Fifth Port letter head

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LOCATION | BACKGROUND | LEADERSHIP | MEETINGS | ACTIVITIES | THE GROUP | ENROLLMENT | THE ASSOCIATION | UNIFORM | SUBS | TROOP HISTORY | SKIPPER VEKINS PAGE | MORE LINKS | WEDNESDAY NIGHT TROOP PHOTO GALLERY | SATURN SEA CUB PACK PHOTO GALLERY | PICTURES

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LOCATION

 

5th Port Dollymount Sea Scouts are located on the Bull Island in Dublin Bay. Our den is located by the Bull Island cottages just over the wooden bridge.

The Crows Nest as seen from the air.

 

BACKGROUND

 

There has been a near continuous scouting presence on the island since 1912, and 5th Port scouts are more than proud of the great tradition of scouting which has been passed down to them since the early days of the scouting movement. For more information on the history of our troop click here.

 

LEADERSHIP

 

Skipper D. Kennedy 5th Port has a well structured leadership, with the adult leaders all having been scouts within the troop in the past. Our present skippers are Daniel Kennedy and Tim Morrissey. Answering directly to the Skippers and other adult leaders are the watch leaders, responsible scouts chosen by their peers, and together they decide the day to day programme of our two troops.

Below are some of our present leaders, John O'Neil, Seán O Seaghdha, Daniel Kennedy, Dermot Durack and Tim Morrissey.

The quality and hard work of many 5th Port Leaders has been recognised and appreciated over the years by the SAI and 5th Port leaders have received the highest awards available to Irish Scout Leaders.

 

 

MEETINGS

 

5th Port have two troops in the scout section. The boys troop main meeting is on Wednesday evenings while the girls troop main parade is on Thursday evenings. Both troops follow the same scouting programme with parade starting at 20:00hrs. During these parades the scouts are instructed in many aspects of seamanship, safety and scouting, as well as First Aid and Resuscitation. This is to ensure that our activities are carried out competently and safely.

We also play games and have competitions on parade evenings which finish between 21:45hrs and 22:00hrs.

 

Every scout is also expected to attend 'Work Parade' each Saturday from 14:00hrs to 17:00hrs to help maintain the den (Which is the envy of all other troops in the district.), and the boats, canoes, and other equipment we use in our activities. The den and all the equipment we have is considered to be the property of the scouts themselves, and not of the leaders or any individuals, so it is in the boys' and girls' own interest to look after their upkeep.

 

Each Sunday an activity (or activities) is provided. It is through these activities that the scouts benefit most from scouting, it is where their training and hard work pay off in an enjoyable and challenging way.

Often, and particularly during the summer months, activities go on throughout the week, but the best of all are the annual Easter and summer camps.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

Among the many activities provided are:

 

Scouts enjoying a brisk sail on annual camp. Sailing,
Skiff and Punt rowing,
Canoeing/Kayaking,
Hiking,
Camping,
Pioneering,
and many more.

 

For more information and pictures of 5th Port activities click here.

 

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THE GROUP

 

The 5th Port group consists of the many sections detailed below.

 

BEAVER SCOUTS

Beavers provide young children with an introduction to scouting from the ages of 6yrs to 8yrs. They meet on Saturday mornings from 11:00hrs until 12:00hrs. They play games and have fun in a structured way. Beavers take part in such activities as nature walks and district activities such as the National Trip To The Zoo and the Easter Egg Hunt.

 

SEA CUBS

A Sea Cub activity on Howth HeadSea Cubs further introduces young children to scouting. Cubs are aged between 8yrs and 11yrs.Padington Cub!

Sea Cubs further introduce young children to scouting. Cubs are for boys and girls between eight and eleven years.

There are three cub packs Monday, Tuesday and Saturn who meet on a Friday. The meeting times are 19.00-20.30hrs.

The programme is loosely based on Rudyard Kipling's classic tale 'The Jungle Book'. The many leaders taking their names from the story. The cubs incorporate the traditions of the 5th port group and focus a lot of the programme around sea scouting.

They participate in a variety of activities each month as well as regularly partaking in Regional competitions, National events and camps. During the summer months the cubs get the opportunity to try their hand at sailing, boating and kayaking.

The cubs visit the Sea Stallion Of Glendalough at Collins' Barracks

For more information on the 5th Port Saturn Cub Pack click here.

 

SEA SCOUTS

The sea scout troops forms the kernel of the group. Cubs enter the troop annually en-mass at the age of 11, but recruits may join throughout the year.

In the Sea Scout troop the activities undertaken have naturally a huge 'Sea' focus - but hikes and other activities normally associated with "Land Scouts" are also undertaken. From the Winter Canoe League, preparing all of the boats for Launching Day, Easter Camps, Annual Camps, Regatta's, Canoe Liffey Descent, Inter Watch Competitions to the Christmas Day Swim - the Troop is active each and every week in the year.

For more photos of Sea Scout activities the 5th Port Wednesday Sea Scout Troop Photo Gallery can be accessed here.

By the time the scouts are 17/18yrs old they have become young men and women and are ready for Venture Scouts.

 

VENTURE SCOUTS

 

The Ventures on a canoeing river trip Venture scouts juggle their time between college, careers, scouts and social life. The activities of the ventures are similar to those of the scouts but they are more upwardly mobile and therefore more adventurous. Adult leadership bows out in favour of good advice and self reliance.

 

Ventures are normally joined from the ranks of both scout troops within the group and do not usually take on recruits. Some of the ventures have set up a web messaging board to help the far flung ventures and old-boys keep in touch with events and activities at home, link to that site here.

Adventures in Wicklow

For more images of Venture activities click here

 

PARENTS COMMITTEE

 

The parents committee consists of parents of the scouts and friends of the group. They run fund raising events to finance the group.

 

If you are interested in enrolling yourself or your child in any section of the 5th Port group you can find the relevant information here.

 

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THE ASSOCIATION

 

The Scouting Ireland logoThe 5th Port group are part of Scouting Ireland, a new organisation encompassing all of the previous scouting organisations in Ireland. To link to their site click here.

 

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UNIFORM

 

5th Port scouts are encouraged to take care and pride in their uniforms.

The uniform consists of navy slacks and jumper (with various badges), black shoes and socks and the distinctive 5th Port red neckerchief, while the scouts also wear the sea scout belt with whistle and a pen-knife on a white lanyard and the sea scout duck.

The troop after winning the National Sea Scout Regatta 1998 in Dun Laoghaire

As the uniform is expensive it is only worn on the first parade of each month, and on certain special occasions. The official group activity gear is a red 5th Port Tee-shirt, with white shorts and runners.

 

SUBS

 

Each section of the Group is keenly aware on the demands made on families. Wherever possible activities as provided free of charge but there is an annual subscription fee payable. This fee covers insurance costs, badges attained, programme activities, administration and upkeep of the boats and the Den. A reduced family rate is available to families with more than one child in the particular section. All other funding especially Capital items are provided by fund raising by the parents committee.

 

 

To learn more about the 5th Port and our history click here.

 

To learn more about Skipper Dick Vekins click on the picture below.

Former Skipper Dick Vekins - A leader with a vision for the Fifth Port.  Link to a site dedicated to him by clicking on this picture

 

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