3rdcork.com is happy to report that discussions on the troops attendance at this year's Phoenix will take place in the coming weeks between the leaders and the Court of Honour of the troop. We are also happy to anounce a complete relaunch of the website (once Kevin is done with his exams) but in the mean time enjoy the limited edition celebration posters.

Well done to all the troop.. Roll on Scout Camp...

Check out the rest of the madness here.

Cooking

Soccer

Phoenix

Challenge

Pioneering

Inchydoney

Investiture

Curraghchase

Cucullin Award

Shield

Gilwell

Friday Nights

New Members

The people who run our commenting system are consolidating their business and shipping it off to another company so unfortunatly our comments and guestbook as we currently know them will cease to exist, but fear not, the editorial team here at 3rdcork.com are looking at other systems to replace it or maybe even build our own.

When we were in the dungeons and we went on the vertical drop ride. That was cool. Aaron O’Callaghan, Eagle Patrol.

The singing competition, when the Swift patrol won, haha. Diarmuid O’Callaghan, Swift Patrol APL.

Wenbley, Despite the grass not being there. Leigh Doyle, Fox Patrol.

The best part of camp was during the thunder storm when we were in our tents. Barry O’Sullivan, Curlew Patrol PL.

When Barry was afraid to go on the Tea-Cups. Stephen Kelleher, Eagle Patrol PL.

When I first arrived, approaching the Gilwell Gates, passing the lads as I made my way to the campsite, the excitement bursting from them and the excitement that was bursting inside of me. That night each patrol performed their own versions of "sicknote" - it was good to be there in the middle of the lads laughs and good behaviour - something that shone throughout the whole camp. John Maher, Assistant Scout Leader.

The London Dungeons and Thorpe Park. Bryan Considine, Swift Patrol.

Wembley and it’s town, brilliant. Brian O’Leary, Eagle Patrol.

When I got frightened to death by Jack the Ripper in the London Dungeons and I jumped on top of Gaz. Keith (Kento) O’Regan, Fox Patrol APL.

When we went to Wembley. Jason Hawthorne, Eagle Patrol.

When we were in the tent and Jason said “Londons a dirty country, that is where foot and nose disease came from. Luke Cassidy, Eagle Patrol.

Going on the London Eye and the Dungeons. Shane Maher, Fox Patrol PL.

Thorpe Park. Barry and Pardy wouldn’t go on anything, hilarious. James Maher, Curlew Patrol APL.

When Barry was caught with Lucozade he got from the vending machine. Stephen Pardy, Swift Patrol.

When I arrived on site and all the Scouts began to bow down to me… It was unforgettable. (The rest of us must have forgotten) Paul Hayes, Assistant Scout Leader.

Thorpe Park. I think it's always good to see a role reversal… kids screaming with laughter on the rides and supposed adults (that'd be Moynie and myself on the accelerator ride) screaming with genuine fear. And that brings me to my funniest memory...Paula screaming and actually turned white on the banana boat with a load of five year old kids happily enjoying the ride that swung about 5 feet off the ground...priceless! Oh and I'll also never forget the mystery of the punctured air beds! I'd say they must have been faulty or something… right Billy??? Anyway I really enjoyed the camp. Thanks for having me as a guest. As usual the Scouts were absolutely great craic and the leaders were the perfect hosts. Finbarr (Shadow Striker) Burns, 3rd Cork Ambassador.

When they accused Barry of stealing “biscuits” from the leaders. Connor Considine, Swift Patrol.

When Bonner’s bag got infested. Cathal O’Callaghan, Curlew Patrol.

Ethan left a banana skin in the test and it got infested with ants. Ross Marshall, Fox Patrol.

There are a lot of memorable moments from camp, the massive thunder storm, Thorpe park, London and just the general laugh around site, but the one thing that always comes to mind when I'm thinking about camp was the base day. It was on the last day of camp and the weather was changeable to say the least. When I got home the following day I came back with atleast an extra Kilo of mud and and water from it, but it was worth it. It was a great event and a great camp Kevin (Moynie) Moynihan, Assistant Scout Leader.

Instead of it taking place around the city center and suburbs like it usually does we decided to integrate it with our annual trip to the Cobh Scout hall. We got the train to Cobh as per usual after our normal Scout meeting. When we got to the hall we played a few games of soccer (3rd Cork style) and made a big batch of rashers and sausages.

The next morning we got up early (about 9… that’s really early on a Saturday) and started to get ready for the treasure hunt. Each patrol received a map of the Cobh with a number of locations on it and a digital camera. The winners would be the patrol that found the most locations on the map and took a picture of their patrol outside them.

I think the competition was of a high standard between all 3 patrols but congratulations to the Curlew patrol for coming out on top.

Last Wedneday (28th of October) saw a new addition to the 3rd Cork family. Everyone say hello to Bobby Hayes.

We then made flaming torches from a stick, a length of cotton sheet and some paraffin. With these we had a relay race in the field. All the patrols done very well with making the torches and the race. Once all the torches had burned out we all headed in for some rashers & sausages. Lastly, we had a small court of honour meeting to go through the pioneering competition for the next day.

Every one was up bright and early the next morning, ready to start building their ballista’s. Some patrol member made the “A” frame while others made the quad. When both parts were made they were joined together and the “flinging arm” was added. All that was left to do was to see how well they fired a golf ball across the field. All patrols had a great laugh trying to beat each other in seeing how far they could get the ball. Everyone has to agree that the Curlews flew the highest that day.

Well done to all patrols on a great weekend. Check out all the pictures of the weekend here.

Yours in Scouting
Eamonn Kiely

As camp draws closer, it seems fitting to reflect on the first half of the summer for the 3rd Cork troop. We have spent a total of 6 nights camping in Kilcully, the highlight being the troop weekend back in May. We arrived in Kilcully and the first thing to be pitched was our marquee, after that the tents were up and the campsite perfected, we then had a game of rounder’s and a wide game.

Saturday saw us head to Inchadoney beach, West Cork, what a great day, the weather was great. We played a troop game of American football and then in for a swim. Back to Kilcully for dinner and that evening was like “any other day on scout camp” – the lads roamed about in their groups, some playing ball, others chasing, some playing cards but all enjoying themselves.

Other memories of the nights camping include the game of rounder’s, the Mc Donald’s, soccer, the cold : = ) and the laughs that we had out in Kilcully. Looking forward to camp 2009, the Phoenix Challenge and the rest of the summer.

Yours in Scouting
John Maher