Scouts have great time in Dundalk's St Patrick's Day parade

21 scouts and their leaders took part in this years St Patrick's Day parade in Dundalk. it was the first time in 5 years that the troop took part in the official parade and the first time in over ten years that they had a float. The scouts also took part in the troops long running tradition of marching to mass at St Patrick's Cathedral. All the photos from the day can be viewed in our galley or click here for the direct link.

1st Louth Scouts get Invested

8 scouts from were officially invested into 1st Louth Scouts on St Patrick's Day. These scouts have been building up to this point for the last 6 months learning all about the scout section by working in their patrols. They were joined by the rest of the scouts in the troop who were re-invested. All photos are here.

Leaders on LMFM

On Tuesday 5th February 2013 leaders Allan Mathews and Finbar Gethins were live on the Late Lunch with Gerry Kelly on LMFM. The leaders were discussing the increase in scouting number in our group over the last year and the development of scouting in Ireland.

New Group Leader Elected

At our AGM which was held on Friday 28th September Michelle Boyle was elected as our new Group Leader. Michelle, a beaver leader with 1st Louth Beavers takes on the role from Fintan Sheridan, our Rover Leader who was Group Leader for the past 6 years.

Leader Awards

At our AGM many of the leader team were awarded with Service, Merit and Woodbadge Awards by outgoing Group Leader Fintan Sheridan.

Photos of the leaders receiving their awards can be seen here.

Group Graduation

Our annual Group Graduation took place on Tuesday 25th September. This year we had the first graduation of cubs into 5th Louth Scouts. A great number of youth members and their parents turned up for this yearly event.

1st Louth Scouts are back from Camp

1st Louth Scouts arrived back from a memorable annual camp on Saturday 4th August. The troop spent a week in Lough Keel scout campsite on the grounds of Lough Key Forest park. For some of the boys it was their first annual but it was a week they will never forget. Over the space of the week the s0cuts were very busy kayaking, orienteering, horse riding, paintballing, taking part in archery, falconry, hiking and bivying out. They also had a day of cooking on open fires with no utensils, cooking cowboy dinners, roast chicken, stuffed pork fillets, leg of lamb and twists. Check out the photos here.

1st Louth Scouts get Gold
Fox Patrol from 1st Louth scouts received the Gold Standard at this years Cú Chulainn Challenge which ran from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th April 2012. The patrol finished 4th overall in what was the best standard of campcraft the county has seen. the patrol also was awarded the Commissioners Award from County Commissioner Finbar Gethins. Well done to all the boys in the patrol for their wonderful effort.

Group Leader gets Award
Group leader Fintan Sheridan was presented with the Silver Meritorious Award from County commissioner Finbar Gethins at this years Cú Chulainn challenge in Collon on Sunday 15th April. Fintan received the award for his exceptional & notable service to Scouting. Congratulations.

St. Patrick's Day
Youth members are asked to assemble at the scout hall at 10.40am in full uniform wearing your shamrock.
Corduff Pipe band will play National Anthem.
We will then parade up through the town for 11.30am mass in St. Patrick's and will have the blessing of shamrock there.
Mass will be over at approx 12.15pm.

It would be great to see parents/families of youth members at this mass also, and of course any former members of the Group are also more than welcome.

5th Louth Scouts Re-open
After a 20 year break 5th Louth Scouts have re opened. Meetings will now take place on Fridays from 7-9pm.

DVS seek help fundraising
The venture section is fundraising for their trip to Finland.
They are asking leaders and youth members if they have any spare old clothes and old fabric (excluding duvets and old bedding sheets) to bring them down on the day you are going down to the scout hall for the meetings. We would ask you to contribute as much as possible.

Badge Positions
Leaders and youth members can now check exactly where badges they have earned are to be put onto their uniform. Check out the "Badge Positions" page on the group pages on the left hand side of the website.

Funeral and Removal Arrangements
Peter Dixon, former Chief Scout of Ireland and Past President of The Irish Association of Funeral Directors.

Reposing at Dixon's Funeral Home from 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon for friends and family to call. Removal on Monday at 12.30 to St Nicholas Church arriving for Mass at 1 o'clock. Followed by burial in St Patrick's Cemetery.

Family flowers only. Donations if desired to St Vincent De Paul.

Funeral cortège will leave funeral home at 12.30pm walking via Castletown Road, Pause at Scout Hall, Philip Street, Patrick Street on to Bridge Street to arrive at Church for 1 o'clock Mass.

