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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

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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Uncategorised

Scouts & Phoenix Explorers New Year Hike


Some of our Scouts and Explorers hiked from East Strand, Portrush, to Dunluce Castle on a blustery Saturday afternoon. Just over 7 miles walked, with a stop at Dunluce Castle for a warm lunch (sausage baps/soup and a roll) before the return leg. It was great to see them all again after the Christmas break, and to welcome 2 possible new Explorers along for the dander.

Check out the YouTube video below

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Camps News

Scouts and Explorers Winter Weekend

Last weekend the Scouts and Explorers packed up and headed off in the minibus for their winter weekend away at Dunluce Guide House. Once there, after setting up the hostel and unloading all the goodies brought by the Tesco delivery van, everything was set for a great weekend ahead.
On Saturday the Scouts headed off for various hikes around the North Coast. This allowed all participants to use and improve their map reading skills, as they each took turns to lead the group on the hike. Meanwhile the explorers went biking in the dunes. On returning to hostel, we welcomed two new scouts, four explorers and a leader, with their investiture ceremony taking place while abseiling the cliffs of Dunluce Castle. On Saturday evening everyone enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner cooked this year by the explorers. This was followed by party games, including the After Eight Challenge, and ‘IbbleDibble’. After a leisurely breakfast on Sunday morning the Scouts headed out to complete an incident hike, including stretcher rescue on the cliffs, blind travail and dismantling a bomb. The weekend came to a close on Sunday afternoon when it was time to pack up and return to the scout hall. We are all looking forward to our next adventure! We would like to thank Carolyn, Trevor and Sarah for the goodies, and Helen, Jeremy and Sarah who joined us for dinner on Saturday.
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News

Remembrance Day Parade

All sections of the group joined the local Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday, and attended the subsequent service at First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church.
This parade has grown in recent years and it was good to see all the other youth organisations out on the day. Scouting was represented by both Ballymoney Scout group and 4th Antrim Scouts.
Earlier that day the Scouts and Explorers took the honour of laying the wreath at the cenotaph.
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News

Arrangements for Remembrance Day Parade

The Remembrance Day Parade will take place on Sunday 09/11/2014. Following are the arrangements for the all sections:
13:45    Meeting at  Townhead Street Car Park  Dress – Full Uniform (Please bring a coat for wet weather)
13:45    Roll Call, head count and collect permission forms
The parade will go straight down the Main Street, turn left and go to First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church. The church service will last approximately 1 hour.  On leaving the church, the parade will turn right, go up to the roundabout, proceed along Queen Street and Church Street. The parade will then dismiss on High Street.
16:45    Collection from High Street
It is important that your child attend this as it will complete their Promise Challenge Badge requirements.  Please can you ensure that everyone attend.  We will need parent helpers to walk alongside the Parade, you do not have to attend the church service but will be needed for the return Parade, you will probably want to be there to watch your child Parade and take some photographs anyway.

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News

Friday Night Is Pancake Night

Friday night saw the Scouts and Explorers taking up the challenge of cooking pancakes. Each patrol cooked their own pancakes and then had the choice of their fillings – chocolate spread, marshmallows, jam as well as the traditional lemon and sugar.
Once cleared away the pancake races started, I’m not sure anyone actually knows who won!!
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News

Master at Arms Badge

The Scouts and Explorers visited Causeway Company of Archers to complete their Master at Arms badge.
master at arms
There are three main requirements to complete the badge.

  1. The Scouts attend regular training sessions and that they show improvement in their skills.
  2. The Scouts know the safety rules associated with the activity and demonstrate their use
  3. That they take part in a competition

After the safety talk and a few practice rounds, an Olympic Challenge got underway, which was hotly contested completion eventually won by Jack (congratulations Jack). During this completion Chris and Mark questioned the scouts on safety, and equipment.
The last session of the evening was the individual knock out competitions, where everyone had three lives and target to aim for, the problem was that every round the target reduced and so did the lives.
Everyone who attended completed the badge.
Out thanks go to Chris and Mark of the Causeway Company of Archers for providing an excellent evening for the scouts.
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News

First Hike of 2014

The first hike of 2014 took place last weekend with a visit to Slemish, it was a good excuse to stretch the legs on the walk / scramble with everyone reaching the summit, and most of the explorers and scouts choosing to go for a run. The weather stayed fine on the 150 meter climb.
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News

Swimming Badges

The scouts visited Ballymoney leisure centre on Friday to start their staged swimming awards, everyone who attended completed level 1 with most completing level 2 as well. Our thanks go out to all at Ballymoney leisure centre for accommodating us.
The explorers decided it was time that they got their feet wet with a visit to Lisburn Leisure Pool, not much swimming was done but they all had fun playing on the slides and chutes, they finished off their evening with the traditional post swim fare of KFC.

