Issue 101 Issue 101 February 2016 February 2016
From the Courtyard
From the Courtyard SAC Scouts Newsletter GSL’s note In this issue A few words from our Group Scout Leader.
GSL’s Note Newsletter
Cubs.. Ongoing learning
Scouts.. Giving Direction
This issue, no.101, marks the start of a new editor in chief. Emma Gauci will start to compile and issue the newletter for the Group. I’d like to thank VSL Andre Brincat for his sterling work over the last years and for the handover he provided to Emma. I hope all members and leaders will continue to support the newsletter which we have been preparing over the last ten years.
Ventures.. Valley Survival
Activities
Rovers.. Service with a Smile And Some Physical Exertion.
Memories.. The Centennial
This month was a busy month for the Troop, Unit and Crew. A number of activities have been held especially in view of Easter camp preparations. A lot of training has also been provided to members to prepare themselves for camp. We have also been preparing for the AGM which shall be held on 4th March. In the meantime preparations are also underway for the trip to Aosta in July. We have issued the final circular to collect the remaining balance of €400 from participants which has to be paid by the end of March.
Coming up 21-26 March Easter Camp (Group)
On February 28th, as in previous years we also assisted in the Malta Marathon. Twenty four members attended and helped out with providing directions to runners and where necessary first aid too.
Easter Camp 17 April Annual Parade
Easter Camp will be held at a new site this year. It is located in Wied is-Sewda Haz-Zebbug and we hope to take our members back to basics. It is not far off from our HQ or B’kara and Attard but access is not straightforward as one has to pass through some narrow country roads to get there. It’s only a fifteen minute walk from the Mriehel Bypass and the area is however very quite and cut off
From the Courtyard
GSL’s note
Issue 101 February 2016
from traffic. From a logistical perspective we have nearly all aspects covered except for campfire. The plan is for scouts to camp between March 22 to the 26th. The Cubs shall camp between the 22nd and the 24th March. Campfire will be held on the 24th from 19:30 onwards. Former scouts are invited to attend and spend the night with us under canvas as part of our 100 years celebrations. Regarding campfire and parents’ attendance, we shall confirm in the coming weeks whether we shall in-
GSL’s note
vite parents or not due to the aforementioned vehicle access problem.
Part of the camp-site at Wied is-Sewda
Uniforms and Annual Parade The annual parade will be held on April 17th. So far it seems that it will be carried out as in previous years. The only issue is uniforms. As we have mentioned in the past the Association will be changing the uniforms soon and the present one is no longer available to buy (cubs and scouts). As an interim solution the Leaders’ council has decided the following – All members will be allowed to attend even though they do not have a uniform. Those that do not have a uniform must wear the blue activity t-shirt and college scarf and wear their school uniform trousers (black, grey, blue, khaki etc) and clean black or blue shoes. They shall march with the Group but in a separate formation from those in uniform. More details about time and location will follow in due course.
Works next door For all those that like me were starting to give up, I am glad to announce that works on the roof of the room next door will start in April. They should take around four weeks and it is possible that we may have to cancel meetings for safety reasons. We are not sure if we shall do so and shall advise you in the coming weeks when and if meetings are cancelled.
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From the Courtyard
Issue 101 February 2016
Ongoing Learning
Our Cub section has been keeping busy learning about the past and preparing for the future.
Founder’s Day Activity In all Scouting groups, on 22
nd
February Founder’s Day is celebrated. This day is special to the scouting
community as it celebrates the birthday of both Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of scouting, and his wife Olave Baden-Powell. To commemorate Founder’s Day the cubs at SAC were given a talk about the life of Baden-Powell by Raksha and this was followed by a quiz. The cubs learned that Baden-Powell’s first introduction to Scouting skills was stalking and cooking animals, and that he joined the 13th Hussars in India with the rank of lieutenant. A large portion of the cubs already knew that he frequently travelled disguised as a butterfly collector, and incorporated military maps into his drawings of butterfly wings. Raksha taught them that Baden-Powell was sent to Malta in 1890 as governor and remained here for three years. In 1899 he published Aids to Scouting, and in the summer of 1907 he acted upon his ideas
From the Pack
and ran a demonstration camp for boys on Brownsea Island, UK. Twenty-two boys, from ages 10 to 17, took part in the weeklong exercise, which consisted of camping, cooking, tracking, singing, and storytelling. In 1920 Baden-Powell organized the first International Jamboree in London to celebrate the tenth anniversary
of
scouting.
