Group History

103rd Dublin St Jude the Apostle (Willington) Scout Group.

History

In 1975 Colm Kincaid got the Parish of St. Jude to act as The Sponsoring Authority enabling a Scout Group of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland to be established in the Parish. A Charter was granted to the Group in November of that year. They then negotiated with Orwell and Willington Residents Association for a loan to enable the purchase of the builders hut left on site after the building of Bishop Galvin School. They agreed to a loan of IE£150 but this was later converted into a grant.

In January 1976 names were taken for the Scout Troop and Cub Pack. In February, the first Troop of 20 scouts met and decided on the patrol names - Wolf, Panther, Tiger and Falcon with the First Cub pack meeting of 20 cubs taking place shortly afterwards.  In March the first investiture took place in the Church and the first scouts ever in the parish had a responsibility to remember that what they did now would affect many generations of young people to come. Prophetic words indeed.

In April of that year the first weekend camp was held in Willington Stud (on the site where St. McDara's Community College now stands). After three months the first Regional Shield in Larch Hill was most satisfactory participated in with the Troop finishing 8th out of 15 Troops, in May the first Venture Group was established and in August the first Annual Camp to Curracloe, Co Wexford was held. In September the Troop expanded to 32 scouts, and the Cub Pack expanded to 36 Cubs.

In April of 1977 the Troop won St Colmcille’s Regional Shield - the scouts were the first group to win anything in the name of the parish of St. Judes, in July the Troop attended “Jamborora” the International Jamboree in Mt Melleray and in August, the troops first participation in the Melvin Weekend occurred - this is an All Ireland Competition and the Troop have represented the Region/County continuously to this day.

1978 The den burnt down and 37th Dublin (Templeogue) gave the Troop the use of White Fathers house and then they moved into the school hall.  With the use of the basement in St. Michael’s House , this also placed home to the Group also for a period of time.

1979 A piece of land for a Scout Den at the front of the playing field was given to the Group by the Parish, for which they were most grateful for.

1981 The Den was built and officially opened in 1982.

1984 A Beaver Colony was started.

1985 First Chief Scouts Awards were made to members of the Troop

1986 First Venture Explorers Belts awarded to members of the Venture Group

1998 Scout Troop joined up with Scouts from Northern Ireland and a contingent of 110 Scouts from North and South of Ireland went on a Peace Camp which became known as the “Texas Adventure”

1999 Land deal negotiated with St Laurence O'Toole Diocesan Trust and Lido   Developments.

2000 The den was extended and renovated and re-opened by the then Chief Scout.

2003 Group provided Scouts and Leaders for Special Olympics World Games.

2005 Attended European Jamboree in Chelmsford in the UK

Other Achievements

• To date more than 20 Chief Scout Awards have been awarded to Troop members
• More than a dozen Venture Belt Awards
• Winners of St. Colmcille,s Regional Shields several times
• Winners of St. Maelruan’s Reginal Shield several times
• Winners of Montpelier Scout County Shield
• Winners of Cub Quiz Regional/County
• Winners of Regional Football Shield.

Provided office holders as :

Several Leaders and Committee Members have down through the years been awarded Adult Awards.

The Group have also produced the Chairperson of the European Scout Committee a former Cub Scout Leader - Therese Birmingham (Brannock).

A National Secretary of Scouting Ireland Michael Devins (A former Scout Leader and Group Leader)

The  Scout Group have a state of the art Den which is in constant use by the Group itself, Scouts from all over the country and indeed Scouts form many other countries, it has just received a re-ordering and facelift.

The Scout Group currently have a membership of 130 Youth Members, with Youth Programme Sections of 1 Beaver Colony, 2 Cub Packs, 1 Scout Troop and  1 Venture Unit led by 25 Adult Leaders (Scouters).

Scouting Ireland is to introduce their New Youth Programme called “One Programme” in 2010 and this challenge is eagerly awaited for by both the Youth and Adult Members.

The Group have also set-up a Ramblers Walking Club and in 2010 it is expected that a Ceile Club and Past Members Association will be established.

Finally a high powered group of parents has been established to spearhead the funding of various Capital Spending Projects due in the next 3 to 5 Years.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us” – “What we do for others remains and is immortal”