Who We Are
4th Westmeath Moate Scout Group (Moate Scouts) was established in 2025, with our first Group Council meeting held on 13 June 2025.
We became a registered charity on 13 October 2025. Our Registered Charity Number is 20206914.
Our Group Council
Our Group Council and Charity Trustees are:
- Group Leader: James Kinlan (Deputy: Rachel Smith)
- Chairperson: Eoin O’Brien
- Treasurer: Shane Lynam
- Secretary: Diana Ursul
- Quartermaster: Dominic Kelly
- Youth Champion: Triona Kearney
- Additional Group Member: George Smith
Part of Scouting Ireland
Moate Scouts is part of Lakelands Scouting County, within the North Eastern Scout Province, one of six Scouting Provinces on the Island of Ireland.
Moate Scouts are a registered group with Scouting Ireland, and all Island Scouting Organisation in Ireland.
Our Volunteer Scouter Team
Our Scouters (adult leaders) are volunteers who give their time to support young people in our community.
All Scouters undergo Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding training and participate in training provided by Scouting Ireland and other recognised providers.
Our Scout Sections
Moate Scouts currently operates three Sections:
- Beaver Scouts: ages 6–8
- Cub Scouts: ages 9–11
- Scouts: ages 12–15
Our Sections are open to young people of all genders, sexualities, races, religions and beliefs, social backgrounds, and abilities. We aim to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
What We Stand For
Scouting is built on friendship, compassion, respect and peace.
We support young people to develop confidence, skills and independence, become active citizens, contribute to their local communities and help create a better world.
The Scout Method
We use the Scout Method, a set of eight interconnected principles that guide how Scouting works:
1. Promise and Law
Scouting fosters a value system based on the Scout Promise & Law. This value system becomes the method by which a Scout lives and works with others.
2. Personal Progression
The success of the Scout’s task or adventure is not important. The dynamics of the team and the growth of the individual within that team is of real importance. Each Scout will progress at their own speed through Scouting challenges, individually and within their small team. Scouting supports the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes in all areas and provides recognition for individual and group achievements.
3. Learning by Doing
Through learning by doing and reviewing our experience, we gain knowledge about the task completed and about ourselves.
4. Small Group System
In Scouting we work in small teams, so Scouts learn individually and in teams. Every Section is a collection of small teams, not a collection of individual Scouts.
5. Symbolic Framework
We use names, themes, stories and traditions to spark the imagination and to aid learning. This is created by the Scouts themselves as much as possible.
6. Nature and Outdoors
Scouting happens outdoors whenever possible. Challenge, adventure and a sense of freedom are all present in close contact with nature and away from everyday home life.
7. Young People and Adults Working Together
Scouting is a movement for young people and supported by adults. In the younger Sections, adult support is greater, in older Sections the adult role lessens and it becomes more of a partnership.
8. Service and Commitment
Scouts interact with their local community. Service to others is the element of the Scout Method dealing with this commitment. We support young people to become active citizens and to work to create a better world.
Scouting in Moate
At Moate Scouts, we want to give young people the opportunity to learn, explore, make friends, develop new skills and have adventures in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.