The Moving Camp!

Entering Lock on the R.Barrow

Moving Camp’s for Malahide Sea Scouts started back in 1978  by a leader who choose it as his project to complete his Woodbadge. The River Shannon was the chosen route back then. The term Moving camp used by Sea Scouts is normally over water.Rivers are the most popular routes taken. So each day a passage plan is made and the whole troop descends the river in kayaks,rowing boats,and a safety craft accompanies them on the route. By evening time a site for camping overnight is chosen and in the morning the whole troop up roots again to continue their passage on the river till they reach their next destination.

Skiff's crew ready to negotiate rapid water

This years Moving Camp by the Wednesday night troop was on the River Barrow. A little swollen due to constant Summer rain which makes, descending the river weirs a little easier and sometimes a little tricky!. The route begins in Vicarstown on the canal but soon join’s the River Barrow at Athy. The River acts as a border between Co.Laois and Co.Kildare for quite a distance before it becomes a border between Co.Laois and Co.Carlow.The route offers good shelter and the occasional good overnight camping sites.

Descending weir

Every day is a new challenge as you never know what to expect around the next bend in the river. Fallen trees,rapid water but the boats crew have to work well in their watch’s and be ready for the next challenge. After five days they reach Craiguenamanagh and begin the standing camp for another five days. Here camping skills are brushed up on ,a little hiking and always having the river beside them,means more time on the water. To finish off the trip a day out to Splash World in Tramore always very popular as its a time to begin looking normal again after the trip.

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