What's left of Summer?

There are 25 days left of summer and only three more activities for the SVS...

Some members of the Unit have put together a gig at POXX Bar set for the 12th of September. The bands are all friends of members of the Unit and are playing at it just for fun so the gig should be quite a riot. The confirmed bands include Retrophytes and The Highway (a band that entertained us all at the Group's Fundraising BBQ this year!)

The following day (Saturday 13th) we will be attending the North District Parade in Naxxar so it should be a very packed weekend----might be a bit difficult to wake up!!

Paintballing is to be the last Unit activity for the Summer -- to be held on 20th September at the Rinella Paintballing arena. This year the Unit is big enough to have two full teams, so I think we're going to see a bit of inter-company rivalry... last time round it was inter-Unit rivalry between us and our friends from SAC.

Mo$es

Summer Camp - Day 5

On the morning of Wednesday 20th August at about 0700, the Sliema Venture Scouts awoke for their last day at camp. After a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon the Unit got down to striking camp and making sure that everything was left spic and span for Austin, our host.



Leslie, the Association's Commisioner for Training, paid us a visit and we showed him around the campsite even though we were in the process of dismantling.

The Recruits sorted out their kit for the navex and soon Mario, the truck driver, had arrived. After loading all the equipment we did a final check of the area and set off, with Charles towards the starting point of the Day Nav.

The solo day nav lasted til about 2030 when Charles picked us up from the forming up point, somewhere on the other side of the island. The exercise was the last of three navigation exercises preparing the recruits for their Gradex. Apart from being physically challenging the recruits also had to be precise in their navigation technique and were asked to carry out certain tasks related to the basic training.

A date has finally been set for the O-Coys GRADEX (27th-28th September). This is an overnight activity during which the recruits will attempt various challenges related to the basic training; this included a summer's worth of training in navigation, first aid, SAR & evacuation technique, estimation and ranging, bivvying, cooking and nutrition in the field, pioneering and rescue knots.
The activity takes the form of a Solo Day-nav (similar to that carried out during camp) which includes incident points; practical tests on the basic skills. After the day nav they will be required to build bivvies and cook a nutritious meal and be given a chance to rest. This is followed by a night navigation exercise carried out in pairs. At the fup of the night nav the recruits are to carryout a search and rescue and medevac.

The gradex can be seen as quite a tough activity...it is basically the culmination of all the training we've done throughout the summer.

Mo$es

SVS Summer Camp - Day 4

After another early wake up call (0700), a session of PT, a good wash and some Brekkie we boarded Charles' minivan ... destination Birzebugia.

We spent the morning and early hours of the afternoon exploring the depths of Ghar il-Friefet, one of Malta's largest cave systems which has been closed to the public for years. We got special premission to explore the site with thanks to the B'Bugia local council.

SVS down in Ghar il-Friefet

Haidon, Corrieri and Debono sitting tight for a photo

Andrew making his way through one of the tighter spots...not too tight to stop for a photo!

RJ, Corrieri, Andrew and Chris huddling up for a Group photo
Stopping for a little break at the largest atrium of the cave. Don't they look a bit messy?? Debono sure could use a shower!

Corrieri and RJ eating (or drinking?) slush after their adventure in the cave. The lucky guys got the ice cream for free after helping out a distressed ice cream vender.

Following our adventure at Birzebugia we headed back to base for very thorough shower and an ikla maltija with gbejniet, sundried tomatoes, tuna, bigilla, olives and all sorts of other messy foods. After duties the recruits had another command task set to them... Gerry's Wall. This team challenge demands that all the team climb up a 10 ft wall using nothing but a rope.

O-Coy spirit during Gerry's wall.

We held another training medevac at the fields behind razett, that afternoon. This was a bit mroe intense than the previous ones demanding the o-coy to step up and push themselves more . To be succesful in a SAR and casualty evacuation drill the team must work quickly with clear cut direction (usually decided by a leader) . Everyone must pull their own weight and act quickly and responsibly lest the whole team suffers.

That evening we were joined by AGSL David, Skipper Timmy and Steffi Delia who joined us for the BBQ we had prepared for the last night at camp. Although we ate loads and had our fair share of laughs we tried to get to bed a little early because the next day was a crucial one for the whole of camp.

Mo$es

SVS Summer Camp - Day 3

We awoke at 0700 and the first item on the agenda was PT. After some running, pushups and other exercises everyone got clean and settled down for b'fast. We were then off to St Thomas Bay for swimming and other adventures.

