Scouting in Claregalway started in May 1991 with 15 Beavers, 12 Cubs and 5 adults.
Scouting is about developing young people to realise their full potential so that they become responsible, resourceful and enterprising members of their Community.
The Scout Method is based on the:
- Use of the outdoors—young people are faced with real situations which provide opportunities for them to work together and make decisions, i.e. what to do when the tent gets blown down or flooded? How to light a fire and cook a meal for seven, in the pouring rain?
- Working in small groups—safety in numbers. Here they can discover their own qualities and limitations. A chance to motivate and to lead. It provides the individual with an identity and a sense of belonging.
- Learning by doing—this means encouraging young people to discover things for themselves and to cope with their successes and their failures; to develop life skills such as creativity, teamwork, confidence, decision making.
- Commitment to a set of values.
- Scouting believes in young people’s ability to live up to a set of values, thinking of other people first. The willingness to listen and be tolerant of other people’s points of view.
But why does Scouting attract over 16,000,000 members in over 100 countries? It’s easy—stimulating programmes. A range of exciting outdoor programmes incorporating fun, challenge and adventure. The programmes vary to suit the age and ability of young people. We put emphasis on young people working this out for themselves.
To date our numbers have increased to:
- 40 Beavers (6–8 years old)
- 40 Cubs (8–11 years old)
- 30 Scouts (11–16 years old)
- 11 Ventures (16 years old)
We have 23 adults giving time voluntarily (this gives us the necessary ratio for insurance purposes).
At this point, I would like to thank the Leaders who now have taken a well earned break from us this year, Anne Campbell, Bernie Loughlin, Anne Nethaway, Josephine Moran, Orla Qualter and Tony Gately.
At present we have the use of our local school hall for our weekly meetings. We are very grateful to Canon Noel Mullin and Mr. Pat Coen for the use of same.
Over the years we have collected a large amount of equipment. The different sections in our Group have now many trophies as well.
Our local Leisure Centre Committee have agreed to lease one of their rooms to us. This will be a great asset, as it will enable us to display our trophies and store all our equipment in one place. As one can appreciate, anything like tents and cookers would be costly to replace.
The past year was a great year for all sections.
Beavers Annual Outing was to Bunratty Castle and on the way back they joined another Beaver Pack in Limerick for a sport afternoon. All arrived home with medals. A great day was had by everyone. Many thanks to the parents who helped out on the outing.
The Cubs overnight camp at the back of the school was one of their best outings. On arrival all Cubs were mad to get into tents. Yet not an eye was closed that night and many of the Cubs chose to run around the football field instead of sleeping at 4a.m.!
Scouts have many outings during the year. This year the climb of Croagh Patrick must come out on top for more reasons than one. It is hoped to make this an annual outing.
For the third year running the Scouts section reached the National Smyth Cup held in Dundalk where our two patrols participated with the best county, one of our patrols been in the top ten. Well done to all.
Four of our Leaders received five years service badges—well done to Kevin Duffy, Anne Campbell, Bernie Loughlin and Mary Duggan.
I would like to thank the parents and friends for all their help over the years and their annual fund raising. Without their help it would be very hard to keep going.
Last, but by no means least, the Leaders themselves. Their dedication and hard work over the years increased our numbers from 27 children in 1991 to 121 this September and a waiting list up to 1999. Many thanks to the old Leaders and the new ones that joined this year from the Beavers Section with Mary McNulty, B.S.C. and her assistant Leaders Kathleen Morley, Bernie Small, Cormac Evans, Eileen Lynch, Mary Murray, Noranne Maloney, Jean Corrigan.
The Cub Section with Patricia Carton, C.S.L., with assistant leaders Gerry Fahy, Pauline Harrington, Anne Monaghan, Bernie King, Eileen Fenton, Sean Doyle, Gerry Mooney, Hugh Farrell.
The Scouts Section with Collette Conneely, Brian Crowe and Declan Reidy.
The Ventures with Kevin Duffy and Joe O’Connell.
This October we started our 16 plus programme known as Ventures Scouting. This is a group of young people who come together for the purpose of undertaking an annual project and or expedition of their own choice.
Yours in Scouting,
Mary Duggan, Group Leader
