the pioneer issue 2

Business Name

April— June

2008

Vol. 4 Issue 2

THE PIONEER

The Official Newsletter of the 1st Sliema Scout Group

Member of The Scout Association of Malta

Contents Message from GSL 2

Letters to the Editor 3

B.P. on ... 3

Pack Corner 5

Troop Update 6

Venture Unit News 8

Extract from SfB 10

Quarter Master News 11

Group Activities 12

Scouting News 13

Group History (Part 2) 16

Scoutoku 17

The Group in Photos 22

The Last Laugh 24

Photo Cut : The Group in full force at Annual Parade held on Sunday 4th May, 2008 in Valletta

THE PIONEER EDITORIAL TEAM

David Darmanin Editor

Tim Cutugno Deputy Editor

Sam Cremona Photos

Jonathan Mercieca Formatting

Group Scout Leader Andrew Cutugno

Published by: 1st Sliema Scout Group

Printed by: Abbey Printers

Editorial

In our second issue of ‘The Pioneer’, as promised, we have added a Letters to the Editor section and in all after our first edition we have received a good num-ber of letters and emails. It is impossible to publish them all, so a few were cho-sen which in our opinion are of interest to our readers. We thank you most heartily for your very generous comments and kind gestures. Do continue send-ing ideas and opinions on [email protected] We are sure you appreciate the fact that to have such a quarterly publication as ‘The Pioneer’, it costs a considerable sum of money and although it contains a few adverts, we are not collecting enough money to keep it going. We appeal to all parents and supporters who are always ready to help the Sliema Scout Group to contact us to include more adverts which would not only help us keep this magazine going but also to keep the standard required. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all good luck with your exams and a fully active scouting summer which is just round the corner. The Editorial Team

mailto:[email protected]

The P ioneer Vo lume 4, I ssue 2

Message From GSL Andrew Cutugno Believe it or not we are publishing the second edition of the NEW Pioneer. Judging from the feedback we got with the first one I am sure everyone was eager for this edition to be pub-lished.

The next year is the year when Sliema celebrate our 100 years of existence and by the end of this year we will have a new GSL leading the Group. I intend to resign from the post I have held since 2003 at the year end. I have received various nominations from different people but they all proposed one person as GSL Designate and that’s AGSL David Darmanin. Obvi-ously this process will take a while since David is currently acting as CSL Akela following the resignation of Kirsten Demicoli. We look forward to people coming forward if they are inter-ested in the post of CSL.

As promised in the last edition , I will make a notes on the second part of the Scout Law.

2) A scout is loyal

The word loyal originally comes the word "law". This was meant to express faithfulness to the law. As time passed, it was extended out to mean loyalty to those in position of authority. Loyalty to our country is loyalty to its laws and to those who represent them, and willingness to give up our private interests for the public wel-fare;

Loyalty to one's scout leader is loyalty to the scout law in all its applications; loyalty to one's home and parents is loyalty to the laws of the home, by which it is made a happy place for all the members of the family.

Lord Baden-Powell once said that "loyalty is a feature in a boy's character that inspires boundless hope. "I asked other Scouters how they would define "Loyal" in regards to scouting and here is what they said.

Being loyal to your family, your friends, your country and to God. I think that being loyal means you are trust-worthy and accountable . If someone is loyal to you it just means that whatever you need they will be there for you.

If you are loyal to others, it is right to expect them to be loyal to you.

Some examples of Loyalty and or the Lack of it

1) Talking badly about your parents, your leaders or your friends shows a lack of loyalty.

2) Criticizing your Sixer, Second Sixer , Patrol Leader or APL shows lack of

Loyalty.

3) Making fun of Religious Leaders or Ministers of Religion is a lack of Loyalty

4) Breaking the country’s laws such as littering causing damage to public property shows a gross lack of loyalty.

On the other hand

1) Supporting your leaders in the Group including the Sixer or PL is being loyal

2) Studying as much as you can in order to get through your exams at the first go is loyalty to your

parents and teachers.

3) Respecting the laws of the country shows loyalty to your country and fellow country men

4) Being there for your friends when they need you is proof of your loyalty to them.

I hope you enjoy the second publication

Yours in scouting

GSL Andrew Cutugno

loyalty is a feature in a

boy's character that inspires

boundless hope

GSL Andrew Cutugno


Letters to the Editor

Lovely to see the Pioneer back! Congratulations on a wonderful presentation. Please include me in your list of people who would like to receive an electronic copy. I like to keep in touch with my old group. Yours, Avril Frendo Deputy Chief Scout & former Cub Scout Leader - Sliema Scout Group

Well done for a great Newsletter, keep up the hard work so all issues of The Pio-neer will be as good as the first one!! Best regards to everyone & see you at Verdala! Andre Brincat Scout Leader St. Aloysius College Scout Group

