1st Sliema Scout Group Easter Camp Days 5 & 6

After B'fast on Sunday we kitted up for some potholing. We explored some short passages inside the castle grounds but none of them went on for very long. We then returned to one of the pothole sites in the Buskett Valley which had been flooded when we went down it in January. this time the water level was very low and we went much further inside. There was also an abundance of very large mosquitoes which we had previously called the 'Stukka bombers'.

Mr Froggie, a friend we made while down in the tunnel

Cremona not impressed!
The Merciecas hard at work preparing Easter Lunch (Hooray!!!)

After our caving and much needed showers the ventures held a session of estimation exercises along with a couple of command tasks to test their skills. It was then time for another SPI session which was run by the VSL.

Debono & Cremona under the dinning shelter
During the Estimation and ranging exercise

The evening saw the Unit heading out to Ghar il-Kbir to cook and eat rabbit (Opn Fenkata) like real cavemen; except the rabbit had been kindly prepared by Mr Tonio Mercieca one of the camp cooks!

Killer in real caveman spirit keeping the firer alight at ghar il-Kbir....bring on the Easter Bunny (yum yum)

------

Monday was the last day of camp and involved the taking down of all the tents and structures & packing them into two big trucks for transport back to HQ. As usual this felt like the longest day at camp - although it was sad to leave Verdala, we all needed to be home for a shower and a long, long nap.


Cremona on the coach, heading home

Another successful operation for the SVS - the next one coming up is an Abseiling Training Camp.

Keeping you updated----

Mo$es

1st Sliema Scout Group Easter Camp Day 4 (The Group Day)

Here's a pic of me with Abraham, the Troop mascot. Oh, and the walrus in the middle is what we shared for lunch!

Saturday was chosen as 'The Group Day' as in a day in which all three sectional programmes merged into one day of activities. Before b'fast the Unit were out taking the cubs for PT. After B'fast work started on the construction of the Flyfox/Aerial runway while the Troop were busy preparing the obstacle course. After a lunch of burgers and chips the Group was split into four teams which took it in turn to try out the flyfox, obstacle course and several fun and silyl games organised by the cub leaders.

AGSL Ellul during the rigging of the flyfoxVSL Debono (aka Camp thief) instructing the Group on how the activities are going to be run

During one of the silly games- the team is tied together with tape and the people in front are blindfolded.

After the activities the Group was busy preparing for the evenings activities which included mass said by Patri Ugolin an ex-missionary and hermit who lived for 10 years in Brazil and another 20 in a cave in Pwales. We were joined for mass by the St Alloysians who were camping across the path from us and the parents of many of the Scouts, Cubs and Ventures. This was followed by a wine and pizza night and the campfire (yes a real burning one this time!!!)

The campfire was MC'd by ASL James and some of the stand out stunts included the Unit's imitation of VSLs in general & the leaders' rendition of 'Hans & Ivan' which will long be remembered as an amazing flop.

ASL James lighting the fire

The Panther patrol showing their magic trick of a stunt

The audience during the campfire - note Rubei clutching the SVS Challenge shield. Rubei and Cremona were named winners of the SVS Challenge 2007 during the campfire.

1st Sliema Scout Group Easter Camp 2008 Days 2 & 3

Thursday was the Unit's second day at Camp and after flagbreak and B'fast we headed out to Dingli Cliffs to abseil. Unfortunately it started to rain s we quickly striked the rigging and headed back to camp. The Cubs had arrived and were busy pitching their tents.

To salvage what was left of the morning we headed to the cement patch infront of the Castle door to practice making helicopter Landing Zones which served as part of the Venture's advanced training.

After lunch we built a pioneering structure namely a trebuchet which was semi-succesful. We fired latex gloves filled with water from it which resulted in quite a bit of havock and mayhem.

Killer tying a square lashing during the construction of the monster Trebuchet

The Trebuchet

VSL Debono asleep with 'Wings' the Group's new pet dog

After the ballista building the ventures took part in a Spiritual Game as part of the SPI programme.

