What an exciting year for Scouting in Ashbourne!

The highpoint for all our Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts must have been Easter Camp, taking place at Scouting Ireland’s National Camp Centre at Larch Hill in the Dublin Mountains. There, our scouts participated in pioneering and hiking, and the event was topped off with a fantastic Fire and Light performance!

During the year, our Scouts undertook a series of increasingly challenging hikes in preparation for their summer expedition to climb Mt Snowdon, in north Wales, “the hard way!” The Scouts summited Fairy Castle, Maulin, Djouce, Barnavave, Slieve Foye and Slieve Donard on their way to Mt Snowdon, achieving a total combined ascent of over 5000m. Talk about reaching new heights!

Our summer expedition to Wales was our first ever trip abroad. 37 Leaders, Scouts and Cub Scouts travelled to Wales by ferry. As well as scaling Snowdon, this adventure included visiting a power station deep inside a mountain at Electric Mountain, tales of derring-do (and derring-don’t) at Caernarfon Castle, climbing through the treetops at Ropes and Ladders, and meeting Scouts from local Scout Groups as part of Scouting Ireland’s Gathering programme.

In September we were delighted to open a Venture Scout Section in Ashbourne. Venture Scouts are aged from 15 ½ to 17, and are expected to take the leading role in all their activities. Venture Scouts plan and undertake their own adventurous activities in conjunction with their section programme scouters.

The year’s overall highlight for the group was undoubtedly the awarding of the Chief Scouts Award (and Bronze Gaisce award) to two of our Venture Scouts, Sarah and Mary Lizz. This is the highest award which a scout in any section can earn, and this is the first time that this award has been achieved in Ashbourne!

Here’s hoping that 2014 will be every bit as good!