Scouting Ireland
Encyclopedia
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
-recognised Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
association in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, although it also has Scout Group
Scout Group
The Scout Group is the local organisation for Scouting in most countries where it is active. It combines together the different sections into a single body. Scout Groups can consist of any number of sections in the different Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding...
s in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Scouting Ireland is a voluntary, non-formal educational movement for young people. It is independent, non-political, open to all without distinction of origin, race, creed or gender, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by Robert Baden-Powell and as stated by WOSM.
The aim of Scouting Ireland is to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, character and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and as responsible citizens, to improve society. Of the 750,000 people between the ages of 6 and 18 in Ireland, approximately 2.5% participate in Scouting Ireland.The organisation was founded on January 1, 2004 after a merge between Scouting Ireland C.S.I.
Scouting Ireland (CSI)
Scouting Ireland was a WOSM affiliated National Scout Organisation in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from 1927 to December 31, 2003. It has since merged with Scouting Ireland S.A.I. to form Scouting Ireland...
and Scouting Ireland S.A.I.
Scouting Ireland S.A.I.
Scouting Ireland S.A.I. was an Irish Scouting association, formed in 1908 and merged into Scouting Ireland in 2004.- History :Scouting Ireland SAI began in 1908 as the Dublin City and Dublin County Boy Scouts. Around the same time, a number of Troops in Co. Wicklow formed the Co. Wicklow Scout...
. Its headquarters are at Larch Hill
Larch Hill
Larch Hill is the national campsite, and administrative and training headquarters of Scouting Ireland. It was previously owned by Scouting Ireland .-Overview:...
, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
.
History
The Scouting Ireland organisation has its basis in two separate Irish Scouting organisations — the Scouting Association of Ireland (SAI), and the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland (CBSI). The former traces its roots to 1908, and the latter was founded in 1926 - both trace their legacy to Baden Powell's Scout Movement.By 1908, the influence of Powell's Scouting movement had spread from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to Ireland. The earliest known Scouting event in Ireland took place in the Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 16 km perimeter wall encloses , one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth...
in 1908 with members of the Dublin City Boy Scouts (later Scouting Ireland S.A.I.
Scouting Ireland S.A.I.
Scouting Ireland S.A.I. was an Irish Scouting association, formed in 1908 and merged into Scouting Ireland in 2004.- History :Scouting Ireland SAI began in 1908 as the Dublin City and Dublin County Boy Scouts. Around the same time, a number of Troops in Co. Wicklow formed the Co. Wicklow Scout...
) taking part.
Because of the impacts to available leadership, the coming of the Great War in 1914 could have affected the viability of Scouting in Ireland. However, patrol leader members took over much of the leadership activities when adult leaders volunteered for active military duty. Scouts contributed to the war effort in several ways; notably the Sea Scouts, who took supported regular coast guardsmen.
In Dublin in the 1920s, two priests, Fathers Tom and Ernest Farrell followed the progress of Scouting. They noted that in other countries, the Catholic Church had taken up the idea of Scouting. After some study and experimentation, they made a proposal to the bishops of Ireland and were granted a constitution and Episcopal patronage in November 1926. Thus, the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland (CBSI)
Scouting Ireland (CSI)
Scouting Ireland was a WOSM affiliated National Scout Organisation in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from 1927 to December 31, 2003. It has since merged with Scouting Ireland S.A.I. to form Scouting Ireland...
(Gasóga Catoilici na hÉireann) was created. The CBSI would later become the largest Scout association on the island.
When war (and The Emergency) came again in 1939, Scouts carried on under the direction of their patrol leaders, and undertook service tasks. Including acting as messengers, fire watchers, stretcher bearers, salvage collectors, etc.
In 1965, CBSI joined with the Scout Association of Ireland to form the Federation of Irish Scout Associations, FISA. Through FISA, Irish Scouts were able to play a full part in international Scouting. Prior to this, because the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM)
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
traditionally recognises only one Scouting body in each country, only SAI had been recognised by WOSM (since 1949). Similarly, the Northern Irish Scout Council (NISC) only had observer status in the Federation, as CBSI's membership extended across the 32 counties on the island of Ireland and WOSM usually only recognises associations that observe political frontiers.