Rubei, Abela and Corrieri trying to keep their arms out of water for 20 mins!

We explored the coast and practice some lifesaving techniques. Apart from practicing various tows and approaching drowning victims we held an skin diver competition.

Martin fishing!

Abela, Killer, VSL and Corrieri making their way around the coast

After showers and a lunch of spaghetti with pesto sauce we were joined by Mr Juan Formosa, the founder of the Malta Fencing Association. He showed us various fencing strikes and parries as well as different ways of moving. Mr Formosa briefly explained the rules of the game and the different ways of playing then he organised and judged a short fencing tournament for us.

The SVS fencing

fartin' martin perfecting his stance

Mamo and Debono in the final of the tournament. Mamo won 5-4 in a very close match!

After our exciting afternoon of fencing, a sport that was completely new to all of us, the recruits got busy in getting ready for a general inspection. This is a thorough inspection of the site and the recruits' kits which is meant to be kept impeccable throughout the camp.

After a long day of adventure we gathered at the table in the courtyard for the, now traditional, pizza party night. Even though people were starting to fall asleep we still made some SVS Hotchocolate (the first batch for the new recruits) which went down nicely.

RJ at the stove preparing some SVS Hotchocolate (or hococlit)

Tanks filled with hotchocolate (and heads filled with too much sugar) we settled down under the stars for another night's rest... ready for the adventure that awaited us, the next day.

Mo$es

SVS Summer Camp - Day 2

Sunday 17th was a very long day for the Sliema Venture Scouts... We had an early start (0500) in Wied iZ-Zurrieq where we struck the bivvies and rigged for another abseil and climb. The climb was rigged on the opposite side of the valley, this time, for everyone to try something a bit different.

Couple of seconds before sunrise at Wied Babu

VSL Debono (centre) with Alan and Sam, going over the top.

Abela, still not wide awake!!

Debono and Chris (or Ch. as he is more affectionately known)

We spent the morning going up and down the valley, either scaling the 30m (or so) cliff face or descending it and trying out different ways of tackling the short overhang. Some tried to do it upside down, others tried to gracefully jump the distance.

Terrantus at the overhang

Rubei taking the overhang upside down


Cremona doing the superman (or more specifically the supermiguel!!)

Andrew descending, against a sky blue background.

Terrence with Abela once again.

At 1100 we were in the van and heading back to base and on our arrival we heard a little kitten screaming for dear life! He was trapped in our camo net and very close to asphyxiation. Luckily we cut him loose in time and gave him some water to drink. The little tyke was named James since James wasn't at camp and we missed him... also he shared James affinity to shade!!

James and I... in the shade

Playing "Electric Fence"

After lunch we were back to our usual antics. The afternoon consisted of a series of command tasks and teambuilding exercises including a game called "electric fence". The recruits then started work on their pioneering project which was a Beacon Tower. This thing was quite tall and steady enough to keep all the Unit. They had one small problem... they had forgotten to bring a beacon. So with some quick improvisation and creative thinking by George, the tower was renamed the Bacon Tower and we just hung some bacon on it throughout the camp.

The O-Coy on the Bacon Tower

Was that all we had in store for the Oscar company that day?? Of course not! Next on the programme was a command task/medevac which included searching for three items: a rope, a first aid kit and a casualty and then using the found items to treat the casualty and lift him to rescue.

Members of the O-Coy applying first aid to George, the casualty.

After the medevac we settled for a quick shower and hit the sack. We all took as much as we could from the little time we had to sleep because we knew that by 0700 the sun would be up and sleeping-in would not be so easy!!!

Mo$es

SVS Summer Camp - Day 1

On Saturday 16th August the SVS gathered outside the Sliema Scout Group HQ for a long awaited activity... the Unit's Summer Camp. Once again this was held in a farmhouse close to haz-Zabbar which belongs to our good friend Austin. He lends us the place for activities and this was the 7th consecutive Summer Camp to be held there.

Setting up the courtyard at the SVS's base of operations

We had an early start that Saturday morning; Mario the truck driver arrived at HQ at 0845 and we soon had everything packed. Charles, our trusty minivan driver, was on time as usual to ferry us to Zabbar.

By 0930 we were at Austin's and started setting up the site, preparing it for 5 days of activities. Upon finishing these duties we officially opened the camp and played a game of SVS Rugby... the hero of the game was Alan who (despite being the smallest player) scored the last goal.

