Issue Issue 8383 January January && February February 2014 2014
From the Courtyard
sac scouts newsletter
From the Courtyard feature of the month
112 : THE EMERGENCY NUMBER
What’s on Mar 25-3o— Easter Camp (Group)
The 11th February of each year happens to be the European Day dedicated to the Emergency Telephone Number. Celebrated annually since 2009, the main idea behind having a specific day dedicated to the Emergency Telephone Number is to generate more public awareness about the use of telephone number ‘112’. In all EU Member States, dialing ‘112’ will put you through to the Emergency Services. This means that, wherever you are in Europe, you do not need to memorise different telephone numbers to use in an emergency. Unfortunately, recent surveys have indicated that only one in four Europeans are aware that ‘112’ is the common emergency telephone number throughout all the European Union. In Malta too, one can make use of telephone number ‘112’ in the case of an emergency. Calls in Malta are usually received by the Police and re-directed to the other emergency services (such as Ambulance Personnel or Civil Protection Department) if necessary. Operators manning the emergency telephone number in Malta handle thousands of telephone calls on a daily basis! It is important that one makes use of the emergency telephone number only in the case of a sudden real threat to safety and when urgent assistance from the emergency services is required. Making use of telephone number ‘112’ for non-emergency situations is irresponsible because this would be blocking a real life threatening call from getting through. Furthermore, it must be pointed out that making prank calls and hoax calls to the emergency telephone number may be punishable by a fine. When calling the Emergency Telephone Number, it is important to let the operator know the nature of your telephone call. If you are calling the emergency services because someone has fallen ill and you need urgent medical help, tell the operator straight away that you need an Ambulance. The operator will, then, divert your call to the respective personnel allowing you to explain your problem to the right person straight away. Although this sounds easier than it actually it, it is vital that you remain calm when you’re trying to explain yourself on the telephone. It is recommended that you give your details and contact telephone number so that the operator can call you back if the call gets disconnected. Whenever this is possible, you must seek the help of an adult. Whenever you are calling the emergency services, it is important to make it as easy as possible for them to find you.
From the Courtyard
Issue 83 January & February 2014
112 : THE EMERGENCY NUMBER
Feature of the Month
Hence, you must assume that the personnel rushing to help you do not know your neighbourhood and surroundings. If you are in a house or building, it is recommended that you give the correct address, the floor you are in (especially if you are in a very large building such as a shopping complex) and advise of well-know landmarks (such as churches, schools, football clubs or shops) in the exact vicinity of where you are. You will also need to give a brief overview of what happened in order to allow the operator to dispatch all the help that is needed. If anyone is injured, explain how many victims there are and describe the nature of their injuries. If a crime has been committed, try to give a good description of any suspects you have noticed (such as clothing and the type of transport they are using) so that Police rushing to the scene keep a look-out for any suspects you describe. If you noticed that the suspects were carrying any weapons, it is important that you place yourself out of harms way and let the operator know about it. Finally, after you have given all the information that you think is important, stay on the line for as long as the operator asks you to since there may be other details that are required from you. Remember that you should not end the telephone call before the operator confirms that no other information is required from you. In an emergency situation every second counts .. by knowing what information you would be expected to give when making a telephone call to the emergency services, and using the Emergency Telephone Number responsibly, you WILL be making a difference!
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Timmy Zammit Asst. Rover Crew Co-ordinator
From the Courtyard
GSL’s note
Issue 83 January & February 2014
One year It’s been one year already since Cubbie passed away. We miss him a lot and I admit things are not the same anymore in certain aspects. Our Group has organised a mass during Wednesday 5th February’s meeting to pray for his soul. Annual Subscription We have issued this year’s Annual Subscription form requesting member information updates and contributions. As you will appreciate our Group needs funds to keep the HQ in order and to run the place ona weekly basis. Besides, we have a lot of maintenance to carry out on equipment and other items used during camps. Part of the contribution is forwarded to our National Association for its day to day running expenses and other requirements. We thank you in advance for you understanding.