He
died
January
8,
1941
and
was
buried
in
Kenya.
The cubs listened intently, and were able to answer the majority of the questions in the quiz correctly, so that the final results were very close. The cubs seemed to have enjoyed the session as it was quite interactive with them offering information of what they already knew and then having a very animated quiz session. They should all now know much more about the life of Robert Baden Powell. Megan Maistre
First Aid Scenario Cubs The Rover Crew coordinated a first aid activity dedicated to teach the cublings some basic first aid. This helps them know what to do if they ever faced with that situation. The whole meeting revolved around 5 different scenarios which were: Burns, Cuts and Grazes, Sprained Ankle, Calling 112, and Heat Stroke. Each six was sent to a seperate scenario from each other and after the 20 minutes time limit, sixes would go onto their next scenario.Each stage point gave a small lecture regarding the
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on
From the Courtyard
Ongoing Learning
Issue 101 February 2016
topic of the scenario and how to treat it and after the cublings were given a small exercise to see what they have learned. The activity was a good success, the cubs may actually remember a thing or two from the lectures and also due to the practicalness required in each scenario. The Rover Crew hopes to plan more feature activities for both cubs and scouts for further experience and learning.
From the Pack
Liam Curmi de Gray
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From the Courtyard
Giving Direction
Issue 101 February 2016
The Troop helped our in the annual Vodafone Malta Marathon. Vodafone Malta Marathon 2016
On the 28th February, the SAC Troop helped out with the Vodafone Malta Marathon. This is the 30th time the group has been asked to lend a helping hand to direct the runners in the right way. The group has been assigned to manage the area of Ta’ Qali, as in the recent years. Although the attendance was quite low in numbers, the troop still managed to man all the checkpoints. A huge thank you goes to all those who helped out. Over all, the marathon went well except for the sad tragedy when Michael Freeman passed away as he was some 100m away from the finish of the half marathon. The Group offers Mrs. Freeman and her
From the Troop
family our deepest condolences.
Bernard Mainscalco
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From the Courtyard
Valley Survival
Issue 101 February 2016
Venture Leader Andre Brincat tells us about the latest venture activity which was a survival themed camp. Ventures Survival Camp "We've just heard on the radio that a ship has just entered Grand Harbour and on it was a huge swarm of mosquitoes infected with Zika Virus. Unfortunately the swarm has let the ship and is flying this way. We have to get out of here as fast as possible and hide in the countryside where the mosquitoes won't find us. That way we will guarantee a future to mankind on Malta!" This was the dramatic introduction our Ventures got upon arrival at HQ on Saturday 6th February. Soon enough they were preparing their backpacks to head off into the wilderness. Giving the boys a chance of survival, two volunteers were selected and given just 1 minute to pick as much as they could from a table which was prepared with all the equipment one could possibly think of. At this point I should point out that although our Ventures do not undertake any special survival
From the Unit
training they do possess the key survival skill which is common sense. Although this skill is not equally distributed among the members, as a team they always fare well with the wiser ones guiding the rest. In the case of the equipment table, both Max and Craig chose wisely and if it hadn't been for some panic in the last few seconds they could have carried everything away. Instead they had to settle with the few items they picked, luckily being the essential equipment such as a knife, emergency rations, survival kit, mess tins, some rope, lanterns etc. Next the Unit set off to their destination which was the nearby Wied is-Sewda campsite in Żebbuġ. Along the way the boys kept an eye out for any scraps they might find useful and in fact collected some wood which they would use later for fire. Once at the campsite, the Venture Unit was given a tour of the place and some time to choose where they would set up camp. In a wilderness survival situation it is important to immediately set some priorities to keep ahead of events and always have the upper hand. Luckily, Max proved to be quite the Bear Grylls aficionado and explained the priorities to the rest of the Unit:
