Kinsale Scouts Team Shines at Scouting Ireland National Venture Sword Competition
Five Kinsale Community School students who took part in the Scouting Ireland National Venture Sword competition in Dublin from 30th August to 1st September brought home a commendable achievement. The Kinsale Scouts team, comprised of six members, proudly earned a Silver standard (scoring between 65-79%) at this prestigious event, which saw the participation of 16 teams from across Ireland.
The team consisted of several dedicated Kinsale Community School students: Daithi Broderick (Y6), Aoife Moloney (Y5), Siifen O’Reilly (TY), Rory Price (TY), and Sandra Samoilenko (Y5). With just four Gold standards awarded throughout the competition, the Kinsale Scouts' Silver standard achievement demonstrates their determination, teamwork, and perseverance under pressure.
Throughout the weekend, the team called a 13m x 13m square site their home. The site was ingeniously arranged with two sleeping tents, an old-school canvas “Icelandic” store tent for food and supplies, a dining shelter featuring homemade benches and tables, a homemade altar fire for cooking, designated areas for waste and water disposal, and a fire and first aid point. The site also included a strikingly large gate, complete with a skeleton, adding a creative touch to their camp.
The team began their challenge at 7 pm on Friday, working late into the night until midnight to pitch their sleep tents and prepare their dining shelter for Saturday’s breakfast. Despite the tight schedule, the team’s determination shone through as they tirelessly worked from 8 am until midnight on Saturday. The morning saw the completion of their site build, followed by an afternoon of activities that tested their teamwork, communication, and skill.
Saturday’s activities included a variety of tasks such as raft building, a blindfold obstacle course, first aid exercises, woodland skills, and a scavenger hunt. Each activity was designed to challenge the scouts' problem-solving abilities and cooperation. Notably, the scavenger hunt featured an "impossible task": obtaining the camp leader's driver's licence. Impressively, Daithi Broderick from Year 5 managed to secure it within the first five minutes, a remarkable feat that set the tone for the rest of the day's activities.
Saturday night brought a change of pace with a campfire gathering, where the Kinsale team performed a pirate-themed sketch in front of nearly 100 scouts and leaders, showcasing not only their creativity but also their ability to entertain and engage a large audience.
By Sunday, fatigue had set in, earning the team a well-deserved lie-in until 9 am. After resting, they resumed work until 4 pm, focusing on leaving no trace of their campsite, an important principle of Scouting. They were meticulous in their efforts to clear the site and ensure it was left in pristine condition. The event wrapped up with the team heading back to their base in Kinsale at 9 pm, having stored all their gear and completed their duties.
The Kinsale Scouts team's performance at the National Venture Sword competition reflects their hard work, dedication, and strong team spirit. Their Silver standard achievement is a testament to their commitment and serves as an inspiration to their peers. The students returned home not only with memories of a challenging yet rewarding experience but also with the pride of having represented their community with honour and distinction.