there is a registration fee of €20, then each participant will receive a sponsorship card and must raise a minimum of €125 in order to complete the abseil. Places are very limited. Call Finbar Gethins on 086 230 8074 or email scouts@tbh.ie to register for this fantastic opportunity.

Fingal County Fun Weekend

On the weekend of the 9th and 10th May a fun weekend was held in the scout field in the Bog of the Ring Campsite. On the Friday evening scouts from all over Fingal and an invited group from Davidstown in Wexford arrived on site. A busy start to the weekend and all the tents were up within 2 hours , when the site looked like a campsite we left to the nearby Ring commons sports ground where we had an excellent Karaoke presented by international star Sean Boland who had the scouts singing and bopping to all the latest tunes.

Following the late night we had a easy start to the day and before the cubs and beavers arrived at ten o clock the scouts had breakfast and started there scout Olympics. The beavers started on a multitude of events including a bouncy castle, tug of war, giant sack race, tee shirt printing, races and games. The cubs arrived and put up tents until eleven and then started on MPSE bases.

At this stage the sun made an appearance and stayed with us for the weekend. After lunch the cubs and the scouts switched places. A super campfire was held for the beavers and then they checked out the campsite (first time many had seen

North Eastern Province

inside a tent) . The beavers were then invited to check out some of the MPSE and were very impressed by the “fire inside the log” and the smoked fish was “nice and I don’t eat fish” .

At tea time some of the groups invited their beavers to stay for tea. After tea and farewell to the beavers the carnival hit the campsite with each section trying to make as many matchsticks from their stalls as possible. A campfire was held with super campfire leaders Gary and Brian from Rush. At the interval we were treated to a super fire show.

Sunday Morning arrived and we had a simple ceremony for the scouts own, all groups participated. Then we broke camp and finished up at about one o clock. In total over 400 scouts participated in the weekend and will live long in the memory as a great weekend for scouting in Fingal.

Scouts raise €5,700 from the “Neven Maguire Experience

The 3rd Monaghan Carrickmacross Scouts and over 300 guests were certainly shown how to ‘Be Prepared’ with regard to culinary excellence by celebrity chef, Neven Maguire at the Shirley Arms Hotel in Carrickmacross on the 5th of May.The event raised a fabulous €5,700 for the local scout group towards the continuing development of their new Campsite.

Provincial Scout Night-Hike

One of the main Elements in the North Eastern Provincial Programme for 2009 took place last weekend the 23rd May in Dun A Ri Forest park near Kingscourt. This event was something unique as it took place under the

cover of darkness and finished at sunrise with the Sunrise Event.

The Patrols started to arrive at the campsite at around 6pm. A lot of the work regarding setting up a marquee, campfire and the night hike itself was already complete. Great credit must go to Brendan Murray and his team of over 20 scouter’s for running an excellent, exciting and exhilarating event. You could sense the excitement in the air as the scouts tried to find out what lay ahead for them. By 8pm all the teams had arrived and the BBQ was started with even the Provincial Commissioner Jimmy Cunningham seen Flipping a few Burgers (in between eating a few). The scouts ate well fuelling the engine for the long night that lay ahead of them.

Provincial Commissioner Jimmy Cunningham eyeing up a Burger!!!

After everyone was nice and full with as many burgers and sausages they could have, scouts and leaders started to relax around the campfire waiting nervously for the night time to come. Torches where checked and double checked, compass work was getting real as they knew one wrong direction on the night could have them walking needlessly.

Around the campfire a few songs broke out and scout yells where heard loudly into the clear starry night. A strange feature around this campfire was the endless ghost stories been told by leaders to the scouts about headless horsemen that rode through the forest at night, but this all added to the atmosphere of the night.

The darkness wasn’t long creeping up and at around 11:45pm the leaders were ready and so were the scouts. The first team was released into the forest

North Eastern Province

with their first cryptic clue and off they went into the darkness. There were 20 minute intervals between each Patrol and the numbers around the campfire slowly decreased until all patrols had left leaving the campfire to 2 leaders who kept it stocked up until the return of the first patrol.

