19/02/2007
Founders Day February 22nd
This year Founders Day is made all the more important as it marks the Centenary Of Scouting Worldwide. Scouting is not just a Uniformed Youth Group it is about more. It is about learning to work with others as part of a Team a Patrol. Scouts learn so many things, Cooking, Leadership Skills, Budgeting, Friendship, Teamwork, Navigation, and Knots, the list is endless. As a part of this there is the Scout Uniform, this is worn with pride saying I am a Scout, the Troop Neckerchief that says I am a Member of the 4th Waterford Unit, St Joseph’s, Abbeyside Scout Troop. The badges on your Uniform are the story of the journey you have taken in Scouting, the skills you have learned, the Patrol you belong too, and your place in the Troop, your Curriculum Vita of Scouting so to speak.
In 1907 Major General Robert Baden-Powell of Gilwell took twenty boys on camp to Brownsea Island, near Poole Harbour, Dorset. He was trying out an idea that had grown in his mind over many years. At Brownsea Island he saw that his idea of Scouting worked and in 1908 he published ''Scouting for Boys'' in fortnightly parts. At once all over England, boys took up the idea and formed their own Patrols. Then, find that they needed help, they asked grown-ups to give a hand, so Scouts Association was founded in 1908.
Scouting in Ireland started in 1908 as the Dublin City and Dublin County Boy Scouts. In 1921 the name was changed to the Irish Free State Scout Council and it became a national organisation. In 1949, when Ireland became a Republic, the name was changed again to the Boy Scouts of Ireland and further changes in the 60's and 90's saw it become first the Scout Association of Ireland (SAI) and then Scouting Ireland SAI. SAI had always been multi-denominational and in addition to Cub Scouts and Scouts it also had a Sea Scout section. Developments included the formation of Beaver Scouts for younger children and Venture Scouts for older teenagers and young adults. SAI also became co-educational. Because Royal Charter protected this Association, no other Scout group could be started in Ireland until independence. Though a few individual Catholic Scout groups existed earlier, it was not until 1927 when the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland (then called Scouting Ireland CSI) was founded by Father Tom Farrell. These two Dublin priests, Fr. Tom J. Farrell, and Fr. Ernest R. Farrell, noticed that in other countries the Church had taken up the idea of Scouting and had cultivated it in a Catholic atmosphere and that the result was excellent.
1925/26 - Fr. Ernest Farrell, a curate in Greystones, Co. Wicklow founded a boys parochial group, which wore Scout-Like uniforms. He was subsequently transferred to St. Stephens Green where he began another group, which operated the Scouting method. At about this time he published a series of Scouting articles in Our Boys, which attracted widespread interest. 1927 - At the same time his brother Fr. Tom Farrell, a curate in the Pro -Cathedral was working towards the formation of a national Catholic Scout Association. Formal hierarchy approval was given in November 1926 but 1927, the year the first National Executive Committee began to function, is generally taken to be the year that the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland was founded.1932 - Members of the CBSI acted as stewards at the International Eucharistic Congress. A special camp for Scouts participating was held in the grounds of Terenure College. 1934 - The Association organised a pilgrimage to Rome, which was attended by Scouts from all over the country. During the trip Sir Martin Melvin, the then owner of the English Catholic newspaper, the Universe, presented a trophy, subsequently named in his honour, abroad the S.S. Lancastria. This trophy is presented each year to the winners of the National Scout Campcraft Competition. 1958 - A large CBSI delegation travelled on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in its centenary year. 1965 - CBSI joined with the Scout Association of Ireland to form the Federation of Irish Scout Association (FISA). Each Association in the federation is fully independent and autonomous but through FISA each participates in international events.
