The Camping Facilitator Course, held from last Saturday morning to Sunday lunchtime, March 8-9, took place at the Burncourt Scout Campsite in County Tipperary. The course aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to assess Camping Adventure Skill Levels 1 to 6, fitting both novice leaders and experienced campers looking to expand their knowledge.
A total of 28 Scout leaders from across Ireland attended the event, all working toward completing their Wood Badge Beads. The course was led by Mark Hayes, with support from 8 dedicated facilitators. Participants were divided into four patrols, each led by a facilitator.
They spent Saturday constructing their own campsite, using a variety of tools and equipment from their respective groups. The opportunity to cook on an open fire allowed participants to make full use of the campsite they had built.
Throughout the weekend, a series of engaging talks were delivered, covering topics like "Planning an International Camp", "Understanding Dining Shelters, Standing Camp Tents, and Lightweight Camping Tents", and the ever-popular "How to Host a Campfire" session. These informative discussions gave leaders insights into the diverse aspects of camping and outdoor leadership.
Special thanks go to Chief Scout Eoin Callnan for attending and assisting as a facilitator, as well as to Mark Hayes for organizing another successful and enriching weekend for all involved.
The next Camping Facilitator Course is expected to take place around October.
For updates, be sure to check the SICamping Facebook page or consult the Scout calendar.