The hike included trail signs, compass bearings, pacing steps, code breaking, cryptic clues and four big challenges along the way. It took some patrols a while to work out another name for an ATM machine (hole in the wall) to know where their first message was hidden. Clues like those are great during the daylight but with the onset of darkness and tiredness it’s always that bit harder. The four major challenges encountered along the way by the patrols were :

1. The team-work non-floating duck and cup base: This consisted of filling a wavin pipe (that had holes in it) with water using cups suspended on a string so that the duck (that may or may not have been able to float) would rise to the top. This base was run by 3rd Monaghan Carrickmacross and 1st Meath Navan Leaders.

2. The Abseil Base: Each team had to abseil down the side of a steep hill that was over grown while collecting clues, which told them where to go next, on the way down. This base was run by 3rd Monaghan Carrickmacross Leaders.

On the lookout for the headless Horse man!

3. The Backwoods Base: Each team had to light a fire, boil some water and make a cup of tea. They had to do all this on a river. This base was run by 2nd Meath Trim Leaders.

4. The First Aid Base: At this base the scouts were given a scenario and they had to perform first aid on each casualty in the correct order. There were a variety of injuries including a head cut, unconsciousness, shock and broken bones. This base was run by 49th/136th Dublin Swords leaders.For an extra bit of fun there was a river crossing using a cargo net and the teams were helped out here by leaders from 16th Meath Kildalkey and 8th Louth Slieve Foy. Unfortunately there were no wet casualties but all scouts enjoyed crossing it.

Don’t look down!!

All teams had arrived back at the campsite by 5:15am, just in time for the sunrise Ceremony this took the form of a renewal of their promise to scouting with a few spiritual words by hike leader Brendan Murray. All 59 scouts were then presented with their sunrise woggle. Everyone then headed for their tents and sleeping bags but there may have been a few who didn’t go to bed at all preferring to stay awake all night. (Their own personnel challenge)

Brendan Murray Leads the Sunrise Cermony.

North Eastern Province

The next morning saw everyone packing up and getting ready to head home but not before the winning team was announced. All leaders and base runners agreed that all the teams did exceptionally well on the night hike and challenges. A lot of the points were going to team spirit and team-work as well as the base and log books.

And the winners were:

1st: 16th Meath Kildalkey 2nd: 3rd Monaghan Carrickmacross 3rd: 1st Louth Dundalk 4th: All the other teams which included:- 2nd Meath Trim- 1st Meath Navan- 49th/136th Dublin Swords- 8th Louth Slieve Foy- 15th Dublin 9th Port Malahide

The Patrol from Kildalkey the First Provincial Scout Champions.

But the real winners here where all the scouts who had a great adventure, for most if not all it was their first experience of a scouting night hike. They have taken away great memories, stories and most of all have made more friends through scouting.

A special thanks must go to all the leaders that helped out on the weekend, especially Daire O’Riagain and Mark O’Reilly who set out the night

hike and also Niamh Woods and Sean Cunningham for rustling up the BBQ.

For the North Eastern province this was our first dabble into organising our own Provincial scout event and what really was good to see was the interaction between all the leaders who previously would not have met with leaders outside their own county or would never have had a chance to work side by side with them.

As one of the lines in one of the scout log books said “when is the next one?”

Training in the Province

So far the first half of 2009 has been a great success with 23 courses been run across the 7 counties with a tremendous total of 442 Scouters being trained to date. This is quite a record and reflects the huge commitment and time that our trainers give to this element of their Scouting over and above what they give to our younger members on a week by week basis. I would like to convey, on behalf of the NE Province, our sincere appreciation for a job well done yet again this year. The feedback from participants has been very positive, the standard of delivery has been of excellent quality, and that training has been and is vibrant in the province.

North Eastern Province

Provincial Summer Camp 2009

This summer the province is running a camp for scouts from around the province from the 3rd to the 7th of July in Portlick Campsite, that’s situated outside Athlone, Co. Westmeath. This camp is geared towards scout sections that don’t traditionally have an annual camp. This camp is starting to book up so if your scouts/leaders are interested please contact your CPC or James Fox. More information on this camp can be found on the provincial webpage.

