4[TH] TYRONE
OMAGH
NIC106239
A summary description of the purposes of the charity
The aim of Scouting Ireland is to encourage the physical, intellectual, character, emotional, social and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and as responsible citizens, to improve society.
The Charity’s purposes are:
The advancement of education
The advancement of citizenship or community development
Charity’s Main Activities and Achievements during the year.
4th Tyrone Omagh Scout Group commenced in September 2022 following temporary closure during the Covid Pandemic since June 2020.
Four sections offered programmes initially to previous members and family members. Due to a change in Group leader, a reduction in scouters returning and a new Den it was agreed to restart with the sections running on a fortnightly basis, Beavers and Cubs meeting one week, Scouts and Ventures on the alternate week, the programme for each section was supplemented with a weekend activity once per month.
All sections have enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the year.
Beavers have been working towards a number of adventure skills badges, with introductions to backwoods, hiking and map reading skills, pioneering – knots, shelter building and learning about nature.
Beavers enjoyed their first indoor camp.
Over the year Beavers also visited a farm, Omagh Police Station and paddle boarding in the Gortin lakes.
Cubs have engaged in a wide range of activities including, Hiking, knife skills, orienteering, leave no trace. Bird watching and identification. backwoods
4[TH] TYRONE
OMAGH
NIC106239
Cubs also attended visits to the airport, Omagh PSNI station, Omagh fire Station, Omagh Court House and thoroughly enjoyed an introduction to fishing with FROGS CIC.
Scouts and Ventures have also enjoyed a range of activities including, hiking, map skills, orienteering, knife skills, night hiking, backwoods cooking and pioneering.
Day trips included Hikes, a day to the Share Centre for backwoods and pioneering. First aid training and Amateur Radio.
Ventures and some older Scouts spent a night in the Glens on a ‘Wild camp out’.
It is fair to say that all of the Scouts have enjoyed more than their share of hot chocolate and Smores!
We also participated in a number of County and Community events including; the County Peacelight Service and distributed the Peace light locally at the Integrated Primary School Carol Service.
4th Tyrone also supported the local community by manning a water station at the Omagh half marathon.
Feedback from the scouts and their parents has been very positive in terms of the variety and enjoyment of the activities and programme provided. We are extremely fortunate to have the Gortin Glens so close and make regular use of the forest park.
The Highlight of the year was the joint Beaver, Cub, Scout & Venture weekend camp at the Share Centre in August 2023. The youth members were able to engage in a wide variety of activities including: Camping /Pioneering /Paddle Boarding /Foraging /Canoeing /Archery /Wilderness Survival /Backwoods Cooking /Wall Climbing /Leave No Trace/ Team Challenges /Quiz /campfires. Everyone had a fantastic time and it was tremendous to see the whole group supporting each other and having fun together.
The Scout year for 2022/23 has been very positive in 4th Tyrone and we look forward to growing and developing in the coming years.
4[TH] TYRONE
OMAGH NIC106239
How is the Group doing financially?
The group is in a stable position financially. As this was the first tentative year back to scouting following the pandemic and conscious of the financial crisis impacting on many families the Trustees agreed to charge a reduced fee from the pre-covid figures for registration and membership to the group. This came at a financial loss to the the group and will not be sustained long-term.
All activities and outgoing costs have been covered; see financial summary for details.
Income: £5437.46
This was made up of income from membership fees, grants and other incomes including events and used to pay the membership fees and facilitate the weekly programme as well as den costs. Expenditure £7731.11
Membership fees paid to national office for youth and adult members was £4746.80
The costs of running the weekly programme was £634.84
Training course costs for our adult volunteers cost £493.79. These courses were part of the Scouting Ireland woodbadge scheme for Scouters.
Den rental was £1107.47
How has the Group ensured members have not come to harm?
All volunteers receive training in Safeguarding, Programme (youth work) skills and adventure skills. There is oversight of all activity by the Group Leader and the Group Council. Parents are regularly communicated with. All activities are carefully planned and the appropriate equipment used.
How has your Group ensured that any private benefit to your volunteers has been incidental to the public benefit of your work?
Volunteers gain additional transferrable skills but this is incidental to the work that they do and the skills that they require to undertake that work.
4[TH] TYRONE
OMAGH NIC106239
Signed:
Jane White, Group Leader, Trustee. 03/07/24