First of all I would like to tell you well done for the great job of the The Pioneer. It is full of info and great to read about what is happening in the group. Myself from the UK I do enjoy reading about the Maltese scouts as I miss my group so much. Could you kindly enroll me onto your electronic mail list as I would like to re-ceive it quarterly. Good luck and take care. Yours in scouting, Pauline Cefai ACSL 39th Loughborough Scout Group, UK Former Hon. Secretary - Scout Associa-tion of Malta & ex-GSL - Stella Maris Col-lege Scout Group

CCCOOO---OPERATIONOPERATIONOPERATION : 'When you are playing football and you get pos-session of the ball, you know as well as I do that it is not your business to stick to it too long, although it may be great fun for you to see how long you can play it; you must not play a selfish game, but must do your best with it and quickly pass it on to one of your side. So it is with any other good thing when it comes your way. Don't keep it to yourself, but share it with others - 'pass it on' to them.' Yarns for Boy Scouts (1909) PPPERSEVERANCEERSEVERANCEERSEVERANCE : 'A Scout's saying is ''Never say die till you're dead'' - and if he acts up to this, it will pull him out of many a bad place when everything seems to be going wrong for him. It means a mixture of pluck, patience, and strength, which we call ''endurance''.' Scouting for Boy, (1946 World Brotherhood edition)

B.P. on …

Cub Pack Corner

Hello again, I hope everyone is good. Since the last Issue of The Pioneer lots has happened at Cubs. We had a very successful and fun Easter camp which was filled with activities, such as Harbat Mdina, Group Day activities, conquering the Castle, crafts, a Visit to Palazzo Falzon, Campfire and many more exciting games.

We would like to congratulate Connor Jochimsen for winning the best sixer award after a fine display at camp. Also a big well done to the La Valette six comprising of Aryton Micallef, Scott Degiorgio, Jake Ghirlando, Thomas Camilleri and Jon Jon Mi-callef who had most points at the end of camp. But most importantly we feel that it was the support from the boys, parents and group that enabled such a successful camp.

Recently we have had a change in leaders’ responsibilities as Akela Kirsten Demicoli has now taken up her previous rank of ACSL as Rikki Tikki Tavi, and AGSL David Darmanin is performing as Akela, a role he used to do in the past.

With exam period approaching quickly, the leaders are hard at work planning some very exciting activities. The summer months are to be packed with fun and interesting events, especially when Summer Camp arrives.

If anybody has any ideas for activities or games (or anything else), do not hesitate to speak up. Just tell your Sixer and he will then pass it on at the Sixers’ Council. Your ideas are important!

See if you can spot yourself at this year’s Annual Parade (photo rleft).

Best of luck to all who are sitting for exams, and remember to always do your best!

We all look forward to a joyous summer with you and your friends.

it was the support from the boys,

parents and group that enabled such a

successful camp!


by ACSL Michael Debono - Hiawatha

During a ceremony that was held on Thursday 29th May the Pack invested 12 new boys. We wish to welcome the following Cubs who have completed their Tender Paw badge :

Brandon Attard Montalto, Isaac Bajada, Jacques Calleja, Theo Camilleri, Thomas Camilleri, Steven Camilleri, Gianluca Desira Buttigieg, Sam Felice, Alistair Gollcher, Jon Jerome Micallef (right), George Mamo, Gabriel Spiteri. ENJOY YOUR CUBBING!

Pack Investiture


Troop Update

To keep an axe sharp, you must sharpen it regularly... needless to say, the Troop has been sharpening very very often...

We have been out and about again! After a long, exciting, adventurous, fun and tiring Group Easter Camp the Troop scouted on for more activities! A couple of days after camp the Patrol Leaders met for a PLC to set dates and chose the upcoming activi-ties, the first one being a joint fire and cooking activity with the Birzebbugia Troop.

On the weekend after camp, although still recovering from camp, the Patrol Leaders, together with ASL Jean Marc and Skipper T visited the Birzebbugia Scout Troop at National Camp, which was held at Ghajn Tuffieha. During the visit the Patrol Leaders discussed the upcoming joint fire and cooking activity. After an hour or so, we were done; we decided to have a look at all the groups that were present there, as you can imagine walking in the sun made us a bit tired, so we popped over to Apple's Eye to grab a bit to eat and something to drink. We then decided to go exploring on the clay hills, which turned into quite an ex-ploration!

During the first Friday of April we had some fellow scouts visit us during our meeting. Skipper Charles Griscti of St. Michael's brought over a couple of his patrol leaders to take part in our meeting, during the

meeting Skipper Charles also organised quite an interesting game for the troops which involved the scouts trying to all fit, in little shapes drawn with chalk, on the floor. Ah I hear you say, sounds easy...try it with the lights turned off!

On that same weekend the troop travelled to Birzebbugia for the joint activity, together with Skipper T, ASL Mark and Peter Neville (an ASL from 1st Henley and Wootton Scout Group, Warwickshire, UK). The activity started off a bit slowly as the scouts who were supposed to get the fire wood, well to be fair they

did get firewood, they got enough fire wood to cook their food for a bout 10 seconds!! Over all the activity was a positive one, with both troops learning from each other.