GSL’s note
Malta Marathon As in previous years we have been asked to assist during the Malta Marathon that will be held on February 23. Scouts, Ventures and Rovers are asked too join in and help on the day. Time 07:30 to around 12:30. More details will be provided in coming weeks. Annual Parade The annual parade is on April 6th (so far). Please ensure that members have full and correct uniform by then. Uniforms are to be bought from Go Camping in Pieta. Scarves and Group tags are to be purchased from our HQ (currently scarves are out of stock) Easter Camp Easter camp will be held between April 12-19 at Ghajn Tuffieha camping centre. It will be a joint camp with Sliema Scouts. We encourage all members to attend and start preparing themselves from now. I’m sure it will be a new and exciting experience. Projects for this year We have a number of ideas to improve our HQ. We would like to fix the courtyard’s floor and also the HQ’s façade. We are presently asking for quotes to get an idea of the costs involved. Any parents who have ideas on how they can help besides the usual monetary support are most welcome to come and put forward their ideas. Group Programme The Group’s programme for the year has been prepared. Some dates are tentative as they depend on a number of variables. As always circulars are issued on each event so kindly watch out for emails or forms we may forward to you on a periodical basis. You will find each section’s calendar in the following pages.
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From the Courtyard
ARTICLE TITLE
Issue 83 January & February 2014
Here’s the calendar of events for the Cub Pack.. It surely looks like a lot of fun!
From the Pack
PACK ACTIVITIES LIST 2014 Month Expected date Febuary 16th March 23rd April 17th-19th 17th May 11th TBD June August 6th
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August September October November December
29th TBD 29th 9th 17th
Activity Pack Hike Knights Towers Tour Eastercamp Campfire Met Office Visit Parade Mdina Treasure Hunt Water Games Night Hike + Sand Castle Competition Summercamp Cubs Halloween Party Trekking Hike Christmas party
Location TBD TBD Ghajn Tuffieha Campsite Ghajn Tuffieha Campsite MIA Valletta Mdina SAC HQ Golden Bay TBD SAC HQ Buskett SAC HQ
From the Courtyard
TROOP NEWS
Issue 83 January & February 2014
Updates from the troop section
From the Troop
Recently we had a large intake of scouts, made up of new members and Cubs who have finished their link badge to join the Troop. We warmly welcome all of the scouts and we hope that your scouting journey in the Troop will be a fun and valuable one at the same time. Moreover, two scouts have moved up to the Venture section; Gilmour and Daniel Farrugia, we hope they will cherish their memories and we wish them good luck in their future. Change is sometimes difficult, but important. Recently, there were changes in patrols, with regards to members and some patrol leaders. All leaders believe in every member equally and we hope you will give your absolute best in order to succeed as a whole patrol. A patrol leaders training course will be held sometime in March so as to guide all leaders in taking care of their members. This year's Easter Camp will be held from the 12th to the 19th April. The two major differences are that the group will hold a joint camp with Sliema Scout Group and that it will be held in Ghajn Tuffieha campsite, and not Verdala like previous years. All sections will join forces, and talks have already started to come up with a fun and informative camp programme. We believe that such camp will be a good learning experience, where scouts will make new friends inside the scouting community.
TROOP ACTIVITIES LIST 2014 Month Expected date January 25th February 9th 23rd March 8th 28-30 April 12th-19th 17th May TBD TBD June TBD July 4th 19th August 9th September TBD October November December
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TBD 31st 1st-2nd 17th TBD
Activity Knowledge day - badge work Rafting Malta Marathon Hot dog hill PLTC Eastercamp Campfire Scoutcraft day Parade Exam period - nothing Operation Dlam Cappa Troop maintenance day Operation aftersun Summercamp Treasure hunt - The three cities Bulwark Bulwark Christmas party Bridge building / climbing
Location SAC HQ Mistra Bay Ta' Qali TBD SAC HQ Ghajn Tuffieha Campsite Ghajn Tuffieha Campsite TBD Valletta N/A TBD SAC HQ Golden Bay TBD Isla, Bormla and Birgu Gozo Gozo SAC HQ TBD
From the Courtyard
OPERATION SAN PAWL
Issue 83 January & February 2014
From the Troop
Max Evers from the Hound patrol reports from Mistra Bay with interesting details of what is now an obligatory tradition on the Troop’s calendar.
