Abbeyside Scout Unit Notes 8th October 2007

4th Waterford Unit
St Joseph’s
Abbeyside
Scouting Ireland

Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop & Venture Scout Notes

08/10/2007

Annual Camp 2008 – Montseny, Spain
All Scouts and Ventures that were interested in going to Annual Camp 2008 should have had €20-00 deposit paid by last Saturday 6th October 2007 to secure their place, this has been extended for one week only so if you have not handed in your deposit you need to on Saturday Night 13th October 2007 your place will not be guaranteed. The total cost of this Camp will be in the region of €700-00, this is the upper end estimate and we are working on bringing that figure down. This figure includes Food, Accommodation, Activities, Transfers by Coach to and from Airports, (in Ireland and Spain), all local Transport costs, and Local Taxes etc. Each Scout/Venture will be able to also reduce this figure by participating in any of the Fund Raising Events that will be organised before Camp.

Calendar Of Events
We have put our Activities onto a online Calendar, you can see these on the Blog Spot or the Abbeyside Scout Group site.

Leaders News
The Leaders will be attending Skills Training in Mount Melleray Scout Centre later this month, this is all part of their ongoing Woodbadge Training. A new directive from Scouting Ireland will see all Adults involved in Scouting Ireland undergo a new Child Protection Course.

Last Weeks Photo’s
Last weeks picture as I said was taken in the ‘Half Acre’ in Mount Melleray Scout Centre, Cappoquin, on the Sunday of a Feile Na nGasóga weekend. Here Scout from Abbeyside are being presented with the overall Football Cup by the National Commissioner For Scouts. The Scouts are Back Row L-R; Mathew Burke, Eammon Cashin, John Phelan, Richie Cosgrave, David McGrath. Front Row L-R; Rick Hanrahan, Garvan Mc Carthy, Declan Five, Liam Fraher. This was take in the mid to late 1990’s, I think maybe 1997.

Cub Scout Pack - News & Information
This weeks meeting started with the honour of saying the Cub Scout prayer going to Darragh, after which Gearoid took the Roll Call. Then everybody was introduced to new cub Sheamie. First game of the night was an old favourite relay game called " Dizzy Izzy " which was won by the Wolf Clan. Then it was on to a new game to release some energy for the Cubs which was a game of basketball with a few new rules, the main one being that the player with the ball cold only move one step before passing which a lot of the cubs found hard to come to terms with but eventually did. The Tiger clan were victorious in this game. Then it was time for the now weekly book report. This week Ruari, Mathew and Conor all gave reports to the rest of the pack on books they had read and then answered any questions that had to be answered. Well done to the three lads concerned. As the cub pack were going on a hike the following Sunday Gearoid then went through what each cub should bring with them on a hike such as a good pair of boots, rain gear, hat and gloves, a change of clothes, a packed lunch and a camera if they wished. He then also went through the " Country Code" which includes such things as respecting the land, taking your litter home, not damaging plants and trees and leaving gates as you find them. All these are part of the cubs Bronze Arrow badge. Then it was time for another quick relay game at Ruari's suggestion called ‘choo choo’ train where the cubs had to make a motion like an old steam train from one end of the den and back down to the other to tag the next clan member to do the same, the first clan to finish at alert being the winner. The Wolf Clan won this game. There was just time left to inform the cub pack that there would be some changes made to the clans for the meeting the following week. Everybody waits with keen interest. Darragh once again said the prayer and everybody were then dismissed.

National Cub Scout Trail Day 2007
On Sunday morning last we all gathered at Colligan Br. in great anticipation of the day ahead. Some of us were a little the worse for wear than others but they shall remain nameless to save embarrassment. After the Clans were formed Brendan gave out the Hi- Vis vests to everybody while Gearoid did roll call and explained what route we would be taking for the hike. He then paired everybody up into "buddies" and off we set. The first part of the hike was quite hilly and although one particular Leader urged Gearoid to set an even stronger pace at the front when he saw that two of the leaders at the rear seemed to be falling back, common sense prevailed in the interest of the cubs rather than the leaders at the rear. Better luck next time Mickey. At the top of the hill everyone took on some well earned fluid and continued on our way. About two thirds of the way round we came to a fork in the path where Gearoid asked the cub pack which way they thought we should go, some local knowledge from Ryan, Kevin and Ross knew but the likes of Conor out of the fact that he wanted to stand out wanted to go the other way. Common sense once again prevailed and Gearoid took the cubs the right way. Just beyond this Ross showed everyone through a gap in the trees the top of his house and invited everybody over for tea the next time we were in Colligan. When we got back to the bridge. Everyone had their packed lunch and afterwards we played a game of "who stole my chicken?" After this we went on another hike up the road to the stone bridge. And back down through the wood again where we all lined up along the bridge. For Brendan to take our photo to be sent back to National headquarters. Then Michael presented all the cubs with their National Trail Day Badge, which we hope to see on their uniforms very soon. Then everyone was dismissed and went home after a most enjoyable day. A big thank you to all the Leaders who helped on the day, especially those who weren't feeling too well and also to Jane who gave up her Sunday morning to help out.

