Invesiture

Luca reaffirming his Promise

The VSL recently invested 5 new Venture Scouts in an investiture ceremony that took place at our HQ. These guys weren't really new to the Unit, they should have been invested last October but for several reasons... mainly our activity programme being very tightly packed, it was held in May.

Cremona sharing a light moment with the GSL, after receiveing 2 (?) certificates

During the short ceremony the Ventures reaffirmed their Scout Promise and were welcomed into the Venture Unit with open arms. The ceremony was followed by refreshments and a display of logbooks and some souvenirs that the Unit has picked up in recent times. We chatted with the guests which included leaders from other Sections, parents and members of the Stag Patrol.

Martin and Rubei chit chatting while enjoying their pizzas
Scouts and parents taking some time to check out the displaysStags checking out the logbooks, SVS Challenge display, The 2008 Conquest Map & DMA Shield.

On the 10th of June some new recruits will be joining us for our Tuesday meeting. These guys are about to embark on a journey of adventure and challenge by joining the SVS!! After a summer of basic training including navigation exercises, medevacs, pioneering and what not they should be invested just like these guys in September.

The Ventures who have A levels are almost done from their great ordeal while the first year 6th form students are only just starting exams. Either way the Unit will be back to outdoor activities towards the middle of June and from then on there's no stopping us!!!... until resits

Your's in venturifying,
Mo$es

Malta Scrabble Club International Open

VSL Debono accepting the donation on behalf of the Unit

Throughout last weekend (2nd-4th May) the Unit attended the first Malta Scrabble Club International Open which was a weekend-long scrabble tournament at the Topaz Hotel.

The Ventures helped throughout the tournament as runners forwarding any challenges to the tournament coordinators. This was the first time any of us had been to a scrabble tournament which we found quite exciting - there was alot of competition throughout the weekend.

The first place prize went to a Maltese scrabbler while the 2nd and 3rd places went to two british players. During the prize giving ceremony Mr Joe Mizzi, president of the MSC, mentioned us and how we helped throughtout the weekend and presented a generous donation to the VSL.

This was the first tournament of this type ever hosted by the MSC but we're sure it won't be the last as there was already mention about next year's tournament--- which the SVS will be sure to help out at should we be asked again!

'til next time,
Mo$es

"Mill-Lazy Corner... "

1st Sliema Scout Group marching in straight lines with colour party

If you were anywhere near Valletta last Sunday (6th May) then you must have noticed the Scouts & Guides of Malta (& Gozo!) in what is their largest gathering every year; the Annual Parade.

GSL Cutugno & VSL Debono saluting while VS Cremona carries the Unit Flag

At 10AM while all the other Groups were sorting themselves out the Sliema Group could be found in a side street in Floriana feasting on pastizzi, kindly supplied by Ronnie and the Group Council. The annual pastizzi eating (competition??) has become quite a tradition!
After filling everyone's bellies we were off to the granaries to form up right behind Iklin Scout Group. The eyes right order was given on approaching the Grand Master's palace where dignatories such as Scout & Guide Commisioners and the acting President of the State were positioned to accept the salute.

" Sliema Cubs- Eyes right!!"

Sliema Group gathered on the steps of Auberge de Castille for a group photo followed by some singing! Photo shoot on the steps of Kastilja

After the parade some of the ventures headed back t the Topaz hotel in Uniform to help out at the scrabble tournament which came to an end at 1900 that evening. The Unit will be back in uniform on the 16th of May for a procession in the Sliema area for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Mo$es

Boatfishing

On Sunday 27th April the SVS went out on a Sailing expedition with Captain David Cremona in order to try their luck at fishing.
The weather was brilliant and the activity was a success on the whole with only one person feeling sick over the edge but the only fish we got our hands on was tonn taz-zejt!
AGSL/Akela David and ACSL Kirsten were present on the activity and joined in on the fun.

The Unit along with David and Kirsten on the Breezer

The Unit members

The SVS are a very adaptable team of people, we take part in activities both on land, in the sea, underground and in the air. Many of the Unit members are keen at several forms of water based activities; whilst Sam often participates in sailing competitions with his father and their team; Allen and Luca take enjoy canoeing with the Malta Canoe Federation and form part of a team in their canoe-polo league. The MCF held an open day today (1st May) which a couple of the ventures should have attended; i'll post any photos when I receive them.

This week is jam packed with several short activities; today (1st) the leaders along with a couple of the ventures took part in an open day at St Edwards by providing an abseil. In the mean time Allen and Luca attended the MCF open day. This weekend we will be helping out at a Scrabble Tournament which is organised by the Malta Scrabble Club and on Sunday (4th) we've got Annual Parade! Not bad for a couple of days!!!

yours in Venturifying,
Mo$es