Douglas & St. FinBarresScout Group – 2nd 6th 47th 93rd Cork

2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone and for Scouting it has been no different.

We hope to return to Scouting of some form shortly and continue on in January for all our sections. This of course can change and will depend on Government, HSE and Scouting Ireland guidelines.

The Group Secretary sent out an email to all our parents on Monday last to ask for confirmation if your child will be returning to Scouting with us so we can plan for the coming months.

We would appreciate it if you could let us know by replying to dsfgroupsecretary@douglasscouts.ie as soon as possible and if you could please mention your childs name and the section they are in when replying we would appreciate it.

If your child does not currently wish to return but changes their mind in the future we will of course welcome them back.

If you have any questions please feel free to email dsfgroupsecretary@douglasscouts.ie or contact the Group Leader, Vickie Swanton at vickieswanton@douglasscouts.ie

Hi Friends,

Unfortunately at this stage, we feel we have no option but to cancel Camp 2020 to Silver Cross in Swansea.

The current situation with Covid-19 makes it seem less and less likely that we would be in a position to run this trip safely – and the safety and welfare of all our members is always our paramount consideration.

Over the weekend, we will be cancelling the ongoing payments made – and refunding all monies paid to date – including the deposit.

We know that this will disappoint & upset many of our members – both young and old – and it’s heart breaking for us to do so.

In the event that we’re all pleasantly surprised & things improve unexpectedly, we will of course look at planning another camp. Unfortunately though, that seems highly unlikely.

To our friends in Silver Cross – so sorry – but we know your understand.

As ever, please contact us at camp20@douglasscouts.ie with any thoughts or queries.

Please Stay Safe – you and all your families,

Camp 2020 team.

Hi All,

As you can all imagine, like everyone else, our thoughts are all centering on Covid-19 at the moment. And how it’s affecting us all in our daily lives & affecting our friends and families.

We also have, as you can imagine, been discussing ongoing Scouting – and in particular our upcoming Summer Camp in Swansea in July / August of this year.

While everyone acknowledges that the Covid-19 situation is constantly evolving, as of now we’re currently still planning Camp 2020 as if it is going ahead as planned. This may change of course, and if it does, we will notify you as soon as possible and will refund all monies paid.

Most importantly – Please keep safe and look out for each other.

As ever – please contact us with any queries to: camp20@douglasscouts.ie

Jan 31st to Feb 2nd

Travel times

Cub (2nd,47th,93rd) & Scouts (2nd,6th,47th) & Venture Scouts

• Depart Frankfield Church car park at 1830hrs on Friday 31st
• All must travel in full uniform.
• Please ensure all have dinner before departure.

Beavers 

• Depart Frankfield at 1000hrs on Sat 1st
• All must travel in full uniform.

Everyone will return to Frankfield Church carpark on Sunday 27th Jan at approx. 1530hrs.

Keep an eye on our social media (Facebook & Twitter) for updates on the return journey

Gear List
Parents and Scouts please take note that there is no need for sweets or snacks as all food and treats will be provided throughout the course of the weekend. There is also no food allowed in the dormitories.

The group takes NO responsibility for any electronic equipment brought on or damaged while on camp

GEAR LIST – Cub Scouts, Scouts & Venture Scouts
(Please have your child pack themselves or assist you with the packing so they’ll know whats in their own bag)

• Tea Towel & a J-Cloth
• Sleeping Bag & small pillow
• Full set of wash-gear i.e. Soap, Facecloth, towel, Toothbrush & Paste, Deodorant
• Good walking & hiking shoes or boots
• Three full complete changes of clothes
• Pyjamas
• Spare underwear and socks
• Rain gear
• Torch plus extra batteries

GEAR LIST – Beaver Scouts
(Please have your Beaver Scout assist you with the packing so they’ll know whats in their own bag)

• Tea Towel & a J-Cloth
• Sleeping Bag & small pillow
• Full set of wash-gear i.e. Soap, Facecloth, towel, Toothbrush & Paste
• Good walking shoes
• Two complete changes of clothes
• Pyjamas
• Spare underwear and socks
• Raingear
• Torch

Tonight (13th November) we announced that Camp 2020 for our Scouts & Venture Scouts will be to Silver Cross Scout Campsite in Swansea.

Camp 2020 will take place from July 18th until August 1st

Camp 2020 will cost €595 per Scout

Easypaymentsplus payment has been activated; we require a deposit of €85 by December 1st and then on the 2nd of each month a further €85 will be paid until 2nd June 2020

If you’ve any questions please email camp2020@douglasscouts.ie or speak with one of the section leaders

An invite to all our Scouts and Venture Scouts and their parents to the big reveal of the Summer Camp 2020 location in the Scout Hall from 19:30 for one hour on Wednesday November 13th

Howdy…

The following was posted to Facebook over the last few days by one of our Scouters – Shane Crotty.

It AMAZINGLY sums up what we’re all feeling after camp – and is well work a read. Kudos Shane

‘Kids are getting worse’

I’ve heard that before, and no… no, I don’t think so. Over the past two weeks I’ve spent with the Douglas & St.Finbarres Scout Group in Adelboden, Switzerland, I’ve witnessed and have come to attest that that idea couldn’t be any less true.

The statement ‘Kids are getting worse’ is a sentiment reserved solely for the cynical and pessimistic amongst us, the ones who look at kids on bikes, kids on trees and kids hanging out and assume the worst in them because they’ve forgetten the best in themselves.