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Sunday 9th February 2014 the Saint Aloysius College scout group met at Mistra Bay for a day out rafting. At around ten o’clock the troop met at the Bay. The leaders had all the equipment in a truck and the scouts present unloaded the equipment. The scouts were divided into various patrols made up of a patrol leader, assistant patrol leader and members. The number of members varied from one patrol to another. Each patrol had the same amount of equipment. The equipment distributed to each patrol consisted of thirty ropes, four barrels, two pallets, a supply of staves, wooden planks and four ready made oars. Each member had to be in his swimming trunks and T-shirt during this competition. Once the equipment was all unloaded and shared equally amongst the patrols - Wolves, Hounds, Bulls and Tigers and Buffs. The go ahead was given to the patrols to start building the raft that they had designed in previous scout meetings. My patrol is the Hound patrol and we build a big H shaped raft that consisted of forty two ropes, four same size barrels, two pallets and six planks of wood. Since we were a large petrol with seven member we had to organise ourselves properly. The elder members, patrol leader and assistant patrol leader showed the younger members how to do square lashings and diagonal lashings. The procedure went like this. The four barrels were placed on the ground. The wood was placed on top of the barrels and tied securely with the ropes given. The two pallets were placed on top of the wooden planks and tied securely to the planks. All the patrol members sat equally spaced on the two wooden pallets for buoyance. When the raft started to take shape we had a little mishap and one of the ropes that was tied to a barrel got loose. We therefore had to redo this knot and secure the wood to the barrel. At around twelve o’clock we had our packed lunch break. After the break we prepared to haul the raft into the sea. We all took our position and we carried the raft into the water. Then we all hopped on to the raft and took our position to start the race. The elder members, patrol leader and assistant petrol leader were the ones to row while the other members kept the raft steady. In the first race we had to row for approximately seventy meters and turn round a yellow buoy and turn back to the starting place. The first patrol that arrived won with ten points. The second patrol had eight points, the third had six points and the fourth had four points. At the beginning of the race we were in the
From the Courtyard
OPERATION SAN PAWL lead but half way through the race the Buff patrol overtook us and later on the Tiger patrol also over took us. So we arrived third and the Wolf patrol came after us. In the second race we once again had a good start and we were in the lead. However, since we were exhausted from the previous race and the current had become stronger we lost that position and we ended up last. We lost a lot of time because we were not synchronised when we rowed and it took us a longer time to reach the finishing line. When we finally made it we dismantled the raft and changed to a dry pair of clothes. To conclude rafting was an enjoyable experience shared with my friends at SAC scout group and I am looking forward to do it again next time.
From the Troop
Max Evers
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Issue 83 January & February 2014
From the Courtyard
Issue 83 January & February 2014
DOUGHNUTS AND MORE..
VSL Andre gives an insight as to what troubles the Venture Unit at this time of the year.. Exams VS Scouting Exams are undoubtedly one of the worst nightmares for a leader in scouting. Sadly, section leaders from all over the world cringe when they realise it’s that time of the year again.. However in the Venture Unit this takes a whole new level of sadness, since venture age, (15 to 18) is also O-Level, Sixth Form and A– Level time!
From the Unit
Understanding that these are the most important academic years for our young lads, and their efforts now will decide their future, as leaders (big brothers, mentors, etc) of the Venture Unit, Zarby and I totally accept that regular attendance during these pressing times is impossible. Nonetheless we strongly believe in the ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ slogan and are hopeful that our Ventures will manage their time properly to fit in the few hours a week for our meetings and activities. Here’s what we hope to do this year: UNIT ACTIVITIES LIST 2014 Month Expected date February Saturday8th March April May June July August September October November December
Lecture Mapping first aid pioneering fire cooking scoutcraft social topic Mapping first aid pioneering fire cooking scoutcraft
Help the homeless Ventures Following the disastrous tragedy suffered at summer camp, the Venture Unit has found itself without a home for our future camps. We have therefore planned on buying ourselves a brand new heavy duty tent using the funds raised throughout various activities. You can help us achieve this goal. 8
Outdoor activity Bus hike Night hike Easter camp (2 days) Cook out / abseiling (?) J.A.Mizzi Cup / Shooting (?) Kayaking, relax camp Camping in Sicily Summer Camp - Sleep on raft Bike hike Bulwark xmas party, xmas camp
From the Unit
From the Courtyard
VENTURE APPEAL
Issue 83 January & February 2014
DOUGHNUTS ARE GOOD FOR YOU! A scientific study conducted by our ventures has proven that doughnuts should be consumed at least once every two weeks. This regular consumption satisfies anyone’s most innermost cravings and makes one smile. The study also revealed that not only will YOU benefit from the deliciousness of our chocolate or jam doughnuts thanks to the all natural and healthy ingredients (flour and sugar both come from vegetables), but the Ventures will benefit too! So next time you see us in the courtyard ask us for a doughnut, we’ll give you a smile, and you’ll give us a roof on our heads at camp..
This is what our tent looked like (without the big screen)
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From the Courtyard
VENTURE APPEAL
From the Unit
HELP US TURN THIS...
INTO THIS!
