100 Years of Scouting
This weekend on the 7th April 2018, 32nd Rathgar Scouts hosted a major event to celebrate 100 Years of Scouting, in Lough Dan Campsite and Hostel.
The 32nd Rathgar Scout Group will have been in operation continuously for 100 years in 2018. The first meeting of the group occurred on Nov. 20th 1917, and we were later formally recognised and registered as the 32nd unit of the Dublin Scout Association in 1918, meeting in Rathmines. We later moved to Rathgar becoming 32nd Rathgar (Dublin) Scouts, a member of the Scout Association of Ireland, and ultimately joining the newly formed Scouting Ireland in 2004, the sole scouting organisation on the island of Ireland.
The purpose of the event was to reflect and celebrate the history of the group and to introduce former members to the current members of Rathgar Scouts. We hosted some activities, light food and a ceremony ending with a campfire sing along to recognise and thank the volunteers/families who have run the group and Christ Church Rathgar, where the group has been based.
Thank you to all of the past member and to the friends and families of 32nd Rathgar Scouts for joining us at the very memorable event.
100 Years of Scouting at 32nd Rathgar
All was quiet in Lough Dan on the morning of Friday 6th April 2018. The rain was pouring. The water table was rising in line with ever increasing checks on the ‘met.ie Rainfall Radar’. However optimism remained high on this unusually wet, yet auspicious start to the weekends 100 year celebrations.
The Scouts were first to arrive and brought with them a welcome end to the heavy rain. We briefly considered allowing them to stay in the hostel… or construct themselves a floatation device. But ultimately, as Scouts, on the centenary celebrations, in early April, they would set up a standing camp, come hell or high water.
Andrew Cobban coming back from retirement to lend a helping hand.
The camp quickly took shape with precision only enviable by Pythagoras himself, while the rain ensured the utmost attention was given to their shelters and sleeping quarters.
As the Scouts’ Section Team Lead, Colm Finlay was carrying out a vital midpoint inspection of the camp, suddenly the ground began to tremble. A distant squeak developed into a rumbling hornets nest of wide eyed, fully charged Cubs. The pack was twenty two strong to be exact.
While the sensible senior Scouters slowly backed away carefully ensuring they didn’t make any sudden movements, the courageous Cub Scouters took a communal deep breath and stepped up to the challenging night that was surely coming.
John Lunney & John Kirkpatrick eagerly erecting the flags in anticipation of the big event.
On the morning of Saturday 7th 2018 final preparations were made to the stage, decorations were adorned and inspections were made before the guests arrived.
We had the pleasure of welcoming back roughly 120 members, former members, guests, families, friends and VIPs.
The Scout section provided a warm welcome with games, entertainment and glass of juice or water on arrival. (No expense spared here.) Guests were then invited up to the hostel for a cup of tea and to inspect the 100 year timeline made from the archives and global milestones and events.
James Kinlan and Donald Gray helping with the alter fire while the Scouts mentally prepare for the day.
We were blessed with a relatively dry start to the day, considering the previous day. But this was soon to change. Moments before the official ceremony began a few ominous spits fell from the sky. As could be expected they got gradually heavier, so at the last moment we chose to move the event indoors. (Luckily we had many many helpful hands available.)
We were swiftly transported from fresh northern winds to a sub tropical paradise of humidity. But ultimately this aided the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Scouters and Guests with their presentations.
Our longstanding and ever suffering Group Leader Tina Finn extended a kind warm welcome to our guests and officially kicked off the ceremony. First off, we had a Scout reading from Baden Powell’s “Scouting for boys”. Next we had the Cubs reciting their favourite elements of Scouting.
Followed by a fantastic interactive session from Gay Davoren on the Scout Law the values of Scouting. Next up was the Beavers giving an interpretive performance piece about benefits of Scouting.
We then welcomed David Lunney (former Scout) to officially donate an art piece titled “Draw Nearer” to Randall Gray from Christ Church Rathgar. (Our gracious hosts.) It was business as usual for Chief Scout Christy McCann who closed proceedings with a rousing speech reminding us all why we do what we do and the truly unique, positive impact Scouting has on society at large.
Despite the plethora of engaging speakers and acts the tropical heat was becoming too much and the crowd began to tire. All except for the Cubs of course who were ready to transcend into a higher plain entirely composed of pure energy.
We poured outside for a hectic group photo and some well deserved dinner.
Overall it was a fantastic event. It was really inspiring to see so many previous Scouters and members coming together to celebrate the core values we all share and recognise the commitment from Scouts, Families and their Scouters to keep the group thriving for 100 years. Here’s to the next 100 years of adventures, friendships, happiness, exploring, learning, growing and helping young people be their best selves.
Nathan Barber
32nd Rathgar Scouts – Centenary Event Manager
Proud SI Member since 1994