Well done to the Turtle Patrol who won Gold at Scouting Irelands National Camping Competition, The Phoenix. Not only was this the first time that either group sent a patrol but they also won the Spirit of Scouting Award.
This Gold standard is due to the all of the hard work that the eight patrol members but in over the summer with weekly meeting and daily meetings lasting 4-6 hours in the two weeks prior to the camp.
Well done to all involved.
Phoneix
Phoneix
On Saturday 29th July 2017 12 Scouts and 4 Scouters arrived assembled at 7:30 at the Athenry Train Station to start their Journey to NIJam, Crawsford burn, Northern Ireland. This was the Scouts first ever Jamboree and the excitement was high.
Off We Go
Two Trains, one Tram and one Mini Bus later we arrived on site. Registration was simple and easy and before we knew it, the tents were up and dinner was started.
As it was a Jamboree all activities were laid on by the NI Jam including the nightly disco which proved to be a big hit with the Athenry Scouts.
Based in Sub Camp Sawel, out Sub Camp Chief, Oliva made sure we all had a great time.
Each day involved a different daily/nightly activity with each evening ending with a camp wide disco/rave.
Saturday 29th July
The night kicked off with the Opening Ceremony followed by an outdoor Disco with the Athenry Scouts leading the way in dancing.
Sunday 30th July
Sunday was a nice chill out day allowing the Scouts to explore the Jamboree and get to know the other Scout groups via on site Games and Trade fair. During the afternoon we were treated to a spectacular lightening storm over the course of 90 minutes with the storm directly over head.
Monday 31st July
This was an early start with the Scouts up at 6:30 for a 7:45 departure for Belfast City where they undertook a tour of the City Gaol, Historic Trip around Belfast followed by a tour of the Coca Cola Factory where they received a free drink.
We hosted our the DoonelyClooney Girl Guides for dinner.
Joint Guides and Scouts Dinner
Monday evening was our Sub Camp Talent Show with the the 19th Galway Athenry performing YMCA, coming first and winning a place in the Jamboree Final. Followed by the nightly disco.
Tuesday 1st August
Involved a day in a local forest learning several backwoods skills such as fire lighting with real flit/steel, knife sharpening, peg making, tomahawk throwing, spear throwing etc.
Evening activities were based around some giant Inflatables followed by the nightly disco.
Video coming soon.
Tomahawk Throwing
Wednesday 2nd August
Was another early start with a 8:15 departure from the camp site out to Holyrood Army base for a few day of activities including Laser Tag, Sumo Wrestling Inflatables, First Aid, PT Training and Stretcher run, min games etc. Not only are the Scouts very fit but apparently the Scouters are also very fit.
The evening involved our Sub Camp campfire followed by the nightly disco.
Sumo Wrestling
Thursday 3rd August
At long last it stopped raining with our first sunny day. The morning was spent kayaking on a local reservoir were several Athenry scouts managed to capsize canadian canoe !
The afternoon was indoor in a local leisure centre with water slides, wave pool and giant water based obstacle course.
The evening involved our Sub Camp party and mini games at each groups site followed by the nightly disco.
Neon Disco
Friday 4th August
Was day trip to Belfast the train so some shopping and sight seeing with the Scouts enjoying the delights of Belfast city centre.
Saturday 5th August
Another early start with a 7:00am wake up to ensure that the camp was struck, site cleaned and an on time departure for Galway. Several hours later, the scouts arrived back in Athenry at 18:00 tired but happy.
A full set of photographs is available.
Well done to all of the Athenry Patrols who participated in the Galway County Scout Camp held in Portlick Camp site over the May Bank holiday. There were 30 Patrols in attendance form County Galway representing nearly every Scout section in the County.
There were three Athenry Patrols in attendance, Koala Bears in the Plate Competition and for the first time ever Athenry entered the Shield Competition with Kangaroos and Penguin Patrols.
The Koala Bear Patrol returned with a Silver Standard from the Plate Patrol.
Both of the Shield Patrols returned with Gold standard with the Penguins coming fifth and the Kangaroos coming third overall. This result means that the Athenry Scouts have won a place at the National Phoenix Camping Competition to be held in late August.
This is a tremendous achievement and shows the dedication and hard work undertaken by the Scouts over the last few months during weekly meetings and practice Saturday.
All of the Athenry Scouters are very proud of the work undertaken by all of the Scouts involved.
Over the weekend of the Friday 24th March to Sunday 26th March the Athenry Scouts undertook a weekend camp in the Kildare Scout Den. Travelling by Train the Scout were met by Kildare Scouts who showed them the way to the den.
Athenry Scouts on the Train to Kildare
While in Kildare the Scouts worked in Patrols which each patrol responsible for shopping and purchasing their food for the weekend, preparing meals, cleaning the hall etc.
A highlight of the trip was a hike to the National Stud followed by two hours of free time in Kildare town. While at the National Stud several Scouts were invested into the Scout section.
National Stud
Lunch
Athenry Scouts in Kildare
Several Kildare scouts visited us for a Campfire on Saturday evening followed by some Scout skits, and Jiving.
Sunday morning was an early set with a clean up of the hall and a return train journey to Athenry.
Some Scouters had time for R&R.
Chill out time
See all of the photographs.
During the Scouts week long annual summer camp at LarchHill they were interviewed by Robbie from Scout About Radio. The interview was broadcast on Dublin City Fm on Thursday 7th July. Click on the link to listen to the interview. https://soundcloud.com/dcfm-1032/scout-about-7th-july-2016
Well done to the 14 Scouts and accompanying three Scouters who attend the 19th Galway Athenry Scouts first ever 8 day/7 night camp. The camp was held at Larch Hill International Scout camp site which is nestled in the foot hills of the Dublin mountains. The Scouts helped put together a brilliant camp programme which was a mixture of Scouting activities such as Camp Craft, Backwoods cooking, two Hikes including a night hike to the Hell Fire club and fun activities such as a day trip to Dublin City, Viking Splash tour and a day trip to Bray.
Camp Setup
Taking a break
Patrols in Action
Tents Ready
While on Camp the Scouts had a lovely 45 minutes with Robbie from Scout About Radio. A podcast of the show will be available in the next few days.
Scout About Radio
Chilling
During camp the Scouts made loads of new Scouting friends in particular with the 73rd Dublin Raheny Scouts. As can be seen from the photograph below after the neckerchief swapping it is hard to tell who is 19th Galway Athenry/73rd Dublin Raheny.
New Friends
A high light for many of the Scouts was a day trip to Dublin, a trip on the Viking Splash Tour and a chance to do some shopping.
Viking Tour
St Stephens Green
Each patrol was responsible for preparing, cooking for each meal cooking on Gas or timber fires depending on the time of day and/or meal.
Dinner
Dinner
You want me to do what ?
An investiture was performed at the Hill Fire Club and several Hiking Adventure Skill Badges awarded.
Hell Fire Club Investiture
Fairy Mount Selfie
We had two camp fires over the course of the camp and were joined by several Larch Hill staff members at our last camp fire. Several Camping Stage 2 and 3 were awarded at the last camp fire.
Where did that smoke come from ?
The PLs had regular meetings to ensure camp was running well and that the patrols were happy and working well.
PL meeting
Two Cub Scouters visited on Thursday and Friday and even got fed!
Well done to everyone who attended camp and helped in making the camp a success.
As there are over 500 photographs the photographs have been broken down into different albums which are available here.