SAC Scouts Newsletter - 102

Issue 102 March 2016

The Annual General Meeting

AGM GSL’s Note 100 Challenges Camp Chief’s Log Cubs..

Easter Camp Ventures..

Easter Camp Rovers..

Easter Camp

17 April Annual Parade

With a long list of activities planned for our 100th year anniversary, we’re happy to let you know that so far we’re on track. As you’ll read throughout the newsletter, we’ve kicked off the year launching our new scarf and commemorative pin badges, held our AGM and Investiture ceremony and organised our Easter Camp at the beautiful Black Valley campsite where we were also honoured by the presence of a number of former scouts.

The AGM was an opportunity to meet up with our members and parents alike, to recap on our 2015 achievements and touch base on the upcoming plans we have for the group as we head into our 100th year of scouting. Edward Cassola(GSL), mentioned the extensive refurbishment works being held at our HQ, the cleaning activities done at Black Valley Campsite in anticipation of our Easter camp, the new uniform and the challenges and achievements we’ve had during 2015. Treasurer Edward Apap Bologna, then gave an update on the Group’s finances during 2015 giving an overview of our major income and expenditure activity.

This year we decided to give the AGM a bit of a twist and asked one of our leaders to talk to the members and parents about his scouting experience. Timothy Zammit gave the audience a taster of the last 21 years being a member of the SAC scout group, sharing exciting adventures from all his travels with the group, various ways in which scouting changed his life and touching moments from his youth with leaders and friends and what he now considers family.

During the meeting we also organised an investiture ceremony for our new cubs and scouts, a traditional ceremony that welcomes our younger members to the brotherhood of scouting.

Mark Philip Borg

Issue 102 March 2016

March March passed by so quickly for us leaders and members. So many leaders dedicated so much time to the Group this last month in various ways. We spent many weekends before camp organising the camp site at Black Valley and others prepared the equipment and programmes necessary. It was a tough time for many of us but ultimately it was all worth it. Over sixty members attended camp and all sections did their best to have a fun filled camp. A number of former scouts attended the campfire and others paid a visit at some time or another. To see more information about camp I ask you to check our facebook page. Thanks to all involved for your support.

AGM The Annual General meeting was organised on March 4th. Many members attended and to a lesser extent parents too. We would have liked more parents to attend as after all you are our target audience. During the AGM a number of leaders gave an overview of key aspects of the Group’s financial situation, its past programme and future objectives.

During the evening we also held the investiture ceremonies and going up ceremonies for the troop and pack.

Annual Subscriptions Although we are well into March / April, I regret to point out that some members have not yet paid their fee. This contribution will go a long way in helping us to reach our targets this year which promise to be the most demanding ever.

Accordingly, please try and settle the subscription as soon as possible.

Works next door Finally, an agreement has been reached to start the works next door. We plan to start the work on the ceiling of the room next door on April 18th. It may take a few weeks but I am sure ultimately all will acknowledge that the effort was worth it.

Needless to stay we are trying to work within a tight budget and so any help of all sort would be appreciated when we get down to the electrics and plastering of the room.

Donations I am happy to report that we have received some donations towards the expenses we are incurring to fix the room next door. A number of former scouts have already contributed and others promised to help when the time comes.

Well chaps, the time is now. We are doing this on the 100th anniversary of the Group and all efforts will be made to take the Group to the next 100 years through your help!

Group Scarves As we announced during the AGM we have a new college scarf. It now carries the college badge at the back. The cost of the new scarf is €5. The leaders council decided that everyone has to buy the new scarf. The main reasons are that we must ensure all badges are fixed in the right place in the right way and secondly the size is now standard as in the past there were various dimensions. Accordingly, it will not be possible to buy just the badge in order to fix it on the scarf. Furthermore, some scarves currently in use are also faded and with ripped edges especially after camp.

Annual Parade The Annual Parade this year shall be held on April 17th. Members that have a full uniform should wear the uniform and they will march with the uniformed section of the Group.

