Scout Spring Camp 2026 – Castle Saunderson

Preparations for Spring camp began months in advance, deciding on a venue, programme of activities, menu planning, equipment, and manpower requirements all coordinated by Camp Chief Barry.

D-Day arrived and on the May Bank holiday, the Scout section travelled to Castle Saunderson, Co Cavan for the annual Spring Camp. The logistics of the camp where immense as 51 scouts & scouters packed every scrap of equipment into trailers including canoes, kayaks , paddles, buoyancy aids, helmets, and oodles of food!

The group departed the Dunboyne Den on Friday evening at 5pm in a convoy of cars to Cavan. Some even managed a sneaky stop at the Golden Arches in Cavan Town. On arrival, the first job was to set up camp. The 5 scout patrols set up their dining shelters and sleeping teepees in record time. The rest of the evening was spent recovering, with the formal camp opening ceremony at 9pm and lights out at 11pm, but as we know 1st night on camp no one sleeps!

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At 8am on the Saturday morning Scout of the Day, had the task of waking up the campsite with a very noisy pot and spoon!! The Scouts started the day with hot French Toast for brekkie. When the clean-up and tent inspection was completed, the Scouts got ready for their paddling adventure. Led by Marcus, the safety briefing was held and by 11:15am, 51 Scouts, Leaders and Instructors where ready to paddle on the River Erne.

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The flotilla of boats was a sight to behold, and I have been reliably informed we could be heard well before we could be seen.

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An impromptu BBQ was held on the shoreline and in true Irish BBQ weather the heavens opened, we got drenched, but that didn’t stop the fun. Dave K played a stormer cooking hot sausages for 50 plus hungry paddlers. The return trip was upstream but that was no bother to our experienced paddlers.

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Once off the water and equipment stored, the fun continued with a slip n slide. Unfortunately, there was no hot water so only the bravest of scouts took super quick showers, change of clothes and were treated to a steaming cup of hot chocolate. 

After dinner, Scouts were surprised n delighted to form an orderly queue for dessert – 99’s with all the trimmings! An ice-cream van on camp – what a surprise! 

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Later that night,  the troop went on a spooky midnight stroll around the ruins of Castle Saunderson and down to the spooky family crypt. Tension hung in the air, but the biggest scream was heard when a frog jumped out on the path, scaring the bejaysus outta the scouts!!

2nd night on camp – Everyone went to bed exhausted & afraid to leave their tents! Everyone slept with one eye open!

Scouts had a lie in on Sunday till 8.30am. Brekkie was completed with rounds of delicious pancakes. At 11am The Olympics started, friendships where paused, battle lines were drawn as each patrol wanted to win the coveted title “Scout Olympians”. Competition was high octane over the 5 activities: – a relay race, fastest balloon blowing competition, knots for knots sake, bean bag throwing and the gruelling tug-of-war! Great fun was had by all with only one point between 1st & 2nd places.

The finale of The Olympics was the Scouts versus Leaders.  Needless to say, the Leaders didn’t stand a chance as they were outnumbered 4 to 1, but they took the loss on the chin (only bruised egos)!

Later that evening the cookery competition was held; each Scout team prepared a mouth-watering 2-course menu (main + dessert). The 5 judges were treated to cordon bleu cooking, some of the culinary delights included 5 spice sticky chicken, home-made breaded fish n chips, home-made burgers and waffle chips. Desserts were gloriously calorific with malteeser cheesecake, rocky road, and other scrumdiddlyumptious delights. It was a tough decision for the judges as they had to score each course on presentation, creativity, taste / flavour, teamwork & hygiene.

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That evening joined by scouts from 6th Cavan Kingscourt Scout Group, there was the obligatory campfire. It was “Belters Only” as the troop rocked Castle Saunderson. The grand finale was Happy Birthday to Camp Chief Barry complete with cake, candles and pinata!

Day 4 – break camp, travel home, unpack & sleep in a bed!! 

Thanks to everyone who made this camp such a success from all the scout volunteer leaders. The fantastic & hardy youth members. Leaders from from other sections & scout groups who gave their weekend to assist on the water activity – Matt, Noel, David & Oisin 

Míle Buíochas gach daoine . 

Scout Leaders