If willing to help in any way, contact Mary Fallon (087 9085461) or one of the scouters.

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Finally, some 90 minutes after we started, the craft was ready to launch. With a firm hold being kept by Jim on the rope, a hardy band of volunteers made their way gingerly onto the HMR (Her Majesty's Raft of course) and surprisingly she did sink, turnover or run aground. After several efforts to get wet, Tadgh Fitzgibbon managed to fall into the murky depths of the canal. He managed to catch up with the crew as they sped away, and then was joined in the water by Monty.

It looked like fun and we await a chance to truly try out our skills at racing and fighting off the opposition on the water.

Scouts can find a number of articles and videos showing how a fire bow can be made at the following links

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/bowdrill/pmoc/basicbowdrill.html

http://artofmanliness.com/2011/01/18/traditional-firestarting-part-ii-fire-from-friction/

http://www.ehow.com/how_12589_make-bow-drill.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLm9gLoGHOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_twLri9UjE&feature=related

We wish our patrol well under the leadership of Fiona Young (PL) and Daragh Bergin (APL)

The SI Code of Good Practice is our major guidance for working safely with youth members. It can be downloaded here Download file

The Scouting Ireland Website has been relaunched with a great new look and feel.

WWW.SCOUTS.IE

You can register for chat etc.

Check it OUT.......................

Will One programme destroy the Patrol System and the fundamental aspects of
Scouting?
The infrastructure for Scouting will remain the same, the changes won’t be as dramatic as they have been made out and it really isn’t setting out to destroy anything, in fact more of the patrol system (working in small teams) will be expected in every Section with the One Programme. Any changes that are being made have been thoroughly thought through and not just by adults who haven’t been involved in programme with Scouts in years, any of the Scouts who have worked on developing the programme fully believe that the
changes been made are for the good of the Scouts taking part.

Who will the new age changes affect? Will they separate friends?
The ages will most affect the Cub Scout and Beaver Scout Sections. Some Groups may go on to operate Scouts and Venture Scouts as one unit and on one meeting night, however the appropriate programme must be used by the Scouts and by the Venture Scouts. Ages set out for the Sections will act as guidelines and won’t be set in stone,
this will allow the individual member decide when they are ready to move to an older Section. The One programme will allow older Scouts who have been left to take on the leader role presently to take part in a programme that interests them and will benefit them through outside qualifications as they progress. The addition of the Rover Scout Section it will give the Scouts who presently are lost in the oblivion between Venture Scouts and being adult leaders an active role in the Association.

Why change the programme? It works well for my Group.
While some Groups may be flourishing under the present programme many Groups around the country have “packed Cub Scout Sections with a severe loss of numbers when members reach the Scout Section age. This may be because suddenly it isn’t the cool thing to do. When this issue is so widely spread it becomes something that needs to be addressed. While the fundamentals may already be there something can always be improved on, it’s not fair to all the Cub Scouts who are missing out on their Scout adventure, if it can be helped it must be.

Will the One Programme make scouts like being in school?
Many Scout Groups at present keep a Deck Log and Sections will keep their own log. The One Programme gives each member the opportunity and tools to keep a personal log. It then goes one step further and gives this personal log a usage by basing the member’s journey through the progression and badge scheme around it. The One Programme promotes the keeping of a written log, a tradition which may have been lost in recent times. The keeping of the log isn’t set out in a manner which makes it tedious, it takes on a
functional role.

As a Group, we will be looking at this process in coming weeks.

Staplestown had almost 40 young people marching with leaders and parents.  Our beavers did us proud with there colourful decorations and banner.  Thanks to all who took part.

Click on the picture above for more photographs

Niall Crehan provided some lovely instrumental music on the fiddle as the colour party - Niamh, Shauna and Luana - made their way up the aisle.  This was the first outing for our newest flag - the Cill Dara County Flag in traditional black and white with a symbol of a horse to remind us of one of Kildare's greatest heritage areas.  Fr Daly blessed this flag during the ceremony

In total, 16 beavers, 1 cub, 1 scout and 1 leader were invested on the night.  All other members were asked to renew their promise which is what makes scouting different to other youth organisations.  Youth members Oisin, Ciaran, Fiona, Tadgh and Daragh read prayers and Katie read a poem on the theme of 'moving on'. 

Awards were given to beavers and cubs who had completed various stages in their progression system in scouting.  Scout patrol leaders were also presented with their 'stripes'.  Congratualtions to all of you.

It was also an opportunity to award some of our leaders for their contribution to the group.  John, Gerd and Teresa were awarded the 5-year service badge.  Yes, we know they've been around for longer than that, but awards haven't always been sought when due.  We'll be on time for their 50-years of service badges - Promise!  Three other leaders received 5-year service awards at county camp in September - Liam, Jimmy and Paul.  Thanks and well done to all

After the ceremony, there were various photo-shoots and then refreshments served in the old school-house hall.  Many thanks to Mary, Valerie and others who assisted in serving of refreshements.

More photographs of the night are available here

Scouts were to be starting out from 10:00 and beavers from 12:00.  It took a while for things to get going and we had time to hang around and play some games with other troops before the competition started.  Leaders and venture scouts had erected a marquee, tent and some barriers.  We helped to put up a mess tent for the beavers while we waited.

Eventually, a total of 13 Staplestown Scouts headed off in three groups.  We had to use our maps and mapreading skills to find as may markers as possible in the fastest time.  When we found a marker, there was a word - something to do with scouting - which we had to write down and bring back for judging.  Scouts were gone for over two hours.  Staplestown teams did very well overall - the highest score was 22 correct markers.  Unfortunately, some scouts from other troop(s) had behaved in an unscouting manner, messing with markers and score sheet. The organisers decided not to give any prize to scouts this year. Disappointing!!

Scouts attending were Fiona, Sarah, Molly, Noel, Brian, Catherine, Niamh, Emer, Tori, Shauna, Beibhin, Niamh, Eoin.  Leaders were Liam, Jim, Claire and Paul.  A good time was had by all.

A total of 16 beavers arrived at 12:30 and were soon divided into groups with a leader each - Eileen, Theresa, Sheila and Paul.  Beavers had an easier deal than the scouts as they had to collect 8 markers/words and had leaders to support them.  All beavers had a great time and seemed to have a good idea of how to use a map!  Pictures of participating souts and beavers are on the photo gallery here