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Roscrea Scouts Annual Camp 2011
In excess of 40 members of the Scout Group took part in the 40th Annual Camp of the Scout Group which was held in Castlegregory in County Kerry from July 2nd to July 10th. The Group would like to thank the community in Castlegregory for their welcome and support and also all their supporters in Roscrea.
 On Saturday July 2nd after the traditional Group Photo; it was off in bright sunshine to Kerry. After a quick pit stop in McDonalds in Tralee en route we arrived at the Campsite shortly after 1pm. After a short wait the gear arrived (thanks to Coughlan’s Haulage) and it was down to work; putting up tents, building the campsite and settling in for the week. The weather for the first three days was excellent and the Scouts enjoyed a swimming trip to Stradbally and a bus trip back to Tralee to the Aquadome and for a spot of shopping. Whilst in Tralee the Scouts met some 50 Swedish Scouts relaxing after completing their challenging Explorer Belt around Ireland.
 Unfortunately the weather broke on Monday evening; which meant a reshuffle of the programme for the week. Many would of given up when faced with 5 days of rain and wind; but not the Scouts from Roscrea, after getting over the initial disappointment of the weather spirits rose and the Scouts enjoyed a packed programme including a Gate Building competition; a Test Meal competition; an evening at the Greyhounds in Tralee; a bus trip around Slea Head and a visit to the Climbing Wall / High Ropes centre in Dingle, surfing with Jamie Knox, a soccer match against the leaders (which the leaders won!!), a Patrol Treasure Hunt Day and a trip to the local carnival.
Thankfully the weather improved on Saturday allowing the Group to take down all the tents dry. On Saturday Night the Group enjoyed an excellent campfire and the results of the competitions on Annual Camp were announced.
Best Uniforms – Beaver Patrol
Best Test Meal – Swift Patrol
Best Gate – Eagle Patrol
Best Log Book – Beaver Patrol
Patrol Treasure Hunt – Eagles & Swifts (Joint Winners)
Finally Francis Minogue (Group Leader) announced the winners of the Best Patrol on Camp and the Scout Leader Team presented them with their trophies. The Best Patrol on Annual Camp were the Eagles (Patrol Leader Jack Delaney).
The Group arrived home to Roscrea at 3pm on Sunday the 10th to the same sunshine they left 8 days earlier. Well done to all the Youth Members on surviving the worst of Irish weather and to the leaders for making Camp 2011 a huge success; roll-on 2012 when the Group will be travelling to London to experience the Olympics.
Roscrea Scout Camps Continue
The Thursday Beaver Group recently had their annual camp in the Scout Centre in Srahan in the Slieve Blooms. Travelling from Roscrea by bus the group arrived at about 11.00am and quickly got sorted and settled in. The weather was a little unseasonable with a cool dampness uncharacteristic of June but no one was willing to let this get the spirits down and everyone got behind the team effort.
Some of the activities on the first day included a hike through Glenkitt where the beavers got to explore some of the natural fauna of the area. Some fabulous foxgloves in full flower were of great interest.
After lunch the Beavers were shown how a flint and steel could safely start a fire that was then used to cook some sausages and rashers! It’s true; food really does taste better in the open air. When everything was eaten, the Beavers were shown how to put the fire out, and bury the quenched embers so as to leave no trace or hazard behind.
On returning to the site, some tents were pitched for the older Beavers to sleep in, with the younger, less experienced Beavers spending the night in bunks in the dormitories. The Beavers sleeping outside were split, boys and girls, between two tents with a Leader sleeping in a third tent.
After supper there was a night hike with torches. Spooky! The following morning after breakfast, there were more activities. First, three Beavers who had missed the Investiture Ceremony earlier in the year were invested to become full Beaver members and there was a Ceremony to hand out badges to cover all the various achievements of the colony members during the year. Beavers Got Talent! followed this where the children showed off their singing and dancing talents and their skill at telling jokes.
It was time then to break camp, drop and pack the tents and load up all the bags and sleeping gear in anticipation of parents arriving to bring them home. A great camp, enjoyed by all and a fitting end to a great year in 2010/2011. Let’s look forward to September and 2011/2012!
