Scouting Activities
Annual Camp is one of the most important events of the year for a Scout Troop. Scouts get a chance to use all the skills which they have learned during the year and they get to spend a week or so away with their patrol. You can see photos from some our Annual camps in the photo gallery.
A definition of hiking
The first thing to remember about hiking is that scouts are the
only people who seem to call it that. If you go out on the mountains
with any other group they're either walking, hillwalking, trekking,
mountaineering or climbing. For scouts, hiking takes in all those
activities. Defining hiking is therefore difficult. The dictionary
says: "to walk a long way, usually for pleasure, especially in the
country" but as you will see there's a lot more to it than that.
Hiking alone has its own merits, just be sure that you tell someone where you're going and that you have credit on your phone for when you break your ankle while descending Coumshingaun.
What to wear
Hiking boots are essential. Old runner aren't waterproof and give you no
protection again sharp stones, twisted ankes etc.
Clothing decisions are also very difficult. Jeans are of course an
absolute no no, as they don't keep in the heat or dry out when wet.
Tracksuits are ideal and you'll get away with them for years.
Further up lots of thin layers which you can take on and off are to be preferred over a big, thick, wooly jumper. You will also have to sweat along in cotton T-shirts for years before discovering that the hype is true and that Dryflo actually does work. In fact you can safely wear the one Dryflo t-shirt for a week and it will still perform and smell as well on day eight as it did on the first day.
The absolute essentials
Whatever you do and wherever you go don't forget your hat, gloves,
survival bag, map, compass, whistle and wetgear (trousers and top).
The weather
There are four types of hiking weather. The first is the wet and
miserable day where there is continuous heavy rain and by 3.00pm you
could walk through a lake and not get any wetter. The second is the wet
and annoying day, when the weather just won't make up its mind. You will
have at least one shower that seems heavy enough for you to need wetgear
but once you put it on the rain stops and the sun comes out. You will
also get caught in a shower where you think you'll get away without the
wetgear but half an hour later its still raining and you're soaked and
chilled to the bone. Thirdly you'll experience the dull and overcast day
with fog and poor visibility thrown in for good measure. Finally, one
day you'll find yourself on the Binn Chaorach ridge in the
Macgillycuddy's Reeks in unbelievable sunshine and crystal clear
visibility. When you experience the view from there over to Dingle and
out to the Blaskets you'll recognise and never forget that type of day.
In Ireland you are also quite likely to experience all four of these
types of weather in the space of 45 minutes.
This document will help you to figure out where to put badges on the scout shirt.