During the weekend of the 12th and 13th April some scouts together with members of the unit, scraped, plastered and re-painted three of the walls in HQ. This was much needed as the concerned walls were covered with small black marks. All is looking nice a fresh now!

The much awaited LAN PARTY arrived! Towers, mice, key-boards, TFTs, extensions, monitors and playstations all started appearing into HQ; soon we had a corner of HQ full of electronic gadgets!! During that Friday meeting the patrols cleaned up a bit from dust that was left from the HQ maintenance weekend. As soon as the meeting was over, it was time to set-up the computers and playstations. This activity was organised and run by the patrol leaders, so, the rules were explained, the schedule agreed, all stations

were set-up and the gaming began! Everyone was free to eat, drink and sleep at any time he liked, and some didn't even sleep! At about 0700 we all had breakfast together and got back to playing. The activity ended at about 1230 when the older scouts started preparing HQ to be washed.

It was time to brush up our scouting skills. This was the aim of the Patrol Lead-ers Training Camp, whish was held at Sliema HQ. The scouts took part in Pio-neering, Pioneering Knots, First Aid and Fire Building workshops and finally to-gether, they built a pioneering structure inside HQ. All the scouts who attended

Some scouts and Abraham

Max lifting Jon using the Fireman's lift

Ventures and Scouts doing their part...

Big Jon happilly scraping away!

Max digging in at the joint Fire & Cooking activity


learnt a lot from this experience. We will be having more!

Sunday 4th May, the Group joined in at the Annual Scout Rally in Valletta. Mem-bers from all sections turned up in full smart uniform on the warm sunny morn-ing to show off their skill as a smart, cohesive group. Needless to say, yet again, Sliema has silently proven that on the outside it is a properly trained and inter-locking community, while on the inside it is strong and proud as ever!

The Parade started with the traditional Pastizzi and water for breakfast (which, one could say, is the best tasting cheese/pea cake of all maltese pastizzi) where we promptly formed up and began the long route down Republic Street and to the Presidential Palace. One could observe that it is the crowd making more noise than the Group, yet the group was able to keep step properly and appear smart!

The 1st Sliema Group has once again showed that we are proud of our group and that we are ready to stand up and show it!

I’m sure you know by now, but just in case you don’t...We had a Bowling Night and Disco Night on the 23rd and 24th respectively which were both a huge success!!

The Troop would like to welcome to their leadership ranks VS Peter Pullicino and VS James Spiteri who will be taking up leadership roles within the Troop during their Tour of Duty.

We are currently working on the MoW and the Beach Meetings...so stay tuned!!

The Scout Forum

During the Scout Forum, two of our Patrol Leaders attended. This is what Benji Mifsud had to say :

Two scouts from every scout group met together with leaders from IHQ to talk about a lot of topics, such as what the scouts want, how PLC's are run, the scout uniform and the new scout programme. It was quite interesting, as there were a lot of games, and we social-ised with scouts from other troops. But, the discussions were also interesting, such as the new scout programme, which is split up into 5 sections. The first is a sort of induction course and the other four are simpler versions of the standard, advanced and chief. The de-bate of the scout uniform was whether we should leave it as it is or make a new uniform more suitable for other activities. The conclu-

sions varied, seeing as some scouts think we should stick to tradition, where as others feel that a change would be more convenient. When asked what scouts wanted from scouting, there were many answers such as; sporting activities, outdoor activities and social activities. The leaders took note and will keep them in mind for the future. When it came to the PLC ,the leaders told us how important our role as pa-trol leaders is and that we basically run the troop. I think that the scout forum is a very good idea and should be held more often.

PL Benji and scouts from other groups discussing

Group photo with the Birzebbugia Group

At first this page was going to be dedicated to a full length interview with Jimmy Page (ex-Led Zepplin guitarist). Then we decided to do a feature on John Rambo. Unfortunately neither of them could make it... so here's the Venture Unit News

instead!

Since the last segment of Venture News the Unit has seen several exciting activities and challenges. Among these were Easter Camp, Bridge Building, Abseiling weekend, boatfishing

and more. The Refurbishment has also been commenced, Project Super Saiyan has finally been completed just recently and an XO reshuffle was held. As you can see, the Unit has been quite busy (as always!). As prom-ised in the last issue, in this issue we will be telling our distinguished readers all about the major projects cur-rently underway in the Unit.

The refurbishment of the Unit's section of HQ has been long awaited by all and it is finally getting underway. On the 12th and 13th of April members of the Unit along with the some members of the Troop met up to start scraping off the paint from the walls and began the white-washing process. As well as white-washing the walls the Unit also intend on doing several other upgrades to the facade of the Unit area, such as new frames with recent pictures and we're also going to be repairing and hanging up the camonet to create a more SVS feel.