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Positive attitude
Shelter & Fire
Water
Food
Avant-garde photography on the way to the camp-site
From the Courtyard
Valley Survival
Issue 101 February 2016
With this list in mind, the Ventures split up into groups and set off to their tasks. Craig and Lorin searched the scrap heap for suitable material to build a bivouac shelter for the whole team whilst Julian and Mike scavenged for food and were guided by our AGSL Mark in identifying edible vegetables such as onions, potatoes etc. in the meantime, Luke and Johnny were busy finding a way of obtaining water from the campsite's well and Max put his trap building knowledge to practice. As the afternoon turned into evening and the Unit had gathered quite a plentiful stash of food (including eggs found in a 'nest', bananas picked from an olive tree and oranges from a cactus, and two frozen chickens which were caught in the traps!!), all joined forces to build a good fire on which to boil water, cook and which would keep them
From the Unit
warm. Meanwhile Mark and Andre had devised an ingenious spit roast in the hope of inspiring the Ventures to be resourceful and creative with their chickens. Instead alas, hunger got the best of them and in an urge to eat sooner, ended up burning the
The cooking fire
chicken by cooking it on open flames. This nonetheless did not deter our brave boys from eating
their blackened meal which still turned out to be nourishing. After this hearty meal we spruced up the fire and gathered around as it was getting colder. By some weird coincidence each Venture had managed to make or find a chair on which to sit... Apparently comfort is a must in survival! As a reward for the day we had a round of scout smores which went down as a delicious treat. We chatted and joked as the campfire faded away and we slowly started nodding off. The cold soon brought us to our senses and in the bivouac we all tucked into our sleeping bags and huddled together to keep warm for the night. On Sunday morning I woke up to the sound of sneaky feet scavenging around the leaders' tent. The Ventures were stealing our breakfast! By the time I got into my shoes and out of the tent, I could already hear the sizzling sound of sausages and the ventures complimenting each other for their bravado. This was short lived, as I took all that was not theirs and left the ventures with just six eggs. Clearly the cold had really worked into their brains or they were still asleep, as they couldn't think of a way to cook the eggs and the remainder of the food from the previous day. I even had to tell them that they were to light the fire!
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From the Courtyard
Valley Survival
Issue 101 February 2016
Shelter for the night As they slowly came to their senses the Ventures got to work and quickly lit the fire using the flint and steel method. In no time, the sounds and smells of fire cooking could be felt Once breakfast was sorted all hands were on deck at dismantling the night's shelter and clearing the fire area. This was followed by some handiwork at clearing part of the campsite, in preparation for Easter camp. Next the Ventures were reminded of their last priority which was: being rescued. They all joined forces to discuss the most effective ways of signaling for help and demonstrated a few such as using a signaling mirror, smoke and fire signals and ground markings. Having been successfully 'rescued' the Ventures gave a final look around to see that the campsite was left in good order and headed back to HQ after having survived the night at Black Valley.
