SeaScoutsjoin withTallanstown
Blackrock Sea Scouts have joined together with their counterparts from Tallanstown, cementing a strong relationships between the troops who have travelled together to camps over the past number of years.
In pooling their resources, the young scouts will now be able to sample land and sea based scouting activity, and are inviting more boys and girls from ten and a half upwards to share the joys of scouting and learn valuable life skills.
The troops also always welcome the infusion of new adult leaders. It is a rewarding experience for especially anybody who is interested in the outdoor life. It is open to those 18 and over to take up the role, with the required training provided.
Following the amalgamation of the troops, meetings are held on alternative weeks in Blackrock Community Centre on Thursday night and Knockbridge on a Wednesday night. The Tallanstown group are based in the old Saint Brides hall.
The first big outing for the new combined troop is planned, with subject to sufficient uptake, a decision taken to take part in the Scouting Jamboree at Stradvalley County Laois
Some 4,000 to 5,000 scouts from all over Ireland and from overseas will attend the event lasting nine days, running from July 25 to August 7.
The troops went on their first outdoor activity of the year, with a trip to Ballymackellett woods and mountains to allow them test and improve hiking and map reading skills.
The scouts also gained the opportunity to practise their survival technique skills, testing their ability to keep warm, feed themselves and survive in the woods.
This entailed building shelter and making fires without utensils.
They will put this to the test later in spring in March or April with an overnight camp to be arranged, and will have survival packs to keep them warm and dry.
As the weather improves the troops will then take to the water in Blackrock for sea activity in Blackrock.
The troop received a small grant of €1,500 under the Government equipment scheme, which they are to use to buy some essential equipment, including life jackets and sails for their boating fleet, and other items.