This is an article written for the Fingal Independent, a North Dublin newspaper, soon after the Explorer Belt Training Weekend. It was to give the locals some idea what all the “scouts” they seen around were up to. I liked the article so I’m including it here.

Local papers are always on the lookout for interesting material and keeping the public informed about what you’re doing will without doubt benefit your group in the long run. So get writhing … - Editor

In the modern age of play stations and Internet surfing it is encouraging to know that there is a group of young people who are up to the challenge of the Explorer Belt.

In July this year a group of 46 Venturers from all over Ireland will take part in an Expedition to the Czech Republic, during which time, in teams of two, they will walk 200km over a ten day period from an unknown origin to a prearranged Base camp. The successful completion of this challenge, which will include a number of projects designed to give participants an in-depth experience of the culture and people of the Czech Republic will depend on the skills they have learned in Scouting and the throughout this years training.

Last weekend training was held starting in the 109^th Scout Den Blanchardstown and ending in 153^rd Lusk Scout Den when 23 teams successfully negotiated their way to Lusk on foot, with an overnight camp within the town land of Lusk. In this regard we would like to extend our gratitude to those people who allowed our participants to camp on their land and also to all those who extended kindness and hospitality along their way.

At National level between twenty five and thirty volunteer staff from all over Ireland are involved in the Organisation of the Explorer Belt, which this year celebrates its coming of age- 21years. Eighteen of those staff members spent the weekend at the Lusk Scout den preparing the participants for this trip of a life time to help them achieve one of the highest awards in Scouting. You may have seen some of us relaxing locally, on Saturday evening, after a hard days work, while our participants were camping in the environs of Lusk. We were the ones wearing one of the Internationally recognized symbols of Scouting “The Neckerchief”. Those of us wearing the dreaded mobile phones were on standby in the event of any emergency. Owing to good preparation by the participants and skills learned in Scouting, our emergency services were not required. The more conservative among you may find the sight of identifiable Leaders relaxing locally to be a little disconcerting, but don’t forget that we are all volunteers who can successfully incorporate our passion for Scouting into our social life with or without the Identity of the Neckerchief.

This year there are a number of teams from the Fingal area taking part in the Explorer Belt, which is the challenge of a lifetime. We would like to take this opportunity to wish them every success in their training and participation.

Mark Geraghty

Expedition Leader

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Issue 19, May 2000
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