Andre Brincat
8 No. 1 Priority—Warmth...all over.
From the Courtyard
Service With a Smile
Issue 101 February 2016
As the group’s service team, the Crew took their role to heart, teaching the youngest members of the group and helping prepare the new camp-site for it’s first use. First Aid Exercise Ever since the members of the Rover Crew collectively renewed their First Aid Certificates, it was in our heads that we should organise something and spread our knowledge to the youngest members of our scout group; the Cub Section. This we did on the 17th February in the form of a set of First Aid Scenarios. The crew was divided into 5 teams, each one of us having a scenario to deal with. Each six would then have 20 minutes at each scenario; where the Rovers would first explain the treatment related to their scenario, and then let the cubs treat the patient as they would have been lectured to do so. The 5 scenarios were all based around anything that
From the Crew
may happen in everyday life; with the 5 topics being these:
Burns
Cuts and Grazes
Sprained Ankle
How to call an Ambulance
Heatstroke
Organisation of this activity fell to Liam Curmi de Gray who was helped by Gabriel Rizzo in the making of the scenarios, whilst Benjy Catania, Albert Galea, Matthew Zammit, Luke Maistre, Emanuel Lewis from the Crew, Michael Psaila from the Venture Unit and Cub Leaders Emma Gauci, Joanna Ellul, Stefan Pullicino and Illaria Zammit all manned the scenario stations. The activity itself was deemed to be a success as all the Cubs seemed to pick up the concepts that we set out to teach them, a notion that was confirmed by the relatively good scores that the Cubs scored in all the scenarios when we assessed them. This makes us, as a Crew, very happy as it means that it was worth the time and energy we put into this activity and that the Cubs responded well to us and to the way we went about teaching our subjects. Albert Galea
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From the Courtyard
And Some Physical Exertion
Issue 101 February 2016
Wied is-Sewda Maintenance Amongst the recent developments at S.A.C. HQ has been the provisional loan of a field near Qormi for the use of the members of our Scout Group for various activities, including the upcoming Easter Camp. A visit to this area with the aim of carrying out some work in order to make it more useable for such activities had already been conducted by the Troop section of our Scout Group, and not to be outdone the Rover Crew set up their own one night camp, to take place between Tuesday 9th February and Wednesday 10th February, taking advantage of the feast of St. Paul to conduct some further work in the area. Accordingly, five available members of the Rover Crew, namely Luke Maistre, David Pace, Gabriel Rizzo, Pierre Sant and Matthew Zammit, met up at S.A.C. Headquarters at around 6.30 Tuesday evening and added a few needed supplies to their personal equipment. That done, all equipment was loaded into the two available vehicles and fifteen minutes and some rather ‘undeveloped’ roads later, we had arrived at our destination. With darkness having already fallen and most of us five being unfamiliar with the layout of the field, the first priority was the setting up of our tents, quickly followed by the lighting of a fire and a quick tour around the field to glean what information we could about our surroundings through the curtain of darkness present. The tour carried out, luckily with the avoidance of all but the most minor injuries, we retired to the warmer surroundings of our fire, where each of us broke out the food we had ready and started to cook, watched over scrupulously by Chef Luke Maistre, whose fire resistant fingers, honed by long hours of kitchen work, were a source of amazement to us all. The food done, and eaten with an amount of relish that would have flattered more well-renowned establishments than ours, we settled down by the fire and discussed our plans for the next day, before one by one making our way to our tents and settling down for a good night’s sleep, the effects of which would be needed the next day.
Day 2 – 10th February
A bright morning sun (along with a number of shouts from Rover Crew Coordinator Pierre Sant) awoke the rest of us, and as we stumbled out of our tents we could appreciate the landmarks which had been concealed from us by the evening gloom the previous night. In the typical fashion of Maltese fields, it consisted of different terraces of differing shapes and sizes, with one corner occupied by a couple of rooms, which we had utilised the previous night as a store for some of the bulkier items we had brought up with us. Due to our number, we decided to concentrate on the area surrounding these two rooms, and thus set about dividing different roles between ourselves. Gabriel Rizzo quickly claimed that arranging the walkway around the rooms was an immediate priority. In this he was undoubtedly spurred on by his sense of propriety, which insisted that walkways must at all times be flat and symmetrical, which this particular specimen most definitely was not, due to the ravages of time and tree roots. Accordingly Gabriel very content-
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From the Courtyard
And Some Physical Exertion
Issue 101 February 2016
edly started prying up stones and commenced his plans to reorder them in a fashion which met his requirements, and which put the constructors of the Via Appia to shame had they been alive to see his efforts. The four of us, with rather less exacting requirements but a similar determination to have a tangible physical result by the end of the day, set about our own jobs, with Matthew Zammit tasked with cleaning and tidying up the roof of one of the rooms, Luke Maistre being tasked with starting yet another fire and Pierre Sant and David Pace having been appointed to supply said fire by clearing out a patch of quite frankly shockingly abundant weeds, commonly known as ħurrieq. With the roof cleared and some changes of roles after an initial start, our modus operandi continued as follows; Pierre Sant and Gabriel Rizzo applied their talents to forming an ever more exotic walkway, David Pace and Matthew Zammit continued the systematic eradication of weeds, and Luke Maistre was content to tend his fire and help out in any other area. After a few hours of work and some physically tangible results of our efforts starting to make an appearance, we took a break in order to cook our midday meals at the site of the previous night’s fire.