May He Rest in Peace

Sad news of the death of Peter Dixon
The former Chief Scout and founder of St. Patrick's Scout Unit passed away this evening(Friday 17th February 2012). Peter will be fondly remembered by all scouts and leaders that had the pleasure to know him.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

New Forms Page
Leaders or parents can now print off parental consent forms from the website. Just go to the "forms" tab on the left and click to download the attachment.

County AGM
The AGM for Louth Scout County will take place on Friday 3rd February in An Greenan, Clougherhead at 8pm. All leaders are asked to attend in full uniform.

Scout Investiture
Four scouts were invested into 1st Louth Scouts on Saturday night during a hike on the Cooley Mountains. The scouts braved the wind and rain to make the commitment to the troop.

Good Deed Mass
The Good Deed Mass will take place this Saturday 17th Dec in St. Nicholas' at 7pm Mass. Full uniform to be worn. Youth members are asked to bring 'gifts' down over the next week or so to ensure a good quantity of parcels for St. Vincent de Paul to distribute.

Carol Service
St Patrick's Scout Group is co-ordinating the Carol Service this year.
We are working in tandem with the Dundalk Town commercial manager, and we are holding a candlelit/torchlight procession around the town on Friday 2nd December at 6pm.
There will be choirs/music at different points around the town - e.g Greenchurch, St. Patricks, Old Dunnes Stores ending up at the square where we will be singing 3 more carols/Christmas songs.
Shops are being asked to stay open late on the night with offers/festivities happening and there should be a bit happening at the Square also.

Investiture
13 Beavers were invested into 2nd Louth Beaver Colony on Wednesday 23rdNovember. It was a very proud moment for all the beavers and their parents.

Graduation
This years graduation took place on Monday 17th October. One one night we witnessed beavers from 1st and 2nd Louth Colony's move to 2nd and 5th Louth Cub Packs, Cubs from 2nd and 5th Louth Cubs move to 1st and 5th Louth Scout Troops and Scouts from 1st Louth move to the DVS. It was a great night with a large contingent from each section present. There was also a large number of parents in attendance. Please have a look at the photos and video of the graduation.

5th Louth Scout Section Reopens
5th Louth Scouts will once again become active within the group. The decision to reform the troop was made at Group Council on 30th September. Exact day and times of meetings have yet to be confirmed but the Scouter team will consist of Gerry Byrne, Jack Cumiskey, Keith Agnew and Philip Arrowsmith.

Adventure Skills Training
Courses to pass leaders up to level 6 in the following adventure skills areas: Camping, Pioneering, Hillwalking and Emergencies will take place this Autumn/Winter in Lough Dan. Info on these courses are here.

Group Camp
The first ever group camp will take place this weekend 9th/10th/11th September. All sections will camp together over two nights in Mullabouy on the Cooley Mountains. All youth members are to arrive at the campsite at 7.30pm. Each section has a different programme for the weekend. Click here to see the programme which has been organised jointly by the Venture Section and Rover Crew.
Directions. From scouthall drive towards Carlingford. Take left turn directly before Martins of Riverstown Pub. Drive for about one mile then turn right at "T" junction. Follow road to Community Hall/Church on the right. Camping Field is behind Community Hall.



Woodbeads Awarded
Scout leader Allan Mathews was awarded with his Woodbeads at the closing ceremony of this years Scout Annual Camp by Group Leader and fellow Woodbeads holder Fintan Sheridan. Allan received his Woodbeads after completing his project of putting together the groups website.

Scouts Annual Camp
The scouts held a very successful annual camp organised by Camp Chief Aidan McGuinness. The camp was held in Crawfordsburn Scout Centre, Bangor from Friday 23rd to Sunday 31st July. The weather and programme for the week were brilliant and all of the 17 scouts that attended had a great time. For pictures click here.

Beaver Annual Camp
1st and 2nd Louth Beavers will set off on Friday night to Ravensdale for their first ever 2 night camp. The theme for the camp is Cowboys and Indians. It is going to be a fun filled camp that the leaders have put a lot of time into planning.

National Calander
The National Events team has published their provisional events calendar for 2011/2012. Check it out here.

ComeDownTheCrowne
Parents of beavers, cubs, scouts, ventures and rovers are asked to get one family member of friend to sign up to do the abseil on Sunday 26th June. Anyone wishing to sign up can email ComeDownTheCrowne@gmail.com, contact Finbar on 0862088523, sign up on the Facebook page or call into the Scout Hall on the Castletown road any weeknight from 8pm-8.30pm.

Group Council
Group Council will take place on Wednesday 22nd June at 8pm. Please give items for the agenda to Grainne by Monday 13th. Section reports are to be completed and emailed by Tuesday 14th. All monies are to be handed into the treasurer beforehand.

