Sea Scouting Centenary Conference 2012

Killaloe,Co. Clare.

23^rd to 25^th November 2012

Seven leaders from the Malahide Sea Scout group had a great opportunity recently in attending a Centenary celebration of Sea Scouting in Ireland. The seven delegates attended along with 70 other leaders throughout the island of Ireland the Sea Scout Centenary Conference in Killaloe, County Clare.

The weekend began on Friday night with official opening by Sea Scout Commissioner Stephen Taylor in the presence of the Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland Mr Michael Shennick. A brief history display prepared by Brian Meyer, Eoghan Lavelle and Kevin Rowan was delivered in how we got here from the times of being part of Scout Association of Great Britain and Ireland through the war of Independence, the emergence of sea scouting in the former CBSI to present day Ireland.

Throughout Saturday delegates had the choice to attend the multi workshops .In the morning time was given over to brushing up on Nautical Skills from passage planning to navigation to rope work. There was a new approach to providing leaders the opportunity to gain a certificate over the weekend by making available an AED course, and  Stage 2 (CPC) course.

By the afternoon leaders had further opportunities to develop their interests in taking part in the indoor pool session, practicing canoe rolls, or take a sail on Lough Derg, or witness a new development in boating building in Limerick City.

As the evening drew closer delegates were preparing for the celebrated Centenary Dinner which was hosted by Sea Scout Commissioner Stephen Taylor. Eighty guests set down at the captain’s table and the celebration continued into the early hours of the morning.

Sunday’s programme started with a plenary session on risk management, followed by smaller break out  group discussions on the adventure skills, boating guidelines,boating charge certs. and ISA training updates. The conference concluded after lunch with an open forum and a sense of looking forward to the next 100 years. Thanks was expressed by Stephen Taylor to the organising committee Kate O’Farrell, Stephanie Mc Cann, Gearoid O’Riain ,Daniel Kennedy , Kevin Rowan , Cian O’Gradaigh, Diarmuid O’Briain and support staff Niamh Manning and Colum Mc Caffrey for  a very successful weekend.

THAT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING…………….. WHERE WILL YOU TAKE IT FROM HERE?
Fair Sailing,