Ventact is a crazy-fun activity weekend for Venture Scouts, Rangers, and Senior Branch. It’s held in Kilcully Campsite over a weekend where there are campfires, discos, random games and surprise activities around Cork City and County.

Ventact is unique as it is the only event of it’s type which is organised by a Joint Committee of Scouts and Guides and sees a gathering of 300-500 young people. The other special thing about Ventact and why it is a special event for Douglas & St Finbarres is that our own former Chairman Don Trotter was one of the founding members of the event.

Ventact South is a fun activity filled weekend. Activities on Friday night are based around Kilcully Scout Campsite. Normally there is a band or campfire on Friday night. On Saturday different activity centres are used. Some of the activities in the past that have been used are water skiing, horse riding, canoeing, rock climbing, zip lines, go carting, sailing. Saturday Evening involves fun games on the campsite followed by the Scout/Guides Own. This is a gathering to review the weekend and play a video to recall the weekends events. The Ventact Themed Disco normally begins around 21:00. Sundays Activities vary from year to year. From Bouncy Castles to Birds of Prey and everything in between.

For an overview of the event visit their website – Ventact Info

There are 3 primary hiking challanges that a scout can undertake.

MPC – Mountain Pursuit Challenge

There are 4 events a year, one in each of the provinces. On completing a province attendees receive a unique diamond shaped badge, when a scout completes all of the provinces all 4 badges form an impressive larger diamond when displayed on their uniform.

Event Dates:
Munster in April
Leinster in May
Ulster in August
Connaught in September.

Sionnach Adventure

On completing the Sionnach challenge scouts receive a unique badge with the image of a Fox (Sionnach) for their uniform.

Event Dates: TBC

Fia Challenge

This challenge is organised on a Scouting county level and on completing the Fia adventure scouts receive a unique badge with the image of a Deer (Fia) for their uniform.

Event Dates: TBC

Challenge Info:

For each of the challenges teams consist of 4 scouts and 1 Leader who remains with the Scouts for the full weekend. They are lightweight wild camping weekends for Scouts between the ages of 13.5 and 15.5 and the events will have many teams participating.

Although the scout team will have a leader with them, the scouts are responsible for their own camp setup, cooking, cleanup and navigation across a preset course. The attending leader/s are responsible for their own setup and cooking.

These events are run over 3 (2.5) days and 2 nights. On the first night (Friday) teams arrive at check-in where their is a gear inspection, it is very important to note that if gear is forgotten a scout or the whole team can be sent home. They then walk to a low camp usually <5km. The following morning (Saturday) teams make their breakfast, break camp and hike with all their gear to the high camp usually <5km.

At high camp, teams again set up their tents, store their gear, get a quick snack and then start navigating the preset route set by the organising team of Scouters/Leaders. These routes are always prechecked prior to any scout teams attempting them and are always very manageable, but scouts will need a decent level of mountain fitness. They are always looped routes, so start and finish at the high camp. When navigation routes are completed scouts cook their evening meal and time is then their own, so they’ll have a great opportunity to meet and mix with scouts from right across their scout county / the 4 provinces.

On the last day (Sunday) before heading back to the pickup point scouts make their breakfast, break camp and do a site cleanup. Subject to weather they’ll also take part in a “Scouts Own”. At this they are asked for their views about how the event was run, the route and what could be changed to improve it in the future and they’ll also receive their badges.

Prior to participating in any of these challenges it’s important that scouts take part in the hiking and navigation training offered so they are fully prepared for what’s involved in these events.

A manual covering all aspects of these type of challenges, what to bring, tents, food types and route cards is available by clicking the following link… MPC Manual

Each Scout section (Beavers 6-8, Cubs 9-11, Scouts 12-14, Ventures 15-17) run over 3 years, with 8 for Rovers 18-26. During the final year of their section a Beaver, Cub, Scout and Venture can participate in the Chief Scout Award (CSA) programme. The Rover award programme is longer.

A Scout, Venture or Rover undertaking their CSA are also eligible to apply for the Gaisce award. The tasks for both award programmes are very similar.

The Gaisce programme is structured in levels as follows:

Bronze for final year Scouts
Silver for final year Ventures
Gold for Rovers

As the scout progresses through their age sections the effort required to complete tasks to attain their awards will naturally increase and should reflect the skills they’ve learned over the previous 3 years.