After the rugby game we packed up and headed to Wied iZ-Zurrieq (aka Wied Babu) where we rigged for an abseil and a climb. For the recruits this was their first real abseil & climb and their first time rigging but everyone found something to do. AGSL Andrew spent the evening as abseil instructor showing the recruits proper abseiling technique while the VSL spent the evening belaying the climbers. We were also joined by our own Skipper Timmy who helped the AGSL with the abseil.
One of the ventures attempting the climb ( I cannot recognise the climber from here can someone help??)****it's Cremona!!!!*****

AGSL Ellul (centre/not really visible) leading Andrew and Terrence down the cliff

The abseil soon turned into a night abseil which was exciting for some of the new guys since it was their first time.
AGSL Ellul again this time with Chris and George after nightfall

After striking the rigs we raised some bivvies for the night and cooked some grub. The night air was quite fresh and the stars were bright. We watched the lunar eclipse before hitting the sack to rest up... we knew we had an early wake up call in the morning!

One of the Bivvies under the carob tree

Mo$es

Spanish Ventures arrive and SVS Blood Drive!!

Check out the newly uploaded VIDEO below!!!!!!! Spanish and Maltese Scouts dancing the Macarena!!!!

Yesterday afternoon 20 Spanish Scouts landed in Malta and were escorted to the Sliema Scouts HQ. The contingent was composed of 17 venture scouts from Madrid, two of their leaders and another leader from Zaragoza. After getting aquainted with our HQ they ventured out into the hot and humid Sliema streets for their first swim in Maltese water.

Andrew during the Toilet Paper Game

We veered away from our regular meeting plan by playing games and ice breakers which included an ice breaking introduction popularly known as " the toilet paper game" and a game of charades during which we learnt some stuff about Madrid and Scouting in Spain and passed on our views on Malta and Scouting in Malta.

Saturday afternoon I met up with the VSL and one of the Ventures (Matteo) at the National Blood Bank where the three of us gave blood. Giving blood is very important since it is in high demand and the pint or so of blood given in one session can save up to three lives. Some blood groups are more rare than others but the bank are in need of donors of all blood groups!

VSL Debono, Rubei and myself standing outside the blood bank just before being drained

This was our first experience giving blood but we will surely do it again. The Unit plans on sending representatives to give blood every three months and hopefully next time roung more people will be available to attend. Maybe we should open this for parents and friends too!! The blood bank is open from 0800 - 1800 everyday (including Sundays and public holidays) so if you want to help other people, take some time to visit the doctors and nurses at the national blood bank just outside St Luke's.

We should be seeing more of our Spanish friends so I will keep you updated!

Mo$es

July Round-up!

Hi all,

July was quite a heavy month! Filled to the brim with activities an functions brought to you by the Sliema Scouts...

Firstly we had the canoeing activity which was followed by the BBQ held at a beach along the Sliema coast. The SVS also held a training camp for the recruits at B'Bugia HQ which involved various basic skills exercises including a navigation exercise.

The O-Coy officially crossed the line on 18th July during a joint Troop & Unit Activity down at the SSG boathouse which included games on the water, a BBQ and a new and innovative method of crossing the line; limbo!

The Unit & friends manning the bar at the Group BBQ

GSL Andrew Cutugno giving his yearly speech at the Group BBQ

This year's Group Fundraising BBQ was held on the 22nd July, at the Razett tal-Hbieberija in Marsascala...we can say it was a massive success in every way! The attendance was spectacular, the food was great, the entertainment was funky and the atmosphere was beautiful! Thanks to all of you who attend and supported our Group once again.

Tuning up!

District Commisioner Pierre Mangion awarding Zack his chief scout award at the BBQ.

In the pipeline we have three major activities planned before the end of summer:
The first is "OPERATION SHUT UP FOOL" which has three main parts. In the early afternoon some of the unit members will be heading over to the national blood bank at St Lukes to donate blood. The activity will reconvene at HQ where we are to hold a Unit in council to plan the programme for the rest of the year. This will be followed by an A-Team DVD marathon!

The next activity is a Summer Camp to be held at the SVS secret base of operations in the South of the island. The activity will include various activities, some new and some traditional but all will live up to the SVS theme for 2008 --- ADVENTURE!! The summer camp will include the Gradex for the O-Coy (more on this later).

The Executive are also hard at work planning a fundraising party which will include various live acts.... the set date is 5th September.

On Tuesday afternoon a plane will land at Luqa Airport carrying 20 Venture Scouts from Madrid. These guys and girls hail from the Scout Group 217 Matterhorn and they will be spending some time with the SVS!

tune in soon for more news from the SVS,
yours in Venturifying,
Mo$es