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News

Chocolate Challenge

Once again the chocolate challenge has raised its head. In patrols the scouts and explorers designed a chocolate bar which included coming up with ingredients, naming it, designing its wrapper and this year creating an advertising slogan.
Entrants were varied with the Maple Bar which main ingredient was Maple syrup, Cookie crumble which included chocolate chip cookies and popping candy and this year’s winner was designed by the explorers and promptly called HLD (Hard Lad Dave) this is the explorers we are talking about!! Ingredients included every kind of chocolate you could possibly imagine as well as the engine from a 1986 Vauxhall Cavalier!!!!
Then came the fun part where everyone got to make and taste their own creations with the majority of the ingredients having to be substituted for an edible version.
Next year we might even try marketing these chocolate delights to the unsuspecting  public.
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News

Scouts and Explorers Christmas Break

The last night for Scouts and Explorers before the Christmas break is Friday the 20th December.
This is a non uniform night, but people should come wearing something festive!
We will return on Friday 10th January for the chocolate challenge.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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News

Explorer Christmas Trip

On Sunday the Explorers went karting for their Christmas trip at Raceview in Ballymena.
Harry won, with David showing he had hidden talents to take second place.

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News

ASDA Bag Pack

The Scouts, Explorers and parents spent the day bag packing at ASDA in Coleraine where a fantastic figure of £935.03 was raised. The money goes towards the Croatia trip and the planned group camp.
Our thanks go out to all customers, staff of ASDA for their generosity and making a hard day’s work enjoyable.

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News

Archery for Scouts and Explorers

The Scouts and Explorers visited Causeway Company of Archers for an Archery tasting session.
After the safety talk and a few practice rounds, an Olympic Challenge got underway.
The last session of the evening was the team competitions, where everyone in the team shot three arrows and all the scores were all added together to find the winning team.
This evening was the first of two which will enable the scouts to gain their Master at Arms badge. The second evening is planned for the end of January 2014.
Out thanks go to Chris and Stuart-Lee of the Causeway Company of Archers for providing an excellent evening for the scouts.
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News

Ballymoney Scout Group at Ballymoney's Remembrance Sunday Parade

Ballymoney Scout Group had an impressive turnout this year and took part in Sunday’s Remembrance Day activities.  This parade has grown in recent years and it was good to see all the other youth organisations out on the day. Scouting was represented by both Ballymoney Scout group and 4th Antrim Scouts from Scouting Ireland in the town.
David ‘Sheer Khan’ and his Cubs laid a wreath in the morning following on from the Beavers last year, and we were well represented all day.
Jonny, Group Scout Leader, wants to pass on his thanks to all the Leaders, Parents and exec members who helped make it such a good day as well as congratulating all sections on their impeccable representation of the Group. Many local people commented on how well everyone looked and behaved, including the Beavers, who were amongst the youngest members of the parade and did the whole long walk without complaint.
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News

Scout BBQ

We are planning to hold our annual BBQ on Friday 6th September at the Drumaheglis Marina. All scouts, explorers and their families are invited to join us from 7pm to 9:30pm. The cost will be £3 per person and this will cover all your food and drink.
Please confirm attendance with Kevin (07775632415) or Helen (07739287856) by Tuesday 3rd September so that we can have sufficient supplies!
Looking forward to seeing you all!

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News

Opportunity for Volunteers

Ballymoney Scout Group has grown very successfully over the past few years to nearly 90 young people  being members across our 4 sections.  (Beavers aged 6-8, Cubs aged 8-10, Scouts aged 10-14 and Explorers aged 14-18).
As with all growth comes change.  We now have vacancies for Volunteers at all sections within the group. Not all volunteers have to work with children directly – we have need of fundraisers, committee members, supporters and community liaisons.  Everyone in the group is a volunteer working towards shared goals.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to bring your skills, knowledge and sense of fun to a dynamic group working within your local community. We recognise everyone has different levels of spare time they can commit, and as such have opportunities ranging from 2-3 hours a week to an hour once in a blue moon.
If you would like to know more, please contact us.
Did you know?

