Scouts (Scouting Ireland)


Scouts 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. Scouts is the section where activities begin to really challenge the youth member and impart responsibility and self-reliance in accordance with the Scout method and the educational philosophy of Baden-Powell. The association also currently has Sea Scout and Air Scout programmes. The highest award is the Chief Scout Award

Scout Awards

Until a new programme is introduced, many Scout troops are continuing to use the programme of Scouting Ireland. Some other troops continue to use the programme of Scouting Ireland S.A.I., which includes the Attainment badge scheme.
In the former CSI programme, in addition to merit badges, the programme has a progress award scheme consisting of five awards. The first award is the Tracker Award. It is completed before a Scout is invested. It requires Scouts to have a basic knowledge of Scoutcraft, show a commitment to their patrol and troop and to understand certain aspects of Scouting. The tracker award badge is the first badge a Scout can earn. After this Scouts can continue the award scheme.
The next step is the Explorer Award. This award is considered the standard of Scouting skills. It has several sections. Most of the requirements can be completed during patrol/troop activities. The Court of Honour decides if the Scout deserves the award. The explorer award is a red diamond with a compass on it.
The third part is the star Scout award. To earn the award you need:
The star Scout badge is a black diamond with a yellow staff on it. It is usually presented in a ceremony.
The fourth part is the National Scout Award. To take part a Scout needs to apply to National Office. The requirements for the NSA are as follows:
When applying Scouts need to submit 3 hike logs or 2 camp logs and the social awareness/conservation badge work. The NSA is always presented in a ceremony.
The four badges combined to make a large diamond as illustrated. The final part is the Chief Scout Award which is considered the highest honour a Scout can get.
There's also the Leadership award which tests the leadership ability of the Scouts. This is often earned as part of a PL training course.

Troop Structure

Scouts are divided up in patrols and troops.
6-8 Scouts make up a patrol. The patrol is the main unit of the Scout programme and most activities are done in the patrol. The patrol is led by an older Scout known as a patrol leader. He is helped by an assistant patrol leader. All other members of the patrol are given jobs. The patrol system encourages teamwork and youth leadership.
A standard troop is made up of 20-32 Scouts under the leadership of a group of Adult Scouters. The PLs come together in Court of Honour/Patrol Leaders Council to help the Scouters run the troop.
The highlight of the Scouting year is the troop annual camp which usually takes place at summer time

The Phoenix Patrol Challenge

The Phoenix Patrol Challenge is the national Scoutcraft competition. It is organised by the National Events Team. Patrols of 8 members qualify from their respective Scout Counties to reach the 4 day event. Patrols combine traditional Scout skills with team games. Tasks vary from year to year, with pioneering, water activities, hiking, bivouacking and crafts. There are separate prizes for Campcraft, Cooking, Health & Safety, activity bases and special projects and the coveted overall winners' prize.
The Phoenix evolved from the Melvin competition of Scouting Ireland and the Smythe Cup of Scouting Ireland S.A.I.. The name "Phoenix" was chosen for its symbolic meaning by the National Patrol Leaders' Forum in August 2004. The first official Phoenix Challenge was run in 2005 in Pallaskenry. Although, the National Patrol Challenge was held in Larch Hill in August 2004. In 2006 it was held in Tollymore Forest Park. Each Phoenix is themed and all of the activities relate to the theme, Pallaskenry 2005 had the theme "Journey Through Science"; Tollymore 2006 was "The Medieval Experience"; The Curragh 2007 was themed "The Flight of the Phoenix"; Larch Hill 2008 was themed "1908: In The Beginning"; Mount Melleray 2009 was themed "SURVIVOR: Fun, Friendship & Challenge"; Larch Hill 2010 was themed "The Big Bang"; Pallaskenry 2011 was themed "The Era of Adventurers"; Larch Hill 2012 was themed "The Olympics"; Castlesaunderson 2013 was themed "Peace";

Winners

Scouting Ireland has 3 mountaineering events- the Mountain Pursuit Challenge, Sionnach Adventure and PEAK.
The Mountain Pursuit Challenges are a series of weekend events for teams of 4 Scouts aged 13–16 with a leader. There are four events — Munster, leinster, Connaught and Ulster. There is also the locally organised County Expedition and County Pursuit Challenge which are aimed towards younger Scouts.
The Sionnach Adventures were originally run by SAI. There are 3 events run each year.
Patrol Expedition Adventure Kamp is a week-long training adventure for Scouts aged 14–16 run over Easter week in Caponalea Outdoor Education Centre is Kerry. Scouts learn hiking and teamwork skills.

Air Scouting Events

"Air" is one of the nine adventure skills under the One Programme, and the main national event is the "Iolar Challenge" which takes place in Ballyboughal Airfield in late August each year. The weekend provides an opportunity for Scouts and ventures to camp on an active airfield for the weekend and participate in aviation themed programme provided by a mix of Scouters and external industry experts.

National Scout Forum

A National Scout Committee represents Scouts on all national administrative bodies in line with the associations Youth Participation Policy. The NSC meet regularly to discuss matters of importance to Scouts nationwide. The nine member committee is elected annually at the National Youth Forum and meets at Larch Hill. See also National Venture Forum Committee. The committee members each represent a Scout Province and are elected by delegates from that Province at the National Youth Forum. One of the primary roles of the nine member team is to present the successful motions of the National Scout Forum to the associations National Council. National Council is the AGM of Scouting Ireland at which grassroots members from all over the island meet.