Most of the Unit members involved in the Refurbishment pro-ject are doing this as their Commitment; which is part of the Basic Training Programme in which the recruits will need to plan and execute an activity to really show their commitment to

the Sliema Venture Unit and to the Group as a whole.

Another project which has now been completed was Project Super Saiyan. This project commenced in Decem-ber, and was put in place as a self-training programme. In this programme the members looked back at what they learnt in the Basic Training, revised their skills and then expanded on those techniques and ideas. Al-though the training involved a good chunk of theory, we often put that theory to the test in real life. A great example of this was the Pioneering activity, where after weeks of practice and gathering information on pulley systems, the Unit took a cou-ple of poles and lashings and built themselves a fully functioning suspension bridge! Another occasion when the Unit put their skills to action was during the Fire and Cooking activity held earlier this year. There, the members got their knowledge of fire building and cooking, constructed two fires and made a 3 course meal for 12

people! This project also continued through Easter Camp, where the Unit got to practice their skills on estimation and ranging, landing zones and pioneering. At Easter camp the Unit also got to try out some new skills, powerisers! These are basically big shoes with leaf springs! Needless to say, the ventures got quite a kick out of it and a couple of laughs too.

As for the climbing wall project, things are still in the early stages. Though don't think that the project hasn't progressed! On the contrary, most of the research into equipment and materials has already been done, now it's just a matter of fundraising and initiative. That's where you folks come in! With everyone's help, the Group's dream of having a secure and safe

Venture Unit News

Among these were Easter Camp, Bridge

Building, Abseiling weekend, boatfishing

and more


The Unit and others providing moral support for XO Matteo who's using the powerisers

XO Sam testing out the bridge

XO Allen scraping off the last bits of paint

"get ready for a summer

packed with adventure!"


climbing wall in a controlled environment can finally become a reality. So for now, your participation in fundraising activities is the best help of all.

The Unit as well as the Group as a whole have been arranging some fundrais-ing activities with outside organizations, which probably none of the other members know about. Such an example is the Fundraising Abseil at St. Ed-ward's College, in which leaders of the Group along with 2 ventures rigged a short abseil for a 'Fun Day' organized by a local accountancy firm. The event was quite a success and the ventures present also managed to take the op-

portunity to do a couple of jumps and also try out the forward rappel. The Unit also took part in another fundraiser where they acted as 'runners' during the 1st Malta Scrabble Club tournament. The tournament lasted the whole weekend from Friday afternoon right up to Sunday evening! Yes, a whole lot of scrabble!

As well as funds going towards the refurbishment of HQ and the climbing wall, the Unit with the help of the Group will be investing in some new abseiling and climb-ing gear. The gear is already a couple of years old and is used quite frequently by yours truly! Even just by going through Mo$es' blog you could tell that the Unit seem to have a craving of dangling off the side of a cliff on a rope! In fact just a couple of weeks ago, the Unit along with the help of AGSL Ellul, spent the weekend learning more about abseiling equipment, rigging and techniques.

They also got the chance to rig two abseils, one at Wied ix-Xaqqa in Siggiewi and the other at 'Top of the World', Madliena. During the abseils they also took the op-

portunity to practice some skills such as recovering from a fall, locking and the inverted rappel.

At the moment the Unit is currently gearing up for exams, and some have already started! So during the months of May and June, the Unit will probably be slowing down in terms of activities. Though, in the back of every venture's complex mind is one thing...something which is stuck in the memory of ventures and ex-ventures alike. Can you guess what it is?

Yes! You've got it! The Basic Training! Even though the first meeting with the new recruits is still a couple of weeks away, the ventures have been prepar-ing activities and meetings for the new arrivals. Many seem to think that the Basic Training isn't fun and they wouldn't enjoy it...Though if you had to go up to any venture he'll tell you it was the best time of his LIFE! So a couple of words of inspiration for the to-be recruits...get ready for a summer packed with adventure!

In the upcoming segment, we will be updating our loyal readers with all the latest buzz surrounding your favourite section. A couple of things you'll be sure to catch up on are the progress with the Basic Training and the new re-cruits, our canoeing training, and what we've got in store for the next couple of months. Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention, at the end of summer the Unit are going to embark on a vast expedition, probably covering the coast of all three islands! Oh and did I mention...on a canoe?!?!

Well until then... see you in the field!

For more information on how the Unit works please visit www.sliemascouts.net and proceed to the Unit section. For a more detailed description of our activities visit Mo$es' blog, the link can be found on the group website under Unit Blog!

Falling sideways...easier said then done 30+ meters from the bottom!

SVS gone fishin'

AGSL Ellul was certainly the star of the weekend!

CXO Luca and VSL Anthony sharing a light moment during instructions at the Abseil Camp

http://www.sliemascouts.net


Extract from Scouting For Boys by Lord Robert Baden-Powell

ENDURANCE FOR SCOUTS

Camp Fire Yarn No.17

HOW TO GROW STRONG

A SCOUT LAY SICK IN HOSPITAL in India with that dangerous dis-ease called cholera. The doctor told the servant attending him that the only chance of saving his life was to warm up his feet and keep the blood moving in his body by constantly rubbing him.

