1st Cork Crosshaven Sea Scouts celebrates 50 years
- Online Journalist
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Bren Fairhill
“It takes a village to raise a child”.
This wonderful Nigerian proverb suggests that an entire community of people should provide for and interact positively with children for their growth and well-being.
If we look back to Crosshaven in 1975, we know that it was a very different place, with a population of 1,222 compared to recent census figures of 4,228. It was a small coastal village and local children spoke about their “summer friends”. These were the friends that would come from the City and surrounds to enjoy a bit of coastal fun before returning home for the start of school in September.
1st Cork Crosshaven Sea Scouts began in 1975, sponsored by the Crosshaven Community Association. To this day, they actively support the Scout Group’s use of the Community
Shed, Community Garden and the Point Slipway, where many of the local activities take place during the winter and summer months. The most recent addition to our facilities is the
Water Hub, a customised space located at Point Beach. Crosshaven Boatyard and Green Rebel are the kind hosts of the Water Hub meaning we have easy access to the water and our activities.
We will be celebrating our 50th anniversary this Summer, having been reformed in 2014 by a few former youth members along with some keen ‘blow-ins’ who wanted to get in on the adventure. Since then, we have been developing the group in line with Land and Sea Scouting formats. The group has over 100 youth members.
1st Cork Crosshaven Sea Scouts operate in the same way as other Scout groups but in addition to traditional scouting activities, we have a strong focus on water activities including
kayaking, sailing, boating and swimming. The programme is designed to foster a love of adventure on the water alongside building technical activity skills and leadership afloat.
Our yacht ‘Terrantulus’ is our pride and joy, donated by the Walsh Family of Roscrea and Kilmore Quay, where we went to pick her up. To honour their father and his love of sailing they donated to us, his yacht and we are forever grateful to them for giving us this opportunity to share the love of sailing with our young members.
When all of these elements combine, we have some of the biggest and best of adventures. We have hiked the Galtees, and the Knockmealdown Mountains. The whole troop has taken part in various county camps and competitions. Our Scouts are heading to Lockerbie, Scotland in July, following their trip to Birmingham last year. A few locals and holiday makers in West Cork might have been surprised to discover 1st Cork Sea Scouts strolling around Baltimore,
exploring the waters of Roaring Water Bay by boat and kayak or camping on Sherkin and Heir Island over the past few summers.
If you think you’d enjoy this level of adventure, get in touch with us. There are huge leadership opportunities and benefits, with the youth led approach of scouting. We have the
assistance and support of some amazing people from the different emergency services, the
RNLI, The Royal Cork Yacht Club, Cork County Council, Cork ETB Youth Services.
Without the dedication of the volunteers, the generosity and goodwill of the community and the businesses who have been so supportive, we would not be able to operate so successfully.
Our youth members in Beavers are aged 6 to 8 and run under the guidance of Beaver Leader Alex Barry.
Cubs are aged 9 to 11 with Douglas Deane – Cub Leader, taking them to the next level of challenges and fun.
Scouts are aged 12 to 14 where Skipper, Peter O’Donovan takes them forward to even bigger adventures.
From September we will have a Ventures ‘Watch’ with youths aged 15 to 17. Gareth Healy will guide and lead the way as they develop their leadership skills and push themselves to
even greater adventures.
The sea has always been important to the people of Crosshaven. It provides a living, recreation, beauty and more recently an energy provider in our ever-changing world. We must treasure it and protect it.
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