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Explorers News Scouts

Phoenix Explorers & Ballymoney Scouts visit Dublin Zoo

Our Scouts and Explorers travelled to Phoenix Park at the weekend to visit Dublin Zoo (requested by our youths back in September)

We invested a new scout and explorer before breaking into groups to tour the zoo. Nice wee day out, lots of chatting on the bus and a stop off at applegreen for our meal on the way home.

Finally, they have been asked to send through their favourite photo of the day for a wee competition 📷

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Explorers News

Phoenix ENSU News

Our Phoenix youths have had a busy start to 2024. Some teamwork challenges in patrols, litter picking in the park after storm Isha, crafts for fundraising later this year, Chinese New Year cook off, a visit from Zachary Geddis Break the silence trust, games and lots of food with friends.

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Explorers News

Phoenix ENSU Xmas fundraiser disco’s

After a planning session at a previous meeting our Phoenix Explorer and Network Scout Unit (ENSU) were all prepped and ready to go with their Xmas fundraiser disco’s for squirrels/beavers and cubs. Roles assigned (DJ’s, welcoming, entertainers, tuck shop, clean crew, face painters and photographers) and our youngest sections were welcomed to the hall for dancing, face painting, games, tuck shop and fun with friends.

As a reward for their hard work Phoenix enjoyed an “after party” with music, Wii games and food. Finally a slumber party with movies and more games on Saturday morning 🤩

Thanks to all our Phoenix ENSU…Squirrel,Beaver and Cub leaders for being familiar faces…Croxford family for tasty buns..and, as always, all our scouting families for supporting their youths and our group.

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Camps Explorers News

Phoenix Fright Night Halloween Camp

Our Phoenix ENSU had asked to attend Fright night at The Jungle NI when gathering ideas at the beginning of this year. Therefore we planned our Autumn camp around this activity!!

After setting up camp, they had time to explore the site, chill out, face paint and play before dinner time. After a hearty dinner (sausage baps, potato waffles and beans) it was time to experience Fright night 🤡 🧟‍♂️ They took part in the woodland trail and a couple of scare attractions. They also enjoyed the entertainment provided by Reggie and the freak show – getting up on stage to sing and dance along, and take part in some challenges. Finally all back to camp to sit around the campfire until they all eventually drifted off to their tents to sleep.

Sunday morning lie-in!! It was 9:00 before the bell was rang to get ready for breakfast. Last few activities (pumpkin carving, rounders and dangling donuts), another couple of investitures before dropping camp for home.

Lots of laughs throughout camp, a fantastic bunch of youths! Check out the YouTube video below ⬇️

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Explorers News

Phoenix Photo Competition Hike

Our Phoenix ENSU recently took part in a hike around some of the Glenariff forest park trails. While lots of our YLs were attending County 1st aid training the others were tasked with taking photos while on their hike. The prize for best photo (voted by leaders from our other sections) went to Aaron. Well done on winning your Greggs voucher. Robyn took 2nd place and Adam got 3rd. We also invested some of our new members during the waterfall walk.

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Camps Explorers News Scouts

Scouts & Explorers “Summer camp”

Leaders spent 6 months planning summer camp for our Scouts and Phoenix Explorers in Newcastle, County Down. We got to the site and set up for the week. Unfortunately Storm Betty (just named after our arrival) had different plans. The campsite started to flood around 23:00 and so we were all evacuated offsite to take shelter overnight in Newcastle Scout hall. Thanks to Peter from Newcastle Scouts for supplying some tea bags and milk. Checked the site and equipment the next morning and concluded that camp had to come to an end 😢

However, leaders got together and planned 3 days out so the young people could still get together for some fun. A morning shopping in Belfast, a visit to Botanic gardens then onto airtastic in Bangor, a day pass to Let’s go hydro and finally a trip to Prison Island for some team challenges and problem solving.

#resilience#stormbetty#itscharacterbuilding#survivors#itsrobsfault

Click on the link below ⬇️

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Explorers

Phoenix Explore Dunseverick Pools

On Sunday our Explorers went exploring at Dunseverick on our beautiful north coast. We took the opportunity to get our wetsuits on and swim in the many natural sea pools at Dunseverick harbour. Water pistols where a must to get each other even wetter. We even had a few seaweed wigs on display. After our swim we went to the harbour and relaxed around a campfire with s’mores and hot chocolate to get heated up again.

 

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Explorers

Phoenix Hike & BBQ

On Sunday Explorers dodged the weather and went for a beautiful walk from Castlerock around the coast to Mussenden House then onto Dungannon Hill in Downhill forest. Then we relaxed with a BBQ and are usual laughs.

