13th Ħamrun Girl Guides at Kent International Jamboree 2025
The 13th Ħamrun Girl Guides proudly represented Malta at the Kent International Jamboree (KIJ) 2025, eld at Delting Showground, Kent, United Kingdom. Our group included 21 girls and 8 leaders, and we were warmly hosted by the Mereworth and Kingshill Scout Group. The camp welcomed around seven thousand Scouts and Guides from all over the world, creating an atmosphere where culture, sustainability, adventure, and friendship came together. For our Guides, this was a special chance to take part in an experience that combined learning, adventure, and the true spirit of international Guiding.
Our journey to KIJ 25 was the result of almost two years of planning. We began preparing over 18 months earlier, carefully working on all the details such as travel, visas, accommodation after the camp, transport, merchandise, shipping, and parent communication. To make sure that the girls and leaders felt ready, training sessions were held on safety, teamwork, and practical Guiding skills. The girls also practiced tent pitching, rucksack packing, knots, lashings, and learned more about what it means to be part of a jamboree. For most of them, this was their very first experience of this kind, so these sessions gave them confidence and reassurance.
Fundraising was another important part of the preparation. We organised activities such as High Tea and Maltese Night, which not only raised funds but also helped promote Guiding within our community. These efforts meant that the trip was more affordable for families. The fundraising also built team spirit, as leaders, girls, and parents worked together in the months before the journey.
When we arrived at the Kent International Jamboree, we joined Subcamp “Tropical.” Each day, the girls followed a programme of activities inspired by cities known for sustainable living, including Vienna, Vancouver, and Singapore. These activities gave the girls a chance to have fun while also learning about the importance of sustainability, which was the central theme of this camp.
The activities were very wide-ranging. They included adventurous challenges such as target shooting, archery, tomahawk throwing, pedal carting, climbing, crate stacking, and high ropes. The girls also experienced unique activities like electric carting, WW1 trench simulations, and an extreme zip wire. The Colossus Festival 2.5k fun run, which included muddy obstacles and lots of colour, was especially enjoyed. The Reykjavik subcamp offered even more adventure, with abseiling, tree-top challenges, bag jumps, and climbing that pushed the girls to go beyond their comfort zone.
The camp also had activities focused on science and sustainability. The girls took part in recycling projects, 3D printing, environmental science experiments, and workshops with international organisations working on global issues. They also joined in craft projects, health and wellbeing sessions, and bridge building with the Institution of Civil Engineering. Global projects such as Scouts Against Malaria and the Botswana25 Elephant Project showed them how Scouts and Guides everywhere are making a difference on important issues like climate change, health, and poverty.
There was also plenty of time for fun and socialising. The camp offered inflatable games, roller discos, fun fairs, international cafés, faith and reflection spaces, badge swapping, open-air cinemas, and youth hubs. These lighter activities helped the girls relax, make new friends, and exchange traditions. A special highlight for two of our girls was the chance to take microlight flights.
One of the proudest moments for our Unit was the Opening Ceremony, when two of our Rangers carried the Maltese and WAGGGS flags on stage. It was an honour for our group and a memory that will last forever. Another highlight was our visit to Pax Lodge, where the girls joined the traditional pinning ceremony. This ceremony included chants, saluting, and the awarding of commemorative badges. The girls were very proud to see the 13th Ħamrun and Malta Girl Guides scarf tied at the World Centre.
The hospitality of the Mereworth and Kingshill Scout Group gave us many opportunities for cultural exchange. Our Guides quickly adapted to differences in camp traditions. We shared our Maltese customs, such as flag hoisting and prayer chants before meals, while learning about the Scouts’ way of organising meals, their reflective sharing at the table, and their camp structure. One especially positive practice was their system of mixing Guides and Scouts at mealtimes, where three Guides and three Scouts sat together. These meals became a space for conversations, fun, and the start of real friendships.
Festival Day was another chance to connect with other groups. We met Canadian Girl Guides and shared Maltese snacks and stories. We also exchanged badges, scarves, and camp souvenirs, which gave us special reminders of these new friendships. At the Singapore zone, we even met the leader of an African tribe who was eager to collaborate with the Maltese team, showing how far Guiding connections can reach.
KIJ 25 left a strong mark on all of our girls. They grew in confidence, resilience, and independence. Many overcame personal fears while taking part in activities like abseiling, climbing, and zip wires. These moments of courage gave them new self-belief and showed the importance of teamwork and encouragement from peers and leaders.
The theme of sustainability also gave the girls a better understanding of global issues. By joining workshops, meeting NGOs, and working on global projects, they saw how small everyday actions can help bring about bigger change. They learned that their voices and actions matter, and that they can be part of the solution to the challenges our world is facing.
Differences in culture and practice did sometimes bring small challenges, but these were always handled with respect and open conversation. The girls learned to listen, show empathy, and find common ground—skills that will serve them well in the future, both in Guiding and in life. Looking back on their experiences, the girls reflected on the skills they had learned, the fears they had overcome, and the friendships they had made as the most valuable parts of the journey.
During our time in London after the camp, we stayed at the South London Scouts Centre. This gave the girls a safe and welcoming base while exploring the city. We attended theatre performances, visited historical landmarks such as Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guards, and enjoyed roaming the lively streets of London before returning home.
