Its the weekend before we leave for Silvercross Scout Campsite, Swansea
Please bring your rucksack, packed with the sleeping bag securely attached down to the scout hall to be loaded into the van at 6pm on Wednesday 28th
Please assemble in uniform with your day bag in the car park of Frankfield Church on Thursday 29th where the bus will be departing at 03:00 (3am)
Your day bag should include a decent packed breakfast plus your water. Please be mindful of the houses in the area at that time and try to keep the noise to a minimum.
If you have any final questions, please email camp23@douglasscouts.ie or come and speak with us in the hall on Wednesday evening.
Now is the time to start getting things together – rather than the usual rush at the last minute!
You will need the following:
Addition to the list 24th June
Survival/Bivvy Bag [Buy online from the Scout Shop] Click here for details [Buy instore in The Outdoor Adventure Store, 23-24 Paul St. Cork]
Spare/Old clothes for ‘Spiderland’ Adventure Course. The adventure course is known as possibly the muddiest adventure course in Britain… Bring old/spare clothes that may not be coming home!
UNIFORM. We will travel in Uniform! As announced at the parents information evening you must, at a minimum, wear your Scout shirt and neckerchief with a black or dark navy pants.
Spare neckerchief. While not essential, would be useful as a spare in the event you mislay it or if you wanted to swap it with another Scout Group on-site (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. 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.
Sun cream & Lip salve (for sun cream we’d recommend factor 50 & 5 star UVA rating)
Insect repellent
Torch & Spare Batteries
Sunglasses (Nothing expensive please!)
All the above need to be packed in a single rucksack. If necessary, sleeping bag can be attached TIGHTLY to it.
The main rucksacks will be going onto the van before we leave Cork, and will not be available again until we get to the site in Swansea. So everything needed for the journey will have to be packed in the day bag. We would recommend that this would at least contain:
Water Bottle
Rain Jacket
Packed lunch (more info later)
Small amount of wash gear
Small towel
We will update this list again over the next few weeks so please keep an eye on it :) It will change!!
Posted by Peter Hertting | Posted in News | Posted on 06-04-2023 12:31
This year’s cub county hike will take place in the Glen of Aherlow. Starting and finishing in Lisvarrinane we will do the Dolmen loop, approx. 10km long with Slievenamuck (approx. 400m) at it’s highest point. No navigational difficulties, no steep inclines – doable by all cubs. See also here: https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/walking/trails/lisvarrinane-dolmen-loop
Date: May 14
Time: Meet at 8.40 am, buses leave at 9am (expected back by 3.30 pm, updates via WhatsApp)
Cost: €15
Location: Buses leave from Frankfield RC Church
Destination: Glen of Aherlow, Lisvarrinane
Note:
Ensure your cub had a good breakfast
We will do a quick gear check before leaving
We expect to be back in Frankfield at around 3.30 pm, updates via WhatsApp
Hike Gear List
Neckerchief
Hiking boots
Rain gear (jacket with hood & trousers)
Hiking trousers (no jeans or cotton tracksuits!)
Warm clothes – multi light layers are best.
Plenty of drinks (water or hot drinks in flask) – no fizzy drinks and no cans
Hat & Gloves
Torch & spare batteries
Healthy packed lunch
In separate small bag: Change of shoes, clothes (i.e. warm hoody) for after the hike, this bag will stay on the bus while we are out hiking
Optional, if your cub has these:
1st aid kit
Whistle
Compass
Gators
Electronic Device Policy: It is advised that scouts do not bring electronic devices, Douglas & St Finbarres Scout Group, its leaders and Scouting Ireland will not be held responsible for any electronic devices lost or damaged.
Posted by Peter Hertting | Posted in News | Posted on 04-04-2023 19:55
Destination: Muckross Youth Venture Centre Meet: April 28, 6.15pm, Cork Kent Station Return: April 30, 1.50pm, Cork Kent Station Cost: €75
We’ll spend two nights in Muckross Youth Venture Centre and explore Killarney National Park on Saturday.
