Xaghra Scout Group's 3rd Anniversary from Xaghra Scout Group on Vimeo.

5th February 2011 – Sports

During today’s meeting the troop gathered at the Gozo Sports Complex for a game of handball and another game of football. After the rules for handball were explained, the game started. After about half an hour, the troop started playing football. The scouts had a great time playing both sports.

12th February 2011 – Marching and Games

In today’s meeting marching practice was done. The scouts were given an  explanation of each command and a few minutes of marching were also done to put these commands into practise. Two games were played: Death which involves the scouts trying to avoid getting hit by a ball and Tail Grab which involves the scouts trying to grab the scarf of other scouts and the one which has his scarf left wins the game.

19th February 2011 – Marching and Games

During today’s meeting marching practice was also done since the next day we have the Founders Day District Parade. After three quarters of an hour of marching practice 2 games were played. One of the games involved two scouts hopping to the ball which was placed at the centre of the ground and one of them has to grab it while the other has to tag the scout with the ball. Another game of Tail Grab was played since the scouts loved it so much.

26th February 2011 – Founders’ Day Activity

All the group were supposed to go on a hike together with the Victoria Scout Group to celebrate Founders’ Day however due to the bad weather we had to cancel this activity since it was going to take place near the sea and instead a film was shown.

15^th January 2011 – Program

After the last part of the tenderfoot section of the new scout program was covered, most of the scouts sat for their tenderfoot test to obtain the badge. Most of the scouts achieved great results however there are still others who will need to do the test again in future meetings.

21^st/22^nd January 2011 – Expedition Hike

On Friday evening, the troop together with their leaders left the HQ at about 20:30 and walked for about 8km to San Blas arriving there a few minutes after 11pm. The troop had a new experience because they slept in a cave instead of the usual tents. Upon arrival at this cave, it started raining cats and dogs and thunderstorms soon followed. It was the first time that the troop and their leaders came upon this extreme weather while hiking. At sunrise, the troop left the cave and headed to Imgarr, where they arrived at around 13:00. All the scouts were extremely tired when their parents picked them up after the hike but also very happy that they managed to finish a 15 km hike.

29^th January 2011 – Mini-Pioneering

During today’s meeting a mini-pioneering project was carried out. The troop had to build a small tower using only some sticks and string. Each scout came up with an interesting result and the towers that were created there really good. Everyone had the great fun building these towers. Also during today’s meeting the troop welcomed Christian Vella as the new Scout Leader.

4^th December 2010 – Mapping

Today’s meeting consisted of mapping and the troop were divided into two groups. A brief introduction of mapping, which consisted of the use of the compass and map, was given to the advanced group. This group was assigned to plan the upcoming expedition hike (which will be held in January). The other group were taught about the basics of mapping such as how to read from and use a map and also how to use the compass. This group practiced mapping by working out some tasks that were given to them by their leaders.

11^th December 2010 – Program

During today’s meeting a preparation for the Annual General Meeting took place. The troop came up with the idea of the play that they were going to perform during the AGM and started working on it. The play is about the Second World War and what would have happened if instead of fighting amongst themselves, the leaders would have came up with an agreement to solve their issues.

18^th December 2010 – Hike

The troop embarked on a long hike to Ta’ Kuljat hill. The weather was perfect for a hike with the sun shining and an occasional breeze to cool us off. The troop started the hike at 10:45 from the HQ and started walking towards Is-Sellum the scouts were in good spirits and the hike was moving along at a brisk pace. At around 12:00 the troop arrived at the valley between Il-Harrax and Ta’ Kuljat hills. The troop then started the ascent to the top of Ta’ Kuljat by means of a small path, at around 12:45 the troop arrived at the top of the hill. Once at the top the troop tucked into their packed lunches whilst ASL Mark Muscat brewed some coffee on his portable stove. It was the turn of some games and the troop had loads of fun playing and exploring at around 14:00 it was time to pack up and begin the hike back home. The troop passed through Marsalforn road and Il-Marga Road and finally arrived at the HQ at 15:00.

6^th November 2010 – Cookout

Today, the troop met at the Pergola fields for a cookout. The meeting began by playing a game of British Bulldog. Afterwards, the scouts formed in patrols, to start building the fire while others started preparing the food. When the food was ready, everyone sat down to eat the delicious meal which they themselves had prepared.

13^th November 2010 – Program

Today’s meeting began with a short game of dodgeball. Afterwards, the troop were divided into groups and a quick revision of the Tenderfoot section was done. Then the leaders started testing the scouts individually on the scouting knowledge that they have and all of them did well. At the end of the meeting a game of STOP was played.

27^th November 2010 – Sports

The troop met at Nadur ground for a session of athletics with the Athletix sports club. Under the tuition of Mr Mario Bonello the troop did some basic training in various different disciplines. First the scouts (together with members of the club) did some warming up and stretching, this was then followed by short sprints. After about 15 minutes, the scouts were shown the technique used in the pole vault which led to the troop trying pole vaulting. The scouts then were shown how to do the long jump which they also practiced. Finally the session was finished by long sprints; the most athletic scouts were Juan, Peter Joe and Nicholas.  

25^th September 2010 – Explanation of New Program
Today was the first meeting after the summer holidays and the troop section will have a new program to work with for the next couple of years. The meeting began with an explanation of this program and the troop was divided in three patrols: the Tiger Patrol, the Eagle Patrol and the Bulldog Patrol. These patrols began to discuss what they want to do in the next three months and after some time we had three programs. Then it was time to finalize the program and the three patrols discussed together and came into agreement what the best activities were.
 
2^nd October 2010 – Going up Ceremony
Today was the day when Julian Sultana left the pack and became part of the troop. During this ceremony he said goodbye to hi fellow cubs and the cub leaders and said hello to the scout leaders and the scouts who already form part of the troop. He was then welcomed by the patrol leader of the Tiger Patrol and became part of this patrol.
 
9^th October 2010 – Program
During today’s meeting the troop was divided into two: those who had been members of the troop for more than a year and those who were beginners. The leaders began revising the tenderfoot part of the new program so that everyone would know what will be present in the new scout manual. After going into detail in the tenderfoot section, a game of dodge ball was played.
 
16^th/17^th October 2010 – JOTA/JOTI
Today’s meeting was a bit different than usual. The troop met at 8pm in front of the library and had a short explanation about what would happen during the night. We had a permanent radio station set up at our Head Quarters. The scouts were divided into 3 and each group got to spend 45 minutes communicating via this radio for the JOTA. Meanwhile at the library the troop was busy chatting to brother and sister scouts all over the world. We talked to many scouts from Europe, Australia, America, Asia and also a few from Africa. At 8am the troop ended their experience at the JOTI and everyone went home really tired after a sleepless night.
 
23^rd October 2010 – Knotting
Today’s meeting consisted of knotting, an activity very much associated with scouting. The troop were divided into two groups both doing the same knots however the newer members of our troop had a leader to show them how the knots in the Pathfinder section of the Scout Program are done while the others revised the knots. Afterwards a game of STOP was played.
 
30^th October 2010 – Malta Activity

The long awaited day finally arrived and at noon we left the Mgarr Terminal to begin our fun activity. We arrived at St. Julians at about 1pm and went for a game of bowling. After a good game of bowling, in which both scouts and leaders participated fully, we headed off to watch Avatar in 3D. We had a great time at the cinema, and as soon as the film ended we rushed off to the minibus which was waiting for us and came back with the 6pm ferry. This will surely be an activity that the scouts and leaders will remember for a long time.