A great turnout on Sunday to both celebrate the patron saint of Scouting and to help Castlerock scout group celebrate their centenary year.
Many thanks to all the kids and parents who came and to the leaders for their support.
(Please feel free to send me any pics you have of the day – especially beavers and scouts, my phone died…Lol be prepared!)
Congratulations to Sarah and Roma on being awarded their wood badge.
Additional Pics! – thanks Jackie
Category: Scouts
This weekend a group of scouts completed their exploration of the North Down Coastal Path and Bangor as part of their expedition challenge badge.
After a final briefing at the scout hall it was off to the train station.
They travelled to Belfast Central, then changed to the Bangor line and disembarked at Holywood. The weather was fine as they headed off along the coastal path to their first stop, five and a half miles away at Grey Point Fort.
After exploring the fort and surrounding area, it was time to head on to Crawfordsburn Scout centre, to set up camp and cook dinner.
After tea (ball games and card games) they decided to head to Crawfordsburn beach for some chill out time.
Day two and the rain came. After sausage baps and breaking camp, the rain faired and they continued along the coastal path to Bangor. They spent some time exploring Pickie park and the harbour before treating themselves to a Burger King lunch (topping up their £3 meal allowance to really spoil themselves). Well deserved!
Final journey by train from Bangor to Ballymoney.
Well done to all! Looking forward to reading the reports 😀
Categories
Out and About
Ballymoney scouts have been out of the hall for the past couple of weeks now that we have lighter evenings! Last week they were out in the community doing some litter picking around the trim trail in Ballymoney.
We also spent an evening on Portstewart strand, where some parents joined us for a walk through the dunes and some fun on the beach.
The Scouts made soda farls at our St. Patrick’s theme night. Then they washed them down with a pint of ‘Guiness’ (coke floats). They finished off the evening with a bit of ‘potato harvesting ‘. Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Scouts back at the gym to continue their skills challenge badge (fitness). Thanks again Dave for putting the scout through the different stations. I’m sure there are some sore arms and legs after the work out. Dave gave out two gold stars to Stacie and Adam Feeney for improvement. 
Many thanks to Tesco and its customers for helping Ballymoney scout group to raise some funds for for the group. We really appreciate the parents and scouts that helped on the day.
Also, thanks to Louise Wright for organising the bag pack.
Scouts having fun at their end of year party. Some games to start off the night, followed by movies and pizza. Scouts spent most of December creating Lego mini movies which were trailers to the main show, Ace Ventura Pet Detective. Check out the mini movies below.
Swift patrol Lego movie
Wolf patrol Lego movie
Hawk patrol Lego movie
Cobra patrol Lego movie
A few festive photos…..
Hunting for crackers, some horsing around and blow football (some very dizzy scouts)
Thanks to Kaa for helping out, Stacie for taking photos and Rebecca for pizza delivery. Happy Xmas, see you all in January!!
The Scouts went out on a chilly survival night and made their shelters for sleeping under.
Some of them practiced their knife skills while the rest had a go at using different types of cooking equipment. After boiling the water on the trangia’s they had their cupasoups/mugshots to warm them up.
Breakfast rations were given out before heading out to light the camp fire. Fire lit and spirits high as they sang camp fire songs.
Some time and laughs later they all went to bed and the leaders went into their hammocks.
After a long lie in until after 8 am 😮 it was time to light the camp fire and have breakfast.
After breakfast they had some free time to explore the woods and climb trees. Time for camp tidy up with some help from cookie the dog and dismantle the shelters.
Scouts then had to light a fire to cook a hobo’s lunch (mince beef, potato’s and carrot wrapped in foil).
The Scouts and myself would like to thank Catherine for letting us use her grounds. Also thanks Akela and Alphie (Explorer YL) for much appreciated help.
Kit List
Wear Warm Clothes (Lots of Layers) + Warm Socks
Full Change of Clothes (Scouts will be Sleeping in Original Clothing)
Outdoor Coat
Hat and gloves
Waterproof Trousers
Wellies or Hiking Boots
Head Torch or Hand Torch (Please charge / replace batteries for both of these.)
Personal Medications (Must be discussed on accompanying medical consent form)
Sleeping Bag
Camp Mat
Plastic Bags (for wet clothes, for storing boots over night and rubbish)
Baby Wipes and Antibacterial Gel
Spoon and Mug
Survival Bag
Wash Bag Tooth Brush
Sachet- Snack such as Cup-A-Soup or Cup-A-Noodle
Survival Tins
Rucksack for all the above
Pen Knifes may be brought by scouts that have completed the training (Knife must be given to the leader until it’s needed on camp and returned to the leader after the activity)
Shelter building weekend
Thanks to Catherine Simpson for allowing us to use her land to practice some shelter building skills. Can you spot the shelter in the photo?
Shelter revealed….
And another…
And another….
Break for lunch, followed by some free time for tree climbing and exploring and creating a campfire area
The past few weeks the scouts have been taking part in some disability awareness activities. Blind tent building and some braille. All the scouts would like to thank Naomi Winder for showing the scouts some sign language. They were able to sign their names and where they are from.