Those that do not have the uniform or part of it must wear the new blue activity t-shirt and new group scarf (with badge at the back). They must also wear tidy blue jeans and clean black or brown shoes (no hats/caps should be worn). These members shall march with the non-uniformed ranks. We shall meet at our HQ at 07:45 to attend mass together at College at 08:00am. Then we shall have a Group photo and eventually take two coaches to Floriana (at the Granaries).

The parade starts at 11:00am and we shall be placed somewhere in the middle of the parade. I anticipate we shall be finished by 11:45am. Those parents collecting their boys from Valletta after the parade may do so from near Castille Square or behind the Old Theatre depending on where parade marshals direct us. All members are to get €2 to pay for the coaches even if they are not returning with the Group.

100 Challenges for 100 years Activity

Issue 102 March 2016

In the occasion of our 100th anniversary the group held an activity at easter camp where all sections joined forces for a few hours of fun. One must say that this was a first as never before had cubs, scout, ventures, rovers and leaders joined up to participate in a scouting activity together.

The activity, which was planned and organised by Venture Leader Andre Brincat was in the format of the ‘Challenges’ activities which have always been very popular in the younger sections.

Before starting, the teams had to be formed, this was done using the SAC Scouts tried and tested method of the ‘kettle of truth’ where names are picked from a vintage kettle we keep at HQ. 7 teams were formed from the almost 70 cubs, scouts, ventures, rovers and leaders present at camp.

To get all teams on their feet, we started with a couple of sport challenges. First up, teams battled eachother in a god old Tug of War. After much heaving and pulling we moved on to the next challenge which was a piggy back relay race in which, starting from the smallest cub, each team member had to carry the next larger one and so on until all the team has been carried to the other end of the field.

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100 Challenges for 100 years Activity

Issue 102 March 2016

With the sport challenges taken care of, all teams were free to tackle the remaining challenges individually. These consisted of: Photo challenges Quiz challenge Practical challenges Video challenges Bonus challenges The individual challenges were varied and included tasks such as taking group selfies in the portaloo, making a reportage about the new campsite, singing a song, writing a poem about a leader, reciting ‘100 years of SAC Scouts’ in different languages, building a bridge etc. Some challenges involved traditional scouting such as boiling an egg on a fire, whereas others were modern and involved social media trends such as the harlem shake or lip syncing. Having such varied tasks and challenges guaranteed that even the younger ones would participate and have fun.

As one can see from the many happy faces in the photos, this activity was a great success.

Having teams mixed up together helped bridging the gaps we have between sections and the funny photos and videos they had to produce surely made for some memorable moments. Following the positive feedback and comments about this event, the Leaders council is also considering establishing this activity as an annual event in some sort of SAC Scouts Day. What do you think?

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Camp Chief’s Log: Black Valley

Issue 102 March 2016

Rover Andrew “Guza” Agius remenises on his experience as the first Camp Chief of Black Valley.

The Camp Chief is the person appointed to be responsible for the campsite. This means that he, or she, would be in the thick of anything that comes up during camp, be it injury, damage, improper set up, finances (important that), tornadoes (we had those once!), floods (had those too), the Kraken (not yet), pirate invasion (wrong millenium for it), space jam (I digress)... You get the drift. Sounds like a big job, and it is, but it’s made easy by the massive input by section leaders, quartermasters, camp cooks and the myriad individuals who pitch in to get stuff done.

Having just been camp chief at the group’s first ever camp at the new Black Valley campsite, it was impressive to witness at all times, a miniature army of leaders, rovers and ventures scurrying around the campsite, getting everybody in order, getting the program off the ground, making sure that there’s enough mallets, ropes, tape, food, water, lanterns and such. Black Valley campsite is absolutely beautiful, a little oasis of nature that takes us back to basics, but it’s also a harder campsite to live in. It took a lot of groundwork to turn the place into a suitable venue for our young scouts and cubs. For those of us who were heavily involved in the preparation, camp had essentially started three days earlier. The previous Saturday morning had found us heavily engaged in manual labor in order to finish all the essential tasks by Tuesday, the day camp started. Understandably, Day 2 of camp was a lot harder to wake up for than it usually is! The works were well received, however, and from the feedback we obtained from the first happy campers, it seems that the campsite might become one of those hallowed places for scout camp, much like Verdala is at the moment. At night, we set out lanterns to mark the paths that connect the fields and it was somehow incredibly satisfying, and comforting, to look up from wherever you would be, and watch the steady, flickering yellow glow of an old fashioned hurricane lamp, burning its fuel through the night. Logistically, there are many lessons to be learned from this first camp in the area. Now that we know the access roads better, we can plan for more efficient transportation, of members and equipment. Within the campsite itself, the sheer size of it made it more difficult than usual, to keep things centralised, which we found out at the expense of our legs, and occasionally at the expense of missing equipment! Thankfully though, everything was collected at the end. Having the set up laid out in front of us, helped us brainstorm other ways of pitching camp, in order to improve it. One of the major concerns, was to figure out a way of getting cars in for the campfire.

