Monday 21 April 2008

4th Waterford Unit, Abbeyside Scout Group Notes 21st April 2008

4th Waterford Unit

St Joseph’s

Abbeyside

Scouting Ireland

Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop & Venture Scout Group Notes

21/04/2008

Sympathy on the death of Jenny Phelan

On behalf of the 4th Waterford troop we send our sincerest sympathy to the Phelan family, to husband Christy, and sons John, Killian and Peter on the passing of their mother Jenny last week. All of the lads were very active members of the Scout Troop and regularly attended Annual Camps. Christy and Jenny were always on hand to help out in whatever capacity they could.

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.

Glenshelane Scout Campsite & Cabin

Times are busy up in the Glen lately with a lot of visitors and also a lot of work being done on site and around the site, we would like to thank all those that have help us out with this work as we could not have done it without you.

Cub Scout Pack - News & Information

Thursday Night Cub Scout Pack Meeting

Evan began our meeting this week with the saying of the Cub Scout prayer. Roll call was then taken by Brendan and Gearoid, before a talk was once again given on our respect for each other. The Cub Scout Law, Promise and Prayer by Section Leader Gearoid while the Cubs gave different examples on how we may tease each other sometimes maybe without even realising it but more often than not there is some form of intent there. Then leaders Gearoid, Brendan, Sandy and Seanie showed the cubs how to do the thumb, reef, sheet bend, figure of eight and clove hitch knots that are all part of their badge work, be it Bronze or Silver Arrows depending on what they are working on. Everyone seemed to enjoy this, even the Leaders, some of whom did the knots in French! Seanie then took charge of a couple of games of dodge ball with "Seanie's" rules applying at times but all the cubs enjoyed it anyway. Gearoid then informed everyone about the next activity and told them that he would be handing out a notice with full details on it at next weeks meeting. Evan then said the final prayer and everyone was dismissed.

Up Coming Events

Overnight in Mount Melleray Scout Centre on Friday May 2nd. The Cub Pack will be given a notice this Thursday night.

The Cub Scout Meetings from April onwards are planned to run from Seven Fifteen until Nine O'Clock. Parents are asked to ensure their son’s are on time as late arrivals tends to disrupt the meeting.

If there are any questions about the Activities or the Abbeyside Cub Scout Pack in general then you can contact Gearoid Fraher, Cub Scout Pack Section Leader on 087-2034172 or any of the other Abbeyside Leaders.

If a Cub is unable to attend any Activity, Event or Meeting, you are asked to please lets us know in advance, this can be done by text or phone on the above number.


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 Gearoid on the above mobile number or talk to one of the Leaders first as our spaces are now limited. The Cub age is from 8 years to 10½ /11 years. Their meeting night will be on a Thursday night from seven fifteen to nine o’clock. 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

Waterford Scout County, Scout Challenge Weekend

There was no meeting this past weekend as the Scouts and Leaders were on the Waterford Scout County, Scout Challenge Weekend. This year the Scout Challenge Weekend was a Patrol of twelve Scouts who on the Saturday will be broken into a Mountain Patrol and a Base Camp Patrol. The ‘Mountain Patrol’ will have four Scouts and will be on the Comeragh Mountains in the Mahon Falls area. The ‘Base Camp Patrol’ will have eight Scouts and shall camp in the Stradbally area of the County. Unfortunately due to illness and such we did not have a full team, but they were all ready for action. It was up to Joe and Aaron to take charge of the rest of the Scouts as the Patrol Leaders for the weekend. Joe would be on the mountain with James and Chris, while Aaron would be at base camp with Conor, Malachy, Dylan, Owen, and Tony. After meeting at the den and loading up the gear, thanks again to the parents who provided transport, we all headed for Stradbally to set up site. There were nine teams in all taking part making the number of over one hundred Scouts along with their Leaders and others who would all make this weekend work. The weather as always when Camping is concerned is either the biggest friend or your worst foe, this weekend it decided to make life a bit harder with low temperatures and windy conditions at Base Camp. Friday night was spent getting Base Camp set up, before having supper and going to bed for a very busy Saturday.

