Abbeyside Scout Unit Notes, 26th November 2006

4th Waterford Unit,
St Joseph’s
Abbeyside
Cub Pack and Scout Group Notes

26/11/06

Star Gazing

This week the Cub Pack and Scout Group joined the Girl Guides on a trip to outer space. This was done from the Sports Centre in Dungarvan. How I hear you ask via a mobile show.
The journey started from the 4th Waterford Cub Pack and Scout Group on Friday night at eight fifteen as everyone gathered for take off from a tented module in the Sports Centre hall. With everyone checked in we waited for the Girl Guides to finish their journey. The Cubs and Scouts moved into the module and were seated into their positions around the floor on mats with our Guide for the evening standing ready to show us through this visual spectacle. Various items were viewed and explained, and many questions asked by both Cubs and Scouts. We were shown the size of the earth compared to the sun, and that our solar system is one of thousands in space. Some space travel was shown with the capsules Astronauts returned to Earth in after space travel. Three different capsules were seen a three person, two person, and single person type, we have bigger tents for the same amount of people. The ships were shown in all their splendour before take off with their gleaming paint jobs and upon their reclaiming from the sea with their paint less exterior, burnt from the atmosphere as they fall from the sky.

To finish up we were shown the stars of the night sky. Orion’s Belt, the Plough, North Star, and many more, were seen all around us on the walls of the module for all see.

Thanks to Jenny for organising this as part of Science Ireland Week, to Tom Keith and Pat Kiely of Dungarvan Sports Centre. All whom attended had a wonderful experience.

Scout Group News

This weeks meeting started at the earlier time of seven thirty and as always the Scout Prayer was said. With a smaller number in attendance it was decided to keep to the confines of the Scout Den for tonight’s activities. Each of those present was given copies of the Scout Prayer, Scout Promise, Scout Principals, and Scout Law to brush up on. A talk on map reading started the meeting before the patrols broke up for bases. The bases covered were, first aid, observation, map and compass, knots, and communication. The Leaders each took a base to pass on some skills to each patrol and were rotated around until all five bases were visited. Kieran took communications with the phonetic alphabet being one of the items covered. Gearoid did a test on observation. Eammon did bush first aid that being using what you have with you or on you, using you Neckerchief as a bandage, a sling, to stop bleeding, or a jumper or jacket as a sling. Michael made sure everyone was up to speed on Knots, reef knot, thumb knot, figure of eight, sheet bend, clove hitch and bowline. While did map and compass, Set and align a map, grid reference, the map key, reading a map. With all this activity going on time was nearly up and roll was call. We hope everyone learned something. The saying of the Scout Prayer finished before the Scouts fell out to go home.

Notices

All Cubs and Scout are reminded the meeting times are as normal this week, seven for Cub Pack and eight for the Scout Group. Full Uniform is to be worn by all.

The Group Annual Mass will be held on Sunday 10th December in Abbeyside at 9.30am. This is a FULL UNIFORM event. Parents, family and friends are invited to join the Troop for this special Mass to mark the year just past, the coming year, and praying for members of the 4th Waterford past and present, living and deceased.

Twelve Days Of Christmas Draw books must be returned by Saturday 2nd December otherwise they will not be included in the draw. Tickets not sold must be returned also. We thank all those who bought tickets.

The Cub and Scout Meeting for Saturday 16th of September will be held in the Sports Centre Dungarvan. The meeting will start at two for the Cub Pack and three for the Scout Group. More details will be given out at this weeks meeting.