Tus Maith County Hike in Boyle - Sunday 16th February

Our Tus Maith hike takes place on Sunday 16^th February in Boyle.

Starting from Boyle Scout Den at 11.00 am

Finishing at Boyle Scout Den at 3.00 pm

All participants should wear their Neckerchief, bring Rain Gear, a Packed Lunch and a Drink contained in a Back Pack. No Fizzy or Stimulant drinks (Red Bull etc) are allowed and should not be brought.

The climb will not be hard or overly long, therefore all Sections of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will partake on the day. (Hike will be 8.5km on road/track)

As always, any Parents and/or additional family members who would like to come along and join us on the day for the walk are most welcome, but please just let us know by text message, so that we have allowed for you in our numbers booked in to the event.

Refreshments (Drinks and Burgers etc.) will be available to all at the end of the Hike.

No Pocket Money is required.

Monday Beavers – Colin Kearney – 086 8101309
Tuesday Beavers – Padraig Langan – 086 2603403
Monday Cubs – John Brennan – 087 2183125
Tuesday Cubs – Martin Lannon – 086 6099452
Scouts – Enda Moran – 086 3239483

Weekly Meetings resume after Christmas Break

Boyle Scouts would like to wish all our Youth Members, Leaders, Parents, Friends and extended Families a very Happy New Year.
Weekly Meetings for all Sections will recommence on their normal nights and times starting on the week of Monday 13th January.

Scouts successfully complete Chief Scout Award Expedition

Our Endurance Team of Scouts undertook a 30KM expedition with full gear from Kilmactranny to Balinafad Castle last weekend (30th Nov - 1st Dec). The expedition is one of a number of requirements for the Chief Scout Award which the Scouts are currently undertaking. The expedition included light weight camping in the Bricklieve Mountains and an ascent to the summit to enjoy the sunrise before hiking the remaining distance to Ballinafad Castle.

Beavers and Cubs Halloween Party

A spooktacular night was had by the beavers and Cubs in Lough keel on Tuesday night 29 October. Scary walks in the woods, horror stories and traditional Halloween games were all part of the fun. A great night was had by all who participated.

Scout Meetings

Our 2 Scout Sections will become 1, once again!
Our first meeting will take place next Wednesday evening, 25th September from 8.30pm to 10.00pm.
See you all then and please don't forget your forms! :-)

Boyle Scouts Registration Night 2013 - 2014

Registration Night for all New and Existing members will be held on Wednesday 18^th September between 7.00 and 9.00 pm in the Scout Den. All Parents who wish to enrol a child for the coming year, must please register them on this night. Please note that while we are accepting registration of New Members, places will be dependent on returning member numbers and therefore cannot be immediately guaranteed. Weekly meetings will resume the following week, beginning Monday 23^rd September. Anyone who would like to give a hand out or become a Leader in any of the Sections would be most welcome and can contact the Group Leader on 086 8360222 or any Leader.

Phoenix 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.

Castle Saunderson

Boyle Site, Phoenix 2013

Roisin and Alannah

The legendary Tony Smyth (Camp Chief, Castle Saunderson) keeps everyone entertained.