New Groups/New Sections

The province is in the process of reopening a scout group in Virginia, Co. Cavan. The leaders have

done their basic training and have registered youth members so it’s only a matter of time now, so watch this space!If there are any groups out there who feel that they are ready to open a new section and aren’t sure how to go about it, please contact your county or province.

Keep up to date with Provincial News and events by regularly checking the North Eastern Provincial Webpage on www.scouts.ie. This has recently been updated and includes things such as: current training calendar, Booking form, provincial directory, up and coming events in each county and much more. If any group wants a report of an event that they took part in you can forward this along with a few pictures to James Fox on jfox@scouts.ie for inclusion on the website.

North Eastern Province

Northern ProvinceWelcome to the May edition of our Provincial magazine – Northern News.

Since the last Northern News,there have been quite a few changes to personnel within the Province. Regarding the professional support staff, we now have a full time Provincial Support Officer (PSO), Kevin Ferguson, and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Kevin to his new post and wish him all the best in his new role. Due to Kevin getting the position of PSO, the professional support staff have been reallocated in the Province. As well as his responsibilities as PSO, Kevin will look after the Groups in Errigal Scout County. We have 2 part time Group Support Facilitators (GSF) in the Province – Sinclair Trotter and James McGuinness. Sinclair is looking after the Groups in Down & Connor and Dalriada Scout Counties and James is looking after the Groups in Erne and Brian Boru Scout counties.

There have been a few changes to the Provincial Management Support Team (PMST). The members are as follows –

Provincial Commissioner – Wendy MorrowProvincial Treasurer – Mandy McCannProvincial Secretary – John Meikleham Provincial Training Coordinator – Kieran CopelandProvincial Youth Programme Rep. – Grainne BolandProvincial Adult Resources Committee Rep. – Brian HughesProvincial International Rep. – Michael DalyProvincial Venture Rep. – Stephen PearsonProvincial Scout Rep. – Sinead MurrayCounty Commissioner (Brian Boru) – Joe CoreyCounty Commissioner (Dalriada) – George FleetonCounty Commissioner (Down & Connor) – Jim McIlduffCounty Commissioner (Erne) – Tony SmithCounty Commissioner (Errigal) – John McQueenProvincial Support Officer – Kevin FergusonGroup Support Facilitators – Sinclair Trotter & James McGuinnessProvincial Admin – Mo Treacy

I would especially like to welcome Sinead Murray and Stephen Pearson who have very recently joined the PMST and wish them all the best as they represent the Northern

Province as our Scout and Venture Reps. A big thank you must go to Niamh McCann who represented us so well at National level as our previous Venture Rep.

As most of you will know, the Northern Province was the host this year for National Council which was held in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle over the weekend of 27th, 28th & 29th March. A record number of delegates attended National Council this year and enjoyed the hospitality of the Northern Province. The weekend was a great success for the Northern Province and we received many letters of thanks and congratulations. A lot of work went into the planning and running of the event and I would like to thank the planning team who helped me in organising the weekend – Joe Boland, Grainne Boland, Paul Browne, Sinclair Trotter and Mo Treacy. I would also like to thank all the many other people who helped out over the weekend but would especially like to mention Mandy McCann and Damien Toal from Armagh Scout Group, Liam McMulkin from Ederney Scout Group and Garrett McIllmurray and Christine McIntosh from Newcastle Scout Group.The decisions taken at National Council can be viewed on Scouting Ireland’s website – scouts.ie I just want to highlight some of them.

Members of the PMST with Chief Scout Michael John

Shinnick and First Minister Peter Robinson MLA MP.The

FirstMinisterofficiallyopenedScoutingIreland’s

National Council on the 28th March 2009 in the Slieve

Donard Hotel,Newcastle

The names and age ranges of the various sections in Scouting are now –

Beaver Scouts – 6,7,8 yearsCub Scouts – 9,10,11 yearsScouts – 12,13,14,15, yearsVenture Scouts – 15,16,17 yearsRover Scouts - 18,19,20 years

It should be noted that the above ages are all ‘plus’ 364 days. For example:

A child can be in Beaver Scouts until they are 8yrs and 364 days old, before they move up to Cub Scouts.

There is also a degree of flexibility in the above age ranges, in that the Leader may retain or move on an individual child at their discretion, depending on the child’s maturity.

