“Be prepared” is the motto of the Scouts Association and Vodafone Malta Foundation is more than prepared to help financially the St Julian’s Scout Group in their annual venture – Camp-a-Float.
The idea of Camp-a-float sailed off in 2000 to mark the new millennium giving the opportunity to members of the St Julian’s Scouts group to camp afloat on a raft.
St Julian’s Scout leader, Jeremy Borg Grech said as most of the open spaces for camping were being taken over by the building industry, they came up with the idea of building a large raft and pitching some days on board. “The Camp-a-float has now become an annual event thanks to supporters like the Vodafone Malta Foundation, that have accepted to extend their support for the second consecutive year. Due to the popularity of the event, this year some changes were applied to the raft while its platform was enlarged.”
Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation, said the Foundation felt proud to be involved in such a project that contributes towards the formation of the character of youths. “In fact, according to the Association, the motto ‘Be prepared’ means that one is always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do his duty.”
During the event, 11 group members from the troop, unit sections and leaders live afloat. A jam packed programme is prepared, consisting of canoeing, cleaning up the bay from floating bottles etc, swimming tests, seaside skills, food preparation, cooking on board and sleeping on board too.
The funds collected during the event will go towards the purchasing and setting up of a media room at the Group’s headquarters. The Vodafone Malta Foundation Malta Camp-a-Float event sails off on July 13 till July 21, floating in between St. Julian’s Water polo pitch and the Cavallieri Hotel.
The Scout Movement started in England 100 years ago by Robert Louis Stevenson Smith Baden Powell better known as B.P. At the time, the movement was called Boy Scouts but, lately the name was changed to Scouts as most of the groups are now co-ed and have female members.
Scouting was introduced in Malta in 1908. St Julian’s Scout group held its very first meeting in 1932 at a private residence in Carmel Street.
The group is divided into different sections. The Pack Section, where the members are called cubs, hosts boys and girls aged 7 to 11; the Troop section, where members are called scouts, hosting older boys and girls aged 11 to 16; the Unit Section for Venture Scouts aged 16 to 18; and the Group Council, for adult members (mainly parents and the leaders) in charge of organising activities for families, relatives and friends.
In all the sections, the members are continuously being trained in leadership skills and have the opportunity to be leaders of small groups formed by six members for a few months. These groups are called sixes or patrols.
Other sections within the Organization are the Beavers for children aged 5 to 7 and the Rover Scouts for young men and women aged between 18 to 24
Those interested in joining the group as a cub or scout should contact the Section or St. Julian’s Parish office. More information on [email protected]