Bag drop:
Thursday, April 27, at 8pm, scout hall
Bring their backpacks to the scout hall on Thursday so they don’t have to bring them on the train and (more importantly!) don’t have to carry to/from Killarney train station. Please make sure there’s a label or something your cub will recognise on the bag. We have 2 leaders who will bring the bags by car to Killarney and back.
Friday:
We meet at Kent train station on Friday at 18:15 as we’ll be getting the 18:55 train to Mallow.
Make sure your cub had his/her dinner before coming to the train station
Full uniform
Comfortable shoes for walking/outdoor activities
Bring small bag (see below)
After arrival in Killarney we will walk to the Youth Centre (approx 4km)
Sunday:
ETA 13:50 Kent station
Collect backpacks afterwards at the scout hall
Gear for big backpack (or other suitable bag):
Line bag with refuse bag, just in case they might get exposed to the elements
Attach label with your child’s name to backpack
Sleeping bag
Unbreakable cup, bowl, plate
Knife, fork and spoon
Two complete changes of clothes (weather permitting we will be largely outside!)
Warm PJs
Towel and personal wash gear
Small bag for train:
Small bag for train:
water bottle
snack
rain gear (trousers and jacket)
hat and gloves
high-viz vest
torch/headlight plus spare batteries
No fizzy drinks please and only tiny amounts of sweets
optional: card game
Electronic Device Policy: It is advised that scouts do not bring electronic devices. Douglas & St Finbarres Scout Group, its leaders and Scouting Ireland will not be held responsible for any electronic devices lost or damaged.
Full Change of Clothes (including towel & footwear)
Access Barrier to Farran Woods
The access barrier to Farran Woods will be open at the following times.
o Drop Off 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
o Collection 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please note these times are at the discretion of Coillte and outside of our control. The Coillte Rate of €5 per vehicle will apply outside of these times. (card payment only, coins are no longer accepted).
NB: No collections or drop offs are to take place on the main road outside the woods under any circumstances.
Please follow the one-way system that exists in Farran Wood. The exit barrier will open as you approach it.
Planned activities
It’s unlikely that we will be able to do them all:
We are pleased to announce Summer Camp 2023 will be to Swansea, Wales
Where: Silvercross Scout Campsite, Llangyfelach, Swansea, Wales When: Departing on June29th and returning on July 8th How will we get there: We will travel by bus from Douglas to Rosslare and then the ferry from Rosslare to Wales and a train into Swansea City and onwards to the campsite Cost: €600 per youth member
The site is made up of 15 acres of deciduous woodland, bordered by the small river Llan, and has been a scout campsite since 1951. This will be the 6th time the Group has camped at this site.
Onsite activities include Archery, Air-rifle Shooting, Tomahawk Throwing, Soft Crossbows, Pioneering, Orienteering and much more.
Offsite activities include swimming, coastal adventures, Museums and Swansea City centre itself.
Camp is open to all members of our Scout Troops and Venture Crew
What happens now? To secure your place you must put down a €150 non-refundable deposit by February 12th. You need to pay this via the Easypaymentsplus system. This is non-refundable as it will be used to secure activities and a place on the ferry for travel.
Questions: Please speak to your section leader
Yours In Scouting,
Conor Crowley On behalf of the Camp Leadership team conorcrowley@douglasscouts.ie
Mix of track, open ground and hill side scrambling
Distance is aprox 10kms
Fulfils the criteria of a QMD (quality mountain day) towards their hillwalking badge
We go round the lake clockwise.
Important:
Ensure your scout has a very good breakfast
We will do a gear check prior to starting walk – please wait while this is being done!
We expect to be back at finish point by 3.30pm
For scouts interested in the MPCs this is a must
Hike Gear List
Neckerchief
Knapsack / small rucksack lined with a bin bag.
Hiking boots – we will be crossing very wet ground so boots are a must have.
Warm long socks
Hiking trousers (no jeans or cotton tracksuits!)
Rain gear (jacket with hood & pull-up trousers)
Warm clothes – multi light layers are best.
Hat & Gloves – it will be very cold!