The moment the doctor's back was turned, the servant gave up rubbing and squatted down to have a quiet smoke.

The poor patient, though he could not speak, understood all that was going on, and he was so enraged at the conduct of the at-tendant that he resolved then and there that he would get well if only to give the servant a lesson. Having made up his mind to get well he got well.

A Scout saying is "Never say die till you're dead"-and if he acts up to this, it will pull him out of many a bad place when everything seems to be going wrong for him. It means a mixture of pluck, patience, and strength, which we call "endurance".

A Sample of Endurance

The great South African hunter and scout, F. C. Selous, gave a good example of scouts' endurance on a hunting expedition in Barotse-land, north of the Zambesi River; some years ago. In the middle of

the night his camp was suddenly attacked by a hostile tribe, that fired into it at close range and charged in.

He and his small party scattered at once into the darkness and hid themselves away in the long grass. Selous himself had snatched up his rifle and a few cartridges and got safely into the grass. But he could not find any of his men, and, seeing that the enemy had taken possession of his camp, and that there were still a few hours of darkness before him in which to make his escape, he started off southward, us-ing the stars of the Southern Cross as his guide.

He crept past an outpost of the enemy whom he overheard talking, then swam across a river and finally got well away, only dressed in a shirt, shorts, and shoes. For the next few days and night he kept walking southward, frequently hiding to avoid the enemy. He shot deer for food.

But one night, going into what he thought was a friendly village, he had his rifle stolen from him, and was again a fugitive, without any means of protecting himself or of get-ting food. However, he was not one to give in while there was a change of life left, and he pushed on and on till at

News From The Quartermaster


Three months have gone by from our last update and much has been done to upgrade our premises and equipment. Our hardworking QM, using his welding skills has completed the custom-made stairs which lead to the new toilets and showers. In fact this project is well on time with the established plan which will facilitate the use of Sliema HQ during overnight activities. Once the project is ready, HQ will boast of new toilets and shower facilities.

Preparations for the annual Group Camp start well in advance with arrangements to inspect and repair any tentage and camping equip-ment. The need for a larger dining area had long been felt and this was seen to, by refurbishing a former flysheet to serve this purpose. We also upgraded our cooking facilities with the purchase of a 'mobile kitchen' which includes a stainless steel preparation table and a set of four burners, which will also come in handy for shorter camps. Also two new tables and four benches were purchased to accommodate more people under the dining shelter. QM Mark had the task to make sure that all equipment would reach Verdala, a challenge which he always rises to! During camp he would then have to make sure that equipment is properly used and make any necessary repairs on site. Once camp is over all gear has to be put back in its place clean and ready for use next time. Easter Camp came and went but it surely kept us busy!

The Group's Mirror 10 sailing dinghy 'Wings' is in need of repair so this is being taken care of so that we will be able to make use of it during the summer months. Many thanks go to Mr. Baldacchino, a parent of one of our members who has expertise in all things sailing, has offered to help out in this mission.

Our hardworking QM, using his welding

skills has completed the custom-made

stairs

length he reached a place where he met some of his men who had also escaped. After further tramping they got safely back into friendly country.

But what a terrible time they must have had !

Three weeks had passed since the attack, and the great part of that time Selous had been alone-hunted, starving, bitterly cold at night, and in sweltering heat by day.

None but a scout with extraordinary endurance could have lived through it, but then Selous was a man who as a lad had made himself strong by care and exercise. And he kept up his pluck all the time.

It shows you that if you want to get through such adventures safely when you are a man and not be a "slopper," you must train yourself to be strong, healthy, and active as a lad.

The Wrong Way to Endurance

A man told me recently with great pride that he was teaching his son endur-ance by making him do long marches and bicycle runs. I told the man that he was likely to do just the opposite for his boy -that the way for a lad to gain en-

durance was not by trying to perform feast, as these would very probably injure his heart and break him down, but making himself strong and healthy, by feeding

and moderate exercise, so that when he become a man and his muscles were all "set" he could then go through hardship and strains where another weaker

Some of the action at the Easter camp preparation


Upcoming Group Activities

(Dates are tentative and are subject to change due to various circumstances. Any changes will be advised

beforehand. These activities exclude the sectional meetings held on a weekly basis. For an up-to-date program of activities visit the Group’s Website on www.sliemascouts.net)

