Pictures: A proper jamboree as Scouts, Cubs and Beavers enjoy Spraoi weekend in Gowran Park

It was a weekend of fun, learning and friendship as Scouting Ireland’s South East Province had a blast at their annual camp, Spraoi.

This year, for the first time, the organisation held Spraoi Óige an event for our beavers and cubs which had a pirate theme.
Spraoi Óige opened with 440 members from 16 groups arrived to check into the Pirate themed camp. On arrival they were split into their different groups and set up camp before attending the opening ceremony.

Saturday was jam-packed with activity. The beavers and cubs worked their way around six different bases. The first base was Pirate Bay, where members of the emergency services including the South East Mountain Rescue Association, National Ambulance Service, Kilkenny Fire & Rescue Services, Order of Malta and the Gardaí taught the beavers, cubs and scouts invaluable information on what to do if they ever find themselves in an emergency.

The second base, Pirate Navigation, saw particiants make compasses and learn about water safety and charts. They then had to walk the plank blindfolded and take on an obstacle course before making personalised badges.
Pirates Hook a duck was up next, where they made fishing rods and tried to hook a duck. They pioneered their own pirate flag poles and had bail your boat relay races. The beavers learned the parts of a boat.

The next base, Does Your Boat Float? saw the groups made little boats for races and learned about the effects of the wind and tides. A fun memory game, they learned how to heave a line and tie a reef-knot and figure of eight knot.
Base five tested their aim with archery and axe throwing. They learned about biodiversity and marine debris with a game on how long it takes for different items to decompose.

The last base, The Wind in Your Sails, saw beavers learn how to tell the direction of the wind. They assembled gliders and discovered what effect the wind had on them. After learning about the Beaufort Scale they tried their luck on captain hook’s ring toss and played octopus tag.

After some ice-cream treats Saturday night was filled with fun and laughter as they all gathered around the campfire to sign some songs. On Sunday morning the beavers and cubs were given a talk on water safety, float to live and learned about leaving no trace by walking the length and breadth of the campsite to pick up anything they may have left behind.

During the weekend in between all the fun the beavers and cubs all earned their first nautical badge. For beavers it was the marines mate badge and for the cubs it was the bosun's mate badge. All went home a little richer with the memories and friendships they made over the weekend, not forgetting the pirates treasure they all collected along the way.