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