Best of luck to the patrol from our Scout Troop who are heading up to Lough Dan to take part in the Dodder Cup from 9th to 11th May. The Dodder Cup is a camping competition between all Scout Troops in the local area. The 7th Donnybrook are the current holders of the Dodder Cup so there’s a lot of pride at stake! The theme this year is Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf, and the Scouts will be marked on their camping, cooking and overall Scouting skills, with the winning patrol qualifying for the national camping competition, The Phoenix.

The patrol representing the 7th at the Dodder Cup this year is Leo Downes (PL), Richard O’Connor (APL), Nour Ghantous (First Scout), Oisin Dowling, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Daniel Ilyich, Hector Andrews-McCarroll and Karen O’Connor. We wish them every success and hope they can bring home some silverware again, but most of all that they remember their Scout promise to do their best!

Back Row: Oscar, Rachel, Aoife, Leah, Susan, Priscilla, Sandra
Front Row: Ronan, Vanessa, Liane

Five Leaders from the 7th Donnybrook were presented with Service Awards on St Patrick’s Day in recognition of their dedication and commitment to the Group. Priscilla Pegman (Deputy Group Leader), Vanessa O’Carroll (Cub Leader), Ronan Johns (Venturer Leader) and Leah Cullen (Group Training Co-ordinator) received 5 Year Service Awards, and Liane Costello (Venturer Leader) was awarded a Service Certificate.

Each of these Leaders plays a vital role in the continuation of the Group and the personal development of Cubs, Scouts and Venturers, and we are indebted to them for the time and enthusiasm they put into devising a creative and rewarding programme for our youth members.

Thanks to the 3rd/40th/41st Donnybrook for inviting us along to the St Patrick’s day church parade, which hasn’t been around for the past number of years. Hopefully, this will become an annual event again. It’s great to show the scouting presence in the community!

Not even the miserable weather could dampen the mood. I think the rain added to the sombre mood of the whole event – the whole thing was like a scene out of saving private ryan but obviously a bit more intense… We’re scouts after all! This activity was particularly enjoyable and the stand out memory for me was when we entered a free for all at the end of our session with everyone against everyone!!

Things we learnt:

Paintball hurts
Have eyes on the back of your head
and RUNNN!!

Thanks to Neil Dorgan and everyone at http://www.specialops.ie/ for making the day great.