The Salesian Brigade held its Summer Camp at Ghajn Tuffieha between 11 and 17 August with four groups from Company A and B competing for the best team. Under the command of Staff Sergeant Jesmond Cassar and his assistant Joe Camilleri together with a hard-working team of officers, NCOs and leaders, 65 campers had a fantastic week under canvas.

The programme consisted of camp routines such as flag up and flag down assemblies, prayers, meal times, clean-ups, duties, sing-songs, showers, fire drills, swimming by day and night, camp inspections and formation sessions. Members from Company B prepared team-building exercises, treasure hunts and craft sessions. Other activities consisted of pioneering, bocci competitions, visit to GAIA nursery and watch tower, an environmental clean-up, bouldering, snorkeling, sandcastle competitions, a cooking competition, climbing wall competitions, a biodiversity talk by Mepa officials, an International Award for Young people-Malta talk and a traditional campfire for the campers only.

Parents had the opportunity to visit campers on a particular day during the week and also during the final Campfire Night, which was also the highlight of the week with teams competing with their best kit so as their group, will have the honour of winning the camp competition. Fr Gerald Mangion SDB, chaplain of the Salesian Brigade, celebrated during the feast of Santa Marija and also during the campfire holy masses. Fr Paul Formosa SDB, Provincial Delegate, also assisted Mass on Saturday. The campfire was declared open by C.O J. Giorgio and came to an end with the traditional camp dance choreographed by Sgt Estelle Bonello Sant.

This year’s winning team was the Komodo Dragons under Micwen Gauci’s leadership, and the best female and male campers were Christabelle Borg and John Debattista. All winners will be awarded presents in September when the Brigade will meet again to discuss the camp and prepare a presentation.

Safety is a priority with the Brigade. All campers under 18 years are obliged to have their consent form filled up by their parents or guardians. A fully kitted first aid box, first aiders, a camp nurse, a health and safety officer, fire extinguishers and fire marshals are always available at camp.

This year’s camp would not have been a success without the numerous sponsors that helped the Brigade and the fund-raising BBQ held during the campfire. The Brigade is currently seeking funds to continue its challenging project at the Ghajn Tuffieha Upper Camp.

Food was great with a cookhouse lead by Sgt Margaret Falzon and her team. During camp a Youth in Action (National Youth Initiative 1.2) was organised for 12 participants, six of which were not members of the Salesian Brigades. The project was called Learn by Doing: Outdoors for Youth.

The Brigade will again meet in October to initiate its 2013-2014 programme. Anybody interested to join the Salesian Brigade in Sliema is encouraged to write an email on [email protected]. Young people from seven years of age have a guaranteed future and lots of fun with the Brigade. 

For more information on the Brigade visit http://salesjani.org and for the Salesian Brigade Group log onto http://www.facebook.com