Malta Scout Association National Scout Camp 2001

Over three hundred and fifty boy and girl scouts between the ages of eleven and fourteen hailing from the Attard, B’Bugia, Dingli, Hamrun, Sliema, Zebbug, Mosta, Tarxien, Zurrieq, Qrendi, Valletta, Naxxar, Qormi, Lyceum, St Michael School, Xghajra, Tigne, San Gwann and St Julian’s scout groups challenged the elements and attended this year’s National Scout Camp. The camp was held between Friday 2nd and Sunday 4th November inside the Verdala Castle grounds in Rabat.

This year’s camp theme “Meeting the challenges ahead” was one of such scout camps leading up to the 2005 Mediterranean Scout Camporee to be held at Ghajn Tuffieha

The Camps program was organized around the learning through adventurous activities such as map reading hikes, stopping at incident stops where one’s knowledge of the Scout Movement, Scouting skills, First Aid and emergency situation action were tested. A Night hike also gave the camp participants the opportunity to view a night lit Malta from one of our islands most vantages points whilst taking advantage of the clean country air.

Saturday evening saw the celebration of a “Scouts Holy Mass” by the Commissioner for Religious Dimension. Fr Anton Briffa ofm held beneath the trees in these truly tranquil surroundings. . In his sermon, Father Briffa praised all those present for the excellent outcome and unity elaborating on the further need to bind closer in religious duties whilst not forgetting the Scouts promise to do their duty to God and to help other at all times.

Later in the evening, the large number of scout groups challenged each other’s entertainment skills with great interpretations around the symbolic campfire held in front of the majestic floodlight Verdala castle. However the camp’s master of ceremonies, Sliema’s very own Gerald De Giovanni stole the show with his excellent “Akunamatata” interpretations to the joy of all present.

Sunday morning turned out to be a fine mild sunny day and saw cultural visits to the St Paul’s Catacombs and Roman Villa Museum at Rabat and the Natural History Museum in Mdina. Returning back to base at mid day tired but happy, all were treated to chicken and chips followed by ice cream blended with a fruit salad. The massive task of the feeding of so many hungry mouths was entrusted to a task force made up of the San Gwann and St Michael Groups, who not only provided the various menus but also all the catering equipment

The camp was during the mid morning visited by the Association’s Chief Scout Mr. Vince Cassar and the Chief Executive Mr. Godwin D’Anastasi, who toured the various groups commending them on their efforts, dedication together with their pioneering skills. The senior Scout officials further thanked the organization committee for leaving no stone unturned in their quest to run such a well organized camp free from any mishaps whilst at the same instance gaining much needed experience for future Camporees that were gaining popularity.

Closing the camp, a troop of buglers made up of members of the Hamrun Scout Group gave a fine interpretation of their fine musical talents that was so evident through out the past days.