If your Beaver, Cub, Scout or Venture has an interest in undertaking the CSA awards programme you and they should speak with their section leaders to discuss the committment they’ll need to make to achieve their award and how they can achieve each milestone of the programme.

If you’re a Rover speak with the GL and they’ll put you in contact with the Groups PAL.

The documents listed below will give you details of the requirements for each level of the CSA awards programme and the final link will allow you download the overall programme hand book that contains indepth info on the various tasks that are required for each level and the application form to be completed.

Cubs

Scouts

Ventures

Rovers

CSA Programme Handbook

Downloaded the full CSA Handbook from here… CSA Handbook

We have a selection of walking boots that are looking for a new owner to take them on more adventures. All have been checked and, where necessary, given an extra clean. All have very little or no wear and are now ready for more action. Size-wise they are probably more suitable for beavers or young cubs. If interested, just talk to your child’s cub or beaver leader. The boots can be tried in the hall to see if they fit your child. A EUR 5 donation would be appreciated.

Are you ready, boots?

Date: Sunday, December 4

Start: 9.30 am at Lake Muskry Car Park (https://goo.gl/maps/KMKu42ZzLfRMghBN9)

Finish: Around 2.30 pm

Cost: €0

Location: Meet at Lake Muskry Car Park (https://goo.gl/maps/KMKu42ZzLfRMghBN9)

Travel directions:

• Take the M8 towards Dublin
• Leave M8 at exit 13 and follow the directions for Limerick (R639/N73/R513)
• About 15km after taking the exit there’s a right turn-off for Galbally R662
• After just under 1.5km turn right at the junction (the sign says The Glen Hotel/Lisvarinnane)
• Head on straight for about 15km (you’ll drive parallel to the Galtees basically)
• In Rossadrehid turn right at the little grotto (sign says Lake Muskree/Galtee Waterworks)
• The roads becomes a boreen very quickly, follow it for 1.7km and you’ll see the sign for the Lake Muskry car park on the left.
• Just over 1 hour from Douglas

Route:

• About 10km, with roughly 500m altitude gain
• Mix of track and open ground
• Suitable for all cubs
• Fulfils the criteria of a QMD (quality mountain day) towards the level 2 hillwalking badge
• https://hiiker.app/maps/planned-trails/cub-hike-lake-muskry–162005

Note:

• Ensure your cub had a good breakfast
• We will do a quick gear check before leaving the car park – please don’t leave before this is done!
• We expect to be back at Lake Muskry Car Park around 2.30pm

Hike Gear List

• Neckerchief
• Hiking boots – we will encounter some wet terrain
• Hiking trousers (no jeans or cotton tracksuits!)
• Rain gear (jacket with hood & trousers)
• Warm clothes – multi light layers are best.
• Water – minimum of 1 ltr
• Hat & Gloves – it will be cold!
• Torch & spare batteries
• Bivvy/survival bag or large heavy duty refuse sack
• Healthy packed lunch
• In separate small bag: Change of shoes and socks + warm hoody for after hike – will be left in cars

Optional, if cub scout has these…

• 1st aid kit
• Whistle
• Compass
• 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.

We will run a backwoods day for the cubs on Sunday, November 6. Start time is 10:30 am and we will finish at 3pm. Location is Moanbaun Woods (near Watergrasshill) about 25minutes drive from Douglas (no tolls!).

It’s a great time of the year to head into the woods. Programme for the day will include:

• shelter building using tarps and natural materials
• walking in the woods
• making fire
• cooking
• games
• …

Your child will need the following on the day:

• suitable clothing (we will likely get dirty)
• Neckerchief
• in a small backpack: rain gear, snacks, water, mug (we plan to serve hot chocolate)
  

Cost: €3, payable on the day, please no notes if possible.

Start: 10.30am, Moanbaun Woods car park

Finish: 3pm, Moanbaun Woods car park

Please let your child’s section leader know by Tuesday, November 1 if your child is able to attend.