  • There are nearly 500000 scouts in the UK (all sections and volunteers)
  • There are nearly 30 million scouts worldwide

Some common myths?

  • Scouting is not just for boys;
  • Girls have been a part of the adventure since 1976.
  • Scouting is not a Christian Organisation;
  • We are a multi-faith movement.
  • Scouting is not for everyone;
  • Yet 30,000 Young people are desperate to join.
  • Scouting is not linked to the army;
  • We’re the largest membership organisation in the world working for peace.
  • Scout Leaders are not just male;
  • 44% of our leaders are female.
  • Scouts do not say dyb dyb dyb
  • They haven’t done so since the 1960’s…but they still do their best!
  • Scouting is not about Bob-a-Job week;
  • But it is good for getting you a job!
  • Scouts do not just wear green;
  • They think green too.
  • Scouts do not sing Ging Ganh Goolie;
  • The tunes of Paul McCartney and Jarvis Cocker belted out were far more popular.
  • Scouting does not just happen in a Scout Hut;
  • After all, you can’t do over 200 adventurous activities inside!
  • Scouting is not just about tying knots;
  • It’s pretty hard to tie one while sailing, climbing or parascending.
  • Not all Scouts can be cool;
  • But these manage somehow…

David Beckham
Richard Branson

Richard Hammond
Jamie Oliver
Norman Cook ‘Fat Boy Slim’
Bear Grylls

Whats in it for you?
With a waiting list of over 30,000 children and young people, the data from the impact study can help you to encourage more adults to join Scouting as volunteers. You can use this information in school gate conversations or your publicity material to show why being a volunteer in Scouting is a great opportunity for adults in your area.
A full package of benefits
Scouting can offer a unique and interrelated package of benefits, these include:

  • having fun
  • having good friendships
  • taking part in activities
  • contributing to the community
  • improving life chances in terms of education and employment
  • building confidence and commitment to others.

Over a third of adult volunteers said that it was unlikely or impossible that they would have had the opportunity to gain these benefits without Scouting.
Developing skills
Scouting helps adults to develop a range of skills. In particular:

  • 91 % of volunteers said that Scouting had helped them to develop key skills, such as leadership, teamwork, character development and social skills.
  • 97 % said that being involved helped them with relationship building.
  • 97 %  said that Scouting helped them develop their volunteering activity including contributing to the community, improved understanding of the community and improved skills for volunteering.
  • 95 % said that Scouting helped them improve their physical skills, including the improved ability to cope with outdoor condition
  • Some 41 %of organisations reported that a job applicant’s involvement in Scouting would be a positive influence on their appointment. Organisations felt that staff who had been involved in Scouting were above average across a range of key attributes related to key Scouting qualities, including understanding of values, respect for others, teamwork ability, confidence, social skills, leadership ability, contribution to the community.

We welcome interest from all members of the community, if you would like further information or to chat about different roles please contact us.

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News

BBQ on the Beach

The Scouts and Explorers joined 4th Antrim for their end of year BBQ on Friday evening
After the silly beach games, everyone retired to get their fill of burgers and hotdogs.
Unfortunately the weather was a little wet, not that it stopped us having fun, making new friends or having a good feed!!
Our thanks go to 4th Antrim for the invite, and we’ll see you soon.
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News

Camp Skills Day

IMG_1402The day started by helping local residents with a clean-up in Macosquin village; this goes towards the Global Challenge.
Then over to Kevin’s house for a day of camp skills including putting up tents, setting the site, collecting fire wood, using axes and bow saws, lighting fires with some backwoods cooking. Chocolate cake was on hand for afternoon tea, as the Scouts and Explorers enjoyed the sunshine. Then a few more practical skills of using Tilly lamps and stoves, before heading off to Downhill Beach for a mad and sandy game of rugby.
Once back, supper was had, flasks were sorted and gear packed for a short hike to the bivi site where the scouts and explorers would bed down for the night under the stars.
After a windy but dry night back down the hill for bacon butties, hot chocolate and the cartoon network.
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News

Explorers Ski Trip

Ballymoney Explorers recently met up with Mytholmroyd Explorers for a Ski trip to Kranska Gora in Slovenia. Good weather and fantastic snow conditions meant that even the novices were guaranteed a great weeks skiing.  All the Explorers had a lesson every day from our ski instructor ‘Tomislav Vrhovec’, and he kept them on their toes improving their skiing every day. By the end of the week everyone had successfully skied a long red run with most tacking a black run.  After a hard days skiing we headed back to the hostel for tea before heading aback out again for the nights activities such as night skiing, tobogganing  and swimming, then back to the hostel for supper and free time before bed. On the last night all the explorers headed out into town to for a meal, and with all the local cuisine to choose from they settled for pizza!!

