4th Waterford Unit, St Joseph's, Abbeyside Scout Group Notes 8th September, 2008

4^th Waterford

St Joseph’s

Abbeyside

Scouting Ireland

Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop & Venture Scout Group Notes

08/09/2008

Presidential Guard Of Honour

On Friday 5^th September, 2008 eight scout and two leaders join by some parents gathered at the Scout Den Abbeyside. The reason for this unusual time of two o’clock of meeting was to join other Scouts, Ventures and Leaders from around Waterford Scout County for a Guard Of Honour for our President Mary Mc Aleese at Waterford Institute Of Technology. The President was there to address the Terra Madre Ireland International Food Conference. With 100 Scouts, Ventures and Leaders, forming the Guard Of Honour, and 25 members of the De La Salle Scout Pipe Band playing the Presidential salute. At approximately four forty five an Air Corps Helicopter could be heard coming, and soon was overhead and landed nearby, a black Mercedes State car with flags of office on the bonnet collected the President and brought Her to the area in front of the Guard Of Honour where Mrs. Mc Aleese was greeted by dignitaries and two Scouts carrying the National Scout Flag and the International Scout Flag. The President then walked the length of the Guard Of Honour into the Building. Where she returned from a short while later. Our duties complete a chance of a group photo would be available when the President completed Her address to the Terra Madre Ireland International Food Conference. Once this was cleared with security we waited for about half an hour for the President to leave the hall and make Her way to the State Car where two Garda Motorbike Outriders along with other Plain Clothes Garda were waiting. Here Senior Patrol Leader Joe Conway presented the President with an Abbeyside Scout Group Badge which she posed for photos with. Scouts present were Aaron Fraher, Joe Conway, Owen Kirkham, Chris Janes, Declan Leonard, Conor Harty, James Harty and Ben Ryan. Well done and thanks to the Scouts for turning up also thanks to their parents who helped out with Transport, Geraldine, Patricia, David and Sheri. Thanks also to Leaders Ciaran and Brendan.

Group Council Meeting

We have our next Group Council Meeting on Tuesday night 16^th September at eight o’clock in the Scout Den.

Annual Camp 2008

Part Three

An early start on Monday with flag up at half six, yes that was right half past six in the morning as today was to be one of the highlights of Annual Camp 2008, we were heading to Port Aventura Theme Park. This huge theme park is situated near Salou, A two hour drive, from our base in Santa Margarida.

On arrival in Port Aventura tickets for entry were quickly given out and a time for leaving arranged. The Patrols, Ventures and Leaders then headed into the Theme Park and straight for the attractions in the different areas, like ‘Far West’, ‘Mexico’, ‘China’, ‘Polynesia’, and ‘Mediterrania’. There were attractions to suit everyone from the high speed ‘Furious Baco’, which had queues of up to two hours and lasted a few minutes, here you were thrown this way and that passing over the crowds below, or ‘Hurakan Condor’ where you are slowly raised up into the air before dropping quickly to the ground, the ‘Dragon Khan’ rollercoaster, here you get a very quick spin around the tracks going up, and down even faster, or you could take it easy on the ‘Choo Chooo’ Steam Train and see the park at leisure in the comfort of a carriage. There was also the wilds of the ‘Tea Cups’ where only the bravest would venture, well done the Leaders for going on this very challenging attraction we hear no scout was as brave!! All too soon the day was coming to an end there was just time to get some souvenirs to bring home, and for Tony to give Elmo a quick hug?? Not! Stories of the day’s activities were being retold on the way back to the bus and as we travelled to our base of Can Biel.

Tuesday morning and another fabulous day, we were heading to the beach at Calella. Our morning routine of Flag up, then breakfast, followed by getting packed lunches ready only varied daily by the time we were out of bed or by giving one of our fellow campers a helping alarm call!!?

Again we got our bus outside the Café and started on our way to Calella. Once in Calella there was some free time before our activities started at twelve. The Leaders took advantage of the warm early morning sun while the Patrols explored the town. Before twelve everyone gathered at the Club Nautic where Jordi Liobet welcomed us all. The beach was divided up into different areas, these being marked by coloured buoys. In some of these areas you could swim and in others power boats were allowed come to shore. The power boats were lined up on the sand and were moved to the water using a small track machine and large inflatable rollers. The track machine would pull the boats towards the water’s edge where the boat would be manouvered onto the rollers and then from the rollers into the sea. The beach itself was made up of coarse grade sand and then for the last two or three feet it was gravel that dropped away to the sea. Once in the water the depth changed very quickly, within a step or two in fact. Jordi issued everyone with a buoyancy aid for the first activity of the day the ‘Banana Bus’, a long tube being pulled behind a Ribbed Power Boat which sat eight people. We broke into three groups for this and everyone was soon being dragged about the harbour behind the boat, and when the driver decided it was time he would dump everyone into the water. Where you then had to get yourself back up onto the Banana Bus again, not as easy as it sounds, ask some of the Scouts. While each group was enjoying their turn on the Banana Bus the rest of the Scouts, Ventures, and Leaders lounged around at the water’s edge, or splashing around in the water. For the next two activities we broke into two groups, the first group did Kayaking and the second group went sailing, each of these sessions lasted an hour after which the groups swapped activities. The sun at this stage had made the sand very hot under foot. Great fun was had during each session with unexplained falling outs during the kayaking session, some people even managed to lose their kayak, pirates on the Mediterranean??? Even the instructor fell foul to this accident. At around three we finished up the last of the activities and tucked into our lunches under a cover offering some protection from the hot sun. There was still some free time before the bus arrived and a visit to the shops of Calella was availed of, some purchases were later to delay our flight home. Flags, Jersey’s and sweets were included in the goodies bought all at reasonable prices. The bus journey home was uneventful and back on site dinner of potatoes, turkey, and peas, was quickly put together and even quicker to be devoured. Flag Down tonight was at nine fifteen. With free time for everyone after a busy action packed day.

Today, Wednesday was a more relaxed day, we were catching a public bus again outside of the café to Sant Celoni and a Spanish Market. We got up at 7.45 am, and had flag up at eight. The bus was busy and many of the Leaders and Scouts gave up their seats to the more senior people travelling. Once in Sant Celoni the bus stopped at the top of the Market which ran through the streets of Sant Celoni. The Patrols and Ventures were set free to explore what was available in the market and the shops in the area. There were lots of stalls with clothes, bags, fruit, veg, hats, and electrical gear. This market was only held on a Wednesday morning. With several laps of the market covered to get a few bargains, buy of the day was Joe’s Rubex Cube which gave everyone hours of frustration. Food was eaten as we waited for the bus back to Santa Margarida, fortunately there was an extra bus added to take us back. We followed the Spanish tradition of a siesta for an hour or so. The afternoon was to bring a dip in the local pool. Back on site dinner of Cordon Blue, Fish, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans was once again eaten in record time. Flag down brought another day’s end and adventures recalled in the Patrol Log Books. With only two days left our time was getting very short.

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 4^th 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 13^th 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 5^th September at three O’clock in WIT. To take part you must have a Full Correct Uniform, this is on a limited number basis. Meeting in the Scout Den Abbeyside at two on Friday.

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.