The unit sharing a light moment with Rubei on the tyre swing.

-----

On Good Friday we were lucky enough to have a private tour around the palace given by a gentleman who was born on the palace grounds (so he knows what he's talking about!).

Entering the palaceSVS in Verdala Castle

On one of the castle turrets

After the Palace visit we headed straight out to the cliffs for another attempt at the abseil, which was successful.

AGSL Ellul and VSL Debono checking the exits for the abseil

Debono & Cremona going over the top at Dingli cliffs

The Ventures posing with a semi overcast sky in the backdrop

After an afternoon of abseiling we headed back to camp and sat under the camo net for a session of reflections. The reflections were headed by Sam but everyone contributed somewhat; they were centered around camping, the outdoors, the environment and our place in it as humans, tigers and Scouts.

Miguel during the reflections session in the Unit area, by lantern light

After supper we went back to the cement patch to prepare a night LZ and practice boarding a Helo. After midnight n good friday we whipped out the dairy milk and cooked up a pot of SVS Hotchocolate (aka Hococlit)

1st Sliema Scout Group Easter Camp 2008 Day 1

Just got back from a long and exciting Easter Camp at Verdala Castle. The Group Camp started on Sunday 16th March with an Advanced Party composed of members all the three sections with the Unit loading the Truck at HQ, the Pack setting up the interiors of the kitchen and the Troop pitching the tents, dining Area, kitchen and pioneering project. Our trusty QM, ASL Mark, had a hard day of work getting the water and electricity going.

Cremona underneath the Unit's camonet

Miguel pitching the tent

The Troop programme started on Monday and the VSL, Rubei & I joined them on their activities to give a helping hand.

The SSG newly improved dinning shelter, bigger than ever!

The rest of the Unit joined us on Wednesday. We spent the morning pitching our tent and preparing our campsite for the next couple of days. We were joined by a group of orphans from the Ursuline Sisters Orphanage who took part in various games and activities with us and stayed on for lunch. The President & Mrs Fenech Adami also paid us a visit and a short inspection of the site.

The President Dr Edward Fenech Adami inspecting the Panther Patrol tent

VSL Debono chatting with Mrs Fenech Adami and one of the Ursuline sisters

A Group photo outside the palace with the orphans, sisters and the President.

After lunch we were joined by some very special guests; Dion and his friends from Powerisers Malta (www.powerisers.com.mt). They gave us each a training session on the powerisers and we learnt how to walk in them and some of us even managed to do some jumping.

Rubei showing his skills on the powerisers and enjoying the new found sensation of being tall.

Miguel with no hands!

The Powersier activity was followed by tea and a session of memento making with the Troop. we branded pieces of wood which we then turned into woggles. After dinner we played a night game with the Troop before having some hotchocolate and hitting the sack.

Opn Bajjuforju

This weekend the leaders held a special outdoors activity, called Opn Bajjuforju, which involved mostly camping and lots and lots of eating.

We slept in the beautiful Wied tal-Isperanza only to be awaken by AGSL Ellul bright and early to get started with our fire building. We constructed a very large trench fire with a mudoven and cooked all sorts of stuff including; mini pizzas, meat fondue and massive chicken, meat and veg kebabs. Before all this we were treated to a three course b'fast by Akela Kirsten & AGSL David which was also delicious and after which we were treated to doughnuts by the GSL and a b'day cake to celebrate Skipper Timmy's 6th birthday (he was born on Feb 29th!!)

After all that eating we were considering on doing some exercise but instead we went to watch a very stimulating movie..... RAMBO!!!!

All of us had a very good time But we can't wait for easter camp which is going to be a Real blast.All the group will be camping in the grounds of verdala palace and we Have a good dose of scouting Activities inclunding abseiling, potholing, cooking, eating and Much much more!!!!!

see you then

Mo$es

(the best mascot in the Sliema Group ----- now it's official ;-) )