Keelin elated after completing Tom Crean Challenge

LAOIS Scout member Keelin O’Brien (15) is recovering following her journey to Iceland for the 2026 Crean Challenge.

The Crean Challenge is an annual event inspired by Irish explorer Tom Crean. It is designed for scouts aged from 13-15 years old and takes place over an eight-month period. The challenge culminates in a week-long expedition to Iceland.

As part of the challenge, Keelin took part in 4 training weekends throughout the year. She also completed a personal project, a special interest badge, and four training hikes.

The training hikes are over 16 kilometres long and above 600 metres in elevation. It allowed Keelin to gain hands-on experience in patrol practice, navigation, map work, route planning and more.

She also practiced with gear she would later use in Iceland, such ice axes and crampons.

Keelin and a group of 13 fellow scouts left for Iceland on Friday 13 February. They returned on Sunday 22.

In Iceland, Keelin did two training hikes of approximately 10 kilometres. A scheduled hike up the mountains, due to take place Wednesday 18, was postponed to Thursday due to a snowstorm.

On Thursday morning, the scouts rose early and hiked up the mountains for 20 kilometres. They spend the night in huts.

Although conditions were freezing, “the hut was actually really warm”, says Keelin.

“It's a really small room and there's 32 of us in this tiny room, but outside was absolutely freezing.” Keelin bonded with her fellow scouts on the trip. “We cried a lot leaving the airport. I do miss it a lot”.

Although Keelin is drawn to the outdoors, for her the biggest joy of scouts is meeting new people.

“Within scouting, everybody is so different, and they come from so many different backgrounds and experiences but the outdoors is the one thing we have in common.

“It's really nice to be with people who like the same thing as you but also have so many different experiences.” Keelin is currently fundraising for the World Scouting Jamboree 2027, which takes place in Poland. The Jamboree is a meeting of scouting groups from around the world. Keelin, alongside other fellow scouts from Ireland, were selected to represent the country at this international event.

For newcomers, Keelin recommends not diving headfirst into the biggest challenge, but building skills gradually. She would “definitely recommend it” to anyone interested in taking part.

Donations can be made on Keelin’s GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keelin-spread-her-wings