Unfortunately this time we weren’t able to invite all those we usually do, because it seemed very unlikely that we’d be able to accommodate that many guests without causing chaos in the access roads and within the campsite itself. A few ideas sprung up, and we hope to be able to implement them next camp.

Given the amount of work that has been put into Black Valley, I am very eager to witness it become imprinted into the hearts of SAC. There are young trees that need care, we’ve seen frogs leaping around after a spell of rain, birds building nests in the trees already there and an incredibly colourful collection of flowers. It really is a site where you can properly camp, and although it is less comfortable with regards to amenities, there is much to be said for the peacefulness and the privacy that it offers. I happened to be the very last person to leave the campsite on the last day, and I sat down for a few minutes just to admire the place once again. It had been an incredibly successful camp, filled with fun activities, challenging activities a good old fashioned fire to relax and gather around at night with some of members from years past. Sitting there, I felt it to be a very poetic moment. A contrast between the organised chaos of camp, and the current blissful calm, which I had the privilege to witness all by myself. And as I made my way to my car, I picked up a colleague’s dirty mess tin and chucked it in the boot. Something always gets left behind.

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EASTER CAMP 2016 :100 YEARS OF ADVENTURE!

Issue 102 March 2016

Time for another Easter camp for the SAC cubs, this time a very special one, during the year of our 100th Anniversay as a group and in a new location – Black Valley ! The theme of this camp was 100 years of Adventure and it was held between the 22nd – 24th March for the Pack. The usual discussions between the leaders before a camp were very short as regards choosing a theme as it was only fitting to celebrate the 100 years of our group.

From the Pack

So, on arrival, the cubs were given a tour of this new camp site. A great place in the country where we had lots of room to run around and organise activities.

The cub leaders present explained the camp rules to the cubs and it was off to start the first activity.

This was craft building. Each six was given a totem pole that they had to decorate and keep to collect feathers that were going to be given as points. Each had an animal on the top so at the end we had 5 beautifully painted totem poles with a cat, rabbit, hen, duck and parrot on the top.

On Wednesday another interesting activity was the woggle making as a special memento of our 100 years of cubbing and SAC. The cubs all painted their own wooden woggle and then this was attached to their present one to give them an extra special woggle The last day Thursday included another memorable activity. Each six had to make a time ‘campsule’.

Everyone drew something that he particularly likes about camping and then the six as a whole also wrote what they preferred about camping or something about their leaders. These papers were put in a test tube, one for each six, and then they were going to be hidden around the camp site.

Can you imagine future cubs, say 100 years from now, stumbling across these test tubes and seeing what our cubs of today liked dong as cubs ! The boys all had great fun drawing super pictures of their leaders ( well maybe not so super ! ) During these 3 days there was plenty of chance to run around and experience other things. The cubs had an obstacle course built for them that they had to get through, they were shown how to build a shelter and had first aid scenarios planned were they learned what should be done in various situations.

They also had a go at Command Tasks were each six had to work as a team to surpass certain challenges.

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There was the now traditional easter egg hunt were the cubs ran around a large field looking for lots and lots of easter eggs, that of course were then devoured. Backwoods cooking is another activity that they look forward to. So they dug their fire pit, lined it with stones, looked for kindling and wood and the leaders soon had 5 fires going so we could start cooking. We all ate loads of sausages and

EASTER CAMP 2016 :100 YEARS OF ADVENTURE!

