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!

What have been the Beavers doing during Carnival?

Our Beavers together with other kids participated in a costume party held by the Xaghra Scout Group. We were honoured by all sorts of characters. There were fairies to keep an eye over witches, knights to lock up any pirates on the run, cowboys in pursuit of Indians, princesses on search for their prince charming, and a whole set of power rangers among many others. One could neither cease to mention the range of cartoon characters that the Beaver Leaders choose to wear. 

   
  Leaders showing off their Cartoon Carnival costumes    Beavers in Carnival costumes, playing and having fun 

Two of our Beavers also stole the judge’s heart as they won the costume competition. We had a great time punching paper bags inorder for sweets to fall down, doing person Bingo, nibbling finger foods and playing loads of games. Now, all of the Beavers tucked away safely their costumes and are waiting eagerly for next XSG carnival party :)  

Xaghra Beaver Colony - May 09 Report

1st May - First Beaver Investiture
It was the biggest day ever in their scouting experience for our Beavers. This is due to the fact that they got newly invested. Moreover, from then onwards they could promptly march at parades and boast that they form part of the very first Beaver Colony in Gozo. The whole colony, which consists of 24 beavers, declared proudly the promise which they had learned successfully by heart to Beaver Leader Bubbles, as she welcomed them into the huge worldwide movement of scouting.
   
Left: BSL Bubbles investing new beavers.                                                Right: Proud beavers with their investiture certificates,

2^nd May - Marching Practice

The biggest day for the Beavers had just passed, but just a night away was one of the biggest days for all the scouts in the whole world,  St. George`s Day Parade. As we were invited to march in Valletta along with all the scouts of Malta and Gozo, we had to ensure that the beavers marched well. Therefore, after playing some fun games at the Head Quarters, off we left with the rest of the group for some intense marching practice around Xaghra.

3^rd May - Annual Parade

The Beavers, together with the rest of the Xaghra Scout Group members rose and shone early enough to catch the 8.15am ferry. This was the day of the Annual Rally, where around 3200 Maltese scouts and girl guides march their way through the main street in Valletta. The Beavers marched bravely while being admired by the present parents and huge public and even encouraged by the president of Malta himself.

9^th May - Beavers love their mummies:)

With the help of leaders, the beavers indulged into their creativity to design and create an outstanding card out of their own imagination. The reason was to give it to their beloved mums on mother’s day. As one can imagine, the main theme was that of hearts! With each beaver`s feelings written down, a poem was also stuck onto the card, where it depicted childhood times which are those days that mums will remember and embrace forever.

10^th May - Mother`s Day

The Beavers, together with the cubs were invited for the concert at Xaghra Primary School raised by the ‘Azzjoni Kattolika’ in honour for mothers on Mother`s Day. While being admired by their parents, they sung the song ‘I`ve got the BP spirit`.

16^th May - Hand Painting

The main activity was with the Beavers discovering their own little hands through hand printing. They had fun in choosing their favourite colour and covering their hands in hand paint. Then all the beavers printed their hands on a big banner  and signed their names, along with the handprints of the rest of XSG.  Afterwards, Beavers competed against each other in lodges. They did their very best to win or help the lodge they form part of. Such games are done so that Beavers understand the importance of working in a team.

17^th May - 1^st Anniversary for XSG

Beavers also took part in the Sunday mass which was held to commemorate the 1^st Anniversary of our group. They neither failed from behaving themselves during the not that short mass. A beaver offered our mascot Benji during the Offerings, along with the banner we handprinted along with the rest of the group.

23^rd May - Hiking and Caring for Animals!

This was the second hike for the Beavers. We left from the Head Quarters and hiked joyfully to Pergola Valley. As the theme was ‘Caring for Animals around us’, Beavers were taught more about animals. The main point was that animals are our best friends. On their arrival at Pergola Valley, the Beavers were told the story of Kwibus, the dog who accompanied us during the hike, and how after a hard time, he found people to love him. Afterwards, wide games were played. The hike ended by parents picking up their exhausted but happy children.
           
   

Left: Resting upon arrival at our destination.                  Right: "Those are XSG's cars as they're red like us!" Beaver when hiking in the square.

24^th May - 'Lejlet Lapsi' Parade  

The Beavers together with the rest of the Group were asked to march down Republic Street on Sunday morning along with the Armed Forced Band. Despite the sun and heat, they marched really well while spectators stood admiring them.

30^th May - Visit to Animal Sanctuary

Filled up with enthusiasm, the Beavers left to Victoria with the 8.30am bus where they had an educational visit at the SPCA centre. People in charge of the sanctuary gave the Beavers a talk and showed them around the place. There, they met a lot of dogs and cats. The Beavers even gave a donation from their money box in order to help such poor, homeless creatures. After this visit, they wore themselves out at the Villa Rundle Gardens where they had the time of their life running about. 
   
Left: Xaghra Beavers with SPCA secretary.                                                Right: Energetic beavers posing for a group photo at Villa Rundle.

Special thanks to ABSL Rusty!