Ballyjamesduff Scout group climbing the ladder up the tree of success...

The leaders of the 10th Cavan Ballyjamesduff Scout Group have climbed up the ladder in Scouting Ireland and are now training other adults around the county to become Scout Leaders as well as looking after their own sections. Siobhan Hand is group and Cub leader and Niamh Moynagh is deputy group leader and Beaver Section leader, while Siobhan is also county training co-ordinator and Niamh county program co-ordinator. In September the group received yet another gold in the SQS excellence awards from the county in recognition of their leaders hard work and dedication to the group. As a group they have adopted the holistic approach to each individual member whether its a child or adult. According to Liz Ward, "it is a very exciting time to be involved in the scouting movement at the moment as the New One Programme is be rolled out later this year". It will focus on the personal progression of the individual in their social, physical, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual needs. "As a group we are always on the look out for new leaders and welcome them with open arms," she added. All leaders have to go through, and have gone through vigorous garda vetting and back ground checks. One of the highlights of last year was in the summer (May 30 until June 1, just in case you missed it, summer that is) was Jamoige for the cubs in Dalgan Park. They learned to make Cuchulainns bed, bread sticks, paper sun dials, Volcanos and well as other activities. According to Liz the Beavers made history as under the new directive from Scouting Ireland they were allowed for the first time to camp outside and so joined everyone on the adventure that proved to be packed full of things to do. The Beaver section also hosted the Ghost and Ghouls event in October, which as a county event was opened to other beavers groups throughout the county bringing 150 ghosts, vampires, witches etc. to Ballyjamesduff and judging by the response and numbers that attended, a great day was had by all. The Scouts enjoyed learning new skills on the Creymoon Camp organised by the Venturers as well as lighting fires, using saws and pen knives, making cooking stove from tin cans and a hanger, cooking, coconut cups, map and compass readings etc. They also enjoyed many outing with the other sections of the group like the frolics, ice skating, the brilliant Grove Gardens Spooktacular, and end of year camp. "The venturers were a great help throughout the year to all sections of the group and they themselves achieved a great personal achievement along with their facilitator Niamh when they climbed Croke Patrick," said Liz. The Summer months see the Cubs head down to Portlick for their annual camp and the Scouts up to Shercock for their annual camp, she concluded.