Issue 102 March 2016

burgers. Clearing up afterwards is as important as building a good fire so we all made sure we left the area looking almost as we had found it.

From the Pack

The first evening the cubs had time to do their proficiency badge work – the badges this camp were Map reader, Botanist, Astronomer, Camper and People and Places. Each group was lead by a leader who had spent some time going through the requirements and seeing what the cubs had themselves prepared at home.

This gives the cubs the opportunity to present and explain to the others what they would have prepared and learnt at home. It is always interesting to hear them talk and explain and gives rise to many a discussion between themselves.

This camp we organised a visit to the Majjistral Park in Ghajn Tuffiegha. The visit started with watching a short video about the Park itself and then we were taken on a tour of the Park.

Unfortunately, it was not the best day to go out in the open as it was very windy and cold so we could not spend that much time outdoors. We looked at it as an adventure. So even though it was not the ideal weather to walk around at the Majjistral Park we made the most of it and still had a good time.

On the last day the cubs had to pack up all their belongings, ready to be collected by the parents in the evening. That afternoon there was one common activity for all the members of our scout group. It was the 100 challenges ! So the whole group was divided into 8 teams consisting of cubs, scouts, ventures and rovers and leaders and they had to compete against each other in 100 challenges. These varied from tug of war, to singing a song, taking funny photos, reciting a poem, acting our funny scenes to mention just a few. What can I say – they all had a blast and there was interaction between all sections of the group.

We had so much fun taking part in these challenges that we ran out of time to count the points and declare who was the winning six. This will be done during a next meeting.

Thanks go to all the cub leaders, Zarby and Luke in the kitchen, general camp staff and QMs as well as the Camp Chief for another great camp. We all agreed that Black Valley was a great spot to camp in.

It took a lot of time and hard work to prepare the site so that it was usable as a camp site so a huge thanks to all the leaders and Rovers that spent many a week end working hard. It was worth it!

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Venturing into the Valley

Issue 102 March 2016

From the Unit

Jonathan Pace writes about his first experience organising a camp programme as part of his current chairman position in the Unit.

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Venture camp this Easter was between 23rd and 25th March, just three days due to many ventures having school and O-levels. On Wednesday morning at around 8:30 we started to meet at the group’s new campsite at Black valley.

After some time helping in the kitchen and taking a look at the campsite once again, we started to set up two tents for us to sleep in. After pitching up our tents, the ventures that weren’t helping in other sections of the group started to look for a good place to start a fire to cook on since we had to cook backwoods. Since it was very windy it was tough to find a good place for the fire but after a few minutes someone suggested a good place to start a fire. So we split into 2 teams. One team had to dig a hole in which we could put the wood in and the other team went to find good fire wood. When all these were done, we started to place the wood and some kindling to start a fire. As Ventures we wanted to start our fire with flint and steel. This was very difficult since it had also started to drizzle. Even our leader Andre found it difficult but we tried using the flint and steel one more time and after adding as much kindling as we could, we succeeded. The next thing to do was to prepare what we had to cook which was Cordon Bleu. So while one venture stayed with the fire, the others went in the kitchen to prepare the chicken. When the chicken was ready we went back next to the fire to cook them. It took a while to cook all the chicken, so in the mean while we took our bags in the tents and afterwards talked. Everybody was starving with hunger. It took about an hour for the chicken to cook well but in the end it was delicious. After eating it was time to clear up the fire pit and wash the dishes. When the dishes were done we had some free time so we joined the rovers and played a card game. Eventually it was time for dinner. After dinner, we played another card game with the rovers and went to sleep.

On Thursday we woke up at around half seven and went to wash our faces and teeth. When everyone finished we went to take our breakfast and after we were done, we prepared for our pioneering project for which we decided to build a lift. At around half nine we started to bring all the spars in one place and all our ropes next to each other. Soon after, we started to build the lift. While we were building our lift Andre our leader had to leave to HQ to print the papers for the 100 challenges for the whole group that we were going to do later that day.

Lorin, Max, Luke and I were left to build the lift. It took us about 2 hours to finish building the lift. After we finished our pioneering project, Andre arrived and he was very happy to find that the lift was done and slight adjustments were to be made. So we decided to test the lift to check whether it was built properly or not. The only problem that the lift had was that the pulleys were getting jammed. Soon after it was time for lunch, so everyone went to fetch their mess tins to eat.