Skiing 2013
Skiing 2013

Who can ski?
Who can ski?

Food!
Food!

Going Up!
Going Up!

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News

Founders Day

Ballymoney Cubs and Scouts joined other members of the association as well as members from Scouting Ireland to celebrate Founders Day last Sunday 24th February.
Founders Day celebrates the birth of Baden Powell (22nd February 1857) the founder of Scouting.
This year a special Parade and Scouts Own took place in Londonderry as the city is celebrating its year as the City of Culture. Over 1400 Scouts from County Londonderry and County Donegal paraded through the city and were warmly welcomed by the residents; the parade crossed the peace bridge and finished with a Scouts Own in the newly erected events tent. All participants received a commemorative scarf and woggle which can be worn for the next month.
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News

Chocolate Challenge

Once again the chocolate challenge has raised its head. In patrols the scouts and explorers designed a chocolate bar which included coming up with ingredients, naming it, designing its wrapper and, in the case of the explorers, even creating an advertising jingle.
Entrants were varied with the Ulster Fry Bar which included bacon and eggs, The Sugar Rush which was true to its name and would have you bouncing off the ceiling, and this year’s winner was the Qwa-Bang which was designed by the explorers and contained a lock of Bob Marley’s dreads, tears of a gypsy, iron, titanium and chicken nuggets!!!!
Then came the fun part where everyone got to make and taste the Qwa-Bang with the majority of the ingredients having to be substituted for an edible version.
Not sure that this would make them their fortune on Apprentice or Dragons Den though…Choc 01 Choc 02 Choc 03

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News

District Explorer Chill Out Night

On Friday 18th January Explorers from the district came together to chill out during their exams by watching movies, eating pizza and generally relaxing.  The opportunity to use Dunluce Guide House for the evening was too good to miss in providing a chance to provide a district wide Explorer event. This is just the first too, with a number of activities planned for later in the year such as Karting in April.

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News

Scouts & Explorers December update

The Scouts and Explorers had a busy start to the month of December with a bag pack at Asda raising a fantastic £469. Thanks go to all those who helped as well as the staff and customers of Asda Coleraine.
The Explorers joined in with the Scouts’ activities on silly team building events that included making human pyramids, scrums, carrying relays and a mass game of Twister.
The Explorers visited the University of Ulster Fencing Club and spent an enjoyable evening learning how to fence; a return visit is planned in February.
The Scouts went ten pin bowling for their Christmas trip and called into McDonalds for their supper.
Scouts and Explorers finished for Christmas on the 21st December and start back again on the 11th January.

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News

Bag Packing at Asda

On Saturday 1st December, we were delighted to have many volunteers from Scouts, Explorers and their parents to assist in our fundraising Bag Packing at Asda, Coleraine.
We raised a fantastic amount of £469, and would like to thank Asda, its staff & customers for their continued and generous support.

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News

Scouts and Explorers Winter Weekend

On Friday 23rd November the Scouts and Explorers packed up and headed off in the minibus for their winter weekend away at Dunluce Guide House. Once there, after setting up the hostel and unloading all the goodies brought by the Tesco delivery van, everything was set for a great weekend ahead.
On Saturday the Scouts and Explorers headed off for various hikes around the North Coast. This allowed all participants to use and improve their map reading skills, as they each took turns to lead the group on the hike. On returning to the hostel the Scouts and Explorers were joined by four Cubs who are about to come up from Cubs to Scouts. After hot chocolate and cake the young people undertook a number of challenges including building a free standing tower out of newspaper and following a blind trail.
The group then welcomed two new scouts with their investiture ceremony taking place in the grounds of Dunluce Castle. On Saturday evening everyone enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner cooked by the patrol leaders and assistant patrol leaders. This was followed by party games, including the After Eight Challenge, and ‘IbbleDibble’.

After a leisurely breakfast on Sunday morning the Scouts headed out to complete an incident hike, including first aid, building a fire off the ground and completing the invisible assault course. Some of the explorers went off biking down to the dunes.

 
 
The weekend came to a close on Sunday afternoon when it was time to pack up and return to the scout hall. We are all looking forward to our next adventure!