Description Dates Organised by

Leader Investiture – Claude Cassar (Shada) 2nd May Group

Annual Parade 4th May IHQ / Group

Night Hike & Cooking 9th – 10th May Scout Troop

‘Our Lady of Fatima’ Procession 16th May Group

Bowling Meeting 23rd May Scout Troop

Disco Night 24th May Scout Troop

Cub Investiture – 12 boys 29th May Cub Pack

Leaders Activity 1st June Group

Meeting On Wheels 6th June Scout Troop

1st Unit Meeting – ‘Oscar’ Company 10th June Venture Unit

Beach Meeting 13th June Scout Troop Beach Meeting 17th June Scout Troop

Navigation Exercise I 21st June Venture Unit

Air Rally 28th – 30th June Scout Troop

Canoeing Training 3rd July Venture Unit Campers Badge Weekend 4th – 6th July Scout Troop

Training Camp & Navigation Exercise II 11th – 13th July Venture Unit

Boathouse Weekend 18th – 19th July Scout Troop

Canoeing Training (BCU 1 & 2 Star) 20th July Venture Unit

Natural Bivvies 26th – 27th July Scout Troop

VS Martin Pisani happily receiving his certificate upon being in-vested as a Venture Scout. Also present at the investiture were a couple of members from the Troop, Skipper, GSL and some par-

ents.

http://www.sliemascouts.net)


Scouts are making sure they will be prepared for World Environment Day (WED) on the 5th of June, with this year's theme being 'CO2 Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy.' This theme challenges all of us to look critically at our day-to-day lives and take steps to reduce our climate change impact. Scouts are already doing many good turns for the environment and focusing on the climate change prob-lem. Scouts Canada have a Climate Change Ambassadors Programme and have worked with 10 countries in Southern Africa to develop their climate change pro-grammes. More than 15 million trees have been pledged by Scouts through the UNEP Billion Trees Campaign which act as an important carbon sink. Scouts are encouraged to still further pledge and register their tree planting efforts through the campaign on the Billion Trees Campaign website. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "What we need is action to slow, stop and then to reverse the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions. A transition to a low car-bon economy is essential to achieving this," said Mr. Steiner.

"Along the way we will see more rapid and widespread access to cleaner and greener energy, new job opportunities and reduc-tions in unhealthy urban and in-door pollution. WED is about positive perspectives on change," he added. The World Organization of the Scout Movement's (WOSM) Acting Secretary General, Luc Panissod encourages Scouts to partici-pate in WED, "Through local-level action throughout the world, Scouts are taking the lead in their communities and making a real impact on environmental issues. At all levels of Scouting we must look to see how we can be a part of the solution." For more information on World Environment Day celebrations and suggestions for what you can do, plus to register your activ-ity visit the WED website. For more information on how you can help Kick the CO2 Habit, check out the latest Tunza Magazine.

Please share your environment activities with the World Scout Bureau by emailing Rod Abson, Unit Man-ager Environment Education.

Author: Vanessa Von der Muhll for www.scout.org

Scouts are encouraged to learn about alternative energy

sources like solar power for this year's World Environment Day.

“What we need is action to slow, stop and then to reverse the growth of global

greenhouse gas emissions “

Scouts Help Kick the CO2 Habit!

International Scouting News

http://www.scout.org


by Paul Calleja Gera (Group Scout Leader, 15th Cheltenham (Shurdington) Scout Group - UK & ex-Adult Leader, 1st Sliema Group)

OOn a winter's day, I was quietly making an inventory of our climbing and caving equipment, of which we had plenty. On this occasion the time was past midnight. I was sitting on a wooden bench at the Mitchell Patrol table facing the wall. Remember, this wall was underground. Without hearing anything, or any warning, I suddenly found myself being pushed in the chest and went sprawling backwards on to the floor. I never wish to experience again the cold sweat that rolled down my face when I looked around and saw no-one else in sight and no obvious cause for what had pushed me off the bench. I was quite frightened, and ran outside into the street. A man was strolling past walking his dog. I asked if he had either seen anyone or perhaps felt an earth tremor. He replied no to both and walked away. It was not till late the next morning that news hit the streets of an almighty explosion in a fireworks factory some 6 miles away from our Headquarters. It happened to be at the same time that I was pushed off my seat. Malta being geologically mostly limestone, the shockwaves from the quarry where the explosion oc-curred, travelled through the rock till it emerged through the wall of our Headquarters. It didn't half pack a punch!

Sliema HQ Ghost Stories


Troop Badge Progress

Name & Surname Badge Name Terrence Tanti Scout Standard Max Micallef First Aider Jonathan Mercieca Artist Andrew Mercieca Artist Godfrey Sapiano Artist Aiden Grech Artist Aiden Grech Collector Adam Micallef Artist Michael Azzopardi Artist Adam Micallef Collector Aiden Grech Scout Standard Aiden Grech Observer George Cassar Model Maker


…..Continued from Issue 1

In the thirties, the Group with four full Sections conducted by Group Scout Leader C.J. Crockford (picture right) kept flourish-ing and alot of memorable activities were organised.

