Abbeyside Scout Unit Notes 28th January 2008

4th Waterford Unit
St Joseph’s
Abbeyside
Scouting Ireland

Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop & Venture Scout Group Notes

28/01/2008

Scouting In Ireland 100 Years
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 Ireland SAI began 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. Because Royal Charter protected this Association, no other Scout Group could be started in Ireland. Though a few individual Catholic Scout Groups existed earlier, it was not until 1927, that the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland (called Scouting Ireland CSI in the 1990’s) was founded by Fr Tom J Farrell with the help of his brother Fr. Ernest R Farrell. It was in Greystones Co. Wicklow that Father Ernest first went into action as founder and Chaplain of a Boy's Organisation carrying out hiking, drill and other activities of a Scouting nature. This was in the 1925 period. Also under the nom-de-plume "Sagart" he wrote a series of articles in Our Boys, the popular magazine published by the Christian Brothers, advocating the formation of an official Catholic Scout organisation. Fr. Tom Farrell was at this time a Curate in the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street (the City Centre). Finally, the Constitution was drawn up and presented to the Hierarchy for examination the sanction and blessing of the Bishops of Ireland was given in November 1926 he was ready for it.
Scouting Ireland is a multi-denominational, co-educational, youth based association with a membership close to 40,000 across the island of Ireland. Scouting Ireland is 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). Both associations voted to join together to form a new single association in 2003, following a decision to set this process in motion in 1998.

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

Group Annual Registration
There are still a few members who have yet to pay their Annual Registration, this is now over due for payment by Cubs, Scouts, Ventures, Leaders and Committee Members, it is €40-00 per member, any cheques should be made payable to 4th Waterford Unit, Abbeyside Scout Group. If members do not pay this Registration they cannot be registered with Scouting Ireland as a Member of the 4th Waterford. Thank You.

Cub Scout Pack - News & Information

Cub Scout Pack Meeting
The meeting this week started at quarter past seven with Darragh leading the Cub Pack in the saying of the Cub Scout Prayer. Attendance was then done by Gearoid, this takes a little longer than before with 30 Cubs now on the books. Relays got everyone warmed up, followed by a game of corners being played, which as always proves very competitive between the Clans. The Cubs then turned their hands to some art, and Artist Merit Badge. Each Cub was given a picture to colour, this will take a few meetings to complete. Gearoid talked to the Cub Pack about overnights and the one this Friday Night. Each Cub was given a note about the overnight. The meeting ended with Darragh leading in the saying of the Cub Scout Prayer.

Cub Scout Pack Overnight
On Friday 1st February, 2008, there will be an overnight for the Cub Scout Pack in the Scout Den Abbeyside. If there are any questions please contact Gearoid Fraher, Cub Scout Pack, Section Leader, on 087-2034172 or any of the other Leaders. We look forward to everyone’s attendance. If a Cub is unable to attend please let us know in advance.
Cubs should be at the Scout Den for Nine O’Clock on Friday Night and be collected by Nine Thirty on Saturday Morning, we thank you for your co-operation.
Each Cub will need the following gear:-
Sleeping Gear:- Sleeping Bag, Small Pillow, Nightwear/PJ’s, Sleeping Mat (optional), Blanket (optional).
Eating Gear:- Non Breakable – Mug, Plate, Bowl, Knife, Fork, Spoon, Tea Towel.
All Personal Gear should be clearly marked with the Cubs Name, Cubs are responsible for looking after their own gear.

New Members
New members are always welcome so 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. 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.

Scout Troop – News & Information

Scout Troop Meeting
The meeting began at seven with the saying of the Scout Prayer. A much smaller number was gathered for the start of the meeting than usual. The meeting starts at Seven everybody. Those present seated around the Leaders table and spoke about plans for Annual Camp, it was decided to go for a Red T-Shirt with Yellow Group Logo, Gearoid compared it to the much loved Liverpool kit Jersey, this was greeted with a bit of a mixed reaction. The up coming Waterford Scout County Fun Weekend was also discussed, it was stressed that there would be a restriction on numbers allowed to go from the County ion total 220 to include Scouts and Leaders, a busy weekend is planed, you can check out the details on the Blog http://www.abbeyside.blogspot.com/ along with any other events coming up as we get the details. Menus from the ingredients each Patrol were given were talked about also, more work is needed by each patrol before the ‘Cooking Challenge’ date arrives, that being February 23rd, it should be interesting.
The Troop was then divided into two Teams for a quick league of Badminton this proved to be great fun and enjoyed by all present.
The Scouts then did a questionnaire and a brief talk on what they felt Scouting had to offer, Friendship, New Experiences, Travel, Fun, were some of elements that came out of this discussion. The Scouts then talked about the Patrol and how different Activities can be done as a Patrol. Group Leader reminded the Scouts that the Scout Den is there for them to use, for Badminton, or just to hang out.
The meeting ended with the saying of the Scout Prayer and final notices before the Scout Troop were dismissed.
There was a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leaders Court Of Honour after the Scout Meeting, where St Patrick’s Day Parade and upcoming hikes were talked about.

New Members
New members are always welcome so 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. Scout Meetings are on a Saturday night from seven to nine. If you have any questions about Scouts you can E-Mail us at scouttroop@abbeysidescoutgroup.com and Brendan will get back in contact with you.

Venture Scout Group – Information
On Friday night at half past seven the Venture Group joined by a few of the Leaders gathered at Davit’s Restaurant. This was a special meal to say best wishes to Venture Scout Section Leader Sandy Griffin. With nearly all the Venture Group present, just Cearbhall was away in Prague. A beautiful meal was enjoyed by all present and the night was well organised by the lads. The Ventures gave Sandy a card and voucher to get something nice for her travels. Group Leader Brian ‘Muller’ will be taking over while Sandy is away.
Once again well done to the lads for a very enjoyable night, it was great to see everyone gather to say thanks to Sandy for all the hard work she has put in with the Venture Group over the last year since they were started up. We look forward to Sandy coming back from her travels and getting the Ventures ready for Annual Camp.
The next Venture Meeting is on Saturday Night, those who still have to give money towards Annual Camp or have yet to pay their Annual Registration.
You can E-Mail the Venture Group on venturegroup@abbeysidescoutgroup.com and Sandy/Brian will get in contact with you.

Annual Camp 2008
Just to remind all those who are going on Annual Camp to Spain that everyone should have paid €100.00 in total this month. Also everyone needs to have a Valid Passport for going on Camp. We only need your Full Name as it appears on your Passport for booking the flights, but because of Spanish Government Policy we will need the Passport Number as we get closer to Annual Camp.

New Uniform Badge
The new Scouting Ireland Emblem Badge is now available from the Outdoor Adventure Store, this Badge will go on the left pocket of the Scout Shirt.

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 Waterford Scout County Badge €2-00, Glenshelane Scout Campsite Badge €3-50, Abbeyside Group Badge €3-50, Abbeyside Group Neckerchief €5-50, Woggle €1-50, and Abbeyside 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
Keep up to date with all the happenings of the 4th Waterford through our web pages, on the blog http://www.abbeyside.blogspot.com/ and http://www.abbeysidescoutgroup.com/ we would be only, happy to hear any comments you may have. E-Mails us any pictures you may have either for the paper or to put on the blog site, if you have a bebo or other page that would be a suitable link forward it on, also to scribe@abbeysidescoutgroup.com

Scribe.