—- Beaver Details —-

Duration: 1 Day Transport: By train. Arrive: Sat 1st, meet Kent station at 9.40am Depart: Sat 1st, TBC Cost: €5 (Speak with your leader about booking) Gear They’ll Need: Neckerchief A packed lunch Rain gear – coat & water proof pull ups Boots Hat & Gloves Day bag / small backpack Bottle for water Wear old clothes Insect repellent Sun cream

—- Cub Details —-

Duration :1 night Transport: By train. Arrive: Sat 1st, meet Kent station at 9.40am Depart: Sun 2nd, collect Kent station at 1pm. Cost: €25 Gear They’ll Need: Neckerchief A packed lunch Rucksack Rain gear – coat & water proof pull ups Boots Hat & Gloves Head torch + spare batteries Day bag / small backpack Bottle for water Old clothes + change for day 2 Sleeping bag Ground matt Small pillow PJs Personal wash gear Personal 1st aid kit Insect repellent Sun cream Cup / Plate / Bowl / Knife / Fork / Spoon / T-towel

—- Scout Details —-

—- Venture Details —-

Duration: 2 nights Transport: By train. Arrive: Fri 30th, meet Kent station at 5.30pm Depart: Sun 2nd, collect Kent station at 1pm. Cost: €35 Ventures should have food before leaving for train. Gear They’ll Need: Neckerchief Rucksack Rain gear – coat & water proof pull ups Boots Hat & Gloves Head torch + spare batteries Day bag / small backpack Bottle for water Old clothes + change for day 2 Sleeping bag Ground matt Small pillow PJs Personal wash gear Personal 1st aid kit Insect repellent Sun cream Cup / Plate / Bowl / Knife / Fork / Spoon / T-towel

Hi all,
You can download a consent form that needs to be filled out for every youth member and handed back to their Leader at their next meeting or their first meeting back, (whichever comes first) to allow for activities in 2022/23.

You can also download the Managing Medications form which is now referenced in the consent form if needed.

You can fill them in and print it off yourself and bring it down to the next activity.

This blog is brought to you by two of our Venture Scouts Alex and Brian and recorded in the form of a ships log.

9:30am Left campsite with 9 Scouts and 7 leaders. Tunes on the bus…

10:50am Arrived at Enniscrone at 7th Wave Surf School. Everyone arrived in one piece.

1:00pm Finished surf school. Headed to Sligo Town

2:32pm Arrived at Sligo Town. Went shopping.

4:05pm Left Sligo Town

5:23pm Arrived back onsite with all Scouts and leaders.

6:00pm Finished a game of UNO. One scout left to go home as she is going on holiday.

7:04pm Ate cheese pizza and chips for dinner. Held a meeting about what could be improved at our next camp.

8:20pm Explored ruins near the camp and took an alternate path to visit the lake near our camp.

9:27pm Started log

10:30pm Finished log

– Alex & Brian (times are approximate)

This blog is brought to you by two of our Scouts Tomás and Darragh

Our day started on Orchard Island to the sound of a (Tomás) phone alarm. Some people woke on the island as other people were only going to bed.

Gavin was missing his coffee and shouted at us to get up, again. We had cereal bars for our breakfast on the island and then took down our shelters so we would leave no trace. We waited for the boats to come and collect us and while we waited one slacker was still asleep. His name was Ronan.

We packed everything onto the boats, the scouts went first so we were first back to the site. When we docked the boats Gavin ran to get his precious coffee.

When we were back onsite the leaders had cooked us sausages and rashers which were really nice so this was our lunch. We then played our last game of UNO with Emer before she went home and goes on her holiday to Spain and her mum had chats with the leaders.

Then in the afternoon we went on our patrol hike to Boyle Town. In Boyle we discovered Supervalu and went to a park and sat and talked about camp. We also bought a new board game called pub quiz and said that this would be for everyone in the group to play with.

When we came back to site we were told to start getting ready for dinner so we put the fires on and started to boil the water for the pasta but we soon figured out it was chicken burgers and waffles and there was no pasta. We’re not sure who told us it was pasta for dinner though.

After dinner a few of us went on an adventure to the bottom of the site to the big green building to find a fridge and some couches. We played soccer for ages and when we came back we found ourselves signed up to the pub quiz game that we bought earlier. Our team won!

We’re going to bed early tonight as everyone is really tired and we’ve been told we’re getting up early tomorrow to go surfing.

– Tomás and Darragh with help from Slaney