A decision was also made that Beaver Scouts can now camp for up to 2 nights. This created an anomoly that they can camp for 2 nights but slumber night for only 1 night so at the last National Management Committee (NMC) meeting, it was passed that Beaver Scouts can now also slumber night for 2 nights.

At the last NMC meeting, a number of positions were filled and I am delighted to report that Joe Boland is the new Communications Commissioner. Joe is a Cub Leader from Lifford in Errigal Scout County and it is great for the Northern Province to have another representative on the NMC. I would like to congratulate Joe and wish him all the very best in his new role. I am sure I can speak on your behalf in saying that he will have the full support of the Northern Province.I am delighted to announce that there will be a Provincial Camp, for all Sections in Gosford Park, Co Armagh in May 2010.Damien Toal has agreed to be Camp Chief and has already put his team in place.See below for further details

Good luck for those of you who are camping over the summer months both here in Ireland and also abroad in all sorts of exotic locations! I hope the weather is good and that a safe and great time is had by all.

This is your magazine and it will also be published on the national website. It is up to you to send us information and photos to show everyone what a great job we are all doing in the Northern Province!

Yours in ScoutingWendy MorrowProvincial Commissioner“A Scout is helpful and considerate to all”

___________________________________

Provincial Camp

Hi all,Damien Toal here, I am the Camp Chief for...... wait for it ...... yes its back ...... our Provincial Camp ...... and it’s not Camp North ...... it is ........

“GOSFORD 2010”

It’s all new with the camp venue at :Gosford Forest Park, Markethill ,Co Armagh

The dates are:Fri. 30th April – Mon 3rd May 2010.

The local branch of the T.A. will be on hand to give help and support, which will guarantee a fun, action-packed weekend, open to all sections. Beaver day will be on the Sunday and all Beavers Scouts will have the opportunity to arrive and camp with their own group on Saturday evening. Cub Scouts, Scouts, along with Venture Scouts and Rover Scouts can avail of the weekend programme - that’s right! A programme for Venture Scouts and Rover Scouts and it’s not as staff!!!

Northern Province

So watch out for the booking forms and more info. Anyone interested in the camp can email me on damientoal@tiscali.co.uk

GET THIS DATE IN YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!

“Hope to see you all there”

Submitted by:Damien Toal

New Youth Programme

Work is continuing on the New Youth Programme. Working weekends are taking place every month for the next couple of months and everyone is welcome to join in the consultation process at these weekends (contact the Programme Team at National Office, if you are interested)

It is hoped that the New Programme will be launched in April 2010, with all resources, for both Leaders and Youth members, also available then.

The existing programme is continuing until such time as you wish to change over to the New Programme. This will be a decision taken by the whole Group.

Transition Training for Groups is due to start in Oct 2009

Provincial Programme News

Provincial Youth Programme Rep, Grainne Boland, has held two meetings for the County Programme Coordinators (CPC’s). These meetings have been full of important and relevant information concerning the new Programme. Grainne also brings National Events updates to these meetings.

At the last meeting, Grainne invited Pauline Lucas, Programme Development Commissioner, and Karol Quinn, Professional Staff (Youth Programme) to attend. They were able to answer lots of queries posed by the County Programme Coordinators, who were able to take the information back to their Counties.

It is vitally important that all CPC’s are represented at these meetings, so that we can all go forward in a cohesive manner, as a Province.

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Provincial Congratulations

• John McQueen 3rd Donegal (Raphoe) and County Commissioner (Errigal) – who received his Gold Medal of Merit from the Chief Scout at National Council.

• 1/2/3 Fermanagh Cub Scouts – who won the National Cub Challenge.

• 1/2/3 Fermanagh Scouts – who won the National Scout Challenge.

• Liam Byrne 1st/2nd Down – who received the Youth Council Northen Ireland Volunteer Award for 30 years service to young people, especially those with Special Needs.

• David Lavery and Eamonn McEvoy 10th Antrim Ventures who were singled out as a credit to their Group and to Scouting in general, by a lady from Cashel, Co Tipperary who had them camping on her land.

