18th Belfast Scout Group report 21/22
This year we focused on restarting all sections.
Several Scouters decided to retire and not return after the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The group restarted weekly meetings and outdoor activities. The return to activities was welcomed by the youth members and their parent / guardians.
The activities included Hillwalking / Nature walks / Cinema / Ten pin Bowling / Trips to the beach / Camping and first aid all resumed.
We held a planning / training weekend for Scouters in Ballyhornan Scout centre.
We reinstated the group camp in Crawfordsburn Scout centre which included basic Scout skills such as fire lighting, cooking, tent pitching and wood cutting as well as abseiling grass sledging and crate stacking.
The parents / Guardians thanked the group for the outdoor clothing / boots etc provided to youth members during the pandemic to help them get outdoors.
Belfast bike hire donated several ex fleet bicycles which were repaired and given to the youth members who needed a bicycle.
Formal training of our adult Scouters was resumed. Safeguarding / First aid and trustee training was provided by Scout Foundation Ni.
Scout Foundation Ni also donated outdoor equipment / training videos and skills training to help the group re engage with the Scout program. Our thanks to the Scout Foundation for their assistance. Also, we would like to thank the Department of Education and the Department for Communities for their help and assistance with our return to active Scouting.
Kieran McCann
Group leader
18th Belfast Scout group.