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Beavers Camps Cubs Executive Explorers News Scouts Squirrels

Group Camp 2023 @ Lislagan Farm

Ballymoney Scout Group enjoyed an all section camp at the weekend. Smallest squirrels (4 year olds) to our tallest explorers (17 year olds) and leaders/network/executive helpers took part!

Friday – Cubs, Scouts and Explorers arrived on site and listened to camp rules. Scout sections worked on pioneering wash stands. Explorers discussed DofE for September, cooked and sampled different ration packs on a jet boil. Cubs enjoyed a movie in the Hen Hoose.

Saturday – relaxing morning, then Beavers and squirrels arrived just after lunch time. Phoenix Explorers and some scouts helped to set up camp for the wee ones. Busy day doing crafts, bouncy castle, face painting, laser tag and team games. BBQ for dinner then Squirrels enjoyed a mini campfire before heading home. Main campfire led by our fabulous explorers (renamed Phoenix entertainers by our Beavers) with campfire cones, songs, skits, dancing and singalong!

Sunday – Breakfast then pack up before wacky relay races 😂😂

Well done to all the young people, your behaviour on camp was exceptional!

A HUGE well done to our older sections for all their help and entertainment throughout the weekend. You guys are awesome 😎

Again, massive thanks to Lislagan Farm for allowing us to camp at their farm. Also to all the volunteer leaders and executive. Well done to our newest section leaders (squirrels) for getting stuck in 🌟

Also thanks to #limitless for running laser tag. Thanks to a friend of the group for a donation of £40 towards food.



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Explorers

Explorers Park Fun

On Sunday our explorers were out enjoying the beautiful weather once again. We took the opportunity and stayed local at Riverside Park. The explorers split into teams and erected some new tents ahead of our group camp. We then played rounders and tag rugby before heading back to base. There was some minor maintenance carried out by way of weeding and general tidying up out side the hall before they finished up with a good old bounce on the bouncy castle 👌

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Explorers

Explorers Tall Ship Phoenix Adventure

On Sunday some of our explorers seized an amazing opportunity to board the Tall Ship Phoenix whilst she was moored in the bay just off Ballycastle. The ship and her crew were in Ballycastle as part of the maritime festival. Before boarding the explorers had some free time to explore and enjoy the stands and artisan markets on the promenade. We then jumped into a small rib (which was an experience for some). After a short trip we were welcomed aboard the Phoenix by Captin Joel Foote and his crew. We where then given a tour of the ship along with plenty of sea worthy stories to go it.

One of our new members was due to be invested and we were honoured in the fact the Captin Joel  presented Alfie with his new Phoenix necker. As a token of gratitude and the fact we share the same name we decided to present the Captin with a Phoenix necker for the ship to take on her next voyage.
After an amazing afternoon aboard we headed back to dry land which was a welcome end for some of our explorers who realised they didn’t have sea legs …..

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Explorers

Phoenix Explorers Beach Day Study Break

On Sunday some of our explorers took a much needed break from their studies to relax with friends at white rocks beach Portrush. This time of the year can be stressful with exams so it was good to see books getting temporarily closed even just for a brief period. The explorers and leaders played rounders, volley ball, explored caves  and even braved a swim. 73109B70-6F48-4A72-B388-9AA40F998A63 4B589DB0-EF17-4E6F-A3CB-E1D8448B7046 0D767DED-77FF-4743-A802-FD4AD1D09CB8 D86A9FBA-5B2F-4A4E-96A1-8083F5F65A4A 5CB12415-3D3F-4F8D-9F91-8354F4C0262D D533095E-31A8-4523-9FF6-D052677E0A1C 5DBBE06C-B942-4F19-9401-D1CDE38FFA5F

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Explorers News

Phoenix Explorers Causeway Coast Ramble

On Sunday our phoenix explorers took advantage of the weather and hiked from Bushmills Tramline to the Giants Causeway then via the coast all the way to Dunseverick Castle. These days away give our explorers the chance to relax and unwind from their busy exam study timetable but also give them a feel for hiking of road in preparation for starting DofE later this year. We will continue these sorts of activities progressively getting longer and more remote, of the beaten trail…..

