Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May, saw 8 scouts from the troop, take part in a provincially run Night Hike challenge entitled "Mission Impossible"

After arriving at Dun a Ri forest park at 6.30pm. 8th Louth were the 4th patrol to arrive.

The campsite located in Dun a Ri forest park was set up in what looked like the walled garden for the old castle. The patrol chose a camping spot and pitched their tents, the clouds had cleared at this stage and the sun was shining. Other patrols continued to arrive until 8.00 o clock. The Scouts had some time to play a little football and explore some of the park until 9.00pm while the bar-b-que was set up. At 10.00pm all the patrols were sent out to collect fire wood and the camp fire was set up. The patrol leaders were briefed on what was involved, followed by the patrols preparing to head out.

The night hike consisted of a course laid out with trial signs around the park and along the way were 5 challenges 4 of which were scored for the competition. Along the trail were also hidden clues and codes to be collected and deciphered into a message at the end. The theme for the challenge was "Mission impossible"

The patrols were sent off at 20 minutes intervals with the first patrol heading off at 11.45pm. 8th Louth patrol were 4th to go and set off at 1.05am. After approximately one hour hiking and clue finding they came to the first base where they hand to transfer water using cups at the end of poles to float a duck. The cups were very small and there was a lot of water spilt! Further along the trail the patrol had to abseil down a steep cliff, were much screaming was heard, and then further along using a cargo net as a bridge to cross a fast flowing river, even more screaming (which was necessary and part of the challenge!?!)

Their next challenge, 'should they choose to accept it', was to make a cup of tea. To achieve this they had to construct and light a fire in the middle of a stream to boil the water, they had only 3 matches, the biggest problem after all the rain was to find dry tinder, the patrol got a glimmer of a flame but could not maintain it.

Further along the trail they came upon a victim who had broken his leg and were required to administer first aid. They then followed the trail back to camp collecting more clues and were greeted with warm soup and soft rolls at 4.10am. The patrol were able to get some rest until the remaining patrols returned.

At 5.30am everyone who had got into a tent was woken up and we all gathered around the camp fire to renew our scout promise at sunrise. For this everyone was awarded a sunrise woggle. It was then back to sleep for a few hours. By 9.00am the sun was beaming warm onto the camp and everyone was up at breakfast. Then the work of packing up and cleaning up began. By 12 everything was packed up.

The 8th Louth patrol worked well together and showed great spirit and enthusiasm for the challenges they faced. Members of the patrol were PL Conor Cullen, APL Rachel Mulligan, Patrol members : Niamh Gregory, Amy & Rachael Barry, Mark Barry, Cormac Barry, Ryan Fisher.