Although aligned through FISA, these two separate Scouting organisations (the SAI
Scouting Ireland S.A.I.
Scouting Ireland S.A.I. was an Irish Scouting association, formed in 1908 and merged into Scouting Ireland in 2004.- History :Scouting Ireland SAI began in 1908 as the Dublin City and Dublin County Boy Scouts. Around the same time, a number of Troops in Co. Wicklow formed the Co. Wicklow Scout...
and CBSI
Scouting Ireland (CSI)
Scouting Ireland was a WOSM affiliated National Scout Organisation in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from 1927 to December 31, 2003. It has since merged with Scouting Ireland S.A.I. to form Scouting Ireland...
) operated as separate entities through the latter half of the 20th century. Then, on January 1, 2004, the two organisations were merged to form "Scouting Ireland". This followed a poll in 2003, when both associations voted to join together to form a new single association. This in turn had followed from a 1998 decision to set this process in motion.
Scouting Ireland now has 37,692 members across the island of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(as of 2011), including Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
where it works in partnership with the Scout Association of Northern Ireland
Scout Association of Northern Ireland
Scouting in Northern Ireland is represented by three Scouting associations. The Scout Association of Northern Ireland is part of the Scout Association of the United Kingdom, which is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognized Scouting association in the United Kingdom...
, a part of the United Kingdom Scout Association The Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
.
Local volunteers are now supported by a centralised full-time (professional) staff, who support the day to day running of the association.
Scout Method
The Scout Method is the way of delivering the programme to young people. The Scout Method is composed of eight parts which are equally important and collectively implemented make Scouting what it is. It is through the use of the Scout Method that Scouting achieves its aims in developing young people.Sections
Scouting Ireland offers a programme for youth members ages between 6 and 25 years. In 2009 it was decided that there should be five sections as follows, to be introduced between April 2010 & April 2013:- Beaver Scouts - Ages 6, 7 and 8
- Cub Scouts - Ages 9, 10 and 11
- Scouts - Ages 12, 13, 14 and 15
- Venture Scouts - Ages 15, 16 and 17
- Rover ScoutsRover Scouts (Scouting Ireland)Rover Scouts in Scouting Ireland are aged between 18 to 26 years of age. It is a new section and is being set up in many universities around the country...
- Ages 18 to 25
- Sea ScoutsSea Scouts (Scouting Ireland)Sea Scouting has existed in Ireland since 1912. Currently, all Sea Scout Groups in Ireland are members of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement through Scouting Ireland...
- Sea Scouts follow the normal scouting programme, with an emphasis on water activities and with a nautical symbolic framework. Sea Scouts follow the same age ranges as the Scout and Venture Sections however in many cases both these sections will work closely together as one unit.
The National Management Committee can decide on variations to the Section names for use with a specific Symbolic Framework adopted by a Scout Group Council.
Sections to be phased out
Prior to the introduction of the new sections, the age ranges of the former associations are used by Groups:- Beaver ScoutsScouting Ireland Beaver ScoutsBeaver Scouts are the youngest age group in Scouting Ireland and are boys and girls aged between 6 and 8 years of age. The personal progressive scheme employed in Beavers is called the "paw print trail", with each member following the trail, collecting paw badges along the way...
(6-8); - MacaoimhMacaoimhCub Scouts or Macaoimh is the name given to youth members Scouting Ireland and previously Scouting Ireland , of the Cub Scout age group. The terms Macaoimh and Cub are often co-existent though Macaoimh represents a different tradition. Both boys and girls participate in the Macaoimh programme...
or Cub Scouts (8-11), notable by the uniquely Irish symbolic framework it uses; - ScoutsScouting Ireland ScoutsScouts in Scouting Ireland are aged between 11 and a half to 16 years of age. Each group has a Court of Honour/Patrol Leader's Council which under the guidance of an adult Scouter designs and implements activities...
