Abbeyside Unit Scout Notes 27th August 2007

4th Waterford Unit
St Joseph’s
Abbeyside
Scouting Ireland

Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop & Venture Scout Notes

27/08/2007

Annual Camp 2008 – Montseny, Spain
For those not familiar with JEKA, JEKA are just starting their 46th year (5 years in Ireland) of organizing, value for money holidays for youth groups. They ran their first summer camp to the Lech Valley in the Austrian Tyrol back in 1960. Since then they have added many new destinations, and over 800,000 young people have travelled with them to one of JEKA’s European Summer Camp locations. JEKA now provide accommodation in over 120 centres in 10 different European countries, each location specially chosen with young people in mind. Founded as a non profit making organisation, our concept has always been to arrange youth group holidays at affordable prices and that are real value for money.
Each group is allocated in their own individual accommodation centre. You are free to choose your own programme of activities and excursions, assisted by the detailed information that JEKA provide. You will find JEKA friendly and efficient at all times, and genuinely interested in making sure your group has a great summer camp.
Situated in the province of Catalunya 60 miles south of the French border and just 40 miles north of Barcelona lies the National Park of Montseny. JEKA’s centres are located both within and just outside the park boundaries. This is an unspoilt part of Spain away from the over crowded tourist traps and a place where you can experience the true Spanish way of life. Just thirty minutes drive away is the Mediterranean coast and the fishing port of Arenys de Mar and the town of Calella. Flying into Girona, Barcelona just an hour’s drive to the centre.

A parents meeting will be held on Saturday 15th September 2007. A Rep from JEKA will be present to answer questions.

Annual Camp 2007 – Larch Hill

Continued from last week

Saturday – with another activity packed day ahead everyone was out of bed by just after eight, some people take long to find their way out of their sleeping bags than others. When everyone was feed, washed and loaded up with packed lunches, it was straight to the bus stop and the journey into O’Connell Street and a Cinema to watch the New Harry Potter Film ‘Order Of The Phoenix’. This was a most enjoyable film even if someone different decided it was a good time to catch up on their sleep. When the film had finish it was across to St Stephens Green, via Moore Street, Half Penny Bridge and Temple Bar to have our lunch before we went on our Viking Splash Tour of Dublin City.
St Stephens Green was just as busy as O’Connell with Groups of Students, Visitors and Dubliners all taking in the rare bit of sunshine while having their lunches.
Just outside one of the side entrances to St Stephens Green was where we caught the Vehicle for our tour. It was a WW2 transport vehicle used to supply troops, it had been converted to suit passenger tours and is amphibious, can travel on land and water, which we would find out later. Our tour brought us around many of the noted sights of Dublin both old and new. We were instructed by our Viking Guide on how to greet some of the people we would meet during our tour. This was with a very loud roar while raising our arms. The reactions to this greeting varied from jumping with surprise to fits of laughter, and even roars back. For the water part of the tour that was in the north quays we all had to put on lifejackets. We were shown the recording studio of U2, a RNLI lifeboat used during the rescue of survivors from the Lusitania, as well as some of the new developments that is now part of the docks.
Back on dry land and heading back to where we had started and someone lost one of the Viking Helmets, made in china by the way!
It was back to Nutgrove where food for the test meal was purchased. And as soon as everyone was back at the Campsite it was down to the very serious business of cooking the Test Meals. Each group had different Curry’s on offer. The Ventures being a bit more creative with a starter of Brown Bread, with Smoked Sea Trout, Pate, served with Lettuce. The main course was, Thai green curry with Noodles, dessert was a, biscuit base with yougart and chocolate and Tea or Coffee to finish.
Tide up as always carries a large portion of the marks, but everyone did their best. Eagle Patrol, Patrol Leader Joe, served their courses with very little time between each, starter of Melon, Main Course of Chicken Curry and Boiled Rice, with a dessert of fresh fruit salad finishing with Tea or Coffee. Tiger Patrol, Patrol Leaders Aaron and Tom started with Melon, with a Main Course of Chicken Curry and Noodles with a dessert of Chocolate Log, with tea or Coffee.
It was down to the Camp Fire Circle, and the fire that Kieran and David had lighting. A few drops of rain fell but it did not dampen the voices. We were joined by Cubs from Rush, who sang their song that they learned on Wednesday Night. The night was getting late and as the Camp Fire was drawing to a close the Scouts and Ventures made some presentations. Thanks Guys.