In June 1931, a group rally was held at Manoel Island where the Scouts built a long monkey bridge and organised a First Aid and a Fire Alarm Display. Sir Edgar Bernard, Island Commissioner, who was present was impressed with the very high standard achieved. Weekend and Summer Camps were frequently organ-ised and it is practically impossible to mention all the activities and camp-fires organised, all that one could say is that it was enjoyable by all including the Rover Scouts who were always up to some mischievous ideas and games.

In July 1934, Rover Scout Leader Edward Tortell was appointed Group Scout Master and at the same time kept his rank as Rover Scout Leader.

In February 1935, the Group Patron Count Francis Bernard and his mother Lady Bernard were guests of honour at the ceremony

of Bernard Memorial whilst the Sliema Scouts lined up as a guard of honour.

In 1938, the Group was celebrating the 28th Anniver-sary of its formation, and a concert and ‘at home’ were organised; special guests were Lady Bernard and Cmdr. R. Price, Island Commissioner.

In 1939, the Group transferred its H.Q. to the base-ment of the Government School in Sliema and on the 23rd April the new Headquarters were officially inau-gurated by Lady Bernard in the presence of Count Ber-nard, the Group Patron, Cmdr. Price, Mr. Cutugno, Dis-trict Commissioner, Col. V.C. Micallef, O.B.E., Mr. A. Azzopardi, Rev. Fr. Louis Darmanin, O.P., other guests and all members of the Group.

Before performing the opening ceremony, Lady Ber-nard said that she was glad to hear that the Island Commissioner had given his approval to the 1st Sliema Group to be known as ‘Bernard’s Own’ in mem-ory of Sir Edgar who had done so much to put Scout-ing in Malta on a sound basis.

(to be continued)

Left : Abstract from the Group’s 1909-1939 Logbook ‘Summer Camp at is-Swieki’ (1932)

Group History (Part 2)


Scoutoku

After the popularity of our last brainteaser we bring to you this Sudoku ‘Squiggly’ puzzle. Complete and send it scanned to [email protected], with the first correct and completed puzzle winning a German Mountain Pack which will surely come in handy during outdoor activities. (Difficulty : Medium)

The winner of last issue was Andrew Mercieca of the Panther Patrol, who was also the quickest partici-pant from all those who tried their hand at our Scoutoku, to send in the completed puzzle.

So last issue we promised to give you the meaning of ‘Sudoku’ – here it is ….

The name Sudoku (Japanese : 数独) is short for "数字は独身に限る" which is read in Japanese as ‘Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru’, meaning ‘the numbers must be single’, or ‘the numbers must occur only once’. Here "SU" means number and "DOKU" means single. (Source : www.nikoli co.jp).

This game was sponsored by:

Prizes can be collected by appointment by contacting Zed's Bunker on the contact details provided.


Drumming

For the first time in Sliema’s History, something musically big is happening. Over the past few months, a small group of scouts led by a leader have trained rigorously with the Naxxar Scout Group in the ways of drumming… with the hopes that one day Sliema won’t march in silence anymore, but to the tight and awe-inspiring sound of the Snare drum.

Andrew Mercieca wrote, “Every Tuesday a group of 4 scouts and 1 leader have been going to Naxxar scout group to learn the basics of drumming. This is because we want to have a marching drum line.”

“We have already learnt at least 2 songs and are starting the next song. I think that it’s a really good idea and the rest of the group surely agrees with me. We hope to continue learning and doing our best so that our group can make some 'noise' for when we’re marching.”

Along with Andrew Mercieca, his two brothers, Jonathan and Chris have been attending sessions as well, as well as George Cassar, who has, on more than one occasion, openly voiced his deep-rooted enthusiasm for the project.

ASL Jean-Marc Chapelle has headed the project, and earlier this year prepared a presentation to the rest of the Group, which was met with praise and equal enthusiasm. To date, the concept of marching with music has been introduced to the pack as well, who found the loud way of marching quite sur-prising!

Now that the ‘core’ of the project has been finished, the steps to build it up into something grand are now underway, needless to say there are a lot of talks and window shopping going on!

If you are an active member in the pack, troop or unit and would like to try out being a drummer, contact

Jon and Andrew with Naxxar SL John Barbara during a drumming session


James Slater, a Cub Scout from 1st Stone Group, UK presenting some gifts from his group to Akela. During his visit James spoke

to the Pack about his scouting back home. .

Group Achievements

AGSL Andrew receives Chief Scout Commendation for Good Service

During this year’s Founder’s Day Ceremony held at Island Headquar-ters, our very own AGSL Andrew Ellul affectionately known as ‘U’ by the Cubs, was included in the Honours List as a recipient of the ‘Chief Scout Commendation for Good Service’. This recognition is awarded to Adult Leaders which have given good service to Scouting of over 5 years from the date of their first appointment. AGSL An-drew has been an Adult Leader since 1998, completed his Wood-badge in 2002 and has held the ranks of Assistant Venture Scout Leader and Venture Scout Leader, before taking on the role of Assis-tant Group Scout Leader last year.

