Abbeyside Scout Troop Annual Camp - Dundrum 2004

4th Waterford Unit

St Joseph's

Abbeyside Scout Troop

Annual Camp Report - Dundrum 2004

Annual Camp which was the seventy fourth consecutive camp for the troop began on Sunday the 23 of July and finished on Sunday the 1st of August, the cost of camp this year was €190. In between loads of fun was had by the twenty scouts, senior patrol leader, junior leader and scout leader.
On the weather front things were not as good as they may have been in somewhere like Spain, with some dull overcast days, some sunny days and surprisingly no rainy days. Any rain that did fall came as all were asleep in their tents at night.
On camp there were four patrols under the leadership of the following patrol leaders, Tiger patrol- Jason Kirkham, Wolf patrol-Jack Morrissey, Eagle patrol-James Wilkinson and Panther patrol- Cearbhail Turraoin. Of these Jack and James were patrol leaders for the duration of camp as two of our regular leaders were not in a position to attend camp this year due to family holidays. All P/Ls worked well and with the help of their assistants got the best from the scouts in their patrols. Activities on camp included a visit to the rock of Cashel which was just a little over twenty minutes drive from the site. On Tuesday the troop went to Tipperary town to the sport centre there for a swim and all passed their swimmer merit badge under the trained eyes of lifeguard Kieran. Following this it was off to Mitchelstown cave for a trip underground. Friday on camp was also another day off site when the troop went bowling in the morning then went to Kilcornan outside Limerick city for some highly skilful and enjoyable go-carting. In the afternoon the Limerick shopping complex was next on the itinerary as everybody went first of all to the cinema, then for something to eat followed by the biggest shopping spree to hit Limerick in a long time. On site activities over the week included scout Olympics, fun on the zip wire, campfires, soccer matches, orienteering and shelter building. Indeed the quality of the shelters which were built meant that on one night two patrols made up of older more experienced scouts actually slept out in the shelters they had built and had a great night out under the stars.
No toilet tents were required this year as there was a good quality toilet block on site. Likewise the marquee was not required as we had use of the house with its kitchen, two bedrooms and toilet facilities. The house was used to cook and prepare meals in apart from two days when the weather was so good cooking was done in the outdoors. The only extra cost the house brought with it was the cost of electricity which was paid for using the meter which accepted two euro coins. On the last day of camp as the weather was so good it was decided that the tents should be taken down and packed. On this last night everybody slept indoors.
This year after an absence of some years the parent’s day was re-instated and proved a great hit, as it gave the parents a chance to meet their sons and see how they were getting on. It was decided to have this day as it was felt that if camp 2005 is to go ahead abroad at least the parents of new scouts would have some idea of what happens on a scout campsite and the available facilities.
Mobile phones were in abundance on camp this led on some occasions to tears as scouts tended to mislay them only to find them later.
On the medical front no injuries needed any stronger treatment than a spray of ralgex, it was a good accident free camp in this respect.
At the end of camp the annual cooking competition was held and again the standard of food presented and cooked was very high as the scouts know the marks awarded here go towards the annual Nugent-Lanigan-Burke (NLB) trophy competition, awarded annually in October along with scout and patrol leader of the year.
The young leaders on camp Kieran Harty and David Hickey did a good job and took their responsibilities seriously throughout. Unit council member Geoff Shepherd visited us on camp and stayed over for three nights. He attended the day outing to Limerick and helped with general duties on camp itself and was welcome and made to feel at home by all.
Thanks to Charlie O’Sullivan the site warden no problems arose which couldn’t be overcome and indeed though this was our first ever visit to Dundrum International Campsite it certainly will not be the last. Thanks also to unit council member Vinny O’Mahony who transported the camp gear for us once again this year.
To you the members of unit council thanks for your help and co-operation in the lead up to camp but also during the year as for any troop to operate properly and efficiently it needs a good team effort.
All in all camp was great fun, a lot was learned and put into practise, friendships were formed and all came home to their families tired but having thoroughly enjoyed themselves at Dundrum annual camp 2004.