Sunday – all to soon we were on the last day of Annual Camp 2007, Larch Hill. Leaders David, Kieran and Michael today did flag up. After breakfast it was down to the serious business of getting everything packed. As always we were fighting the clock. With all the patrol tents and leaders tents packed, but would need an airing when we got back to Abbeyside. The marquee was next to be taken down and as always the last item to be removed from the Camping field is the Flag. All gathered around the Flag Pole and Eamonn presented everyone with their Air Activities Badge, this is to be worn on the right sleeve at the top of the shoulder. Brendan said a few words, thanking everyone for all their help, before calling the Troop to ‘Alert’ the order to ‘Salute’ was given as the Flag was lowered and the flag pole taken apart by the three Section Leaders present, Venture Scouts Sandy Griffin, Cub Scouts Gearoid Fraher, Scouts Brendan Kiersey. A final walk through was done in the field to ensure all we left was foot prints …………
Down in the Car Park the final bits of gear were loaded up before hitting the road for home. Some of the Group were heading to Croke Park to see our Hurlers battle against Cork. We stopped in Carlow for some Lunch before driving on home listening to the match on the radio. We arrived in Abbeyside to be greeted by Parents and family. With the gear unloaded it truly was the end of Annual Camp 2007 plans were already underway for Annual Camp 2008 ………. Where would it be? We now know SPAIN!

Thanks - I would like to thank everyone who has help to make this Years Annual Camp 2007 possible. To all my fellow Leaders who have given up their time to come on Annual Camp and worked so hard over the last Scouting Year, by going on Training Courses, Leaders Meetings, County Meetings, Weekends Away, Weekly Meetings, and having to listen to me. All the Leaders involved in Scouting not just Abbeyside are voluntary and with the help and support of the Parents make Scouting in Abbeyside what it is. Our Leadership Team has grown over the last two years and that is thanks to Group Leader Brian ‘Muller’ Mulvihill. We have started a Venture Scout Group, whom we hope will continue to enjoy and grow with Scouting, and may in time go on to become Leaders themselves. Thanks to John Hallahan Bus Hire and his driver John O’Shea for their help and great service. To Jim for driving the Van, To Ciaran for his help on Camp. To all the Scouts and Ventures for making Annual Camp a one to remember, hope you all enjoyed you time in Larch Hill. We look forward to seeing you all on Annual Camp 2008.

Brendan.

Cub Scout Pack - Information
If there is anyone who may be interested in joining the Cubs have a Parent/Guardian call along with you to the meeting and talk to one of the Leaders. The Cub age is from 8 years to 10½ /11 years. Cubs start back on the 5th of September. Their meeting night will be on a Thursday night from seven fifteen to eight forty five. If you have any questions before then you can E-Mail the Cubs on cubpack@abbeysidescoutgroup.com and Gearoid will get back in contact with you. Just to remind all the Cubs of the Book Reader Badge and Home Help Badge and the parts Gearoid gave you all before you finished up in July, with all the bad weather we got this summer I am sure that you all had plenty of time indoors to read books and help around the house.

Scout Troop - Information
If there is anyone who may be interested in joining the Scouts have an adult call along with you to the meeting and talk to one of the Leaders. The Scout age is from 10½ years to 15/16 years. Scouts start back on the 8th of September. Scout Meetings will still be on a Saturday night from seven to nine. If you have any questions about Scouts before we return in September you can E-Mail us at scouttroop@abbeysidescoutgroup.com and Brendan will get back in contact with you.

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.