(11-15); - Venture ScoutsScouting Ireland Venture ScoutsVenture Scouts in Scouting Ireland are aged between 15 to 17 years of age. The awards scheme is called Rogha, an Irish word meaning Choice. Although many groups use Gaisce, The President's Award as part of their programme also...
(16-21).
Scout Group
The basic unit of Scouting in Ireland is the Scout Group. Each Group is based around a single meeting point, but may have a number of sections, meeting at different times, and may have more than one Scout Troop or Cub pack, for example.The Group is managed by the Group Council, headed up by the Group Leader. Other Officers include a Secretary, Chairperson, Treasurer and Trainer. Sections are represented by Programme Scouters, and Scouts and Ventures may send representatives from time to time.
Scout County
Scout Groups are members of their local Scout County. Some are based on geographical countiesCounties of Ireland
The counties of Ireland are sub-national divisions used for the purposes of geographic demarcation and local government. Closely related to the county is the County corporate which covered towns or cities which were deemed to be important enough to be independent from their counties. A county...
, others, depending on density, are based in parts of cities or across county boundaries. The Scout County is there to support the training of Scouters, the Youth Programme and the development of Groups within the County. The Scout County Board, which meets at least once a year, consists of Scouters and representatives of Scouts and Ventures in each County elect County Officers (County Commissioner, County secretary, County Treasurer) as well as County Programme and Training Co-ordinators.
The Scout County Management Committee consists of the Group Leaders, County Officers and Co-Ordinators and manages the County on behalf of the Board.
Provinces
For organisational purposes, Ireland is divided into six Scout ProvincesScouting Ireland Provinces
A Scout Province is an administrative division within Scouting Ireland. Each province comprises a number of Scout Counties, which are mobilised and coordinated to combine their resources for the improvement of Scouting at a local level....
; namely the Northern, Southern, North Eastern, South Eastern, Western and metropolitan Dublin provinces. The Provincial Commissioner appoints a Training Co-Ordinator as well as Youth Programme and International representatives. The Provincial Support/Management Committee consists of County Commissioners, Provincial Officers, Co-ordinators and representatives.
Each Province has a Provincial Support Officer and a Group Facilitating Officer who administrate the development of Training and Youth Programme.
National Council
The primary decision making body of Scouting Ireland is the National Council (NC), which meets at least once a year. Membership consists of members of the National Management Committee (NMC), County Officers, Group Leaders, Group delegates, National, Provincial and County Venture and Scout representatives. The NC elects Provincial Commissioners, National Officers and ordinary members of the NMC when required.It was decided in 2005 to rotate the honour of hosting National Council among the six Provinces of every year.
National Management Committee
The first Chief Scout elected was Martin Burbridge, the former National Treasurer of Scouting Ireland (CSI). He was re-elected at National Council in 2007 for a second term which was due to end in 2010. For personal reasons Burbridge announced his resignation in August 2008, and the NMC elected Michael John Shinnick, the then Chief Commissioner for Adult Resources, as SI's second Chief Scout in September 2008. He was elected by National Council in March 2009, for a term to end in 2012.Other National Officers include Michael Devins (National Secretary), Francis Minogue (National Treasurer), Ian Davy (Chief Commissioner for Youth Programme) & John Brennan (Chief Commissioner for Adult Resources). Rev. Gillian Wharton has been the Chairperson of the National Spiritual and Religious Advisory Panel since Scouting Ireland's National Council 2006.
The remainder of the NMC is made up of the six Provincial Commissioners, and six ordinary members. The professional staff are headed up by a CEO, currently vacant, who is based in National Office in Larch Hill. The CEO is expected to attend and contribute to NMC meetings.
