Cork Scouts: Back to scouting for another year
September is the start of the scouting year like all the schools around the country.
From tonight, all the various age groups will start back for another exciting year of fun, adventure and learning. Scouting caters for five age groups ranging from age 6 to 18+.
The first age group is the for the Beaver Scouts aged six, seven and eight. The Cub Scouts/Macaoimh are aged nine, 10 and 11 while the scout troops are aged 12, 13 and 14. There are two senior groups with the Venture Scouts aged 15, 16, 17 with the Rover scouts ranging in age from 18 to 25.
The two senior groups are much more self-programming groups with the leaders there in an advisory and supervisory capacity.
It has been more difficult in recent years to get a commitment from seniors and adults to give a commitment to leadership. Study and time commitments are normally the big draw backs and I suppose the old classic of saying it is only an hour a week is often quoted in gest.
The period of training for leaders is normally two to three months before being fully involved with one of the sections. In that time, potential leaders, often coming in from a parent group will meet with the group leader who will go through the A to Z of scouting and arrange for person to attend training which will include one weekend overnight course.
It may also be arranged for them to attend a section meeting or two as an observer and learn at first hand of what may be expected. The Togher Scout Group, in particular, are looking for female leaders to enable girls to come into the scout section which to now has been for boys only. If you would like to learn more please call to the Scout Centre any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evening.
The aim of Scouting is to develop young people Socially, Physically, Intellectually, Character, Emotionally and Spiritually.
These elements are called ‘Spices’ and are deeply integrated into the programme experience via the Scout Method. The personal progress awards and programmes are designed to help and assist young people in their personal development.
From the time a scout starts in the youngest age group of Beaver Scouts they are encouraged to progress through the badge scheme. A Beaver Scout may learn to tie two or three knots like the reef knot and the clove hitch but by the time they are in the scout section at age 12 or 13 they have advanced much more and are using these and many more knots they have learned in the meantime to put up a full pioneering site.
It is very similar with many more of the skills of good camping, preparing to stay on the mountains overnight and so many water activities and skills associated with safety on the water and indeed on land.
Many groups will be holding an enrolment evening for new members in the coming weeks and we have been notified of two of these. The 37th Cork Group (Togher) who meet at the Togher Scout Centre have three evenings this week. Monday is for Scouts (12-14), Tuesday is for Cub Scouts both boys and girls (9-11) and Wednesday is for Beaver Scouts (6-8). The time for each evening will be 7pm to 7.30pm.
The Registration evening for the 3rd Cork (St. Patrick’s) who meet at the Hut, Summerhill North will also be held this evening from 6.30pm to 8pm. There are vacancies in all sections for girls and boys aged 6 to 17. John Maher advises that interested parents should call along for a chat and learn what they can expect.
Most groups have vacancies at this time of the year with a few exceptions with long waiting lists. Apart from any given times by groups parents should just call along to their local scout hall on meeting nights.
The Southern Provincial Conference will be held on Saturday 16th September at Kilcully Scout Campsite. The conference is for adults and county representatives. Registration will be at 9.30am. The agenda will include the new Governance rules which will be gone into in detail as we it will be on the agenda for voting on them at next year’s AGM.
The conference will also be of great interest to those who may be thinking of going the Jamboree ‘Jambori’ to be held at Stadbally, Co. Laois next July with an attendance of 5,000. The Conference will be in workshop style with active participation by the attendees. There will be no charge for the day with light refreshments and light lunch being served. Dress code will be Scout casual with neckerchief.
Whilst there is no restriction on attendees, booking must still be made on line.
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