 Preparations continue apace for the 22nd World Jamboree, which will take place in Sweden at the end of July. In addition to Conor Abbott who is going out to help with the pre-build – 5 members (Francis Minogue, Brian Shaw, Tommy Ryan, Kalen McNamara and Billy Breen) of the Group are attending the event. This is the first time members from the 6th Tipp will participate in a World Jamboree. All five attended the final Irish Contingent Camp in Clane on Friday June 24th to Sunday June 26th. Over 700 members of Scouting Ireland were in attendance at this build-up event. A mighty weekend was had with friendships further developed; the apparel for the Jamboree received; the new tents inspected and pitched and an excellent 30-minute music and dance show put on by the Feoras Troop.
The Tuesday Cubs had their annual camp on the weekend of 24th to 26th of June in Portlick just outside Athlone. Amongst the many activities the Cubs got to try out were canoeing, archery, crate tower stacking and much more. Thursday Cubs also visited Portlick on Saturday 25th June for a day trip.
Four of the Tuesday Beavers have successfully completed the Beaver Chief Scout Award and will be presented with their badges & certificates in the near future, the Chief Scout Award is the highest award a Beaver Scout can earn. Clodine Treacy, Kelly O’Meara, Niamh Geraghty and Aimee Monahan become the first Beavers from the group, indeed the first in the Slieve Bloom Scout County to attain this award and the Group would like to congratulate the girls on this very special achievement.
All our Beaver and Cub sections have now started to wind down for the summer, it has been a very successful year for all the sections, with many highlights to note. We wish all our Beavers and Cubs a great summer and look forward to welcoming them all back in September, together with all the new members who will be joining then.
Beaver Chief Scout Awards
Four members of the Tuesday Beaver Colony have successfully completed the Beaver Chief Scout Award, and will shortly be presented with their badges. The four Clodine Treacy, Kelly O'Meara, Niamh Geraghty and Aimee Monahan become the first members of the group to achieve this award, indeed they are the first Beavers from Slieve Bloom Scout County to do so. Congratulations to the girls from everyone in the group on gaining this very special award.
Roscrea Beavers attend National Beaver Camp in Dublin
On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June four members of the Tuesday Beaver section of Roscrea Scouts attended the National Beaver Camp held at the National Scout Centre in Larch Hill, Dublin. The four who are attempting the Beavers Chief Scout Award left Roscrea from the Scout Hall in Abbey Street, together with three leaders from the section, at 8.30 on Saturday morning. They arrived at their campsite in Larch Hill at 10.30.
This year’s camp was themed ‘ The Stone Age ‘ and catered for over 200 Beavers from around the country. On this theme the camp was sub-divided into four sub-camps, Dinosaur, Sabre Tooth, Dodo and Mammoth. The Beavers from Roscrea were part of the Sabre Tooth sub-camp. Beavers, and their leaders, were expected to wear costumes based on the Stone Age theme and also had to make a flag to represent their group to bring to the camp. Each Beaver received a special neckerchief to mark the camp on arrival.
 After setting up their campsite an opening ceremony was held at 1.30 after which the camp activities began. Some of the different activities included kite making and a mystery trail, where following a map the Beavers had to find buckets and guess what was inside each by touch. They also played football in an inflatable football pitch, played on bouncing castles, made ‘grass heads’, learnt to light fires using flints and cooked bread on sticks over hot stones. There was also a talk on bird’s nests and eggs, which the Beavers found very interesting especially to see the nests of different types of birds. After all these activities it was time for a break and dinner. They also took time to play in the Beaver playground at the campsite.
At 7pm they took part in a treasure hunt. They were given a map with six different locations; they had to find a member of the camp staff at each location to get a piece of a code that they then had to break. When they got the answer to the code they had to go to another location to get a key, one of which would open a treasure chest, unfortunately our Beavers didn’t manage to get the right key.
At 8pm there was a reptile show that the Beavers loved and was the highlight of the weekend for many of them. Amongst the animals that they had the chance to see were snakes, a tarantula spider, snapping turtles, a giant millipede, a chameleon, a baby crocodile and a monitor lizard. After the show they all got a chance to touch a snake. At 10.30 they went to the camp campfire before going to bed at 11.30.
