Sigonella, Sicily 1999

Some 90 scouts from a number of groups are representing the Scout Association of Malta at a camp in Sicily held between the 1st and 3rd October 1999, organized by Troop 53 of the Boy Scouts of America formed from the families of the US-Naval air station at Sigonellla. Italian Scouts also attended the 1999 Mediterranean District Fall Camporee held at the Happy Holiday Sporting Club, a privately camping site overlooking the bay of Agrigento.

The Groups represented are St Augustine College (18), St Aloysius College (12), Stella Maris College (10), Lyceum (7), Siggiewi (17), Birkirkara (2), St Julian’s (3), Mosta (2) and Qrendi (2). Leading the contingent is John Micallef Engerer, the Commissioner for Venture Scouts, whilst the Qrendi Scouts were represented through their GSL David Schembri and his son Leslie.

The party left Malta by air on the Thursday afternoon. Friday was spent touring Agrigento and shopping. The Scouts went on a spectacular hike after dusk on Saturday, up to near Etna’s crater, which provided a spectacular sight, as the volcano is at the moment active Earlier in the day the Scout had traveled by bus to Agrigento Bay for a tour of the Sixth Fleet supply ship “USS Concorde”.

Saturday morning was spent sightseeing and included a visit to the city of Syracuse, its historical sites and aquariums.

The last evening took a form of an International get-together where the various groups performed stunts and sing. The camp came to an end on Sunday morning where the Maltese contingent returned to Malta late at night by air.

“Do I really have to get out of the tent before striking it?”

St Aloysius’s GSL Johnny “Cubbie” Mizzi having a quick forty Winks

Leslie Schembri (Qrendi Scouts) joins fellow Maltese Scouts on the long four-hour night hike up Mount Etna, active at the time and offering a breathing taking spectacular