Saturday brought a cold start for all at Base Camp. With those going to the mountains having a full gear check before being allowed take part in this part of the weekend. While those left at Base Camp had to finish off the work needed on the Patrol Site. As this was our first venture into a competition of this style since the forming of Waterford Scout County we have a lot to learn on the Campcraft side of things, but saying that the Scouts did very well with what they had to work with and it was a chance for Leaders and Scouts to learn what is required at competition level and this will be seen working through our own programme of activities over the coming months and years.

After lunch the Patrols on Base Camp had a number of activity bases to complete with 40 minutes for each base spread out around the ‘Cove’ area of Stradbally. This took over the afternoon and finished in time for the start of the test meal. On the mountain some Scouts had to turn back and return to Base Camp due to the weather and fatigue. James was back in time to help out with the cooking of the test meal and nothing more hurting than the blisters on his feet and his pride. Following the cooking and tidy up after the test meal, there was some free time before the Base Camp all joined together in a Campfire which was run by Billy Collins from De La Salle Scout Troop, everyone played a part with each of the Patrols doing either a sketch or a song with a ‘Prison Break’ theme, it was a most enjoyable and fun filled Campfire. It was the time for supper and bed.

Sunday brought a much milder morning, as all the Scouts were back together, with the Mountain based Scouts back at Base Camp for a Treasure type trail. Lunch and the breaking of camp was next on the agenda for the Scouts. Final inspections were had of the sites when cleared and a Full Uniform inspection, here I am afraid we lost some more marks, as runners and white socks were worn by some members of the 4th marks that need not have been lost. A Scouts Own service was then held with Pat O’Connor from St Paul’s Scout Troop reading a most topical reading about the pace of modern life. Various Patrol Members read prayers of the faith full and the girls from Ferrybank sang a beautiful song, before handing over to Tom O’Neil County Commissioner for a few words. Eoin Mc Mahon, Sacred Heart Scout Troop and CPC Scouts, congratulated all those that had attended and encouraged everyone tell those not present to do so in the future, and what they have missed out on.

The winners were De La Salle Scout Troop, well done to them and best of luck in the ‘Phoenix Challenge’, the National Scout Challenge. They have a big challenge ahead of them as last years winners of the Waterford Scout County Scout Challenge Weekend St Paul’s went on to win the Phoenix Challenge. St Paul’s will also be attending the ‘Phoenix Challenge’ hoping to retain their title.

Well done to all the Leaders and Scouts who took part in this weekend.

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. You can E-Mail the Abbeyside Scout Troop on scouttroop@abbeysidescoutgroup.com and Brendan will get in contact with you.

Venture Scout Group – Information

Venture Scout Group

The Venture group are reminded that their next fortnightly meeting takes place this coming Saturday night 26th April at the usual time of eight o clock! The group are requested to wear their uniform in order that a stock take may be recorded. If this is not possible as may be the case with some of those who may be working, then please have a detailed list with you of the items you require in order to have full and correct uniform. Uniform is a necessity for annual camp!

The theme of this weeks meeting will be ideas, as in does anyone have any ideas/suggestions with regard to the content of programme over the coming months. Anything can be considered e.g. bungee jumping, however something e.g. bungee jumping may not be carried out! Ideas, Ideas.

You can contact the Abbeyside Venture Scout Group by E-Mail on venturegroup@abbeysidescoutgroup.com and Sandy/Brian will get in contact with you.

Annual Camp 2008

All those going on Annual Camp must have a Full and Correct Scout Uniform, which should include a spare Abbeyside Neckerchief. The next instalment of €100.00 is due to be paid by Saturday May 10th where by everyone should have at least €400.00 paid towards the cost of Annual Camp.

Full Uniform

All Cubs, Scouts, Ventures and Leaders that are in the Group longer than six weeks should have their Full Uniform. A Full Uniform is Black Polished Shoes/Boots, Navy/Black Socks, Uniform Trousers, Uniform Belt, Uniform Jumper (Cubs), Uniform Shirt (Scouts), Group Neckerchief (Plus Spare), Woggle (Plus Spare), Lanyard (Scouts), Whistle (Scouts), Badges, Group Cap, Uniform Jacket (Scouts).

Any Venture, 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. 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 www.abbeyside.blogspot.com and www.abbeysidescoutgroup.com we would be only, happy to hear any comments you may have. Check out our Glenshelane Scout Campsite & Cabin to see how things are there too on www.glenshelanescoutcampsite.com 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.

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