Ashbourne Scouts hiking in the Mournes

Details

Created: 14 March 2017

6th Meath Ventures hiking in the Mournes last year

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a weather front crossing the country morning time Sunday 19th, we have moved the start time of the hike. Instead of 8.45am, we will meet at 9.15am. Please bring suitable wet gear as there is a risk of rain during the first hour of the hike.

On 19th March Scouts and Ventures will hike a new route in the Mournes. The route takes in a beautiful and less often visited part of this spectacular range of mountains. The route is a trail finding exercise for a county hike that Ashbourne and Trim Scouts will lead later this Spring.

As usual please consult the hike equipment list before setting out. We will meet in the Community Centre car park at 9.15am, please bring €5 for transport.

Ventures travel to Camp North-East

Details

Created: 24 April 2016

Camp North East will run from Friday 29th April through Monday 2nd of May.  We aim to leave Ashbourne at around 5pm on Friday evening, departing from the Community Centre car park. We will be staying at Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre in Co. Cavan.

A basic equipment list for camp is provided here.

In addition scouts should bring:

• Venture Scouts should arrive and depart in full uniform
• A pair of old runners
• A scout knife
• A personal first aid kit
• A cheap white t shirt
• A glass jar
• Warm hat and gloves
• Old clothes for assault course - they will get very mucky and wet

This camp will offer a set of water activities. Ventures wanting to participate in these activities should be able to swim and will need also to bring:

• Bathing suit
• A wetsuit if you have one
• A Cagoul if you have one
• A light fleece if you have one
• A large towel for drying off
• Small plastic bag to put clothes in before session and wet things in afterwards

We would also recommend that Ventures bring a folding camp chair since the benches owned by the group have all been co-opted for the cub camp in Lough Key. Camp chairs can be purchased in Argos for €10 if you don't already have one.

We will meet on Friday evening to buy food for camp. Ventures are asked to contribute €20 each to cover the cost of food and transportation for this event, your camp fees have already been paid in full.

Two night wild camping expedition

Details

Created: 02 October 2016

This year's two night expedition will be in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains National Park. We will set off from Ashbourne Friday Oct 7th @ 6pm. Scouts must be fully prepared, packed and ready to walk out the door at that time. They should also have had a proper dinner before leaving. Scouts should bring a medium/large backpack, at least 45 litres is advised. There must be enough spare room in the pack to carry half a tent and some cooking equipment. Don't go crazy packing, fully packed the bag should weigh no more than the child's age - 2 kilos (we'll be adding another 2 kilos of tents, cooking gear etc.) It could be cold camping on the mountain at 600m so consider either a full sized sleeping bag (these can be very bulky though) if you have a lightweight sleeping bag (less than 2kg) and also a sleeping bag fleece liner this can do instead.

Our first night will be spent in Lough Dan where there will be access to Scouting facilities, toilets, showers etc. We will do a light evening hike from there and then return for supper. Next morning we will set out for Tonelagee Mountain, one of Wicklow's highest peaks via Kanturk. We will take our time and travel with care enjoying the views. After reaching the summit we will make camp in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Wild Camping in the Wicklow National Park is strictly regulated, our leaders have Leave No Trace awareness certification to ensure these rules are complied with. Sunday morning sees us return to Lough Dan and we should be back in Ashbourne by 5pm.

Parents please note: Wild Camping means no toilet facilities other than a spade! All sanitary waste must be put in zip lock bags and carried out of the park. Be advised that this is a tough hike, scouts must be in good health and capable of carrying their own pack all day.

In addition to the standard equipment list here, you will need to bring the following:
- Additional water bottle (be equipped to carry c. 1.5litres if need be)
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Sponge bag
- Plenty of zip lock bags (sanitary waste must be bagged and brought back to Lough Dan!)
- Sun cream
- Hat with a brim
- Supper, breakfast x 2, lunch x 2, dinner, energy bars and/or emergency rations, packet soups
- Sleeping bag
- Lightweight ground mat
- Spoon, Fork, Knife
- Mobile Phone

Additions

 - Lightweight towel

 - Headnet for midges and mosquitos, insect repellent (optional)

Equipment we will supply:
- Portable stoves, pots, pans and utensils
- Lighters
- Trekking tents

Note suitable dinners should be light enough to carry and something warm and nutritious e.g. pasta meals in a pouch for hikers and so on. Food needs to be suitable for cooking easily in the wild on a portable stove.

Note: This camp can count towards badgework for the Chief Scout Award as well higher level badges for Camping and Hill Walking.

This camp will be subject to weather. It will be cancelled if conditions become too adverse.

Leaders on this Trek: Damian McGrath, Declan Brady

Parents of Scouts going on this trip must get approval from Damian first, 085 1754797.

Ventures - Advanced Wood Carving/Whittling Skills Workshop

Details

Created: 05 April 2016

This will be held in the Aughrim St. Scout Den on Friday 8th April at 8pm. Please bring

• Your necker,
• A knife for whittling. This can be a short fixed blade knife (if you have one) or short pen knife with locking blade (if you have one)
• A strong, work/protective glove for the hand that will be holding the wood.
• Some biscuits or treats to share

Lifts will be by prior arrangement with Venture Leaders. We will be joined by Ventures from Kells and possibly Ratoath.

All materials, programme and instruction will be provided with thanks to Ben and Stephen of 9th/10th Dublin Aughrim Street Scouts.