County News Section

Errigal Scout CountyOur County Commissioner is John McQueen and we would like to congratulate John on receiving his Gold Medal of Merit from the Chief Scout at National Council this year.

Our County currently has 17 Groups with a youth Membership of 1045 and an Adult Membership of 176.

Our newest Group is 11th Donegal (Buncrana) who opened this year with two Sections, Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts, with plans well under way to open a Scout Section in September 2009. We are delighted to announce the re-opening of 4th

Northern Province

Donegal (Donegal Town) after some years of closure. We wish both Groups every success for the future.

Congratulations to 9th Donegal (Muff) Venture Group, who travelled to Romania, to build a playground in an Orphanage and work with the children there.

Errigal, successfully held their first ever Youth Forum in Strabane Den on 4th/5th April. Six County Youth Reps went forward to represent their County at the National Youth Forum in Larch Hill on the 25th/26th April 2009. Congratulations to Stephen Pearson from 5th Donegal (Letterkenny) Group, who was elected Provincial Venture Rep and to Sinead Murray from 3rd Donegal (Raphoe), elected as Provincial Scout Rep.

County Events

Errigal County Beaver Scout skills day was held at Stranorlar Scout Den on 9th May, with 71 Beaver Scouts attending. They learned skills ranging from Backwoods Cooking to building Bivvys, and a great

day was had by children and Leaders alike. Errigal County Cub Scout Camp was held at The Share Centre, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh on the week-end of 8th-10th May. Nearly 200 Cub Scouts and Leaders took part in an enjoyable week-end of adventure and skills.

Errigal County Scout Cup /Shield was due to be held on 8th/9th/10th May, but, due to a waterlogged site, has been put back until 5th/6th/7th June.

Congratulations!

To Joe Boland, Cub Scout Leader 19th Donegal (Lifford/Clonleigh) Group on his recent appointment as National Communications Commissioner.

Support Staff Contact Details

Provincial Office: Mo Treacy 02892 667696 Office Hours Mon – Fri 9.00 – 1.00pm si@scoutfoundationni.org.uk

Kevin Ferguson PSO – 00353 (0)86 0473459 kferguson@scouts.ie

Sinclair Trotter GSF - Down & Connor / Dalriada 00353 (0)86 0474216 is.sinc@btopenworld.com

James McGuinness GSF – Brian Boru / Erne 00353 (0)86 0433795 jmcguinness@scouts.ie

Northern Province

South East Province Staff Contact Details

Provincial Support Officer

Caroline Healy 0860474310 chealy@scouts.ie

Group Support Facilitators

Caroline Marks 0860491002 cmarks@scouts.ie

Austin Dempsey 0860433798 adempsey@scouts.ie

Training Office:

Caroline Marks, C/O Roscrea Scout Hall, Abbey Street, Roscrea,

Co. Tipperary.

News and Events from around the Province

Provincial Commissioner Letter to South EastAs we approach the summer camping season; it is a good time to reflect on the huge amount of great scouting now taking place across the South East

• the number of youth members in the Province enjoying scouting has grown for the 2nd consecutive year by over 11% and now stands at over 6,700. Adult numbers have also risen significantly to over 1,300. With over 8,000 members the Province is now the largest in Scouting Ireland.

• Group and County Programmes are improving all the time due to the hard-work and dedication of all the adult volunteers.

• An excellent training programme is been delivered with an increasing emphasis on skills training.• A huge improvement in support resources in the Province; there is more to do but we are getting there. The growth in new Groups and new Sections, together with an eighteen month period since the closure of Group are all very promising signs.

• A rise in the number of Groups going camping.

Well done to one and all on the past year. As we move forward into the exciting 2009/2010 Scouting Year a number of exciting projects are on the horizon; which I was to draw attention to:

National Council 2010 –

will be in the Tullamore Court Hotel on the weekend of March 20th and 21st. Full details will be available soon. Please ensure you put this date in your diary and come along to enjoy a great weekend in the South East Province.

New Programme –

the big challenge for us all will be the successful implementation of the New Programme; an advanced Implementation Plan is in place for the Province, which will be finalised over the summer. We ask all Groups not to rush into implementing the new Programme as the greatest chance of success comes if we together implement the Programme in a structured and careful manner when the Programme, Training and Adult support resources and ready. More information will follow soon.