Thus nourished, we fervently
reapplied
our-
selves to the tasks at hand so as to finish before the onset of darkness. Admirable progress had been made with both field and walkway, and the elimination of weeds, for the next two weeks at least, had taken place. One last major task re-
Men At Work!
mained at hand. The area of soil we had been working on had been located in a patch of ground enclosed by a rubble wall, part of which jutted out at nearly the height of a human halfway across this patch. Finding no discernible purpose in this we proposed to remove the topmost layers of the wall (reducing it to about a metre in height) and use the stone to build a matching rubble wall on the opposite side, reaching out to leave a narrow entrance – thus separating the field in two with the added bonus of partly sheltering an old olive tree. Not being admirably experienced in the art of rubble wall building, all five of us soon proved quick, and dare I say, competent pupils, and our trial by error had a remarkably little amount of error considering the ‘greenness’ of the personnel involved. One minor miscalculation resulted in us not having enough stone to
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From the Courtyard
And Some Physical Exertion
Issue 101 February 2016
complete the wall as darkness was falling, but this situation was quickly remedied by Rovers Luke Maistre and Matthew Zammit, who made a friendly wager to see who could bring in the largest stone to help complete the wall. Although initial efforts were successful (with controversy over who had won the wager), the effect on us both was such that it was amicably decided that another further such stone retrieval would be done in tandem, with cooperation rather than competition being the motto for the day from then on. Darkness had already fallen by the time the wall was finished, and with a couple of satisfied glances our handiwork, and buoyed by the complements of Rover Leader Timmy Zammit who stopped by for a quick visit, we set off to dismantle our tents and have a quick clean-up of the campsite. Sped on in our efforts due to the possibility of oncoming rain, we packed up quickly and, satisfied that all remaining items had been cleared up and stored properly, we loaded everything into our cars and set off back to HQ. A quick unloading took place, at which point we bade each other farewell and set off in our separate directions, each with the common goal in mind of a long shower and a rest of tired muscles.
The Finished Article
Matthew Zammit
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From the Courtyard
The Centennial
Issue 101 February 2016
Cub Leader Ilaria Zammit talks us what the group’s 100 Year Anniverasary means to her. This article celebrates the first month of 2016. The year 2016 - a celebratory year of 100 functioning years of our SAC Scout Group. Lots to celebrate there! As a Cub leader and member of the Rover Crew, I have decided to dedicate some thoughts to the occasion. As an ex-St Joseph Dolphin and Brownie Guide, and an ex-Swieqi Girl Guide, I am honored to be part of the SAC Scout Group continuing my years of Guiding and Scouting. But what do I achieve by being part of SAC’s centennial anniversary? It is being part of the prestigious legacy that the group carries with it, and most importantly having been given the trust to serve the group and my country during a valuable time. This year brings a lot to the table – new beginnings, changes, and an opportunity to lead into faith and take on new opportunities. It bring along lots of hard work, dedication and time. Joining the Cub leading team and the Rover Crew a year ago has prepared me for such a time in which I aim to fulfill the group’s goals this year. Courtyard works had been started last year, in preparation for the anniversary. We also planned new adventurous and daring activities as a Rover Crew to keep aiming higher in what we do. With the Cubs we have continued working towards bring them up as boy scouts and men, by making use of meetings and coming up with new activities. Being part of the Rover Crew and a Cub leader is definitely an exciting role, as we practice what we teach to the Cubs, and we learn new things, which we pass on to the Cubs. We will always strive to keep on growing in our knowledge and abilities, and this will be passed down to our successors. It is a century of honor, a century of being prepared for the adventure, a century of serving other people and giving our duty to God. The flame has been lit for one hundred years, and it will be lit for one hundred more. Ilaria Zammit
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