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Explorers News

Phoenix Explorers Beach Day ⛅️

Last Sunday we took a break from study to get out to the beach and have some fun in the sun. Our explorers took part in some team building, pioneering activities by building structures from wood and rope to support heavy weights. We understand that study can be stressful so we checked in on our explorers mental health by playing a few games, eating s’mores around the camp fire and had some free time away from the books just to relax and chill 😎

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Explorers News

Phoenix “Our place in space” AR tour On the North Down Coastal Path

On Sunday some of our Phoenix explorers went on an exploration through the solar system. We jumped on the train from Ballymoney and headed to Cultra. We then had a virtual tour through the “our place in space AR app” which guides you along the scaled down model of the solar system. This was designed by artist Oliver Jeffers with scientist Professor Stephen Smartt and a creative team led by Nerve Centre. The explorers walked to all of the sculptures and read the info about the planet they visited. After a wee pit stop at the Crawfordsburn Country Park Cafe they continued their walk of 10 long miles to Bangor train station.

We also had the pleasure of welcoming another new member to our quickly growing group with an investiture into the Phoenix ENSU Ballymoney.

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Explorers News

Phoenix Brush up on Skills

The Phoenix Explorers enjoyed a short hike, followed by axe skills, multiple ways to start a fire in a survival situation and quick or not so quick basher/shelter building. Although this was a refresher for most it was a great learning experience for our new members. We also got all our explorers involved in games to allow them to bond and bring out the natural leaders among them. of course no day out would be complete without a camp fire, s’mores and hot chocolate.

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Explorers News

Phoenix work out 💪🏻

Huge thanks to Mervyn Espie for guiding our Explorers through a fitness session!! Not as many as usual due to half term but those attending were well challenged!! A dander back to the hall afterwards for some youth shaped activities

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Explorers News Scouts

Chief Scout Gold 💪🏼

Well done to 6 scouts and 4 explorers (delayed expedition due to covid) who successfully completed the top award for Scout section. They worked very hard before, during and after the pandemic to cover all 9 challenge badges needed to achieve their Chief Scout Gold award. A fantastic achievement despite the pandemic. Well done everyone, us leaders are all very proud of you. (Two of the award recipients were unable to attend but we will award them as soon as possible)

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Beavers Cubs Explorers News Scouts

Scouts host Jubilee Street Party

On Friday night Scout section invited all sections, family and friends to come along to a street party. They planned the event the previous week and ran games during the event. Lots of families donated baked goods to sell during the evening, there was popcorn for sale, guess the number of sweets in the jar and a jubilee jumble fireside quiz sheet. We managed to raise £230 on the night and a further £20 from a family who were unable to attend. Thanks to all the leaders who helped out, the scouts, our fabulous YLs and PLs, the other sections and family members who supported the event. It was fantastic to see everyone enjoying themselves.

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Camps Explorers News Scouts Uncategorised

Scouts Exploration

After a couple of planning sessions our eldest Scouts, and some Explorers who previously missed out due to covid, completed their exploration of the North Down Coastal path. Travelling by train to Holywood, then hiking the rest of the way to Crawfordsburn Scout Centre (leaders shadowing and checkpoints) for an overnight stay, before continuing on foot to Bangor the next day. They had Crawfordsburn all to themselves so made good use of the lid…playing badminton, rounders and cooking sheltered from the rain. Saturday evening we were entertained by lots of singing and dancing scouts/explorers on the stage. Well done everyone 🤩🤩

Thanks to Dave (Crawfordburn scout centre warden) for opening the country park gates to allow us to visit Tesco.

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Beavers Cubs Explorers News Scouts

All Sections Forest Fun

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise…Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and YL’s all met in Somerset Forest. We were unable to meet at the hall this week due to the main hall floor being repaired. So a bit of outdoor fun was in order 😃

A wee walk up to the top of the forest, some refreshments and then time to mix up the sections. Team leaders and scouts helped the younger sections to make shelters. All groups made natural shelters and a few had time to make tarp shelters too. Some great teamwork out in the fresh air.



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Beavers Cubs Explorers News Scouts

Restart a Heart Day 2018

As part of the nationwide Restart a Heart day the Group partnered with both the St Johns Ambulance and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to run a special evening where all the young people (some leaders and parents too!) learnt all about resuscitation, CPR, how to help others and key Life Saving skills.  43 members from all sections covering our youngest 6 year old Beaver scouts right through to our Older Explorer Scouts took an active hands on role in the evening.  It was fanstastic to see all sections in the same place working together.
Special thanks have to go to Sheila and her team – James, TA and Shan all from St Johns Ambulance and the Two Dominics from NIAS, all of whom were in a packed noisy hall on a tuesday evening sharing their knowledge along with our own merry band of Leaders who added another evening to their volunteering with enthusiasm and smiles.  It was a great event, hoepfully to be repeated again nex year.
All participants gained Certifcated showing their achievements.