Venturing into the Valley

Issue 102 March 2016

From the Unit

After lunch we went immediately to dismantle the lift since the troop needed the spars but Max had to leave after because of his private lesson. Between the dismantling of the lift and the 100 challenges as a whole group all together we had some free time so we helped in the preparation for the next activity. Soon after it was time for the 100 challenges, so a fall in was held and Andre started to name out the teams that competed against each other. There were 7 teams in total. The first challenge was tug of war. Team 3 won tug of war. The next challenge was a piggy back race. This race team 5 won.

After this race a list of all the challenges was handed out to each team. We had 2-3 hours to finish all the challenges. On Thursday evening there was the camp’s campfire. But this year it was a little bit different since parents were not invited but some former scouts were. During the 100 challenges there was some time for the troop and the unit to prepare a stunt for the campfire. At around half eight Zarby called us to go and eat. We had chicken wings, pork chops, sausages and potatoes. It was almost 9:15 when campfire’s stunts started. This was a very informal campfire and we had a couple of good laughs. At the end of campfire we all lit a candle for the 100 anniversary of our group. By half ten, campfire finished and therefore some washing up had to be done. This did not take long because everyone worked as a team and finished our duties. According to our plan we had to do a night hike that night but all of us decided that it would be better not to go since it was too late and everyone was tired. The venture unit decided to join the troop in playing a night game. Wide game took till almost midnight and after that, some ventures went to sleep while others stayed up to chat with the former scouts and listen to their stories.

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On Friday we all woke up to a beautiful day.

Being Good Friday we started the day with a special reflection during fall in. Since the Cubs were gone we helped put down one of the tents they were sleeping in and also gave a hand to the troop in putting down some other tents in preparation for the last day of camp. Meanwhile we assisted in the First Aid scenarios activity as observers.

After lunch it was time for our activity which happened to be 50 challenges, however it was a little different from the 100 challenges organised on Thursday. Luckily we managed to get all Ventures and even some Rovers to participate in this activity and in fact we could split up into two teams. The challenges were various and had the participants hiking around the campsite and up to Zebbug for certain clues and photos.

Following this activity it was sadly time to end Venture Camp. We put down our tents and packed them up, and ensured all Ventures equipment was stored safely in the store. We bade farewell to all those remaining at camp for another day and headed to the comforts of our homes.

This Easter camp, Luke Cassola and I were in charge of planning the activities since we are doing our SOK project with the Venture Unit. We did not have much time to plan camp since one and a half weeks before camp we had our school exams. So we decided to go to HQ a bit early the Wednesday before camp and plan all the activities there. I really enjoyed planning camp and had the opportunity to discover what our leaders do in order for an activity to take place. I also enjoyed working with Luke.

I had the opportunity to get to know Luke better and also learned that different people can bring more ideas and opinions to a plan.

A Rover’s Work is Never Done

Issue 102 March 2016

From the Crew

Some could say that the rovers are the loud rackety engine that keeps the group chugging along, and whilst others will argue that it’s the rusty old engine block ever present at the back of a mechanic’s garage, whenever Camp rolls around the Crew always kicks into gear to ensure that it’s one to remember... For all the right reasons! Whether it’s cooking in the kitchen, taking care of a section, or simply filling in wherever they are needed, the Rovers are there to help (unless they run out of coffee).

Here are a few entries from Rovers about their roles and experiences at this year’s Easter Camp.

So once again the time had come for SAC scouts to go for our annual Easter camp. This year though we had a new campsite to go to. This meant that in the prior months everyone from scouts to rovers and leaders spent as many weekends as we could spare to try to clean and fix up the campsite. This is where I enter as I am the Quarter Master along with Gabriel Rizzo. As usual the amount of work to be done was enormous and even worse was that we are currently doing some works at headquarters and with the work at campsite the usual amount of work shot up by miles. Even though we all gave a big push to get things done as they should be. There was much work to be done and towards the end some had severe doubts if it would be even worth to have a camp. This was something we didn’t want to think about, we even had to severely reduce the campfire due to lack of parking available. Then once camp begins I give up some activities as quarter master to become the camp chef under the guidance of Matthew Zarb who has been cooking at camp for as long as I have been at scouts, (over 16 years). So when he found out that I was studying at ITS to become a chef he started to groom me to help him out and cover for him when he couldn’t come up to camp.

