After almost three decades of hard work, the 1st Clare Shannon Scout Group will see the official opening of their new Urban Base Camp today.
This project has taken over 28 years to come to fruition but later today the dream will finally be realised with the formal opening of the facility in Shannon.
Scout Leader and Base Camp project manager Martina Harrison said: “We need a site this because we need some place where we can run around, train and pitch tents safely. It will of course be open to other groups to come and stay as well and we already have five groups booked to come and stay.”
“The opening will take place between 3 and 5 and everyone is welcome. The public can see what we do and what we’re all about. We’ll have different aspect of what we do on display and we’ll have games and food to,” Ms Harrison added.
The Shannon Scouts Urban Base Camp will be officially opening on the 4th of May – 3pm.
History of Scouting in Shannon
Scouting in Shannon began back in 1964 in Park Hall with the formation of 1st Clare SAI. Meeting nights later moved to Drumgeely hall and later got the use of O’Gorman’s cottage in the boreen.
With the massive growth of the group in the mid 1970’s the group split and 2nd Clare Shannon was formed and located in the east end of the town. Meetings were initially held in the GAA club and then moved to Tullyvarraga hall.
At its peak there were over 300 active scouts and scouters in Shannon.
During the early 1990’s a strategic decision was made to consolidate the 2 groups back to one Shannon group which now has over 50 youth members ranging in age from 6 to 18 and from all areas of the community.