Scouting Ireland

Scouting Ireland
Headquarters	Larch Hill
Country	Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Founded	January 1, 2004
Membership	34,298 (2005)
Chief Scout	Michael John Shinnick

Scouting Ireland (Irish: Gasóga na hÉireann) is the national Scouting association of Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) and a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The Scout Association UK, however, is also active in the latter. Its headquarters are at Larch Hill, County Dublin. It 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, social, spiritual and cultural development of its members so that they may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, contribute and improve society. Of the 750,000 people between the ages of 6 and 18, approximately 2.5% participate in Scouting Ireland. It was founded on January 1, 2004 after a merge between Scouting Ireland (CSI) and Scouting Ireland S.A.I.. Scouts can earn merit badges worn on the uniform, see Scout merit badge (Ireland).

Origins

In 1908, Scouting was brought from England and spread across Ireland. The earliest known Scouting event in Ireland was in the Phoenix Park in 1908 with members of the Dublin City Boy Scouts (later Scouting Ireland S.A.I.) taking part.

The coming of the Great War in 1914 could have brought about the collapse of Scouting, but the training provided through the patrol system proved its worth. Patrol leaders took over when adult leaders volunteered for active military duty. Scouts contributed to the war effort in many ways; most notably was the Sea Scouts, who took the place of regular coast guardsmen, thus freeing them from service afloat.

In Dublin, two priests, Frs. 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 much 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 was created. It went on to become the largest Scout association on the island.

When war came again in 1939, Scouts carried on under the direction of their patrol leaders. They undertook many national service tasks: messengers, fire watchers, stretcher bearers, salvage collectors and so on. Their success was directly attributed to their good organization and training.

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 as the World Organisation of the Scout Movement only recognises one Scouting body in each country.

The Association

Scouting Ireland was formed on January 1, 2004 from the two original Scout associations in Ireland, Scouting Ireland S.A.I. and Scouting Ireland (CSI). Both associations voted to join together to form a new single association in 2003, following a decision to set this process in motion in 1998. ,

Scouting Ireland has over 34,298 members across Ireland (as of 2005), including Northern Ireland where Scouting Ireland works in partnership with the Scout Association of Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom Scout Association The Scout Association.

The volunteers all over the country are supported by a team of Professional Staff who look after the day to day running of the Association.

The Scout method

Scouting Ireland achieves its aims through a system of progressive self-education, known as the Scout method. The principal elements are:

• Voluntary membership of a group which, guided by adults, is increasingly self-governing in its successive age groups.
• Commitment to a code of living as expressed in the promise and law, the meaning of which is expanded as the member grows towards maturity.
• The provision of a wide range of attractive, constructive and challenging activities, including opportunities for adventure and exploration both indoors and outdoors.
• The provision of opportunities for leadership and responsibility. Learning by doing. Encouragement of activities in small groups.
• An award scheme, which encourages participation in its full range of activities and provides recognition and group achievements. awards are often given in the form of merit badges. See Scout merit badge (Ireland).

Structure

The first Chief Scout elected was Martin Burbridge, the former National Treasurer of Scouting Ireland (CSI). His term will end in 2007. Other National Officers include Michael Devins (National Secretary), Niall Walsh (National Treasurer), Kiernan Gildea (Chief Commissioner for Youth Programme) and Brendan McNicholas (Chief Commissioner for Adult Resources). Fr. Peter Kehoe resigned as chairperson of the National Spiritual and Religious Advisory Panel at Scouting Ireland's National Council 2006.

For organisational purposes, Ireland is divided into six Scout Provinces; namely the Northern, Southern, North Eastern, South Eastern, Western and Dublin Metropolitan provinces. Each province is subsequently divided into Scout Counties, each having its own duly elected County Commissioner. There is a National Management Committee which acts like a board of directors of the association. Éamonn Lynch is currently CEO and together with his professional team are located the headquarters in Larch Hill.

Sections

Currently the Association operates in four sections (note that the age ranges given are approximate):

• Beaver Scouts (6-8), a fun-based introduction to parts of the Scout method;
• Macaoimh or Cub Scouts (9-11), notable by the uniquely Irish symbolic framework it uses;
• Scouts (12-15), the next step, which continues to challenge young teenagers in the tradition of Baden-Powell;
• Venture Scouts (15-17), an older section in Irish Scouting where a Venture Scout Executive under the guidance of an adult Scouter designs and implements activities;
• Rover Scouts (18-20), the final step in Irish Scouting.

Renewed Approach to Programme

Scouting Ireland is currently developing a new programme using WOSM's Renewed Approach to Programme methodology. It was felt after the formation of Scouting Ireland that a redesigned programme would add coherency to the implementation of Youth Programme in the 21st Century. The Programme Development Team meet regularly to assess how the needs and aspirations of young people have changed over time and how best to design activities that remain challenging for Scouting Ireland's youth members. Scouting Ireland inherited two separate programmes from its legacy associations, thus prompting the need to create a single method.

The stated aim of the RAP process is to meet the needs of young people, parents, Scouters and communities through the provision of:

For young people

• Attractive & imaginative programme
• Application of the Scout Method
• Effective Youth Involvement
• Effective transitions between Sections
• Balance of numbers between Sections

For adults

• Practicality
• Support via resource material
• Consistency

Through this process it is hoped to build a bridge between the aspirations of young people and the expectations and challenges of society.

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 Scouters under the age of 26 are eligible to sit on the National Management Committee.

International Representation

Ann Foley is the International Commissioner for Scouting Ireland.

Therèse Birmingham is Vice President/Vice Chairman of the World Scout Committee. Her term of office ends in 2011.

John Lawlor Jnr (35th Dublin, Donore Avenue) along with members from Mexico, Côte d’Ivoire, Australia, Finland and Tunisia was elected at the World Scout Youth Forum 2005 to be a youth advisor to the World Scout Committee.

In 2001 John Geoghegan was appointed director of the World Scout Foundation. John started Scouting in Dublin first as a Scout, then as leader of the 73rd Dublin Unit.

Mr. Howard E. Kilroy is Chairman of the World Scout Foundation's Investment Committee

Irish Bronze Wolf recipients

The following have been awarded the Bronze Wolf by the World Scout Committee:

• Edward J. Montgomery
• Jeremiah Kelly

The National Scout Show

The National 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 Ireland, together with a strong representation from Dublin.

See also

• Scouting Ireland Chief Scout's Award
• Order of CúChulainn
• Fianna Éireann
• Young Citizen Volunteers
• Scout merit badge (Ireland)

External links

• Official Scouting Ireland Website
• Irish Scout Badge website maintained by Kiernan Gildea
• Official website of the Sionnach Adventure
• Official MPC - Mountain Pursuit Challenge Website

Programme Sections of Scouting Ireland

Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding around the world