Primitive Skills
Check out the Primitive Skills videos on the links section on the left hand side of the website. Watch instructive videos on everything from building a shelter to catching a rabbit.

Tus Maith
The annual group hike took place on Sunday 22nd May in Slieve Gullion. Almost 130 All members of the group plus their families and friends met at the Forest car park at 11am and walked up to the top car park near the summit. At the top they were greeted with refreshments supplied by the group. After a few group photos everyone descended down the mountain and were on their way home by 2.30pm. Many thanks to all parents and friends for attending. Photos are now up in the Gallery. Any sponsorship money should be taken down this week.

Come Down The Crowne
St. Patrick’s Group, 1st/2nd/5th Louth will hold their third annual Come Down The Crowne Abseil on Sunday 26th June. Over the last two years in excess of 200 people have taken part in the event raising significant funds for the Group. The Fundraiser is open to members of the public there is a registration fee of €20, then each participant will receive a sponsorship card and must raise a minimum of €125 in order to complete the abseil. Places are of course limited. Call or text Finbar Gethins on 086 208 8523 or email ComeDownTheCrowne@gmail.com to register for this fantastic opportunity.

St Patricks Day
All youth members are to arrive at the hall between 10.30-10.40am. The Corduff pipe band will lead the parade to St Patrick's Cathedral for 10.30am mass. All youth members are to take shamrock wrapped in tinfoil and a safety pin. Scouts are free to go home after the mass. See Schedule of Event.

Provincial Scout Youth Rep
Congratulations to Jason Connor who became a Provincial Scout Youth Rep for the North East on 22nd February. He will now represent the Province at the National Youth Forum in March.

Group AGM
This years AGM will take place this Friday 18th February at 8pm in the scout hall. All leaders are asked to attend in full uniform.

Cub Investiture
Members of 5th Louth Cub Pack were Invested on Sunday morning while taking part on their annual hike to St. Brigid's Shrine in Faughart. They were joined on the hike by cubs from Buoin Setanta.

Beaver Investiture
Members from 2nd Louth Beavers were Invested last Wednesday 9th February. The County Commissioner was on hand to oversee proceedings. Well done to all boys that have taken this very important step on their path in scouting.

Group Council
Group Council will take place on the 5th of January. Any Agenda items must be sent to Grainne.

Good Deed Mass
Many thanks to all the scouts and their parents for turning up with their food parcels and making the mass a great success.

Christmas Carol Service
The Carol Service will take place on Friday 10th December in the Redeemer Church at 7.30pm. All sections are to attend in full uniform.

Our Hall - Google Street View
Google Street View gives anybody the chance to see most places in the World without leaving their home. Here is our hall.

Awards Night Success
Last nights awards night was a great success. The event which started at 6.30pm began with all beavers, cubs, scouts, ventures and rovers being treated to a meal, they then had a great campfire and got to witness the beaver leaders receive some awards. They also welcomed the Chief Scout, Micheal John Shinnick with a load roar led by Campfire Chief Brendan McGuinness. More service awards were given to leaders after the beavers went home. Father McGinn was presented with a Cross pen for his service during his period as group Chaplin and Peter Dixon was made an Honorary Member of 1st/2nd/5th Louth. then Pat Gethins, Finbar Gethins, Mary Duffy and David McArdle were presented with their Woodbeads. The Chief Scout then presented Frank McArdle, Micheal Crawley and Jack Cummiskey with the Order of Cú Chulainn, the highest award a scout leader can achieve. Following the awards ceremony a short slide-show of pictures of the three recipients was shown. The leaders were able to take time to have a meal and enjoy the rest of the night. A word of congratulations to Andy McManus who organised the night as his Woodbadge Project, which was a great success. Pictures.

Website Launch
The website is now up an running under www.stpatricksscoutgroup.ie.

Awards Night
Don't forget the groups awards night will take place this Saturday night in the Lisdoo. It has been a long time in the making by Beaver and Cub leader Andy McManus. Speaking on the upcoming event Andy said "It will hopefully be a great night, the plan is to have all 150 youth members as well as guests in attendance. It will be a great night of colour with all beavers, cubs, scouts, ventures and rovers attending in uniform. We also plan to have a campfire as well as a buffet before the awards ceremony. Its going to be great". The night kicks off at 7.00pm.

Group Council
Group Council to take place Friday 24th September at 8pm.
Each section must have Annual Camp Accounts completed by this date.
Any Agenda items must be sent to the secretary.

Group Transition Day
St Patrick's scout group took part in the ONE programme transition day on Sunday 5th September. There was a great turn out from every section and there was also plenty of youth members present. Every leader and youth member got a preview of the new programme material and received training on its implementation.