Jamie is from Dungarvan, Co Waterford and has completed both his Bronze and Silver Gaisce Awards. Jamie was first introduced to Gaisce while in Transition Year, and his aim from the outset was to complete all three awards.
For the Community Involvement aspect of the award, Jamie chose to become involved with the 11th Dungarvan Scouts as a Scout Leader and later, as their Public Relations Officer. Tasks that Jamie undertook were setting up a website and social media accounts, designing event and recruitment posters, writing press releases and visiting schools to recruit new members. As a result of Jamie’s hard work, the scout group had grown from 8 members to 25.
Jamie undertook App Development and Web Development as part of his Personal Skill. He became interested in web development when he first started college, but as there was no option for further study, he decided to teach himself. As part of his Personal Skill, Jamie set up a website for Dungarvan Scouts and took part in an App Development project for Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber of Commerce and DeCare Systems, assisting in the development of an app called ‘This is Dungarvan’.
For his Physical Recreation, Jamie chose to play tennis. In particular, Jamie enjoyed the social aspect of playing tennis and often played against old teachers, classmates and work colleagues.
One of the most enjoyable aspect of the awards for Jamie was the Adventure Journey. Growing up as a scout, he had fostered a love and appreciation of nature, the wilderness and discovery, and so his hike from Dungarvan Co. Waterford to Cashel Co. Tipperary, was one of the highlights for him.
To complete his Gold Gaisce Challenge, Jamie helped out with the Dungarvan & An Rinn School Completion Programme (SCP). The SCP is responsible for identifying and tracking potential early school leavers and taking the steps necessary to help change this course of action. The SCP run a summer programme every year and Jamie got to work alongside seven other youth leaders to organise and facilitate activities for the students. They decided to go camping for three nights at Mount Melleray Scout Centre and one night camping at Ballyhass Lakes.