These experiences have been the most enjoyable times of my life and I wouldn't have had them if I weren't a scout. I have tried white-water rafting and canyoning, and have even gone rifle-shooting with the scouts. I can say that I have been mountainbiking in the Austrian countryside and have been to Barcelona to visit Port Adventura and the Nou Camp. Our scout leaders have organised some unforgettable activities for us that some people wouldn't get a chance to do in their lifetimes. I have been to Austria and Spain with the scouts and both of these visits have been outstanding experiences. But more importantly, camping is about having a laugh with your friends and enjoying the positive atmosphere.īeing a part of the scouts also gives you the chance to explore foreign countries. You can put your skills to the test and try out new things. When camping with the scouts, you have the opportunity to meet young people from across the country and from around the world. Whether it's a small camp in the Wicklow mountains or an exciting journey to Barcelona, I will always look forward to the next scouting trip.
It is great to see scout troops coming together from around the country and settling into one camp-site. It is important to remember the scout motto, ' be prepared', because scouting is about preparing us for the crucial moments in life.Ĭamping is the best part of being a scout.
Scouting has taught me a lot about decision-making and how to act within a critical situation. With the scouts, I have learned how to perform first aid and the basics of life-saving. Not only have I learned new skills for myself, I have gained the ability to help others too. Scouting has been a huge benefit to me over the years. Being a part of the scouts gives you the chance to learn some of these useful skills and take part in fun activities. Sea scouting provides the opportunity to cruise on boats, learn about navigation and work on engines. The average scout can cook, pitch a tent, read a map, tie knots, build shelters and start a fire. I have learned a lot of skills from these activities and I have a vast knowledge of scouting now. We plan regular outings and discuss camps with each other. In the winter, we usually stay in the scout hall doing rope work or playing games. We do this every week during the summer months and spend the occasional weekend swimming in Curracloe or hiking on a local mountain.
Everybody got involved in the activities and found themselves in the water sooner or later. Here we spent the evening canoeing, rowing, sailing and swimming. After a short journey up the river, we stopped on the riverbank. It was an exciting experience for me to pass under Wexford Bridge and explore the Slaney for the first time. There were about 10 of us crammed in to one of them as we sped off along the quay. I will always remember my first day out on the boats. The sailing aspect of the sea scouts interested me the most. A friend introduced me to 2nd Port of Wexford Sea Scouts five years ago and I immediately loved it. I became a scout when I was 11 years old. Some of these people include the likes of Barack Obama, David Attenborough, Paul Mccartney, Bill Gates and David Beckham. More than 300 million people have been scouts. There are over 30 million scouts worldwide and 36,000 of these are from Ireland. Scouting is now the world's largest voluntary youth movement and aims to support young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development. His militarystyle ideas and training methods appealed to the young people and scouting quickly developed after that. To Baden-powell's surprise, he had created the first of many scout camps. This experimental camp was intended to teach youngsters about survival skills and respect. IN 1907 Robert Baden-powell held a small training camp for 20 boys at Brownsea Island.