Scouts' Iceland trip for Crean challenge
Lily Dane • Published 26 Jan 2012 13:00
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Leaving for Iceland to take part in the Tom Crean Challenge. (From left) Brian Deering, Conor Gilheaney, Conor McGoldrick, Cathal O'Sullivan,John Joe McGovern and Francis O'Reilly, Scout Leader.
Building snow holes, igloos and trekking in difficult snowy terrain are among the Icelandic experiences which lie ahead for five scouts from 17th Fermanagh group, Kinawley.
Departing from Ireland for Iceland is the journey being undertaken by the teenagers from neighbouring Swanlinbar, who are all prepared to go the distance in The Crean Challenge.
Cathal O'Sullivan, Connor McGoldrick, Connor Gilheaney, John Joe McGovern and Brian Deering, who are among the most experienced scouts in their age group in Ireland, will be among a party of 15, who have been selected for this exciting scout section expedition, led by Conor McKeon.
In addition to the adventure's physical and mental challenges, the young people have to work with others to achieve common goals while also completing personal challenges.
According to a Scouting Ireland representative, there are four stages to the Crean Challenge Expedition, starting with the application and selection process. Applicants had to demonstrate to the organisers what they had achieved in scouting and what skills and talents they brought to the event. Some of the goals which they aim to accomplish by taking part also have to be clearly identified.
A training and planning weekend, the second stage took place in September 2011, while stage three, a training and evaluation weekend was held last month, December. It afforded an opportunity to practice some of the essential skills necessary to complete the expedition.
Next month, February, the scouts are due to set off on the actual trip. "What a great time it promises to be," said the spokesman for the venture, which will be held from February 12 to 19.
The party will leave Ireland to travel to Iceland, where 'the climate and terrain' will be among the challenges the members will face. "Using the physical and mental training that you have completed in preparation for this expedition you will overcome these challenges," said the spokesman.
The initial few days will serve as a learning experience to allow the scouts to familiarise themselves with some of the equipment that they will use throughout their expedition including skis, sledges and safety ropes. "On top of this you will be shown how to build snow holes, igloos and trek in the difficult snowy terrain," said the representative.
They will then take part in their two-day expedition "trekking to basic mountain huts high in the Iceland mountains, spending a night in these basic lodges and returning to base camp the next day."
The spokesman indicated that "the end of the event will involve a review and an assessment of the individual Scouts expedition and hopefully they will be awarded the Crean Challenge Expedition Award."
The local representatives who are from Swanlinbar in Co. Cavan, just south of the border with Fermanagh, have been trained to the highest standards to ensure they are capable of achieving the expedition in Iceland. The 14 and 15-year-olds are certainly no strangers to travel - having taken part in a number of national challenges and they attended the scouting World Jamboree in Sweden last year.
Francis O'Reilly, Group Leader and Scout Leader of 17th Fermanagh troop, Kinawley, is delighted that all five scouts who applied were selected and he acknowledged their scouting experience.
"I would love to be going with them," added Francis, whose scout group has been running for about 17 years now and has a membership of around 45 young people, from both sides of the border.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Jan 12
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