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Explorers News Scouts

Scouts at the Mela

Standing room only for the scouts on the train on the way to the Belfast Mela to experience some cultural art, music, dance, fashion and cuisine.  Thanks to Skip, Alphie and Stacie from explorers who came along to help and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Mela.

 

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Explorers News Scouts

NIJAM 2017 Here we come!

Scouts and a few explorers are heading off today to Crawfordsburn, for the Northern Ireland Jamboree 2017. There will be young people from all over the UK and Ireland, and from as far away as Canada. The troop were asked to design a flag and shield for this event. PLs and APLs then decided which of the designs would be made and taken with us (see pics). Hope everyone has a good time, no matter what the weather! Keep an eye out on our Facebook post for updates throughout the week. 

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Beavers Cubs Explorers News Scouts

Ballymoney Food Bank Thanks

We recently received a lovely card of appreciation from Julie from Ballymoney food bank. The food donated by the group weighed in at 89.65kg. Well done everyone!

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Camps Cubs Explorers Scouts

2017 Cubs and Explorers Summer Camp

As June pulled to a close, it was time for a few members of Ballymoney Scout Group to head north to attain their International Badge, as well as working towards their own unit Badges.

 


CUBS

Cubs were all geared up for the international trip.  Once we landed and got camp set up Supper was the order of the day, with Kaa on the pots and pans.  All sections and leaders had a pleasant evening in jammies and onesies before getting an early(ish) night for a busy day.
The next day, Horse riding, archery,Team building games were all undertaken with gusto.  Upon their return after the big trek the explorers, scouts and cubs all took part in a mud run.  Only word for it – Madness! One explorer undertook the challenge in his pajamas…. Mud baths and warm power-hosing then   an evening in the cafeteria building with Skip on drums and Akela and Rudi having a go at guitars made up for the lack of campfire (weather was not clement!)
Camp clean up and pack up and back into the bus for the trip home.  A fun trip for all…


SCOUTS

Dragged along by their parents, two scouts joined the group to provide help and also have a go at being explorers for the day, joining the Explorer Unit in a hard trek over the Urris Hills.


EXPLORERS

 

The Views were rewarding

Working on the Explorer Hikes Away Badge, the Unit took advantage of the lift going north and accompanied the Cubs on their Summer sojourn. Proving useful  to help with the set up and running of the camp 🙂 We also took advantage of Inishowens well developed trails network to explore the Urris Hills. An area well known to modern day adventurers. We had a fantastic experience, and with many more adventures to be had in the locality we’ll be sure to be back.

 

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Beavers Camps Cubs Explorers News Scouts

Ballymoney food bank

All scout sections have been collecting food to donate to the food bank during the month of June. Today we delivered it to the food bank to Julie, a volunteer for the food bank, who was kind enough to give up her time to receive the groups donation.  We hope that this raises awareness within the group that a food bank is such a vital part of every day life for some families in our local community.

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Beavers Cubs Explorers News Scouts

Ballymoney Food bank visit

 
Scouts (and some beavers) enjoyed a visit on Friday night from Julie, a volunteer from Ballymoney food bank.  They took part in an interactive discussion about why there is a need for food banks in the community today. We learned that food banks need donations of food and also other items such as toiletries. We had a great start to donations by all who attended the meeting. Lets keep making positive impact on our local community for June.

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Camps Explorers

May Explorer Expedition

binevenagh

May EXPLORER EXPEDITION

We will be hiking, bushcrafting and camping in the vicinity of Binevenagh Mountain and Forest.


ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

EXPEDITION LEADER: David Hoy – 07516590708

OUTBOUND PICK UP: Ballymoney Scout Hall, Saturday 27th May at 11:00 am.

INBOUND PICK UP:  Ballymoney Scout Hall, Sunday 28th November at 11:00 am.

The total cost is £7 (This includes all meals, activities and transport)

PLEASE PAY AT BOTTOM OF PAGE


KIT LIST

Socks x 4
Trousers x 2
Underwear x 2
Shirt / T-Shirt x 2
Warm Jumper / Hoody
Outdoor Coat
Waterproof Trousers
Light Towel
Hiking Boots
Head Torch
Hand Torch (Please charge / replace batteries for both of these.)
Anti Midge Spray / (Head Net if you’re feeling fancy)
Sandwich /  Freezer Bag Containing ¼ packet of wipes
Packet of Hankies / Freezer Bag with several lengths of Toilet Roll
Small Bottle of Antibacterial Gel (super cheap at the checkout in Lidl 😉
Personal Medications (Must be discussed on accompanying medical consent form)
Sleeping bag  + Liner if needed (It’ll be needed if you are using a 2 season bag or are a cold sleeper)
Travel Pillow (or just bring an empty pillowcase – stuff your spare jumper into it to make a pillow 😉
Roll Mat or Self Inflating Mattress (Let me know if you need one, I know where we can borrow some if needed.)
Plate, Knife, Fork, Spoon. (Maybe even a Spork? Whatever floats your boat.)