Head torch & spare batteries
Bivvy bag or large heavy duty refuse sack
Healthy packed lunch and snacks
Water – minimum of 1 ltr
In separate small bag: Change of shoes and socks + warm hoody for after hike – to be left in cars
Optional, if scout has these…
1st aid kit
Flask with hot drink
Walking poles
Gaiters
Electronic Device Policy: It is advised that scouts do not bring electronic devices, Douglas & St Finbarres Scout Group, its leaders and Scouting Ireland will not be held responsible for any electronic devices lost or damaged.
Posted by Peter Hertting | Posted in News | Posted on 07-01-2023 20:43
For the vast majority of scouting activities a small simple headlight is best. In order to reduce the risk of eye irritation or worse eye damage they shouldn’t be too powerful (around 200-300 lumen). Many LED lights now carry a health warning – please don’t be tempted to buy one of these super strong lights! A focusable beam isn’t needed either (they have a tendency of breaking once dirt gets into the mechanics) unless your scout takes part in night navigation on the hills.
A good example of a suitable headlight is the Petzl Tikkina: 300 lumen, light-weight, simple, good quality, water-resistant, priced between €20-30. Note: this is just an example – not an endorsement of a particular product or brand!
Care:
Ensure to check the batteries for signs of leakage after each activity. Remove the batteries should the torch not be used for a couple of days – the chemicals leaking from old batteries will destroy the contacts as well as the plastic enclosure of the torch.
This is an event for Scouts who in a team of 8 demonstrate their scouting skills in the areas of Camping, Pioneering, Cooking, 1st aid, Navigation and camp site hygiene & cleanliness.
While the Shield is a standalone county based challenge the top ranking patrols will be offered a place in the Phoenix Challenge, a national event later in the summer.
Event Structure
The Cork South county challenge is traditionally composed of 2 competitions; The Shield and Hubert O’ Donovan development competition. Participants of the Shield event work 100% independently, participants of the Hubert will receive assistance and guidance from the campcraft support team if required.
Shield Patrols will be awarded a bronze, silver or gold standard award based on their overall marks at the weekend.
All Shield Patrols will compete for a ‘Best in the County’ plaques (top 4) and the chance to proceed to The Phoenix Challenge.
The camp-craft team is made up of camp-craft markers and experienced camp-craft support scouters who will help patrols for the duration of the site-build.
Awards
The following awards will be presented on the final day (Sunday), and depend on the marks attained over the weekend. There are no 1st, 2nd, 3rd places awarded for the Shield competition. Instead, the top 4 patrols will receive a ‘Best in County’ award, and a guaranteed place on the Phoenix. In addition, patrols can receive a Bronze (30-64%), Silver (65-79%) or Gold (80-100%) standard award.
Breakdown of Marks Marks are awarded for a number of seperate categories as follows
Campcraft
Programme
Cooking and eating
Log book keeping
Patrol with best spirit
Best campfire sketch
Below are the general campcraft elements that the shield teams are accessed on • Tentage (sleeping tent/s and store tent) • Dining shelter • Woodpile • Boundaries • Fire point • Chopping area • General site layout • Altar fire • Dresser / food preparation area • Bins / waste disposal • Flagpole
Hygiene & Cleanliness
Along with site safety, hygiene & cleanliness are probably the most important aspects of campcraft. Hygiene & cleanliness is also assessed on all inspection visits by the campcraft teams. Food must be stored correctly at all times. This especially refers to perishable foods. Cooking and eating utensils, as well as all work surfaces and cookers, must be properly cleaned after each use.
Saturday test meal
The Saturday test meal is also an important part of the challenge and will be marked in detail. All other meals (breakfast, lunch, supper) will also have marks alotted to them on the basis of nutrition and whether every patrol member is fed.
The test meal recipe and ingredients are usually provided. A preparation and cooking demonstration will be given to all patrol chefs/cooks (2 from each patrol on Saturday afternoon. This recipe will not be known to patrols before the event. Patrols need to know the basic principles of making a 1 pot meal, how to cook either rice or pasta, how to handle meat correctly and safely, how to dice onions/garlic, and how to cut vegetables to equal sizes. The Patrol is also expected to provide a starter OR dessert as part of the test meal. The ingredients for that part of the meak are not provided.
Uniforms
Full uniforms are required for the opening and closing ceremonies of the event.