1967 - To celebrate its 40th Birthday, the Association held a National Camp at Lismore Co. Waterford. 3,500 Scouts attended it. 1977 - The Association's Golden Jubilee Year is marked by major events throughout the country, culminating in a major International camp held in the grounds of Mount Melleray Abbey, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford. A new drive to revive Scouting in low-income, inner city areas in Dublin gets under way with the revival of a Troop in Sean McDermott Street. 1985 - A Jamboree organised by all Scouting Associations in Ireland ( C.B.S.I., S.A.I. , and N.I.S.C.) is held in Portumna, Co. Galway to celebrate International Youth Year.
Scouting Ireland is now the National Scout Association for Ireland and a member of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Scouting Ireland was formed on 1st January 2004 from the two original Scout associations in Ireland,
Scouting Ireland S.A.I. and
Scouting Ireland (CSI).
And to quote a Campfire song ‘Do you think it was wise when of years just Ten that I joined the lads at the Boy Scouts Den’.
Cub Pack Meeting
As usual the meeting started with a Cub saying the Cub Scout Prayer, it was Malachy this week that was given the honours. Gearoid did ‘Roll Call’ with Michael. It was down to some test work and the Cyclist Challenge Badge. Tonight the Cubs in their Clans were going to fix a puncture, Gearoid first put his years of experience to good use by showing all the Cubs how to remove a wheel from a bike. Then showing everyone how to remove a tube, and checking the tyre for what caused the puncture. Each Clan then was given a tube to repair. With Michael keeping a close eye on the Clans as Gearoid went through puncture repair step by step.
The up coming weekend in Mount Melleray was quickly talked about. Gearoid then introduced a new game called ‘Sticky Tape’ this proved lots of fun as everyone got ‘stuck’ in. All to soon the meeting time was running out and Malachy closed it out by the saying of the Cub Scout Prayer. All the Cubs were told if their parents had any questions to contact one of the Leaders.
Scout Troop Meeting
Falling in for the start of the meeting by saying the Scout Prayer. While the Patrols were at the Patrol Corners they discussed what Patrol Activity they were going to do over the coming weeks as ‘Roll Call’ was being done. The Patrols told everyone their plans.
Once again it was a bit of Badge Work as Gearoid showed the Scouts how to change a cable on their bikes. The meeting had been joined by Leader Brian ‘Muller’ Mulvihill who has been stateside working in two ‘Boot Camps. He then shared his experiences of his work and the children he had in his care with all the Scouts. With time running over the Scouts were reminded that people missing meetings needed to let Leaders know beforehand if this was going to be the case.
The Scouts were reminded about the County Scout Fun Weekend in Mount Melleray on this Weekend Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th February. If anyone needs directions they can contact the Leaders.
The meeting ended with everyone saying the Scout Prayer and ‘Fall Out’.
Waterford Scout County Fun Weekend
The Annual Waterford Scout County Fun Weekend will be held in Mount Melleray Scout Centre on 23rd to 25th February. The cost of the weekend is €34-00 per Scout. We will keep you up to date in next week’s notes. Full Uniform to be worn arriving.
Cub Weekend
On this weekend of Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th February the Cubs are heading to Mount Melleray Scout Centre for an action packed weekend. Arriving in Full Uniform at the main entrance to the Mount Melleray Scout Centre on Friday Night at Eight O’Clock and to be collected from there on Sunday at Two O’Clock. The cost of the weekend is €34-00.
Bag Pack March 9th, 10th.
We still need Parents to help with the Bag Pack Weekend. The following times have been chosen – Friday 18:00-20:00, 20:00-22:00. Saturday 10:00-12:00, 12:00-14:00, 14:00-16:00, 16:00-18:00. Parents are asked to get in touch with the Leaders. We are looking for Parents to fill Saturday as Friday is taken care of. Thank you for help.
Annual Camp 2007
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
During the week we have added one or two old pictures onto the blog, these show parents of present members. You can keep up to date with things happening around the Scout Den and what we have been up to on our blogspot site at
www.abbeyside.blogspot.com we have some old and new pictures on there for you to check out and leave a comment. Also on the Blog there are any notices that we hand out at the meetings.
Scribe.
