Activity Summary
The National Venture Sword is a campcraft competition for the Venture Scout Section. It is an opportunity for the Venture Scouts to show off their expert scouting skills, while also upskilling in in the Adventure Skills such as pioneering, camping, backwoods and emergencies. There will be an emphasis on socialising and teamwork, with some ongoing social challenges througout the weekend.
Rationale
The National Venture Sword is designed to encourage Venture Scouts maintain and further develop scouting skills, in a competitive and fun environment. The main focus of the Ventur Scout Sword, is to foster teamwork, leadership and communication, as these are skills that stand to the Venture Scout both inside and outside of scouting.
Details
Event: National Venture Sword
Venue: Lough Dan International Guide and Scout Centre
Date: 21st-23rd August 2026
Participant Fee: €45 per participant (team consists of 6-8 Venture Scouts) One accompanying scouter goes free per team
Staff Fee: €35 per additional adult scouter or rover scout
Contact: Shane Richardson (Camp Chief) - venturesword@scouts.ie
Registration
Register for the activity through the my.scouts.ie portal. Bookings will open on Wednesday 24 June and close on Wednesday 15 July th th
Venture Scouts may register individually or a group leader may book on all of their Ventures. Accompanying scouters and staff can book on themselves The easiest way is to login and scroll down to the calendar on your profile then click on the event marked for the 21st August to 23rd August Ventures and the one accompanying Scouter must sign up on the Venture Sword Participant link and additional Scouters and Rovers must sign up on the Venture Scout Staff link.
All fees for both participants and staff must be paid by 15th July Participants must be registered Ventures at the time of the booking and the Venture Sword.
The cost for the activity is €45 per participant. A breakdown of what this fee includes is outlined below.
▪Camping Fees
▪ Breakfast on Sunday
▪ All meals for accompanying Scouter
▪ Neckerchiefs and event badges for new National Venture Sword participants
▪ Programme for bases
▪ Gold, Silver or Bronze standard badges
Activity Components
The basic elements of the Scouting Ireland Venture Scout Sword are as follows:
1. A crew of 6-8 Venture Scouts - teams can be mixed and made from multiple groups if required for entry Any mixing of crews must be done in advance of the 15th of July An email must be sent to venturesword@scouts.ie by the 15th July listing all members of mixed teams and who the accompanying scouter is.
2. Site build - must include one Icelandic tent, dining shelter and pioneered table and seating, a mythical gate, altar fire, pioneered legend tree (must represent at least 3 myths or legends) and one other gadget of your choosing, waste/recycling area, fire safety point/first aid point. The table, gate, altar fire and legend tree, along with the other gadget must be made using spars and sisal/bluerope or similar cordage. All gadgets must be made onsite i.e. no lashing can come pretied. The patrol site will be 12m by 12m and all patrol equipment, gadgets etc must be contained within the site boundaries (which must be erected by the crew using boundary poles and rope)
3.Adhereance to the symbolic framework of the weekend - Myths and Legends
The site must have decorations, the crew board is to have references to the framework. Each crew will also have to dress up in a themed fashion and perform a sketch based on the theme. Each crew will be assigned to a subcamp based on a particular mythical or legendary land from different cultures throught the world. The subcamps will be assigned after the close of bookings.
me bases over the weekend.
e duration of the event as a crew
e test meal on an altar fire based on the theme.
e requirements please contact venturesword@scouts.ie
Equipment
A complete list of equipment needed will be sent out to crews and staff on booking. Standard equipment for canvas standing camping will be required. Each crew is required to bring a table and benches for the shared breakfast
Environmental Impact & Leave no Trace
All participants throughout the activity should adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace
Link to Fiontar (Suas & Trasna)
Physical: Balanced diet
SUAS: Understand the importance of a balanced diet for an active lifestyle
TRASNA: Develop a balanced diet for an active lifestyle and plan appropriate menus for Venture Sword
Intellectual: Understand the impact your choices have on your life and your team
SUAS: Develop the skills and abilities to successfully participate in Venture Sword.
TRASNA: Progress in the skills and abilities to successfully participate in Venture sword, and commit to maintain these skills and abilities
Character: The courage to reach for your goals, while working as part of a team
SUAS: Participate in Venture Sword to develop your personal capabilities and to make progress in adventure skills
TRASNA: Plan an active programme around the Venture Sword activities to advance your personal capabilities and to further your progress in adventure skills
Emotional: Overcoming conflicts that might arise while working in a team
SUAS: Explore how you can cope with the challenges presented during a team driven activity
TRASNA: Try to improve your capabilities for dealing with challenges
will circulate in advance of the closing date for bookings.
art at 5pm on the 21st August and the closing ceremony will take 23 August Check in will be open from 3pm on Friday th
to compete in a qualifying event before the date of the Sword. The en to any and all Venture Scouts in the country