On Sunday morning they took down their tents and packed for the journey home, before that they spent sometime in the Beaver playground again ahead of a closing ceremony that was held at Midday. They arrived home in Roscrea at 2pm Sunday, tired but after having enjoyed a fun, exciting and action packed weekend.
 With members of the Tuesday Beavers off tackling the National Beaver Camp and their Chief Scout Award the activities also kept coming thick and fast for the other Sections. On Sunday June 12th the Tuesday Cubs took on the challenging hike on the Devils Bit. Friday June 17th saw the Scouts, Ventures and Rovers head to Portumna. The Patrols built rafts and competed in a Raft Race which was won by the Eagle Patrol. The Scouts then enjoyed a brief swim in the lake. After the Scouts were changed the end of year ceremony took place with the New Scouts presented with their Scout Section badges and all the Scouts presented with their badges including their Adventure Skills awards. The main awards went to the Badger Patrol PL Niamh Marks and APL Kyle Cahir & Allana Rigney who won the Best Patrol of the Year; Niamh Marks who won the Scout of the Year Award and Kalen McNamara who won the Venture of the Year Award.
 On the 19th June, the Thursday Beaver Group went on a day trip to Dublin Zoo. The weather stayed fine all day after an early start and the Beavers had a great time exploring the grounds of the Zoo and seeing the animals. Favourites were the Orangutan who put on a great show on a rope strung between two trees high above our heads, the male Silverback Gorilla who didn’t do anything at all except sit there and stare at us, his size alone was enough to stun anyone to silence sitting as he was ten feet away and the baby rhino out and about with his parents and family. Other highlights included gibbons howling, tigers pacing, lions sleeping and Beavers eating (namely us - having our lunches with the Wolves beside us. We didn‘t share as we thought Wolves mightn’t like Beaver food!). The bus got everyone safely home for 6.30pm and though everyone was very tired we all declared it a great day out!
Despite a showery evening the Thursday Beaver Group also recently went on a Nature Hike to Orange Hill in Golden Grove. With all the troop well kitted out in hats and jackets the evenings activities consisted of a Nature Hunt where the Beavers were given a list and shown some photo’s of plants and flowers which then had to be found and identified. The Beavers were then given a small talk about the various types of plants they had discovered, as well as the trees growing in the wood. The second part of the evening was a basic demonstration of the compass and how it worked. The Beavers were separated into about 10 pairs and each group was given a compass and shown how to find North and where the other points (West/East/South) were in relation to it. The Beavers were shown how to get a direction from the compass also. After an enjoyable hour or so the children returned to the entrance for collection by their parents.
Luke McAndrews adventures continue on staff at the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg where so far Luke has undergone his training induction and taken part in a hike to over 2,500m and white water rafting. Three more of the Rover Scouts have been selected to take part in Scouting Ireland’s tent pitching service at Oxegen which raises money for charities supported by Scouting Ireland. We wish Joe Kelly; Gillian Lupton and Eoghan Talbot all the best for that challenge.
Roscrea Scouts June Weekend Camps
The June Bank Holiday Weekend was an action packed weekend; with Youth Members from 6 of the Groups 8 Sections involved in Camping Trips. In total over 100 people were involved in the various activities.
Some 30 Scouts & Ventures took part in an action packed 3 night camp in Srahan. The camp focused on developing camping skills in advance of the Annual Camp in July to Castlegregory in County Kerry. The programme ranged across a number of the Scouting Adventure Skills with Scouts taking part in Pioneering Projects at Castletown where they got the chance to build a bridge and zip line across the river; followed by a welcome swim. Saturday afternoon the Scouts worked on their Backwoods skills and enjoyed an early evening Barbeque. That night the Scouts took part in a Campfire with the young Beaver Scouts whom were in Srahan for their first overnight. On Sunday after saying goodbye to the Beaver Scouts the Scouts took on the challenge of climbing to the plateau at the top of ArdErin (the highest peak in the Slieve Blooms). To cap off a great weekend dinner that evening was from Fozzas.
