4th Waterford
St Joseph’s
Abbeyside
Scouting Ireland
Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop & Venture Scout Group Notes
18/08/2008
Annual Camp 2008
Part Two
The day started with Flag Up at seven thirty, everyone joined in the saying of the Scout Prayer before getting organised for the day ahead. Breakfast was eaten and we headed to meet our bus outside the café at nine o’clock to head to ‘Activ Natura Parc D’Aventura’. This is situated in Santa Susanna between Barcelona and Girona less than an hour’s drive from our base at Santa Margarida. Once at Activ Natura Parc D’Adventure we split into two Groups to make the safety talks and gearing up easier. Everyone was fitted with a harness which had two ropes attached with a ‘Locking Carabiner’ on the end, one coloured blue with a shorter rope, we also had a Pulley which was clipped to our harness by another carabiner. It was then time for a short walk up into the forest where the next stage of the safety talk was carried out. The next part was how to use the carabiners as you climbed, each climbing area had green safety cables on them which were easy to reach. The first area started with a ladder type climb to a platform which lead to a ‘monkey bridge’ type activity to another platform and a short zip wire run. Simple so it sounds but then comes the hard part of actually doing it. The rules were simple too, use one hand to snap and unsnap your carabiners and your other hand was for holding on, easy, oh and you had to snap on the carabiners in the opposite way so if you open one by mistake the other is still attached, great. Also only one person per activity and two people to a platform. All the time you are in a climbing area, making sure to be clipped on at all times. Now for the zip wire sections, the pulley is placed on the wire and then clipped on using the blue coloured carabiner placing the other carabiner on top, remember that opposite thing way round well that happens here too, you then sit on the platform and hold onto the rope and off you go, great fun by the way. The next area was a lot more difficult, and a little higher, oh and longer as well. There was a lot of sweat lost on these Area’s, the third area was harder, higher and a little longer too. When part of the park was finished we moved onto the Zip Wire’s, again a short walk and another safety talk, before everyone present was given a helmet. For the next sections of zip wires team work was going to be important, again there were platforms in between three sections of Zip Wires, we would have to catch the next person as they zipped towards the platform that you were on, and the person on the next platform would do the same for you, or if this did work there was a white rope that you could use to haul yourself back to the next platform. This was the first zip wire section from here we went on to the ‘Canopy’ which was higher in the trees than the previous section of zip wires again team work was important along with all the safety that we had been told throughout the morning. Again we zipped between the trees from platform to platform. We returned to the centre to take off our harnesses and a well earned rest and our lunch.
During our lunch some of our Group spoke to a Cub who was there on holidays with his parents he was from England, we gave him an Abbeyside neckerchief to remind him of our meeting. After lunch and with everyone somewhat rested, we headed up to the ‘Touchball’ area. This was described as like paintball but without the paint. As if the heat of the day sun was not enough we were given heavy army fatigue coloured overalls to wear, we were sweating just putting them on. Again a safety talk was given. We would be playing three games. The first was save the flag, where each team had a flag and had to protect it. Once issued with our guns and bullets for the game. The teams were fairly even with one Patrol some ventures and some leaders on each. The second game was where one team had to hide a box and the other team had to find it all the time under fire from the team who hid it. And the third game was the same as the second just the teams switched roles. Friendly fire was an issue at times. The team of Scout Leader Brendan won all three games over that of Group Leader Brian.
It was soon time to head for home as everyone enjoyed a quick cold drink at the counter where we received our scores. Back on the bus for the journey back to Can Biel and our dinner. That night everyone slept soundly.
Flag up brought another beautiful day and our tour of Barcelona City. We met with our Guide for the day at ‘La Sagrada Familia’, this famous Gaudi work of art with it amazing facades, treated us all to an insight to the mind of a man who’s mind worked in a wondrous way to think of all the details and images displayed in stonework that I have ever seen, a must for anyone visiting the city. This temple was started in 1869 and is still under construction. We viewed three of the facades which are each very different. From here we moved onto the Parc Guell where more of Gaudi’s work can be enjoyed. Here as you journey around the Parc and view the way everything is intertwined, where parts of columns act as water collection points, the salamander, the mosaic animals, the houses that look like they belong in the fair tale of ‘Hansel and Grettle’ the optical illusion of a raising floor, the offset columns. It truly is a marvel to behold.
It was time to head to the world famous Nou Camp home of the famous FC Barcelona, here we visited the away dressing room, the church of the black Madonna, the stands, the press area, the royal box, and the museum, before going into the shop. We enjoyed our lunch at the stadium before going into the city where we would have some time. Our bus stopped just off the Rambla, everyone was told to be back at the bus for quarter to six, this however did not happen as the bus had to wait for 4 people, they shall not be named but everyone was very surprised that they were late. Back at Can Biel and some supper was put together and as always quickly eaten by everyone. Free time was enjoyed before heading into town where there was a local festival on.
Sunday morning and flag up followed by breakfast. Mass was on the agenda for this morning, to get to mass we had to walk about 2 kms to Sant Esteve de Palautordera, here we were welcomed by the local priest. Today was the feast of St Stephen and a relic was presented to everyone following mass. Everyone stopped at the shop for supplies on the way back to the house where after lunch we followed the local and had a little sleep, well that was the plan before heading to the swimming pool. At the local swimming pool the Scouts met up with the English Scouts staying nearby, they were to visit our house later that evening.
Diner was once again quickly devoured and time to once again relax. Flag down was followed by an advanced warning of an early wake up call for Monday morning when we would be heading to Port Adventure Themepark. We were visited by the English Rover Scouts before everyone had to head to bed. Tomorrow would bring another busy day …………..
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.
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 a Spare), Woggle (Plus a Spare), Lanyard (Scouts), Whistle (Scouts), Badges, Group Cap, Uniform Jacket (Scouts). Scouts have been advised if buying hiking boots then they should maybe try and get black ones that way they can be used as part of their uniform and save on getting shoes.
Any Venture, Scout or Cub in the Unit longer than six weeks should have this Uniform. Scouting Ireland is a Uniformed Organisation. The Venture, Scout and Cub Scout Uniforms are all 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, which we are currently updating. 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
Cub Scout Pack - News & Information
The Cub Scout Pack are on a break for the rest of the summer. Hope that everyone has an enjoyable summer and we look forward to seeing you all in September. 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 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. We are now taking names for joining in September. 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
Saturday Night Meeting
We are back in action on Saturday Night 13th September at seven o’clock sharp in Full Uniform. There is a Court Of Honour for Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders next Saturday Night at seven thirty.
We have been asked to help with a Guard Of Honour for the President in Waterford on Friday 5th September at three O’clock in WIT, more details as I get them. To take part you must have a Full Correct Uniform, this is on a limited number basis.
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
You can contact the Abbeyside Venture Scout Group by E-Mail on venturegroup@abbeysidescoutgroup.com and Sandy/Brian will get in contact with you.
Scribe.
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