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

Since our Return to Scouting was published back in August the situation with Covid19 continues to develop and unfortunately escalate around the world. It is up to each Group to do what they feel is safe and in keeping with the various Government, HSE and Scouting Ireland regulations.

We have taken a decision to suspend all indoor meetings and outdoor activities until further notice. At this time, with the rise in numbers around the world, across the country and here in Cork we feel we should do our part and play it safe for the health of our Youth Members, our Scouters and our Community.

We want to thank you all for what you are doing, especially those of you who were able to take part in an activity or either an indoor or outdoor meeting since we got back to Scouting and we are sorry that we have to pause this journey again.

Our sections will look into the possibility of running some virtual meetings or maybe virtual activities and will let you know in due course. We will look back on this eventually and know we came together by staying apart.

If you have any queries you can contact your section leader or the Group Leader Vickie Swanton by email vickieswanton@douglasscouts.ie

Yours In Scouting,

Douglas & St. FinBarres Scout Group
Group Council

Hello everyone: it’s been a while so here is an update for all our members.

The Group Council prepared our ‘Roadmap to return’ and this was shared with our Scouters at a virtual meeting on July 28th.

Following on from the government’s announcement on Tuesday evening the Group Council must review our plans regarding our return to regular Scouting.

At the moment and in line with our own roadmap we will continue to permit planned outdoor activities but now with the revised numbers of 12 youth members and 3 leaders and only with our Covid19 declaration completed in advance.

Resuming our regular weekly meetings is still under review but in line with government guidelines these will not occur until mid September at the earliest

Changes to the Group Council of Douglas & St. FinBarres Scout Group have been made and we’re thrilled to announce that Vickie Swanton has been appointed as our Group Leader.

Following Eoin Fields decision in January 2020 that he would step down towards the end of this Scouting Year the Group Forum met virtually in May and unanimously agreed that Vickie would be nominated for the position of Group Leader of the Douglas & St. FinBarres Scout Group, this decision was ratified by the Group Council and Eoin officially stood down on June 8th. The County Commissioner has been informed and Vickies details will now be forwarded to Scouting Ireland for approval.

Up to this point Vickie had held the role of Group Secretary and also that of Assistant Cub Scouter.

Vickie has been a member of Douglas Scouts since 2008 and has previously held the roles of Beaver Leader, Assistant Scout Leader and Cub Scouter. Vickie comes from a Scouting family and her fiancee Mark, her mother Wendy, her father Nick and her brother Cian are all current members of our Group.

The Group Council, the Group Forum and the leadership team of all our sections wish her well in her new role and look forward to supporting her and helping her to lead Douglas & St. FinBarres into the future.

Sean Taffee was duly nominated and elected to the role of Group Secretary and we extend our congratulations to him also

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.

Hello fellow Scouts and Parents,

Given the updated announcement from the Government today we will continue with our decision to stop ALL Scouting activities, including but not limited to, weekly meetings, weekend activities, Group Councils, Group Forums, scouters forums, section councils, quarter master work, for our members, both adult and youth.

We are doing all this in the best interest of our Scouters and our youth members.

Section leaders have already canceled any activity they had planned until further notice.

The Governments update restrictions runs until April 19th, we will be working along the same timelines and we will keep you updated as the information comes to us.

As always, remain calm and focused, and thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.

With regards Camp 2020; that is now under review and we will provide those going with an update at the weekend.

If you have follow up questions please email me eoinfield@douglasscouts.ie.ie or the Deputy Group Leader conorcrowley@douglasscouts.ie

Yours in Scouting,
Eoin Field – Group Leader

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

Hello fellow Scouts and Parents,

Given the announcement from the Government this morning we have taken the decision to stop ALL Scouting activities, including, but not limited to, weekly meetings, weekend activities, Group Councils, Group Forums, scouters forums, section councils, quarter master work, for our members.

We are doing all this in the best interest of our Scouters, and our youth members as of 6pm this evening. This means the meetings in the hall tonight, will NOT be going ahead.

Section leaders will now cancel any activity planned until further notice.

The Government advice runs from 6pm this evening until March 29th, we will be working along the same timelines and we will keep you updated as the information comes to us.

As always, remain calm and focused, and thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.

With regards Camp 2020 we will make a decision on that in due course.

If you have follow up questions please email me eoinfield@douglasscouts.ie.ie or the Deputy Group Leader conorcrowley@douglasscouts.ie

Yours in Scouting

Eoin Field, Group Leader

Hello to all our Scouts and Venture Scouts…

To those going on Camp 2020 and to those still thinking about going (yes we have a few spaces left and can accomodate people who sign up late) here is a quick update:

Dates are confirmed and Camp 2020 will take place from July 18th until August 1st and we have finalised the cost of €595 per Scout. This is being paid in installments via the Easypaymentsplus system.

What do I bring: A full gear list will be issued in a few months time but remember this will be a two week camping experience so think about what you bring on a camping weekend and we’ll be expanding on that list

What activities will we be doing: We have signed up to a number of onsite and offsite activities but as plans can change we keep that information under wraps usually until the night before or the morning of an activity. Trust us though – it’s going to be great!

I haven’t signed up but I’m still interested in going: Drop us an email camp2020@douglasscouts.ie and we can answer any questions you may have before you decide to sign up. Summer Camp is a fantastic experience for every Scout and every Scout should get to experience it at least once along their Scouting trail.

We still can accomodate Scouts or Ventures who want to sign up at this stage, we will be making ferry ticket purchases soon so don’t delay and jump on the Camp 2020 bandwagon, you won’t regret it!

I am going but I have a question: Drop us an email at camp2020@douglasscouts.ie and we’ll get back to you with an answer!

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