Rain failed to dampen scout spirit

SCOUTS taking part in the Wexford County Shield at the new IOAC Centre in Tagoat, who had been basking in the sun on Friday evening, had to contend with torrential rain a few hours later, but at the end of the weekend, everyone came out smiling.

The shield competition featured scouts from around the county and eight teams of eight took part, showing off life skills including shelter building and backwoods’ cooking, first aid, communications and map reading.

The boys, aged between 12 and 15, were entirely self sufficient during the challenge and many put their shelters to good use during the deluges of rain.

Later, their camp sites were graded while they were off site to do some of the competition elements.

The winning teams were, first, the Asgard Patrol from the 13th Wexford, second, Blackwater and third, Davidstown.

The first two teams now go on to the Phoenix Challenge, which is due to take place in Stormont in the North of Ireland in August

During the weekend, as using ‘pioneering spars’, the scouts spelt out ‘Rescue 116’ on the ground, to mark the close connections between the movement and the rescue services and as a tribute to the crew of Rescue 116 who died when their helicopter crashed at Blacksod, County Mayo, last March.

The organisers of the scout camp had arranged for a flypast by the Waterford-based Rescue 117 helicopter which was particularly well received by all the scouts, young and old.

Among visitors during the weekend were Chief Scout Christy McCann and the Chief Commissioner for Guiding, Emily McCann.

Davidstown were 3rd in the Shield event (from left): Patrick Ivory, Damien Walsh, Patrick Holohan, Ben Collins, Kyle Delaney, Deanne Skerritt, Sarah Boyce and Paige Mitchell.

Shield runners-up from the 29th Wexford Blackwater troop: Aaron Cummings, Thomas Whelan, Christy McCann (Chief Scout), Thomas Davis, Jason O’Toole and Kyle O’Toole.

The Asgard Patrol, Shield winners from the 13th Wexford Clonard Platoon. Leader Ashton Rossiter receives the Shield from Chief Scout Christy McCann.

Emily McCann, Chief Commissioner, CGI; Carmel Tennant, camp owner; Christy McCann, Chief Scout; Adrian Tennant, camp owner; and Ian O’Leary, County Commissioner.

Holly Larkin, Paige Mitchell and Robert Mitchell of the 34th Wexford Davidstown troop with the best pack leader award.

The scouts pay tribute to the crew of Rescue 116, as captured in this picture from a crew member of Rescue 117 during the fly-past.