Kit List
Socks x 3
Trousers (not Jeans) x 1 or 2
Underwear and base layer x 2
Shirt / T-Shirt x 2
Warm Jumper / Hoody x 1
Outdoor Coat
Hat and gloves
Waterproof Trousers
Light Towel
Boots
2nd pair of shoes
Head Torch or Hand Torch (Please charge / replace batteries for both of these.)
Personal Medications (Must be discussed on accompanying medical consent form)
Sleeping bag
Camp Mat
JimmyJams or onesie
Travel Pillow (or just bring an empty pillowcase – stuff your spare jumper into it to make a pillow 😉
Plastic bag (for wet clothes and rubbish)
Cutlery, crockery etc (knife, fork, spoon, plate, bowl and mug)
Survival bag
Rucksack for all the above
Great day at the scouts mud run well done to all the scouts that took part in the run. Hope to do the same next year.
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.
Scouts looking after all the small holdings over the summer. Everything looks to be growing well with carrots, radishes, peas, beans and flowers. They have been harvesting them each week with the carrots being a big hit.
Scouts completing their final part of their DIY badge by constructing a memo board for going back to school. Drilling holes, glueing pegs and screwing in hooks. Then the scouts got creative and personalised them using permanent coloured markers, googly eyes, buttons and paint.
Our scouts teamed up with Castlerock scouts to become Ballyrock troop at NIJAM 2017. The groups integrated well and new friends were made. Days were filled with a variety of scouting activities and trips, and further fun in the form of themed discos, campfires and crafts in the evenings. A great time was had by all, even the rain couldn’t dampen their spirits.
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. 
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!
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
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.
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.
Scouts had great fun last Thursday (22nd June) at The Edge Watersports @ The Crannagh. Everyone had a blast on the inflatable assault course, with some scouts doing tricks down the slides and jumping off the 3m jump into the River Bann. They then gained a level for their time on the water badge with some scouts kayaking and others paddle boarding. Many thanks to the staff for making it good safe fun.
Scouts completed their 2nd DIY task on Friday night. They were set the challenge of constructing a storage seat for chilling out on in the back room. This involved building flat pack cube shelving for the base and upholstering a seat and back rest using foam, fabric and staple guns. Everyone worked well within their teams. They were also taught how to safely change a lightbulb and mains fuse.
Up bright and early to catch the ferry to Rathlin island to visit the seabird centre and upside down lighthouse. Hiked 4 miles to the west lighthouse spotting wildlife on the way and the rain soon made an appearance. Stop off for lunch and then into seabird centre to study some seabirds, including kittiwakes, razorbills and, of course puffins. Bit of face painting (you’re never too old) then back on track for the hike back to the harbour. 16 soggy scouts returned to Ballycastle for some chips from Mortons before heading home. There were a few tired legs but they’ll sleep well tonight.
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.
We are planning a trip to Rathlin Island on Saturday 3rd June. We will be visiting the seabird centre in the hope of seeing puffins, choughs,peregrine falcons and other bird species which breed on the island cliffs. As we walk from the harbour to the sanctuary this trip will also count towards the scout hill walking activity badge/hikes away.
The cost of the trip is £15. This is to cover the cost of transport tp Ballycastle and return trip by ferry to the island and entry to the seabird centre. Your scout will need to wear full uniform, comfortable shoes/hiking boots and bring a rain coat. Also bring a day sack containing a packed lunchand two bottles of water (and a snack to ea along the way).
Please let David (07709972999) know by text/ phone call, no later than Monday 22nd May, if your scout wil be attending this outing as ferry tickets needed t be booked in advance.
We need to leave the scout hall at 8:15am sharp on Saturday morning and plan to return to the scout hall at tea time.
PAYMENTS of £15 should be made through PayPal (see website for link) RATHLIN and scouts name e.g. RATHLINPETER Payments should be made no later than Friday 26th May. 
Bank Holiday weekend 2017
Ballymoney, 1st Castlerock, 1st Roe Valley, 1st Cookstown and 1st Portstewart Scout Troops came together for a weekend of fun and scouting activities. A fanstatic weekend – see if you can spot a frown!
Thanks to everyone for sending pics and videos. (they’re not all Ballymoneys..)
Pics
Vids.
https://youtu.be/6F671K52Tq8
https://youtu.be/IboFqiZV1jE
https://youtu.be/uj9GF9wWVSo
https://youtu.be/R2rCGx7Rq4Y
https://youtu.be/D5I8F2EHfhA
https://youtu.be/EXDgkDaguLs
https://youtu.be/p3YpXlHA3No
https://youtu.be/3AVF-A83sJI
https://youtu.be/yasTp0kCwHs
https://youtu.be/JEIq9FgUThU
https://youtu.be/6pXfd9dffI4
https://youtu.be/tNG9NnvxPNk
This year the Parade was held in Coleraine and hosted by 1st Coleraine Scout Group.
It was a pleasant day and fairly dry, all our members where shiny in their best uniforms and all badged up.
Video of The parade
Tonight the Scouts started their DIY badge. Knocking up some planters for the back garden. Using tapes, Davids know how, impact drivers, screws, good humour and some elbow grease two fine looking garden sculptures emerged to grace the rear for years to come….
Part two after the camp…
