Scouts' honour! Group celebrates 50 years in Ballincollig

Fifty years of friendship, team building, fun camping trips, cook-outs, and honing essential skills... all were celebrated by the 49th Ballincollig Scout Group at an event on Friday.

The success of the group since it was founded in 1975 was evident by the number of past and present scouts in attendance.

Scout leader Bryan Crowley is still pals with the people he met as a humble beaver many moons ago.

“I am involved with Scouts all my life,” says Bryan, from Cobh.

“I joined Ballincollig scouts when I moved here in 2017. Now I am a Scout leader.

“I have had a great time in Scouts, and I remain best friends with the people I met through Scouts to this day!

“When I became a dad, my own kids joined up. Jack, 14, and Peader, 11, were cubs before they became Scouts.”

The baby of the family - Nora May, aged eight - is still a cub.

“It is great that girls can join Scouts,” says Bryan. “A broader organisation opened up its programme to include girls, youth and adult, in 2012.”

The bonds made through Scouts are never broken.

“Having life-long friends from Scouts seems to be a life-long trend,” says Bryan, who met some of those life-long friends at Friday’s 50th anniversary celebrations at the Talbot Hotel in Ballincollig.

Scouting teaches children how to adapt to new environments. It encourages them to learn more about their surroundings and peers. It helps build stronger connections with people, especially when thrown into completely new situations that require quick thinking on their feet. New skills are discovered and learnt. Problem-solving becomes second nature.

“Scouts is social, interactive and sporty,” says Bryan. “It can be an addition or an alternative to playing GAA.”

It is all about enjoying the great outdoors.

“Hiking and camping appeal to all kids,” says Bryan. “The best experience can be the summer camps hosted by scouts. For many young teens it can be the first time they are away from home.”

Is that a shock to some people?

“For many it can be a shock,” says Bryan. “I’ve seen the youngsters coming back after 10- or 12-days camping and they come back different.”

Different how?

“They are now able to stand on their own two feet”, says Bryan.

Lasting friendships are made in Scouts.

“During the big outings, bonding happens naturally,” says Bryan.

When the children sign up, they remain loyal. Scouting fosters patriotism and loyalty.

“The weekly scouting meeting in the hall is our bread and butter,” says Bryan. “The meetings are the essence of the Scouts, where they understand what being part of the organisation is all about; making their community a better place through small actions that make a difference.”

As a Girl Guide in my youth I tell Bryan I used to do an elderly lady’s shopping on Saturdays who was a neighbour. Some of us did ‘bob a job’ duties for other older people. Sometimes we didn’t claim the ‘bob’ but a chocolate bar instead!

Byran laughs.

“Community and connection is what it’s all about. Ballincollig Scouts helped make up the fabric of the town for the last 50 years.”

Bryan is part of the fabric of Ballincollig.

“I am a blow-in! But I’ve always seen the community spirit here.”

Scouting is not just about learning and developing people.

“Scouting is about having fun, problem-solving, and learning vital skills,” says Bryan. “Looking back over the years, we’ve had great cráic!”

How many members is in Ballincollig Scouts?

“We have 30 leaders and 100 youth members ranging in age from 6 to 18 and 19. The youngsters learn and acquire great skills.”

The Scouts are pro-active.

“We get involved in the St Patrick’s Day parade every year and in Tidy Towns,” says Bryan. “We ran a Christmas bazaar every year before covid. Our flag day is in January. We pop up at different times.”

The Ballincollig Scouts meet people and interact with people from all over the country.

“Scouting Ireland hosts lots of national events all over Ireland,” says Bryan.

“These events give the youngsters a chance to interact with others apart from the familiar people at school or college.”

They are all in it together.

“They are thrown together and that’s good for them,” says Bryan. “You often find real connections are made and they continue between other scouts from other clubs.”

There are no barriers in Scouts.

“Having no barriers is very healthy and very good,” says Bryan.

“Scouting activities give people the opportunity to measure up, doing skills like lighting a fire or climbing a wall or erecting a tent. The technical skills Scouts achieve include reading maps and reading a compass. Pioneering involves new ideas or new methods.”

Leaders emerge.

“New leaders are again our bread and butter,” says Bryan.

“That’s where a lot of parents come in and get involved. They really enjoy the social aspect of Ballincollig Scouts.”

Parents can learn new skills too.

“They can!” says Bryan laughing.

The parents are often surprised when showing skills to the Scouts.

“They say, ‘I thought I knew nothing, but here I am teaching them the basics!”

Bryan says the single biggest Scout message is self-sufficiency.

“All the scouts become well able,” he says.

Do they become willing?

“That’s a good question!” says Bryan laughing. “To be fair, they are more than willing.”

Crowd control is important.

“We split the beavers into three groups of six. They do the same activity with the same leader. It works well.”

The Scouts are proud of their status.

“They love getting the activity badges as they progress,” says Bryan. “Activity badges allow them to learn new things and demonstrate new skills.”

Jennifer Wong is an active participant in Ballincollig Scouts now for seven years.

Why did she join up?

“I wanted to give back to the community,” says Jennifer. “And I work well with kids.”

How did she find being involved in Scouts?

“Once you join, there is no going back!” says Jennifer.

“My two kids, Jayden, age 18, and Jasper, age 11, are scouts.”

They are as enthusiastic as their mother.

“I sign up for everything and so do they!”

Jennifer enjoyed new experiences with the scouts.

“I never camped in my life before joining Scouts,” says Jennifer. “I love it!

“Hiking has now become my main hobby! Joining Scouts has been a life-changing experience for me.”

It brought her out of her comfort zone.

“Being a Scout, you come out of the safety of your box to discover new things, and a whole new world,” says Jennifer, who lives near Blarney.

Her sons discovered new friends as well as new adventures.

“Jayden and Jasper have met other young people here through Scouts, and in the UK. They have a whole new circle outside of school.”

What do the boys like best about being scouts?

“No homework!”

Ballincollig Scout Hall, Station Road, Ballincollig Cork.

Facebook: 49th Ballincollig Scouts.