Scout Troop – News & Information
This weeks meeting started at seven with the Scout Prayer and the Patrols going to their corners while Gearoid collected deposits for Annual Camp 2008, Spain while Eamonn did ‘Roll Call’. The scouts formed two lines at the end of the den to play some quick relay games, the first was hopping and the second was long steps this proved to be lots of fun with some very interesting variations of the steps required.
Michael then played the ‘Card’ game, followed by Gearoid running a game ‘Who Is Missing?’.
Eamonn did the first part of ‘Photographer’ Merit Badge showing everyone what the different settings were on a Camera, and how each setting can affect your photo’s outcome. Eamonn then went on to set the final criteria for those whom wanted to do this Merit Badge. These would include photo’s from a Scouting Activity or Event, a portrait, a Landscape, an animal, an action shot, and a stain glass window. All of which must be developed and displayed with details of the photo.
It was back to the Patrol Corners for each of the patrols to discuss the up coming overnight in Mount Melleray Scout Centre on Friday 19th October, all Scouts are to be in Melleray for Nine O’ Clock and to be collected by eleven. If you have any questions contact your Patrol Leader for the weekend, Kevin is in charge of the Eagle Patrol and Aaron will be looking after the Tiger Patrol.
Before the meeting finished Brendan spoke of the Uniform and that some Badges would have to be moved around by some Scouts, the Scouts were given three weeks to have their Uniforms up to scratch. All Scouts present were given the New South Eastern Province Badge which is to be worn on the Left arm above the Group and County Badges. So starting at the top is the Province Badge, next County Badge, and then Group Badge. Next weeks meeting is Mufti but everyone is to wear their Neckerchief.
The Meeting finished with the saying of the Scout Prayer.

Venture Scout Group – Information
The Venture Scout meeting this week was at the Usual time of seven on Saturday Night. It was actual a few minutes after seven when things got started. Muller was in the chair this week with Sandy taking a well deserved night off. Muller went through a number of topics during the meeting including Annual Camp, County Paint Balling and other future activities Ventures are reminded to return their Activity Consent Forms if they have not done so already. For further information contact Sandy. You can E-Mail the Venture Group on venturegroup@abbeysidescoutgroup.com.

Travelling Scout Shop
The Travelling Scout Shop is coming to Waterford on October 13th, at Ballygunner Scout Den, Waterford City, from 4:30 pm until 7:30 pm.

Full Uniform
Full Uniform is Black Polished Shoes/Boots, Navy/Black Socks, Uniform Trousers, Uniform Belt, Uniform Jumper (Cubs), Uniform Shirt (Scouts), Group Neckerchief, Woggle (Plus Spare), 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.

The Scout and Cub Scout Uniform are available from the Outdoor Adventure Store, Mc Curtain Street, Cork.

We carry some items such as Group Badge €3-50, Group Neckerchief €5-50, Woggle €1-50, and Group Baseball Cap €15-00. As well, as some other small items. Just ask the Leaders and they will help you out.

If there is anyone who has been in the Cubs or Scouts and wishes to pass on their Uniform in part or full contact one of the Leaders. Thank You.

Web Site
We have added some more photos from the past Annual Camp in Larch Hill, and will add in time some of the Patrol Log Book extracts along with photo’s from further back.

Please leave us a comment and tell us what you think, 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.

We are also hoping to get our Troop Web Site up to speed with information on each of the sections and the leaders involved. www.abbeysidescoutgroup.com

Check out the Glenshelane Scout Campsite & Cabin web site on www.glenshelanescoutcampsite.com and leave us a message in the guest book, tell us what you think.

Scribe.