The highlight of any Venturing year should be a Summer Expedition. At this stage it may be too late for some of you to plan to get away this year but here is some thing on our own doorsteps that should not be missed for next year. It's cheap, its local, it's free of international travel and currency problems and it's going to be the business - so see you in 'Causeway 2001.
Following the success of the joint camps in Portumna, Gosford, Ballyfin & Lough Dan our three scout associations have decided to combine forces to offer old friends and new from home and all over the world the opportunity to take part in a truly international event on an estate close to one of the most beautiful coasts on the planet.
The site, "Lesley Hill", is a wooded parkland estate near Ballymoney in Co. Antrim and is within 20 minutes drive of The Giants Causeway Heritage Site. The estate has been owned by the same family since the 17th century and we will camping on their magnificent front lawn! However, we won't be alone and will be sharing the site with geese, goats and several other wild species including the infamous "Venturous Hibernicus". The site is also home to a working farm and is only a stones throw (watch the windows) from a buzzing local town complete with shops, cafes and restaurants.
The action will be non-stop with something to do both on and off site every day. Activities such as canoeing, sailing, river angling, deep sea fishing (all local boats have been chartered) and the "Offshore Island" base will take full advantage of the nearby river Bann and the rugged north Antrim coast.
Programme will be arranged in such a way that you & your group will be able to select from other activities available locally at your own expense. These include: clay pigeon shooting, water skiing or a trip to historic Derry.
It is an aim of the camp to welcome as many groups as possible from both home and abroad and they are also looking to hear from potential staff members especially those with adventure sports qualifications & skills. We have been assured that Causeway 2001 is a Venturer friendly camp so much so that they are offering a special "work hard - play hard" deal for us that involves working for 4 days and participating in programme for 3 days.
The price is a snip: UK£ 85 (god knows what that is in punts) but food is extra and will have to be bought locally in a selection of supermarkets.
Home hospitality is being offered to groups from outside Ireland and England so it might be an idea for your group to play host to a foreign Venturer group and then travel up and camp with them.
The Jamboree has been divided into 3 sub camps that will accommodate Scouts, Guides, Venturers and Rovers with a separate staff sub camp. There will also be a Jamboree Village with clubs, activities and entertainment for leaders and campers.
The man in charge of pulling the whole thing together is Houston McKelvey and he can be e-mailed on: mckelvey@unite.co.uk. Already he has put together a few "e-zines" and you can put yourself on his circulation list by e-mailing him. Start planning & don't miss out !
Darragh