Youth participation
Annually the National Scout Forum and the National Venture Scout Forum meet. These fora debate motions relating to the running of the association. Membership of the fora represent each Scout County in Ireland and are elected at Regional fora by their peers. Successful motions are carried forward to the relevant national bodies. Each forum elects 9 representatives who then represent the interests of youth members on various committees throughout their term of office (one year). 3 ordinary members of the National Management Committee must be under the age of 26 on the day of election.There is also the provincial forum that picks the motions that are passed to national scout forum.ONE Programme
The ONE scout programme has been designed using a number of key underlining principles.• The use of the Scout Method
• One programme for all age ranges
• Youth Participation within the planning process
• Individual personal journeys/experiences
One Programme for all
The principle of ‘ONE programme for all’ means that each age range section delivers the programme in a similar way. Small groups are present in all Sections. Documentation is designed to appeal to the age range of the Section but presents the same concepts to young people in appropriate visual presentations and language. The badge scheme is also similar and the badge designs only signify different age ranges via different coloured designs.Programme creation
Young people are fully involved in the creation and management of their Scouting experience. This is done via the team and Section Council gatherings. They suggest, design and implement their own adventures and experiences assisted and facilitated by Adult Scouters. This collective experience is the programme of the group.The Personal Journey
Every Scout is responsible for their Personal Journey/experience of Scouting and plays a hand in designing and planning that journey. The Personal Journey ideal draws a young person to explore the SPICES and enable them to learn, acquire knowledge and develop while participating in the Scout programme. The programme, that young people have designed with the help and assistance of Scouters follows a simple process PLAN, DO, REVIEW. Programmes are planned, activities are executed and the whole process is reviewed. The review process is an important stage as it allows young people to learn by doing, reflect on what has been learnt and carry thisknowledge through to the next programme cycle. The review and reflection process is an important part of the personal journey of young people. It allows them
to position themselves on their chosen path and provides them with pathways to future discoveries and experiences.
Badges
There are four types of badges available to young people.• Progress Award Badges
• Adventure Skills Badges
• Special Interest Badges
• Boatman Badges scouter
Personal Progress Badges
Personal Progress Badges are awarded to young people in recognition of how they have developed and travelled along their personal Scouting journey. The badges are roughly linked to a ‘Scouting years’ programme. It is not based on individual tests but rather on a concept of bringing young people ‘one step forward’. For some young people this will be easy for others more challenging. It will also be related to maturity of young people as they grow and develop. Scouters therefore need to be fully aware of ‘where their Scouts are at’ so they can have a fuller understanding of how far a young person has travelled in a particular Stage.Adventure Skills
Adventure skills badges set prescribed detailed requirements to young people to achieve a set standard in a particular adventure skill. The requirements are progressive and ultimately reflect and pave the way to outside recognition by a governing body of a chosen skill. There are currently nine adventure skills badges.Special Interest Badges
Special interest badges are open ended badges that reflect the interest of the young person undertaking them. Any subject is possible and the requirements are designed by the young person in consultation and agreement with their Scouters. There are five badge designs, badges are presented under a number of heading into which the special interest subject will fall. Heading include -Skill, Physical, Adventure, Community, Environment. Badge requirements will differ depending on the individual Scout undertaking for the badge. The principle of ‘doing one’s best’ is the key feature of badges awarded under this area. The system allows everyone to choose what they want to do, it provides recognition for personal effort, rather than achieving a grade, so everyone has a chance to achieve the badge. Badge requirements are designed to allow exploration of the subject, develop and improve skills, and put the new knowledge into practice, preferably as a practical project which will benefit others.The Role of the Scouters
The role of the Scouters is one of assisting, supporting, facilitating, motivating, being a role model rather than directive. Younger age ranges will require more facilitation and direction but this should be reversed in older age ranges to one of ‘mentor or coach’. The Scouters need to be aware of the young people in their Section,and understand ‘where they are’ in relation to their development as young people. Scouters will assist in reviewing activities and help young people to reflect on their experiences and personal journey through Scouting.
Campsites
CampsiteCampsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
s and Scout centres in Scouting Ireland, may be owned and operated Nationally, or by a Scout County, or Scout Group, or run by a group of volunteers on behalf of SI.