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Issue 83 January & February 2014
From the Courtyard
ONE NIGHT CAMP
Issue 83 January & February 2014
Rovers are the reliable workforce our group can rely on for any hard work needed. However that doesn’t mean they don't know how to have fun.. Andrew Agius tells us about all the activities the Crew managed to pack into one weekend!
From the Crew
The Rover Crew is composed of the eldest members of the group. They’re the ones with the oldest stories to tell, the most hilarious capers to recount, the strongest conviction that old is gold and that these new whippersnappers who call themselves scouts are a mere shadow of the glorious, unconquerable image of their old Patrol Leader. The Praetorian old Guard we are. Except that we’re not that old. Half the Rover Crew is still at University and photo comparison shows that scouting in our time looked pretty much the same as scouting today. Our best claim to antiquity is that some of us remember the excitement of a disposable Kodak film camera with it’s bright yellow cardboard exterior. And the silent grudging admiration of anybody who turned up with a proper, plastic encased shiny silver / black automatic wind up, that clanked and clicked like Thomas the Tank Engine with every button you pressed, necessitating a group of 5 of the eldest and wisest troop members solemnly gathered round the owner, offering their sage advice, whilst he’s performing the delicate 15 minute operation of exchanging the film cartridge. Due to our advanced age, we had several rather important appointments (University examinations) to keep in January, all the way through the first week of February. Our first meeting for 2014 took place on the 5th of February and in true scoutly fashion, we lost no time in getting stuck in it. That very weekend, over the space of three days, from Saturday to Monday, the Rover Crew: Rented a truck
Helped the family empty Cubbie’s (may God rest his soul) residence
Partially sorted out the immense amount of books that the group inherited from Cubbie. A full truckload of books that’s taking up half the Cub Room and the entire Rover Room. Loaded the same truck, after having emptied it of books, with the equipment for the Troop’s rafting activity the next day.
Went on a short (but thoroughly enjoyable) one night camp.
Not too bad for a single weekend, after one meeting of planning! Just goes to show that sometimes, the longer you discuss, the less you get done. We were, very generously, allowed to camp on land belonging to Gabriel Rizzo and his uncle. Their little slice of paradise is at the limits of Rabat, somewhere between Bahrija and Kuncizzjoni. The views were spectacular, the feeling of isolation as good as it can get on this little island of ours and the soil… oh my God! The joy of being able to push a peg in with your bare 11
From the Courtyard
ONE NIGHT CAMP
Issue 83 January & February 2014
hands is understandable only to those who have expended their blood, sweat and bits of finger trying to peg a ridge tent at the Ghajn Tuffieha campsite under a blazing summer sun.
From the Crew
Pitching the tent took a little figuring out, as most of us had never set up our baby white elephant, but experience with stubborn tents and significant assistance from Gabriel’s memory, prevailed and the tent was pitched in a respectable amount of time. Next on the agenda… EXPLORE! We were perched literally upon a sea of green as the valley extended below us, and down the sides of the valley wall we went, under canopies of green, through waist high vegetation. The maze of rubble walls had many intriguing features built into them by generations of farmers. A sizeable resevoir with a frog basking on the floating moss. A rock hewn water trough next to what looked like an empty niche, occupied only by a bucket. Barely visible steps built into walls, arches, water canals… all constructed in the style of rubble walls and one could tell that these are no recent additions to the landscape. Add a backdrop of the Victoria Lines and the just visible Fort Bingemma, with the distant hum of cars, and the feeling was of standing in a forgotten place. There were caves, hewn in the rock, partly natural and partly man made and full of mud. In we went, with our phones as torches as it was bright daylight and not knowing we were going caving, none of us had carried our torches! It was one of the funniest and muddiest experiences of my life and although it sounds like a reckless expedition, care was taken so that no animals were harmed in the process. More frogs were discovered. And a plastic plant pot. Back to the campsite, clean boots, relax a bit and start a fire. We had charcoal to cook on and wood for a bonfire to keep us warm as we sit outside the tent at night reminiscing. Unfortunately, the charcoal was slightly dysfunctional and that created logistical problems, as by the time the coals sputtered and died, no food had been cooked and the more pyromaniac members of our crew had burnt through the wood we had for a bonfire as though it were nothing more than a box of matches. Luckily, there was firewood for ten scout 12
From the Courtyard
ONE NIGHT CAMP
Issue 83 January & February 2014
From the Crew
groups lying around and with a slightly more organised approach, we enjoyed a hearty camp dinner and a nice warm fire. Tired of crouching with smoke in our eyes, and with a full, contented belly, we set off on a night hike. The moon shone brightly and we navigated the valley without torches for the most part. Down one side and up the other we went, got as far as the gates to Fort Bingemma. Unable to enter the fort, we skirted it and hiked the perimiter beneath it until further passage wasn’t feasible. Returning to the campsite, we made ourselves a nice warm chocolate fondue and turned in for the night.