The past two weeks showed me that some kids aren’t merely getting better, they’re leapfrogging even some of the best and brightest in current and older generations. They’re showing us that the virtues that we take for granted, respect, honesty, duty and hard work, courtesy and love of nature are alive and well in young people. I’ve been reminded that the most thoughtful lessons aren’t always passed down through the generations, sometimes they are passed ‘up.’

I’ve been reminded that many of us as we get older often forget the way we were as kids and lose an essential essence of ourselves in order to grow up while forgetting that the most old at heart amongst us are usually the ones that aren’t afraid to be young in spirit.

The Irish seanfhocal ‘níl thagann ciall roimh aois,’ (‘sense doesn’t come before age,’) was the saying that really stood out to me over the past year, as most seanfhocail do, but after two weeks in Adelboden, Switzerland, I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t make any sense at all!

Contact Number while Away

Hi All,

While we’re away, we have an emergency contact number.  This is:

087 0562736

Can we stress that this is an EMERGENCY number?  We’re all going to be busy keeping everything going – so really can’t handle lot’s of “how’s my darling getting on?” calls as well! ????

We’ll try to have this number available at all times, but can’t guarantee constant coverage.  Also, the email address camp19@douglasscouts.ie will be maintained & checked on an ongoing basis.

Keep an eye here on the website too.  We hope to have regular updates on how things are going!

The gear list hasn’t changed in the last while, but is worth checking over to see if you’ve everything you need.

As ever, any queries or thoughts to camp19@douglasscouts.ie

Camp Adelboden Team.

Hi all – one week to go now..

There are still a small few people with stuff to had up.  (Passports, EHIC Cards, Consent forms, Camp Bank).

There will be somebody at the hall next Tuesday night @ 8pm to collect these items.  But not for long – so please aim to be there at 8.

We have been asked if somebody could bring an atm card instead.  We HUGELY say don’t risk it to this!!  There are not a lot of ATM’s in the area, and those that are there sometimes don’t “play nicely” with “foreign” cards.  Make it cash – and hand it up to camp bank for safekeeping.  (Next Tuesday night – 8pm).

Keep an eye here on the website – it’s where any & all updates are going, and there WILL be updates!

As ever, any queries or thoughts to camp19@douglasscouts.ie

Camp Adelboden Team.

Here is VERSION 2 of our proposed Gear List. It may well change so please keep an eye on the website!

It might be a good idea to start getting things together – rather than the usual rush at the last minute!

Things you will need are:

• FULL UNIFORM.  We will depart in full Uniform.  No Exceptions!  Now is a great time to check you have all parts of your uniform.
• Spare neckerchief.  While not essential, would be useful as a spare, or if you wanted to swap yours etc.  (You must always have a Douglas / St. FinBarres neckerchief, so if you’ve only one with you, then you can’t swap it if the opportunity should arise).

• Hiking boots will be necessary.  Remember too that it’s VITAL to “wear in” hiking boots.  If you need to or choose to buy new boots, you MUST have them “worn in” before camp or you’ll be VERY uncomfortable in them!
• Water bottle – At least 1 litre – possible 2 x 500ml’s would be a good idea.
• Sleeping Bag  – THE SLEEPING BAG IS A MUST!  YOU WILL NEED IT!!
• Pillow (if you like.  Inflatable maybe?)
• Pillow Case.  (There should be pillows in the chalet but you will NOT be able to use them without a pillow case that you bring yourself.
• Single Duvet Cover.  (Optional.  There will be duvets in the chalet, but you can’t use them without bringing your own duvet cover.  You could choose to use your sleeping bag instead.
• Track-ends/Leggings
• Warm Sweater
• T-Shirts
• Changes of Underwear
• Plenty of Socks
• Warm Nightwear
• Change of Shoes or Runners
• Shorts & Trousers
• Raingear – Waterproof Jacket & Trousers
• Warm Hat & Gloves
• Wash Gear – Toothbrush & paste, Shower Gel, Shampoo, Comb
• Towel
• Swimming costume & hat
• Tea-Towel & Dish Cloth
• Sun hat
• Sun cream & Lip salve
• Torch & Spare Batteries
• Rucksack or similar type hold all
• Day trip bag
• Sunglasses  (Nothing expensive please!)
• Walking Socks

Just for information, there are NOT clothes washing facilities in the chalet.  As far as we know there are no launderette facilities anywhere in the vicinity – so either have enough of clothes for the duration or be prepared to do a hand wash yourself!

The two types of bag are important and worth considering.  The main rucksacks will be going onto the coach before we leave Cork, and will not be available again until we get to Switzerland.  So everything needed for the journey will have to be packed in the day bag.  We would recommend that this would at least contain:

• Change of clothes
• Washgear & towel
• Water Bottle  SUPER IMPORTANT
• Swimwear

If it’s small enough, it might be nice to have the sleeping bag in the day bag?  While not essential, it would add to the comfort on the journey, both on the coach, and possibly on the ships.

That’s about it for now.

PLEASE keep checking this website.  All new information will go up here.  Travel information will go up here.  Also, we would anticipate that the “gear list” above will be changed / added to.  If that happens, you’ll read about it here!

Contact any of us with any queries – camp19@douglasscouts.ie

Yours in Scouting,

Adelboden 2019 Team!.