I never minded as I always enjoyed cooking, it was not even cooking for large numbers that was a challenge as I have always worked in busy hotels. It was more to cater for all the picky eaters and find a compromise so that they all eat something. This year thankfully we only had 1 or 2 who were picky only when it came to eating pasta with pesto which did not bother me much as we gave them some plainer pasta. This camp was slightly on the smaller side in terms of numbers in my eyes, and we couldn’t have over calculated much as this camp all we had was a small half fridge as we did not have a proper electricity supply. What was important was to get a list of allergies as we usually do for camp, but surprisingly no one had an allergy except for one of the Rovers who after 20 years finally realised he was lactose intolerant, but he was a leader and did bring up lactose free milk. What we did have this year were a couple of scouts who had phobias to seeing certain foods in their plates. Not a problem really but it was a new one for me. In my view camp went swimmingly with only a few hiccups in terms of the kitchen. Now we have some time until summer camp to prepare to make it an even better camp.

Luke Maistre Camp Cook

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A Rover’s Work is Never Done

Issue 102 March 2016

As one grows relatively older and advances up the ranks of the Scout Group, they generally start attending other section meetings such as those of the Troop or Pack in preparation for eventually assuming the mantle of a leader within that section. However this does not apply to all, as a minority of Rovers, including myself, are not permanently attached to a particular section, but instead attempt to make themselves available for any issue that may require their help.

From the Crew

At each scout camp such Rovers often find a variety of different demands upon their services, most of which are small in their own way yet contribute to the well-being and success of the camp as a whole. From a personal viewpoint, apart from pre-camp tidying up and preparation of the campsite done in conjunction with the rest of the Scout Group, a number of different roles were undertaken, including aiding the Cub Leaders to set up a short obstacle course, setting up tents, helping to cook and prepare food in the kitchen as well as general campsite maintenance. Indeed, it can be said that in certain instances camp can become enjoyable purely for the number and mixture of tasks it throws up, some of which were anticipated and others that arise in the spur of the (often inopportune!) moment and require immediate solutions, causing much wracking of brains!

On the whole Easter Camp 2016 was another in a long line of camps that were thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended, whether for the whole week or even for a single day. The cooperation between all members of the Scout Group was often evident, and it can be said that it was thoroughly worthy of being St. Aloysius’ College Scout Group’s Easter Camp in our centenary year.

Matthew “Meli” Zammit Utility Rover Camp is always a fun and exciting time for the cubs! In reality it’s the same for the leaders as well! A lot of hard work, planning and preparation go into the organisation of the Cub camp.

Trying to keep 20 super energetic children occupied and interested for three days is always a challenge and trying to keep up with them even when you’re exhausted can be tough. But when you see the boys arrive with clear anticipation and then watch them leave with a broad smile on their face makes everything worthwhile, no matter how much the actual camp might have taken its toll on you.

Admittedly, this year prior to camp I was extremely busy with many other things, and although as cub leaders we met up some weeks before to discuss what we would be doing at camp, it wasn’t until a few days before actual camp that I got into a Cub camp frame of mind and started to put together all I needed. But the minute I set foot on the beautiful new campsite at Black Valley, everything else was forgotten and was totally geared up for Cub camp.

The programme is always split into smaller activities and each leader is assigned a couple of these.

My activities this year included ‘Make a Totem Pole’ and ‘Hot Chocolate with marshmallows before bedtime’. Seeing the cubs enjoy themselves is so rewarding, which is precisely why I enjoy camp so much. Knowing that for 3 days you are the children’s family, you spend all your day together, talk, do activities, play games, carry out tasks and try new challenges, share experiences, sometimes cry but mostly smile together is all put together into a wonderful memory of Cub Easter Camp 2016!

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Joanna Ellul Cub Leader