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Morning came, and was almost over by the time we roused ourselves. It was 0400 when we turned in, so don’t judge us too harshly! Come 1100 we were cleaning up the campsite, cooking brunch and getting ready to strike camp. Tea was had, sausages and bacon were crisped and summarily disappeared. The baby white elephant was taken down (a mighty warm and stable elephant she be) and pains were taken to fit her back in the provided tent cover. I have yet to come across a modern, large tent, that can fit back into its cover once it’s been taken out the first time. George had to endure some painful experiences before it was adequately compressed. Gabriel’s uncle had arrived with guests. They must have had a field day watching us try to fit that behemoth into a cover no larger than your average microwave. Returning home was almost like returning after a holiday. A trip to be repeated, and a further layer of anecdotes added to the endless ball of stories we recount!
From the Courtyard
MALTA MARATHON
Issue 83 January & February 2014
Our Scout Group has been helping in the Malta Marathon ever since it started back in 1994. Although it’s not the highlight of our activity calendar, this service to the community provides much opportunity for those famous funny stories which go down in the history books… Rover George Zammit Montebello explains why.
All my life I dreamt of becoming a traffic island!
From the Crew
Sunday, that one day a week where sleeping in is socially acceptable, so much so that even my morning person of a mother doesn’t dare try waking anyone up before 10 am. That is until your alarm clock goes off at 6am and in the midst of the confusion and sleepy eyed delirium your mind presents you with a flashback of the G (Edward Cassola) reminding all of the Vodafone Marathon two wednesdays prior. In a flurry of clothes dressing and brother waking, not to mention the missed calls from the other rovers one promised a lift to who have a better memory than myself we were in the car and on the way to ta’ Qali. The longest single action was waiting for the kettle to boil… a rover is nothing without his coffee. Upon arrival at the meeting point, it was nice (in a sadistic sort of way) to see my scouting brethren as bleary eyed and spiteful of the morning sunlight as myself. That is apart from the one or two morning scouts ( a mythical creature seldom seen). Within minutes of arrival, we were handed our flag, and after a brief map consultation on our way to our stations. Upon arrival at our checkpoint we were greated by our companion for the morning, a hired security woman, who was surprisingly ok with being stationed at a junction outside the deserted crafts village on a sunday morning. Then I noticed she had finished her thermos mug of coffee. It was here that the fun began, and by fun I mean the sharing of battle stories from last marathon until the runners finally arrived. Our job was simple enough, direct the runners in the right direction, make sure they didn't take the shortcut through the craft village (Cheaters rear their ugly heads in every crevasse of sport) and inform disgruntled drivers of any road closures we know of as well as remind them that there are runners on the road. In summary we were a volunteer traffic island. Soon enough we were presented with the first of the runners, our route was only taken by the full marathon runners, and even then we were presented with the odd characters among the 14
From the Courtyard
MALTA MARATHON
Issue 83 January & February 2014
bunch of determined faces. It is here that I would like to pay homage to my favourites, The “Jeans & Shirt Geriatric”, the Scandinavian Templar (Nationality speculation), and the “Man with an exposed rubber lady chest and posterior.” Less honourable mention goes out to the angry italian (who didn’t speak a lick of English), who seemed to be blaming us for something. We later found out he took a wrong turn as he was actually doing the half marathon.
From the Crew
As soon as they all came (I lie it wasn’t soon at all), the runners were passed us, and we began to await for instructions on when we can leave in search of warm coffee. As the time ticked by, we saw another group of runners. we assumed they were the ones who shamefully fell behind in the first leg of the race, but the faces were familiar… someone failed to mention that the runners were to pass us twice. This time we got to see our favourites once again and cheer them on with slightly more enthusiasm, especially what had now become “Jeans minus shirt Geriatric.” Though they were eventually all past us again, including the tail end runner who was so far behind that we spent the rest of the day and ensuing evening wondering if she ever made it to the end.
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I wish I could say that the marathon is an activity I enjoy doing, but I see it more as a service (or a penance, depends on your point of view). In itself it’s a good thing to help out in the community… it also got me thinking of aiming to actually taking part in next years marathon… a notion I’ll likely have forgotten (buried) by the time you finish reading this! George Zammit Montebello Rover Resident Morning Person