Abbeyside Scout Unit Notes 16th April 2007

4th Waterford Unit
St Joseph’s
Abbeyside
Scouting Ireland

Cub Pack and Scout Troop Notes

16/04/2007

Cub News
If there is anyone who may be interested in joining the Cubs have an adult call along to the meeting and talk to one of the Leaders. The Cub age is from 8 years to 10½ /11 years. The normal meeting is on a Saturday Night from seven to eight.

Cub Pack Meeting
Cal saying the Cub Scout Prayer and all the other cubs joining him started the meeting this week. As Cub Scout Section Leader Gearoid did ‘Roll Call’ of those who were in attendance. It was out to the Field for some fresh air and to make the most of the nice fine evening. The first game played was ‘North, South, East, West’, after which a game of ‘Scalp the Indians’ was played before then moving back into the Scout Hall for a game of ‘switch’ this is a game of get to know the people in you Cub Pack. It was back out into the field for a game of soccer with Gearoid in Goal, Mathew scored the only goal for his team to win. There was only one-person sin binned but he who we will not name, will we Conor, mention his name because he is a Liverpool supporter.

Each Cub Scout present was given a notice about the upcoming ‘Waterford Scout County Cub Scout Fun Day’. Conor read out the notice. The Fun Day is on Sunday 29th April 2007 in De La Salle Field, Waterford City. This is a ‘Fancy Dress’ day out and the theme for Abbeyside Cub Scout Pack is the ‘Wild West’ so both Cubs and Leaders will be dressed up. The day starts at 10.00 am and will finish between 15.00 pm and 15.30 pm. Each Cub Scout will need to have a Packed Lunch, and any Food they may want during the day, Rain Gear, and of Course that ‘Wild West’ outfit.

The meeting finished with Cal saying the Cub Scout Prayer. All Cubs were told to bring a coat with them for next weeks meeting as we may if the weather is good take a walk. Next weeks meeting is also Mufti, this means no Uniform but all Cubs must have their neckerchief and woggle.

Scout News
If there is anyone who may be interested in joining the Scouts have an adult call along to the meeting and talk to one of the Leaders. The Scout age is from 10½ years to 15/16 years. The normal meeting is on a Saturday Night from eight to nine.

Scout Troop Meeting
There was no Scout Troop Meeting this week as Scouts and Leaders were on the Waterford Scout County Challenge Weekend in Rathgormac. There were Scouts from all the Scout Troops in the County.

Venture Group Meeting
The Venture Group were taking it easy this week but we hear Sandy has a short stroll and some Water Activities in the planning for the Ventures over the next few weeks. These must be completed by the Ventures to earn their Venture Badges.

Waterford Scout County Challenge Weekend
On Friday Night Scouts, Parents and Leaders gathered at the Scout Den to head to Rathgormac for the Troops first venture into the Competition in the Waterford Scout County. The feeling of excitement and nervous was high amongst all. On arrival the two patrols were issued with their site for Friday Night by Eoin McMahon Waterford Scout County Programme Co-ordinator. The theme for the weekend is ‘Black Hawk Down’ a helicopter crash in the mountains.

It was done to setting up the Patrol Sites, these were the Patrol Tents and the flag pole. During the early part of the evening the inspections started, these included Patrol Tent, Patrol Flag Pole and Personal Gear. After each Patrol was inspected they were given instructions for the night navigation challenge. The challenge here was to gather information about the location of tomorrow’s bases. This had all the Scouts testing their Compass reading skills but in the dark along three courses each of which had a long measuring tape placed on the ground, this was a great way for everyone to both test themselves and also to pass on some of the knowledge to the others. This was going to be the whole basis of the weekend, where the Scouts would test their knowledge and the Leaders would help them and instruct them on some extra knowledge. Soon it was time for supper and bed as it was going to be a long day tomorrow.

Saturday morning brought a thick blanket of Fog and Mist covered the Campsite. The site all had to be taken down and packed away to be brought to the High Camp for the weekend. This was on the shore of Lough Mohra in the shadow of Knockanaffrin, this area was also to be where the bases were to be held during the day. Each Patrol loaded up their gear in the transport provided and waited for their turn in the bus to the start of the forest track where they walked to collect their gear. The bases covered during the day were Survival, First Aid, Communication, Environment, Shelters, and Search N’ Rescue.

The day was taken up with these bases, they were shown how the South Eastern Mountain Rescue operate, how a search and rescue Dog does his job, how to cook fish outdoors, and other such skills that would be used in case of a Helicopter Crash in the mountains. The local Air Sea Rescue based in Waterford did a flyover. This added to the reality of the casualties that were at the First Aid base. The Patrols enjoyed a break for lunch and continued taking in each base during the day.

When the patrols headed back to the High Camp Site where each patrol set up their tents before cooking their dinners. With everyone’s bellies full and tents pitched ready for the night the fog started to come down once again. A Campfire was then held and each group had a sketch or song.

With the fire of the campfire burning low it was time to put on some supper and head for the tents and some sleep. The night brought some very strong gusts of winds and heavy fog/mist which stayed until early morning when the wind dropped slightly but the mist stayed.

It was everyone busy in the morning after a quick breakfast to getting the tents down and patrol equipment ready for moving back down the mountain.

The patrols carried their gear to the transport from where the walked down to meet the buses back to Rathgormac. The Patrols put together their Blogs, and for everyone to have a go on the climbing wall. Lunch was eaten and everyone was brought into the Hall to view some of the Blogs the Patrols had put together.

Over in the Camping field it was time for the ‘Scouts Own’, which was beautifully started with some singing by Scouts from Ferrybank. This brought on the Closing Ceremony and the giving of the prizes, Both Abbeyside Patrols did very well, with Aaron’s Patrol of Dylan, James, Owen, Kevin, Chris and Declan finishing eight and Joe’s Patrol of Conor ‘H’, Conor ‘L’, Malachy, and Ben finishing sixth, well done to all the Scouts. Joe Conway was also presented with an award as the Best New Comer.

Well done to all the Scouts and Leaders who took part in the weekend. A very big thanks to the parents who provided transport.

Annual Camp 2007
If there are still any Scout still thinking of going to Annual Camp 2007 deposits should have been paid already by 7th April. Bookings are then being made for Tours, Buses etc, after this date. The venue for this years’ Annual Scout Camp is Arklow Sea Scout Centre, Arklow, Co. Wicklow. The dates for Annual Camp are from Sunday 22nd July 2007 to Sunday 29th July 2007. Any Scout whishing to pay money off can do so on a weekly basis at the meeting.

Full Uniform
Full Uniform is Black Polished Shoes/Boots, Navy/Black Socks, Uniform Trousers, Uniform Jumper (Cubs), Uniform Shirt (Scouts), Group Neckerchief, Woggle, Lanyard (Scouts), Whistle (Scouts), Badges, Group Cap, Uniform Jacket (Scouts). Any Scout or Cub in the Unit longer than six weeks should have this Uniform. Scouting Ireland is a Uniformed Organisation.

Blogspot
If you have a picture that you would like to have added to the blog get in touch with Brendan. www.abbeyside.blogspot.com .You can keep up to date with any events down at the Scout Den as well as other pictures.


Scribe.