Camp '99

Cappanalea Co.Kerry

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The week started with Good weather. We all met up in the Hall for 12 the gear and food were packed o'clock. Shortly afterwards the bus arrived, and the journey began.

Unfortunatly the weather started to deteriorate and by the time we stopped off in McDonald's it was very overcast. From there it was straight to Cappanalea Outdoor Education Center.

When we arrived the patrols quickly put up their tents between the heavy showers. The Grubber was officially OPENED by Cormac McKenna (he ripped the roof of the tent) the Dining shelter was also assembled where the Dinner was cooked on Gas that night.

The next Morning we headed for Killorglin (for mass). The local shopkeepers were unprepared for our Raids to the shop (that is buying not stealing). In the afternoon the finishing touches were put to the Dining shelter and fires while the Munster Hurling Final was blaring out from the radio. UP THE REBELS!

Monday Morning and the activities started. The troop was split into two groups as there were too many people to participate in the activities as a group. The first days activities consisted of orienteering and a number of Group challenges. The following days were also action-packed. the activities consisted of Raft Building, Abseiling, canoeing and a new one to most of us Bouldering.

On Wednesday the troop was once again split. Some went on a hillwalk around the local hillsides while the older members took on the challenge that was Ciarrántouhil. On Thursday we went to the Aquadome in Tralee, Oceanworld in Dingle and got a guided tour of Craig Caves. At this stage we had run into a sunny spell of about 3 days.

That night we had a campfire with a troop from Merchants Quay in Dublin which was enjoyed by all. The day after we said our good-byes to the Dubs and it was our last night - Party time. Unfortunately Chris O'Donavan went to far. In fact he took leaders Martin Murphy and Mark Kenneally to Tralee General Hospital with him after he cut his finger needing two stitches.

The last day. We got up, proceeded to have breakfast and started to take down the site. The tents, dining shelter and the grubber were all knocked. We packed the Bus, did a final clean-up of the site and after we thanked the staff we were off to Killarney and inevitably McDonalds. The final leg of our long journey was then completed and we arrived back in the hall tired after our eventful and enjoyable week.

 

For camp in the year 2000 we will be going on the regional camp to Switzerland leaving on July 1st. We will being staying in the Kandersteg international scout center and the activities will include river rafting, rock climbing and various hill walks in the vacinity of the center. A report and some pictures will be posted soon after our arrival back in Ireland.