Larch Hill
Larch Hill
Larch Hill is the national campsite, and administrative and training headquarters of Scouting Ireland. It was previously owned by Scouting Ireland .-Overview:...
in Tibradden, Co. Dublin, and Lough Dan near Roundwood
Roundwood
Roundwood, historically known as Tochar , is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland. It was listed as having a population of 589 in the census of 2006....
, Co. Wicklow, are the national campsites, having been inherited from Scouting Ireland (CSI) and Scouting Ireland S.A.I. respectively. Other nationally owned campsites include Mount Melleray Scout Centre in the Knockmealdown Mountains
Knockmealdown Mountains
The Knockmealdown Mountains are a mountain range located on the border of counties South Tipperary and Waterford in Ireland, running east and west between the two counties. The highest peak of the range is Knockmealdown, situated in County Waterford...
near Cappoquin
Cappoquin
Cappoquin, also spelt Cappaquin or Capaquin , is a small town in west County Waterford, Ireland. It is on the Blackwater river at the junction of the N72 national secondary road and the R669 regional road. It is positioned on a sharp 90 degree bend in the river and nestles at the foot of the...
, Co. Waterford, while the National Water Activity Centre (NWAC) is located in Killaloe
Killaloe, County Clare
Killaloe is a large village in east County Clare, Ireland, situated in the midwest of Ireland. The village is on the south end of Lough Derg, while the settlement spreads across the River Shannon, with the County Tipperary side known as Ballina...
, Co. Clare. Locally run campsites are located in Kilcully, Co. Cork, and Srahan Scout Centre, Co. Laois.
International representation
Ann Foley is the International Commissioner for Scouting Ireland.Howard E. Kilroy is Chairman of the World Scout Foundation's Investment Committee
In 2001 John Geoghegan was appointed director of the World Scout Foundation
World Scout Foundation
The World Scout Foundation, WSF, is an international non-profit institution based in Geneva, Switzerland funded in 1969, but reorganized in the current form in 1977. The stated mission of the organization is to develop World Scouting by the provision of financial and other support to help develop...
International awards
Two Irish Scouts have been awarded the Bronze WolfBronze Wolf
The Bronze Wolf Award is bestowed by the World Scout Committee to acknowledge "outstanding service by an individual to the World Scout Movement"...
by the World Scout Committee, Edward J. Montgomery and Jeremiah Kelly.
Scouting Ireland is also affiliated to Gaisce - The President's Award.
International jamborees
Scouting Ireland hosted Jamboree 2008Jamboree 2008 (Ireland)
Jamboree 2008 was Scouting Ireland's first international Jamboree that was held from 2 until 10 August 2008. It took place on the grounds of the Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare, Ireland. The aim of the Jamboree was to celebrate one hundred years of Scouting in Ireland. Over 12,000 Irish and...
, its first international Jamboree
Jamboree (Scouting)
In Scouting, a jamboree is a large gathering of Scouts who rally at a national or international level.The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held in 1920, and was hosted by the United Kingdom...
from August 2–10 August 2008. It was held in Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland....
, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
with the aim of celebrating one hundred years of Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Over 13,500 Irish and overseas scouts attended the event.
National Star Scout Show
The "National Star Scout Show" is where members of Scouting Ireland perform acts of different kinds on stage. It usually takes place in Saint Patrick's College, Dublin. There is a song written especially for the show by Paul Redmond called "We Carry the Light". The show, performing to capacity audiences over three days, features a wide range of acts with music, dancing, drama and comedy, performed by Scouting Ireland Members of all ages and from several locations around IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, together with a strong representation from Dublin.
See also
- Lough DanLough DanLough Dan is a boomerang-shaped ribbon lake near Roundwood, County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a popular area for hikers and kayakers and lies very close to the Wicklow Way....
- Scouting in Northern Ireland
- Scouting Ireland - Scout Law
- Scouting Ireland - Scout Promise
- Gaisce – The President's Award