Welcome to North Cork Scout County

Aoife Howard who successfully completed The Crean Challenge expedition in Iceland February 2013

Crean Challenge Iceland 2013

Attempting to Follow in the Footsteps of Tom Crean

The Crean Challenge Expedition was developed for the Scout programme

section. The event challenges scouts to endure conditions and challenges

that will hopefully give them an insight into the conditions the explorers like Tom Crean faced. Antarctic The expedition aims to promote the idea of working in Patrols with others to achieve common goals. In addition there are personal challenges that each individual must undertake, identifying the goals which they hope to achieve. The Expedition Team assists the scouts with skill development and gives them a great deal of guidance to help with their preparation. Part of the challenge involves the individuals taking ownership of their journey and learning a variety of scouting skills and life skills in the run up to and during the expedition itself. The expedition in Iceland is physically and mentally challenging, however all scouts can succeed in achieving the Crean Challenge Expedition Medal.

The Training –Challenging and Skill Focused

The first training weekend for the Crean Challenge Expedition took place in September 2012. It wasa hectic and exciting weekend for the adventurers in which many new

skills were gained. The weekend began with icebreakers to allow the scouts get to know each other and get to know the expedition team. The real hard work commenced shortly

after the icebreakers. We began with map work, compass work and individual route cards for the hike the following day. We had a very early start the next morning commencing with a game to help the scouts think about the SPICES and how they affect them. It was then time to get out and about; life jackets were put on and we headed down to the water to learn how to row skiffs. The first challenge was lifting the two boats off the trailer and launching them

under the supervision of Skipper McCann and experienced Malahide sea scouts. Following a brief lesson the scouts were off on a navigation course around Lough Dan to collect ‘FOOD DUMPS’. After lunch we briefly revisited route cards and began work on logbook skills. The logbook is very interesting and an important part of the Crean Challenge Expedition, as

it is a record of the exciting journey the scouts embark on and is very rewarding for them when completed at the end of this six month journey. Next up was backwoods training

and dinner depended on the success of the backwoods cooking, however it was not as successful as planned as the fire died before all the food was cooked. The scouts availed of supplementary food from another scout group in Lough Dan. The patrols then embarked

on a night hike in the cold and rain, route cards were put into practice, conditions were challenging and we survived, arriving safely back to Lough Dan after midnight. Our last day of the training weekend had finally arrived and although everyone was exhausted we were

looking forward to the hike from Lough Dan to Glendalough and again we put the map reading skills and route cards into practice. It was a very tough weekend but everyone survived it and had successfully started their journey to Iceland.

The second training weekend took place in Srahan Scout centre Co. Laoise in November 2012, it was an excellent venue and it was great to meet everyone again and there was a real buzz about the trip. There was a busy weekend ahead of everyone. The scouts departed on a patrol lead hike on Saturday. This hike was tough and challenging as there

was a lot of heather and soggy bog on the mountains. Back in Srahan after dinner there was a presentation given on nutrition and what foods are suitable during hiking. There was lots of information to take in from this presentation and it was followed by another useful presentation from Peter Walsh a scout that completed the Crean Challenge Expedition last year.  Sunday was also a very busy day with a First Aid training session lead by members of the emergencies skills team.  This was very detailed, as we had to learn about hypothermia, the causes of it and how to treat it.  We covered frost bite and completed a refresher on all the basics.  Before we departed Srahan personal gear was checked and the scouts were advised on what they needed to bring on the expedition. Each scout met with their mentors to go through there log books to see how progress was going. Personalchallenges were finalised by each of the scouts and the mentors. These challenges were based around at least two of the SPICES and were designed by the Scouts themselves. We wrapped up withquestions and answers; the second training weekend was complete and everyone went home extremely tired but excited about the pending adventure.

We had one final meeting in January 2013 to complete progress reviews particularly focusing on their personal challenges and gear/equipment. Richard Murray a participant from last year visited the scouts to share his experience and give them a few tips. All the participants were given the specially designed event t-shirts and complementary hiking socks, which Hi-Tec kindly donated.