KIT NOTES

Get all of the above washed, waterproofed and lashed into a rucksack, we’re not camping far from the minibus so no probs if you want to pack your sleeping bag separately for handyness.
If bringing a mobile phone, fully charge it, ensure it is in a suitable case and make sure that a ‘find my phone’ app is installed, active and the phone owner understands how to operate the app. (I’d rather they were left at home, but that’s against the grain of modern scouting. Note the emphasis on the case – if it’s not cased it’s getting broke where we’re going.)


ITINERARY 

We will head out to the Mountain in the group Minibus, decide which campsite we should use based on local conditions, explore the area for resources and when happy make lunch.
Following Lunch we’ll take in one of Binevenagh’s fine walking routes. If we’re lucky and have a dry day we’ll go for this epic adventure. Failing that we’ll take in some of the more sheltered routes through the forest. This will of course be judged at the time taking into account everyone’s fitness / preparedness / willingness.
On return to base we’ll build a simple tent & hammock camp and then proceed to have a Braai on the Hill. (Wood fire + Meat, Marinades and Salads 🙂
In the morning we’ll have a healthy(ish) breakfast, break camp and return to base.


MENU

Lunch

Fresh Bakers Baguettes stuffed with: Cheese / Ham / Salad / Tuna

Dinner

Butchers Sausages  / Skips Ballymoney Beef Burgers  / Nut & Bean Burger  Served with  Mexican Rice, Pitta Pockets and Dips.

Breakfast

Skips Tropical Porridge / Raw Toast (Bread)  / Bacon

Water / Tea / Coffee / Fruit Juice will be available throughout.

(Please ensure leaders are up to date on any specific dietary requirements)

 


PAYMENT

We use Paypal to process our payments to ensure your security. You DO NOT NEED a paypal account to make a payment.

It is essential that when making this payment you make sure you note the members name and “MAYEXP”.

Use the button below to make payment, if you have any problems please contact the treasurer: treasurer@ballymoneyscoutgroup.co.uk




 


Questions? Don’t delay

Call Skip Now:- 07516590708

skipper@ballymoneyscoutgroup.co.uk


Categories
Explorers

Explorers Mountain Report – Slieveanorra

Mountain: Slievanorra | Range: Antrim Plateau | Height: 499m | Patrol Length: 4km / 2.4 mi
Pushed for time the unit headed for a quick and easy patrol high in the Glens of Antrim. Ballymoney to Magherahoney, up the winding road for Altarichard, then on to the first layby after the bridge to rest the van and take to Shank’s Pony for the rest of the climb.
An easy trek this; Over the gate a track  firmly gravelled by vehicles servicing the twin radio masts at the summit winds to to the top. The first section is in plantation forest and is quite steep. Soon the trees give way to blanket bog interspresed with sheughs and wildflowers.
After a few switchbacks the unit settled into the heather to regroup and soak in the view  so I took the chance to settle my hammering heart (seriously unfit!!!) and tell the tale of the Battle of Aura very badly*.
Another few switch backs and we found the memorial to the men who lost their lives during WW2.

Timeline of Aircraft 124451:

 
We headed onward to the summit to annihilate a Carrot Cake and punnet of Red Grapes 🙂
The summit of Slievanorra normally reveals 90% of the province of Ulster and a fair lump of Western Scotland, but with the heat  haze the unit had to imagineer the summits of the distant mountains Skipper was describing as far away targets for another day.
MMM CARROT CAKE! (too hot for tea)

Back down the hill at a gentle place, with a spectacular sunset beaming at us.

CONDTIONS: Firm gravel road, steep in places but accessible to most.
WEATHER: Superb hiking weather: Warmish with lashings of sunshine and a gentle cool breeze as we approached the summit.
SCENIC VALUE: Awesome. You can see the Mournes, Sperrins, Derryveagh and  Cuillin Ranges, provided the air is clear enough. No litter or dog poop.
(People complain about the radio masts on the summit and then complain about not being able to stream the footy…)