Boyle Scouts: August 2013

Back row l to r: Kevin Purcell (Scouter), Wendy Power (Scouter), Lucy Egan, Rachel Bolger, Alannah Henry, Roisin Power, Josh Banfield, Enda Commons (Scouter)
Front row l to r: Paul Kielty, Sean Gannon, Sean Mullins

Congratulations to our Boyle Scout Team (pictured above) on achieving a Silver standard award at this years Phoenix Competition, held in Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre last weekend (15th - 18th August). The team put in a huge effort over the summer months training and preparing for the event. Much thanks is due to Enda Commons and Wendy Power for the countless hours they have put in helping and guiding the team.
Special mention of thanks also to Beth and Jim Egan for the use, once again of the training ground and the endless supply of refreshments!!

Boyle was also well represented at the event by numerous Scouters whom accompanied the Team and helped out staffing the event - Enda Commons, Wendy Power and Kevin Purcell.
They were joined by our Ventures - Aoife Power, Laragh Geoghegan and Rover - Kayleigh Geoghegan alongside Venture Leader - Derrick Power. Many thanks to them all for helping make Phoenix 2013 another memorable event for hundreds of Scouts.

The Phoenix Challenge is a National Scout Craft Competition that takes place at the end of August each year. It is the largest annual gathering of Scouts in Ireland with up to sixty Patrols of eight Scouts from all around the country participating. Patrols represent both their Scout Troop and Scout County, and will have to have qualified for the event by finishing first or second in their Scout County Challenge. The Phoenix is a four day event and while the programme changes from year to year, it will always encompass the major aspects of the Scout programme.

The major sections of the event include the Campcraft competition, team and skill challenges, special projects and cooking competition. The event starts on Thursday and Patrols spend much of the day constructing campsites. On both Friday and Saturday the Patrols participate in an action packed programme of team and skill challenges such as building large pioneering structures, rafting, initiative challenges, emergency situations, mapping projects and many more. During the evenings a mixture of fun activities (such as campfires and themed trade fairs) and special projects (such as debating or environmental projects) take place.

The all important test meal also takes place on one of these evenings. On Sunday morning there is usually another fun based activity after which the Patrols break camp. In the afternoon the closing ceremony and prize giving takes place. Each Patrol receives a Gold, Silver or Bronze standard certificate and prizes are awarded for the individual section winners as well as overall competition winners.

The Phoenix is a truly great test of team work. But more than that, the four action packed days are an experience that a Scout will never forget.