Cub Scouts go wild at JamÓige
THE event that has been talked about for the last few weeks really lived up to the hype for the 3,500 Cub Scouts and the 1,000 Beavers and a 1,000 Scouters who travelled from all parts of Ireland to celebrate the 100 years of Cub Scouting and 40 years of Beaver Scouting in Ireland.
Bathed in beautiful sunshine for the whole weekend, the Kanturk Cub Scout Group had a very busy schedule. Arriving on site at 6pm on Friday evening to the Salesian College in Pallaskenry, putting up their seven tents for the 17 boys and girls, leaders and store and mess tents before the 9.30pm opening ceremony was a mammoth task, but well within the capabilities of this fantastic bunch from the Kanturk hinterland.
Saturday morning dawned at 6am for the Cubs, with just four hours sleep in the tank, and considerably less for the leaders. A day full of activities was in store, ranging from exploring bygone equipment, like the disc man, the record player and getting their first taste of Popeye the Sailor Man as part of their Time Travel.
Next they went back further in time to the early days of the 20th century to make a camera and participate in the games and activities from the first Cub Scout book from 1916.
Saturday night brought one of the highlights, when the cubs in all of the sub camps had a trade fair; where they dressed up and bartered, challenged and traded with the other groups and made friends along the way.
Sunday again brought sunshine and an early start.
Obstacle courses and games were the order of the morning and a medieval battle in the afternoon. No medieval warrior is prepared without their armour, sword, helmet and the knowledge of their enemy so the Cubs were busy before battling under the watchful eye of the Knights Templar and the Queen.
Sunday night was party time and the celebration kicked off at 8pm, with singing, dancing, and everyone in costume. It was a sight to behold to see the Zulus, the Aztecs, the Viking and our own Samurai dancing and doing the Congo, lead by the Kanturk Cubs.
With three nights of sleeping in tents under their belts, the cubs had to dig deep to keep their energy up to explore the Orient and sample the different teas, spices, martial arts and build the Great Wall of Pallaskenry with 2ltr milk bottles.
Well done to the Cubs for achieving the highest honour of the camp in being presented the Camp Chief Challenge Badge for their hard work, unflinching determination, their bravery in doing the difficult challenges and hikes over the weekend.
The Cubs are looking for their next camp, some are moving to the next phase of their scouting career and cannot wait, now that they have been bitten by the Scouting bug.
However, the greatest need is for willing adults to volunteer your time to be part of this fantastic organisation that has stood the test of time, has grown and developed to be the biggest informal educational youth organisation in Ireland and indeed the world.
Give these children the chance to explore Scouting to its fullest, our society will be better because of it and you will get training and experiences that are second to none.
Contact a local scouter or check out the Scouting Ireland website for more details.