Other Group recipients of this award are GSL Andrew Cutugno (2006), AGSL Ray Manduca (2007), Aux. Martin Farrugia (2007) and AGSL David Darmanin (2007).

Mrs. Fenech Adami, a nun from the G’Mangia childrens’ home, and the VSL having a chat during HE The President's visit to our Easter Camp in the Verdala grounds



I have been working in Malta since the beginning of February with the Malta Roads Authority, helping them to obtain some much needed fi-nance to improve five sections of Route 1 and Routs 6. I expect to finish here at the end of May and then it will be back to the cold, wet UK. My Scout Group is made up of three sections, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. The Explorers (Venture unit) are run by the District. We have total of about 80 on the books, 25 Scouts half being girls. When I arrived in Malta I contacted your Chief Scout, who I had meet on a previous visit, and offered to get involved with Scouting here. He in-vited me to the Founder’s Day celebrations at the Island HQ, saying that we could then sort out what I could do to help. I met a lot of very friendly leaders at the IHQ and was invited to visit the Gozo group, by their GSL who I had meet at last year’s jamboree, who were holding a church pa-

rade to mark Founder’s day. This was my first exposure to the military precision of the parades out here. I had never heard the “Left, Left, Left, Right, Left” call that was used all to way to the Church. It was also the first time that I had been welcomed by name during a mass. The following week I went back to the IHQ to meet the Scout Commissioner who introduced me to Skipper and invited me to get involved with the Sliema Scouts. Since them I have meet leaders from Naxxar and Birzebbugia, helped to paint the HQ, cooked a meal during the PL’s training camp week end, visited the Easter camp, taken part in the annual parade and generally helped out at troop nights. I was asked to talk to the Scouts about Scouting the UK which I did by showing a presentation of photographs of my Group and other Groups in the county. So what are the differences between Scouting in the UK and Malta? We have a different uniform but the same world membership badge, we don’t know how to march (I may introduce drill into our meeting when I get home), and we have a different programme, including badges showing how long a Scout has been in the movement and one showing how many night he has spent away with us. Otherwise we all enjoy doing the same things, camping, walking, climbing, cycling, boating, and cooking in fact anything out side. Scouts are exactly the same in the UK and Malta, and Scouting is here to help them to have fun, to reach their full potential and to do things that they would not usually do, all in a safe environment. I would like to thank every one at the Sliema Scout Group who have made me feel so welcome and helped to make my stay in Malta so enjoyable. Finally in the words of our founder, “Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.” Scouting is a fantastic worldwide organisation, be prepared to get out there and make the most of it.

My Time Scouting in Malta Peter Neville ASL 1st Henley and Wootton Scout Group, Warwickshire, UK


BMW Half Marathon by VS Ian Abela

On Sunday the 24th of February 2008, two members of our Unit took part in the 23rd edition of the Malta Marathon, namely myself (Ian Abela) and the VSL, Anthony Debono.

The silent city of Mdina was given an early wake up call, when over a thousand runners gathered at the starting line, which was just metres away from the famous City Gate. There was definitely a multi-national feeling to the event as athletes from all over the world came to test their endurance and stamina, and to compete in one of the most physically arduous sports event that takes place on the island.

Anthony and I did not turn up on race day unprepared, as we had been following a training program since September. The build up to the race was a gradual one, starting with short 1 mile runs, and then moving up in in-

crements of 1 mile roughly each week. It seemed unimaginable to me at first that in a matter of 5 months I would have to run 13.1 miles in under two hours. Preparing for a marathon is no walk in the park, and requires a lot of dedication and sweat, as we can vouch for. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all those people- Unit members, family or friends who offered their invaluable support, help and patience throughout the training process.

After the Christmas holidays, Anthony and I started training together, so as to start pacing our-selves in tandem. Twice a week we would do short runs along the front, ranging between 5 and 8 miles. I downloaded the route off from the BMW marathon’s website, and transcribed it onto an ordinance survey map. We then went by car to check the route, so as to get the feel of it and know all its twists and turns. A route plan was also devised, indicating at what time we should pass cer-tain landmarks.

The following Sunday mornings until race day were dedicated to running the actual route of the marathon. This served as a very good set of practice runs, since the distance, route and conditions were the same as those to be challenged on race day. The average time we com-pleted such runs in was that of two hours flat. Our ambitions, though, told a different story. The idea was to do it in just under two hours.

Just like the previous few Sunday mornings, Anthony and I went up to Mdina and did our stretching, this time accompanied by over seven hundred other half marathon runners. Dressed in running shorts and the Unit’s latest T-shirt, with a palpable feeling of ambition, nervousness and drive, the Unit’s two runners set off to conquer their 13 mile endurance test.

Almost there!!

A big smile on their faces as they wave the Unit flag past the finish line

The Group in Photos


The Last Laugh By Ian West

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the pioneer issue 2

Documents

scout law

sliema scout group member

group activities

group history

ones scout leader

applications loyalty

new pioneer

gsl andrew cutugno