The Expedition

An intensive week symbolically re-tracing the steps of Tom Cream on our Arctic Expedition is not for the faint hearted. When the participants stepped off the plane to a below zero chilling wind they needed to use all their skills they have learned from their scout groups and the new skills they have picked up and perfected in training when it came to completing the Crean Challenge Expedition. The participants based out of the Ulfljotsyatn USU scout campsite located in a remote area, east of Reykjavik. Here the participants meet 20 Icelandic scouts all embarking on the same expedition. Together they formed four patrols with mixed nationalities. Over the first number of days challenges were set for each patrol, and crossing a major language barrier they all had to work together in an effort to complete each task. These challenges include, sledge building, climbing and abseiling, lone patrol hikes and caving. The purpose of these challenges is to encourage teamwork, an element to success and one that was most evident in Tom Creans expeditions. But there was plenty of time forFUN! Irish and Icelandic scouts hosted cultural evenings, exchange stories, songs, music and play games, learning about each other’s different cultures and way of life. The focus of the challenge was of course the expedition. This tuck place toward the end of the week and was from Ulfljotsvatn to the old Scout huts at Mt. Skarðsmýrarfjall (these really are old). This expedition challenge pushed participants to their limits. They had to endure sub-zero temperatures, unpredictable storms with complete loss of visibility and cross icy rivers. Even though the Crean Challenge Expedition Medal is an individual award it would not be possible to complete this alone, therefore participants had to help and look out for each other over the duration of the entire trip.

Congratulations to Aoife Howard on successful Crean Challenge expedition.

North Cork Scouter receives Scouting Ireland's highest honour for a lifetime of service!

Scouting Ireland held its National Council at Rosses Point, Sligo last weekend. Over 800 youth and adult delegates from 32 counties travelled to this annual conference, where the movements governing body is elected, and more importantly its 45,000 plus members are represented by both adults and youth members debating policy and voting on motions as equals.

For the delegates from North Cork, which covers such areas as Mitchelstown, Fermoy, Kilworth, Rathcormac, Glanworth, Mallow, Charleville, Buttevant, Kanturk, Doneraile and Boherbue, it was a special event, because of a little surprise which had been arranged for one the counties most senior members.

National Council meets annually to debate motions submitted by over 500 groups around the country,workshops and side meetings help build contacts and develop the association with the adult and youth reps working close together to affect change, youth leadership and empowerment is a central element of scouting.

As well as all the politics, elections and debates, National Council affords the association a unique platform to highlight the exceptional members who's contributions have literally helped build the movement, awards given at National Council are significant, to point of many tears being shed by recipients.

Scouting Ireland's 10,000 adult volunteers give thousands of hours to activities and events each week, little is ever said or done to pay tribute to this in a public manner. The volunteers do it because they love scouting and they get as much from the fun, adventure and challenge, as the youth members, as they assist them in their personal growth.

The association, does have an awards scheme, both service awards which are automatically given for years of service and the meritorious awards which recognise the exceptional, those who go above and beyond, in developing scouting and making meaningful contributions to the lives of young people. Very few scouters ever however, will receive Scouting Irelands most prestigeous award; The Order of Cú Chulainn.

This Celtic designed silver honour, is reserved for those who've consistently gone the extra mile to make a huge difference to the movement and its members.

Martin Flahive, former North Cork County Commissioner, and Deputy Group Leader of the 44th Mallow Scout Group, got the surprise of his life as the citation was read infront of a packed conference room in Sligo by the Chief Scout of Ireland, Michael John Shinnick, a fellow North Corker.

Citing the high esteem Martins quiet, diligent and enthusiastic manner is held in by all those who've come across him. His opinion and experience is respected by all, Martin always puts the young person first and is the ultimate problem solver. Having joined the then Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland in the 1970's, in the 29th/30th Cork, Mitchelstown, Martin moved to the 24th Charleville.

As an adult member, Martin has held many roles and positions in the associations, most recently as County Commissioner in North Cork he worked closely with Michael John and the Counties Group Leaders to build a strong and vibrant county, capable of facing the many challenges which are facing modern scouting, especially under the current financial pressures.

Helping oversee the transition after the amalgamation into Scouting Ireland and the role out the One Programme, Martin also sought to expand scouting into new areas, re-opening the 44th Mallow Scout Group, four years ago, It continues to go from strength to strength, under his careful support and guidance with the other scouters in the group!

Martin passed on the torch of County Commissioner to Doneraile Scouter Paudy O'Brien three years ago, Paudy had seen first hand Martins dedication and hardwork and sought to see it recognised by nominating Martin for the Order. Far, from resting on his laurels. Martin remains as active and enthusiastic a scouter as ever, helping coordinate the scout section in North Cork. Martin works for pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and lives in Ballincollig.

The entire scouting family in North Cork Scout County wish to thank Martin for his selfless dedication to scouting in general, especially in North Cork, he remains a role-model, mentor and friend to young and old alike, a credit to scouting.