Provincial Calendar –

the 2009/2010 Provincial Calendar including Training Dates; Provincial Programme etc will be issued in early June. We ask Counties and Groups to bear these dates in mind when pulling together their Calendars.

World Scout Jamboree –

two years and counting to WSJ2011 in Sweden. Please see www.scouts.ie for information. It would be great if the Province could field two troops (80 people) to attend the World Jam. I ask each County and Group to get behind anyone wishing to attend. Attending the World Jam is a once in a lifetime experience and will in the long-run help to bolster tradition and image of a local Scout Group.

Provincial Team –

I would like to thanks Brian Gray for Clane and John Watmore County Commissioner in Carlow/Kilkenny for taking up the roles as Provincial Representative on the International and Adult Resources Committees respectively. I would also like to thank Aidan Brennan our outgoing International Rep for his service and wish him well as our new representative on the Rover Team.

South Eastern Province

Looking forward to a great summer and a successful 2009/2010 Scout Year.

Submitted by:Francis MinogueProvincial Commissioner

WATERFORD SCOUT COUNTY

SCOUTCHALLENGERATHGORMACK25TH – 27TH APRIL 09

Some flashback for some of the sec-tions who where at Jamboree.

35th Dunhill Scouts reminiscing on the days events over a cup of tea and a sandwich

Brian Fanning, County Commissioner, presenting Paschal Guilfoyle of De La Salle Scouts with his 30 years service medal.

St. Pauls scout group, winners of this year Wa-terford Scout County Challenge

South Eastern Province

Slieve Bloom Scout County

May 2009 brought two major events in the county.The Slieve Bloom County Challenge was held over the May bank holiday.

Seven scout sections were represented and the program included camp craft, hiking and fun.

The other major event was the 4th Annual County Scouters Awards night, which was held in the Heritage hotel Portlaoise. Over 70 scouters from all over the county were in attendance. Guests of honour were the Chief Scout Michael John Shinnock, his wife and Chief Commissioner Adult Resources John Brennan.

The night started with a couple of funny awards/presentations to get everyone goingGroups received their Sqs Awards & Camping certificates. While Scouters received, Chief Scout Commendations, Service Awards and Merit Awards. Many of those who received awards had no idea that they were getting one and the surprise on many faces was brilliant.

Among the awards given out were

Silver Merit Bridget Flaherty 1/10 Offaly Ann Brackan 13th Offaly Gold Merit Marie Martin 1/10 Offaly Paddy Dunican 13th Offaly Lil Dunican 13th Offaly A night where a husband and wife both receive Gold Merit awards and their Daughter receives a Silver Merit award is a special night and probably unique in Scouting Ireland.

The Final award was presented to Gary Morrissey from Roscrea. The Chief Scout presented him with an award for Long and Outstanding Achievement. Gary was also made an Honoury Scouter of the Slieve Bloom Scout County. He was invested as a Scout

on January 10 1940 in 4th Waterford Abbeyside. He went on to become a scouter with 17th Tipperary Thurles for over 40 years. A list of some of the highlights was read out by the County Commissioner which included taking his group in Thurles on 37 Annual Camps, being involved in setting up numerous groups, writing a weekly column in local paper for 37 years. Gary recieves his award from Chief ScoutLater that night a birthday cake was presented to the CPC whose birthday was a few days earlier. All danced the night away to “No Half Measures”.

Thanks to 1st Laois Portlaoise who did such a great job organising this years event.

New Groups/Sections.

Best of Luck to 15th Offaly Cloghan who re-opened after many years also to Ferbane who opened their first Beaver Section.

Carlow/Kilkenny Scout County

Scouts learn to ‘strike a light’ at a ‘back to basics’ MPSE base on the Carlow-Kilkenny County Scout Camp in Woodstock, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. The event was organised by 5th Carlow, Tullow leaders with Tony Maher as Camp Chief, 135 Scouts and 40 Scouters attended from Friday evening 22nd to Sunday morning 24th May and were treated to all 4 seasons in a weekend - typical camping in Ireland! The County Cub Camp will take place over the June Bank Holiday weekend - more on that next month!

