1st Meath (Dunboyne) - Scouting in Ireland

1st Meath (Dunboyne)

Scouting in Ireland

Our Origins
When Cub Scouts was stared by Lord Robert Baden-Powell he used the Jungle Book story for ideas. We still use some of these in our Scouts and Cub Scout Packs. This explains why some Cub Scout Leaders use names from the Jungle Book.
The Leaders have taken their names from characters in the Jungle Book. The Leader is known as Akela after the leader of the Seeonee Wolf Pack.
Usual names used by assistant leaders are:
Bagheera - the black pather who spoke for Mowgli at the Council rock and tutored him.
Baloo - the brown bear.
Raksha - the mother wolf who looked after Mowgli.
Hathi - the wild elephant who brought Mowgli to learn from the Snake People.
Kaa - after the Rock Snake who saved Mowgli from the Bandar-log (Monkey People).

Word Scouting
By being a Scout, you are a member of the world's largest youth movement. Scouting worldwide has over 25 million members, that's about 7 times as many people as there are in Ireland.
In each country the Scout Law and Promise is very similar, but the activities may be very different because of the climate and the needs of the Scouts.
To find out about Scouting in another country and their e-mail address click here

Cub Uniform
Your Cub Scout uniform is a green sweatshirt with a blue collar. You will earn badges will become part of your uniform. This picture shows you where they should be sewn on. Click on it, to zoom out the picture. Once you have been invested you may wear your Group scarf.

Word Scout Emblem

The World Scout Emblem is a symbol worn by Scouts all around the World. It is made up of an 'arrowhead' (which Lord Baden-Powell took from the 'North Point' used on maps) inside a circle of rope tied with a reef knot. The emblem is white (purity) on a purple (leadership) background.

Each part has a meaning. The three sections of the 'arrowhead' remind of the three parts of the Cub Scout promise (Duty to God, Helping others, Keeping the Cub Scout Law). These are joined by a bond of 'brotherhood'. The rope is for the unity of the Scouts throughout the world. The reef knot shows the strenght of World Scouting.

The Badge Scheme
The Badge scheme consists of Progressive badges and Skills badges. In both cases it is important that the Cubs 'Do their Best' when working for a badge and it is the effort made by the Cub rather than the absolute standard reached that determines the awarding of the badge.

Progress badges:
Tenderfoot - Done by all Cubs on entering the Pack.
Bronze Arrow - Designed to be covered when the Cub is 8 -9 years old.
Silver Arrow - Designed to be covered when the Cub is 9 -10 years old.
Gold Arrow - Designed to be covered when the Cub is 10 - 11 years old.
Link Badge - For the Cubs you are about to 'go up' to Scouts.

A 'Skills Badge' is a badge that you can be awarded for being interested in or really good at something. You can decide on the skills badges that you would like to try. Some badges will need help from yours Leaders, some you will try yourself away from the Cub Scout Pack and some you will need your Cub Scout friends to help you. But for each and every badge it is very important that you should 'do your best'.

There are 30 badges to choose from. When you have finished all the challenges required, your Leader will arrange with you when you will be presented with your well earned badge.
To see all the badges click here

Knots and Lashing
Using rope, sisal and spars you can make a swing or some chariots and hold a chariot race. To do this you will need to use some of the knots you used for Bronze and Silver Arrow and try a couple of new one.
To see how to make knots click here (Tip: Double-click on the knots to animate them) or here

First Aid
It's not uncommon to have minor injuries on camp such as blisters, cuts, minor burns and scalds etc. It is therefore important that you know what to do and have a first aid kit handy,. Again a lot can be done to prevent injuries or minor accidents becoming more serious by having an emergency procedure in place beforehand, such as:

Have a first aid kid handy. Mark it and leave it in pre-determined location.

Always replace used first aid kit items before each trip.

Make sure you know how to treat minor injuries by doing some first aid training.

Organise your campsite so that danger areas such as the fire, chopping area are cordoned off.

Know how to use items of equipment such as stoves, tilly lamps, axe and saws.

Know what to do in the case of the emergency, i.e. where is the nearest phone etc.

A personal first aid kit

Assorted plasters
Triangular bandages (2)
Safety pins (2)
Medium size sterile dressing
Large size sterile dressing
Sterile wipes (8)
Steri strips
Scissors
Tweezers
Latex disposable gloves

red cross

Good Deed
A good deed is when you do something useful for someone else without being asked. It is important that you make sure they want it done before you start!!

You could try: Keeping your bedroom tidy, helping with the housework, helping to tidy up after Cubs, cleaning up the litter around your Den, visiting a lonely person and cheering them up, or something completely different that you think of yourself

Camping Gear.
When you go camping you need to bring gear for yopurself as well as for the group. Your gear should include:

A couple of changes of clothes.
Warm pullover.
Full rain gear.
Pyjamas or track suit to sleep in.
Ground mat for insulation.
Wash gear (soap, toothbrush, tooth paste), towel.
Knife, fork, spoon, mug, bowl and plate.
All of this should be packed in a rucksack.
Anything else your leader asks you to bring.

The Group also need to bring gear - this usually organised by the leader and includes:
Food, cooking utensils, cooker, matches, water carriers, washing up bowls, rubbish bags, soap, washing up liquid, sisal, tents, light, axe and saw (for use only by a leader), first aid kit, toilet paper, programme material and sometimes toilets.