I guess you've been wondering what the Beaver scouts have been up to lately!

Well when summer came along with it came the Beginning of Summer party where all the Beavers had a chance to show their friends what two hours with us leaders is like, and then came summer camp where all the Beavers attended for some fun in the sun. everyone had a great time making crafts in the camp site, playing water games and digging in the sand!

The colony has also unofficially welcomed six new  potential Beaver scouts after eight old Beaver Scouts moved on to Cubs last April. Ten more will be moving on in October and so the six new young ones will be replacing them.

It's been two years since we started Beaver Scouts in Xaghra, and as we are beginning to see them move on it seems like yesterday we even started!

While I am typing this email, a/ ASL Sabrina Portelli is celebrating her scouting spirit with scouts from all over the world at EURO MINI JAM 2010 which is taking place in Iceland. Below is a photo of her with the Maltese Contingent. We hope she enjoys her last days at this international experience and that more scouts from our group may have the opportunity to do so in the future.

Click on this link http://www.eurominijam.com  to view live updates from the EuroMiniJam 2010 event!

1^st May 2010 – Games

Today’s meeting consisted of physical activities and games. We began by playing a game of stop so as to warm up a bit. After a few minutes we went to an open space which is situated near our headquarters to play a wide game. 

8^th May 2010 – Communication

Today’s meeting was about communication by Frank Muscat. We began with an ice-breaking game so that everyone gets to know each other better. Then we played a game where one of the scouts had a piece of paper with drawings on it and he had to explain to the others what was drawn on the paper. Afterwards the leader told a story to one of the scouts and everyone them had to tell the same story to the next one to see how the story ended. 

15^th May 2010 – First Aid

Mr Mario Saliba from the Red Cross was invited to show us some first aid tricks. The meeting kicked off with a short power point presentation about bleeding and how to treat them. Then Mr Saliba showed us how to apply bandages and each scout was given the opportunity to bandage and to be bandaged. The meeting finished off by a table tennis tournament.  
 

22^nd May 2010 – Crafts

Today’s meeting consisted of making a woggle with some rope. Mark Muscat gave the instruction and helped the troop to make their woggle. Those who are fluent in knots helped the others who are not that good to finish their woggle. Afterwards a game of stop was played. 

29^th May 2010 – Cooking

Since the troop will be cooking lunch for everyone during summer camp, a meeting about cooking was held. Spaghetti with white sauce was prepared. Two scouts prepared the spaghetti while the others chopped the mushrooms, ham and onions. After mixing everything together and adding the white sauce everyone began to eat.

4^th - 6^th April 2010 – Easter Camp

On Easter Sunday morning, the troop arrived at the campsite at 8.30am and the flag break took place. Afterwards, an instruction about knotting was done and everyone practiced the knots that they had been taught. An instruction about tent pitching was also held on Sunday and the troop pitched two ridge tents, one to sleep in it themselves and the other for the leaders. After the tents were pitched and everyone was settled in their tents, inspection was done so that no food or electronics were in the tents. In the evening, after dinner, a game of match 4 was played with the troop leaders and scouts taking part.  

On Monday morning, another inspection was done by the troop leaders. After breakfast, we set on a 2 hour hike to Marsalforn. After this hike, a pioneering project was held. This consisted in creating a gate to place in the entrance so that unwanted visitors were kept away from our campsite. In the afternoon a mapping instruction was held and some preparations for the campfire which was to be held in the evening. After dinner, everyone gathered around the campfire and an hour of singing and skits took place where everyone had a lot of fun. 

On Tuesday morning, an inspection was done and the troop packed everything in their bags to be ready to go back home in the afternoon. At 9am we set on a hike to Ramla where we played volleyball and dodge ball. On our way back to the campsite we passed from a valley unknown to many of us. As soon as we arrived back at the campsite we had lunch and soon afterwards the parents began to come to pick the troop from the campsite. Everyone was so exhausted but happy that this camp was another success =D

10^th April 2010 – Going up Ceremony

Today was the day when Herman Hili, Matthew Camilleri and Owen Theuma left the pack and became part of the troop. During this ceremony they said their goodbye to their fellow cubs and the cub leaders and they were welcomed by the patrol leader to form part of the Eagle and Tiger Patrols.  
 

17^th April 2010 – Axe, Knife, Saw and Hatchet

During this meeting an instruction about safely using knives and hatchets was done by the leaders. After the brief instruction on how to take care of this equipment the troop had the opportunity to do some practice. The troop was divided into patrols and each patrol was armed with hatchets and wood. The meeting finished off with a game of stop.  
 

24^th April 2010 – How to wear the Uniform

Today everyone came in full uniform and an explanation was held on how to wear the scout uniform the correct way. After this explanation the troop formed a single line and the leaders checked every single uniform to see that it was correctly worn.