John WatmoreCounty Commissioner

South Eastern Province

South Kildare County

CHALLENGE COMPETITION(SHIELD)

The South Kildare Shield took place last week at Forest Farm Camping Park, Athy, Co Kildare. Twenty teams – 10 Senior and 10 Novice from Naas, Kilcullen, Newbridge, Portarlington, Blessington and Crookstown participated.

The weekend started on Wednesday evening with the sites being marked out by the marking team. Thursday evening saw the arrival of trailers full of equipment from some of the Groups. On Friday evening at 5.30 p.m. approx the teams started to arrive. The senior teams were full of expectation and enthusiasm, whilst the Novice teams were quite apprehensive and a little bit nervous wondering what was ahead.

At 6.30 p.m. the hooter went and building began, and by 10.30 that night, the camping fields were transformed into two campsites. The sun was shining and the scouts were in great form and the singing coming from some of the sites would put U2 to shame!!

Log Books were collected at 11.30 p.m. and then it was supper and bed to prepare for a long day on Saturday.Following the Opening Ceremony at 8.45 a.m. on Saturday morning, 5 Novice and 5 Senior teams started their bases, whilst the remaining teams built their campsites. This was reversed in the afternoon.Bases consisted of First Aid, Map & Compass, Team Initiative, Team Project and Pioneering. The Test Meal was on Saturday evening and Log Books were marked on Sunday morning.Saturday ended with a fantastic Camp Fire and all the patrols performed a sketch, even the Commissioner, Declan was in great voice – he had the dogs howling!!!We awoke on Sunday morning to glorious sunshine and the words on the lips of all the leaders was “won’t it be great to get the tents home dry for a change”!!! Closing Ceremony was at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday.

Results of Senior Section were: Winner : 4th Kildare Naas Wednesday ScoutsRunner-Up: 9th Kildare KilcullenResults of Novice Section were:

Winner: Crookstown Runner-Up: Crookstown

Naas and Kilcullen are now looking forward to the Phoenix Competition in August and preparations for this will commence straight away.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend’s camping. It was heartening to hear all the scouts saying as they departed, tired and bleary eyed, that they can’t wait for next year.

Overall 160 Scouts, 53 leaders and Naas Ventures, who were helping throughout the weekend, had a fantastic time. For some leaders it was their first Shield and they could not believe what a wonderful event it was. Like their scouts, they too cannot wait for next year!!(Photo’s to follow for next edition)

Submitted by:Jo Coy Shield Co – coordinator & Declan Hendrick County Commissioner

South Eastern Province

TRAINING REPORT MAY ISSUE

2008 -2009 was a very successful year for the Training Team, listed in table below are the training courses, the number of them that were ran together with the number of leaders trained.

On behalf of the South Eastern Training Team we wish to thank most sincerely all leaders who availed of training and express out thanks for their interest and participation at all the courses.This training would not have been possible without the dedicated and hard working Trainers of our Province; we would like to take this opportunity of thanking them for the delivery of an exceptionally high standard of training, their eagerness, reliability, flexibility and attention to detail.

South Eastern Province

Southern Province

Dear fellow Scout, The Southern Province will be running its Scout Leadership Training Course on the 27th, 28th & 29th of November 2009. The course is aimed at PL’s and APL’s and should train them to be better PL's. This year there will also be some hill walking skills built into the weekend, and also a bit of fun thrown in for good measure. The weekend will be held in Mt Mellery with more details to follow later in the year. In addition, the Southern Province will be holding a Venture Leadership training Course on the 27th, 28th & 29th of November. This course will be aimed at Ventures to help them run their Venture Groups, their Venture Executive and Organize Activates. This event will also be held in Mt Mellery with more details to follow later in the year. Also on the Sunday 29th November the Province will be holding a Provencal Youth Conference in Mt. Mellery, this will be open to all Scouts over the age of 13 and all Ventures in the Province. Also Scouts and Ventures who are not at the Training weekend will be able to come for just the Sunday. More details of this will follow later. Please pass on the dates to your Scouts and Ventures so they can put it into their calendars.

Paudy O BrienProvince Program Coordinator