On Saturday Morning at 9am, the 4th June, the Thursday night Cub pack went to Portlick Scout Camp site in Athlone for two nights. The week-end was attended by 31 Cubs, 7 leaders and 2 Rovers. The camp site is situated outside Glason and is overlooked by a wood on one side and a lake on the other side. There were also groups from Ratoath in Co. Meath, Howth in Co. Dublin and Banagher, Co. Offaly. The campsite provided a hugh range of activities including Archery, Volleyball, Soccer, Kayaking, Zip line, Climbing wall and much more. The Roscrea cubs took part in all activities and as usual they were up to the challenge. The Cub team prepared all their own meals on site and transported all their own sleeping & dining tents and cooking equipment with them from the Scout hall in Roscrea. The weather was fantastic on Saturday, but unfortunately changed to rain on Sunday but that didn't dampen the spirts for what was an enjoyable week-end for all involved.
The Tuesday and Wednesday Beaver sections also took part in their first overnight camp on the 4th of June in Srahan. In a day jam packed with activities they arrived in Srahan at 11am where a Bouncing Castle was in place for them. In the afternoon the beavers went on a treasure hunt and had a water fight in the nearby woods. Later the Beavers enjoyed a Barbeque prepared by some of the scouts. That night they got to take part in their first ever campfire. Some of the young Beavers decided to sleep outdoors many of them were spending their first night in a tent. The weekend turned out to be a great introduction to camping for many of the Beavers and a great time was had by all.
Roscrea Scouts win Slieve Bloom County Shield
12 Teams from Scout Groups from Laois, Offaly and North Tipperary took part in the Slieve Bloom County Shield in Portlaoise on the weekend of April 15th to 17th. The County Shield consisted of Patrols of 8 Scouts working together without leader assistance to build a patrol campsite, take part in first aid, pioneering and team building challenges and complete a cooking challenge. After a great weekend in excellent weather two teams from the Roscrea Troop emerged in first and second place with Camross coming third. Congratulations to all the Scouts, Ventures and Leaders who put in huge effort to prepare for and take part in the weekend. Well done to Niamh Marks (Patrol Leader) and Jack Delaney (Assistant Patrol Leader) of the winning Badger Patrol and to Shane Culleton (Patrol Leader) and Billy Breen (Assistant Patrol Leader) of the Eagle Patrol who came a close second. Best wishes to all the Scouts as they now go forward to represent their County at the National Finals (the Phoenix Competition) to be held in August.
40th Anniversary a hugh sucess ( Posted 14th April 2011 )
On the weekend of April 8th and 9th Roscrea Scouts celebrated it’s 40th anniversary. The weekend was marked by a number of interesting and fun events. On Friday the 8th of April there was a race night held in Damer Court Hotel. Whether people won or lost it certainly turned out to be a great nights entertainment for everyone who attended. The Scout Group would like to thank all the Sponsors and Patrons for their support of the event.
Roscrea Scouts October News (posted Oct 25)
October was a very busy month for the Scout Group. Training continuing apace for the adults joining the Group to open the new Beaver Colonies and Cub Packs. 12 adults underwent their National Youth Council of Ireland Child Protection Course on October 18th. The two new Beaver Colonies Tuesday Night Beavers and Wednesday Night Beavers will open at 7pm on Tuesday November 2nd and Wednesday November 3rd. The new Cub Pack will open on Tuesday November 9th again at 7pm.
If anyone is interesting in getting their child involved in Scouting in Roscrea – membership application forms are available from any of the Section Leaders or you can apply on line @ www.roscreascouts.com
The highlights of the month for the Beavers was the visit by Roscrea Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Halloween Party. The Cub Pack came an excellent second place at the County Mini Olympics held in Clara on October 23rd. The Cubs picked up some 59 medals on the day.
The Scouts, Ventures and Rovers had a three night camp over the Bank Holiday weekend; the highlight of which was a challenging hike from JJ Fanning Pass to the Delour River near Glenmonicknew. Well done to all the Scouts carrying full pack for the first time; particularly the younger scouts. Waking up on Sunday morning to frozen tents was a new experience for many of the Group but one they all survived.
