Welcome to the Venture Page of the website! This page is aimed to provide you with a little bit of info about what we get up to. The Venture Group is the aimed at the oldest members of the Unit and the age range is 15 to 18. St. Oliver's Venture Group has been an active part of St. Oliver's Unit since the first Knights Errant were formed during the Second World War in 1941.

Drogheda Venturers on the Summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland
 
The Group in Drogheda meets on a weekly basis every Thursday night at 8.00 p.m. We organise activities for both ourselves and also within the rest of the Group. For us, it is a step up from the Scout meetings as we have more independence and freedom, although with that some more responsibility. We try to be as productive as possible as well as having a bit of craic!
 
Venturers on annual camp
Some of these pictures are taken from the recent trip to Switzerland which the Venture Group also attended. We had an amazing time there and it really has to be seen to be believed. We didn't always appreciate the hikes when we were ready to collapse on the side of a mountain but when you reach a peak in the Swiss Alps the view is worth all the blisters and cramps! We also spent two nights in a hut up in the Alps. We had a good laugh there and along with a major hike we did get to do a days rock climbing which was absolutely brilliant. We started with some bouldering first and then progressed onto the big rocks which really got the adrenaline pumping. We also went white river rafting, swimming in an alpine lake, swimming in the local pool, abseiling and shopping in Bern.
 
On the return journey we spent a night in a Scout Centre in Belgium and then a day in the Six Flags Theme Park which was great craic although some of us do remember feeling physically sick after we all went on the same roller coaster 3 times in a row, just because there was no queue. Overall, it was an excellent trip and hope to return there in the very near future.
  Top Of Page
David & Robert audition for Poacher Pop Idol
(Below) Robert High in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland
For next years Annual Camp it is likely we will attend a jamboree in England, perhaps as staff, or who knows some of us may even attempt to earn the explorer belt, an expedition which is open only to Ventures. We will also be keeping ourselves busy with activities such as go-karting, hill walking and mountain challenges, a few days in some Adventure Centres around the country and maybe a football match with leaders within the Unit.

Another area which keeps us busy is fundraising. We try to raise as much money as we can as to ease the burden of the cost of various activities throughout the year and of course of the general camp at the end of the year.
The Venture Group in Snowdoriw in Wales
Most of the Venture Group also takes part in some Service to Scouting where we assist with the programme in the other Sections of the Unit in particular with outdoor events. This gives us another contact within the unit to promote the Venture troop, and also to help each of us individually to gain some leadership skills. Last year, we ran Regional Cub Day and this year the Group has requested that we run some challenges for the Cubs, Scout and Beaver Sections.

Well we hope this page has given you a bit of an insight into venturing in Drogheda and in Ireland and if you want to find out more feel free to get in contact with us through the website.
At Blumiscalphutte in SwitzerlandAt Blumiscalphutte in Switzerland
©2005 St. Olivers Scout Group
 
 
Another first was achieved in the Group when Glenn McCormack and Enda Rice returned home victorious from Germany having been awarded the prestigious Explorer Belt. The lads spent over 16 days in the Munich area covering over 200 kms. while living on a limited budget and completing a number of projects along the way. This was followed up in 2005 when Darren Norris and Stephen McCann made it two in a row having achieved the Belt After spending 18 days in the United States.

The aim of the expedition is to get to know a different culture from our own. The method is to meet people from a different country and learn about their way of life, their traditions and customs. However the way we do this is what makes the Explorer Belt such a special experience.

Over the past 25 years almost 2000 Venturer in Ireland have participated in the Explorer Belt Expedition. This is an internationally recognised challenge, which has set the standard for venturing throughout the world and is one of the highest accolades that a Venturer can aim for. Such is the level of interest here that the numbers participating are now limited to 25 teams of 2.

 

Enda & Glenn receive the Explorer Belt from Chief Scout Martin Burbridge