Congratulations to Kalen McNamara who was elected as one of the Slieve Bloom Scout County Venture Reps at the recent County Venture Weekend.
Roscrea Scouts back in action (posted Sept 14)
All the 5 existing sections are back up and running for the new Scout Year. The Group Council AGM was held on September 13th. The officerships for the coming year are:
Francis Minogue (Group & Scout Leader); Tony Foyle (Deputy Group Leader); Michael Parlon (Group Chairperson); Seamus Browne (Treasurer & Cub Leader); Louise Hennessy (Secretary); Diarmuid Fitzgerald (Group Spiritual Advisor); Mark Lown & Alywn Stapleton (Quartemasters); Caroline Marks (Venture Leader); Paul Spencer (Beaver Leader) and James Marks (Rover Leader).
In his address to the AGM the Group Leader thanked all the leaders in the Group for their hard work in the past year and noted the support of the community of Roscrea and all the sponsors of the Group.
Work on the Plans for the opening of new Beaver and Cub Sections to meet demand continue; with the new leaders currently in training.
The Scouts/Ventures/Rovers have already had their first weekend away with a Canoeing and Kayaking weekend on the Barrow around Borris in County Carlow. Well done to all who took part and congratulations to Luke McAndrew, Brian McNamara, Kalen McNamara, Darragh Ugarte; Luke Spencer; Kyle Cahir and Shane Culleton on achieving their Level 2 Certification in Kayaking from the Irish Canoe Union.
The Enrolment Night / Parents AGM will take place on Thursday September 30th from 7pm. Visit www.roscreascouts.com for more Group News and details on upcoming events.
Roscrea Home/ School Camp August 2010
Last weekend Roscrea Scout Group ran a weekend camp in conjunction with Martin Meade and Adrianne Cunningham Home/ School Liaison Co-ordinators.
The Camp was held in Roscrea Scouts Hostel, which the provided free of charge, just outside Camross in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Some 38 National School kids from The Convent School, Scoil Eoin and Corville assembled at Roscrea Scout Hall on Friday evening and headed to the hostel on the bus kindly sponsored by Andrew Walsh Coaches. They were broken into their groups with the older youth sleeping in the tents put up by the Scout Leaders earlier that day with the others sleeping inside in the hostel. That night there was a disco provided by DJ Conor Abbott.
All were up early the following and just after breakfast the kids received a great surprise when the Coast Guard Helicopter arrived, it did some manoeuvres in the sky and showed how they would save someone in distress using their stretcher and the winch. It landed and all were taken on a full tour of the Helicopter, which is some 71feet long. The pilot, Sid and his crew were excellent with all.
When they left lunch was had by all, One of Gerry Wallace’s busses arrived to bring half the group fishing in the nearby angling centre while the other half went to the pet farm at Kilvahan Horse Drawn Carriages. The groups then swapped over with all getting a trip on the 24-seater Horse drawn carriage.
All arrived back to dinner and a great sing song at the campfire followed again by a disco.
On Sunday there was two bouncing castles sponsored by Eugene King and Ivan Keegan.
Finally all went arrived exhausted to the Scout Hall at 4.00 pm on Sunday.
The weekend was a fabulous success.
Thanks to our sponsors Stapleton’s bakery, Andrew Walsh, Eugene King, Ivan Keegan, Gerry Wallace, Roscrea Scout Group , DJ Conorand in particular Roscrea St Vincent de Paul who made a very large donation towards the costs.
Thanks to all worked so hard on the weekend,Project leader Caroline Marks Scout Group Tony Foyle, James Marks, Conor Abbott,Niamh Abbott, Ollie Stapleton, Louise Hennessy, Sean Delaney, Ronan Foyle, Luke McAndrew, Niamh Marks (All Roscrea Scout Group) Brendan Martin (Tullamore Scout Group& County Development Officer), Adrienne Cunningham & Martin Meade (home school liaison Co-ordinators), & Marie Warren Roscrea St Vincent De Paul.And all who helped in different ways over the weekend.
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