24th Santa Venera Girl Guides Go Global: Adventures at Sicily’s International Camp
On the 8th of September 2023, in the early morning hours, very early in the morning, the 24th Santa Venera Girl Guides and the Qawra Scout Group left Malta to experience a taste of the Sicilian summer. The itinerary promised a blend of adventure, culture and fun-filled activities. During the camp, the Group also had the opportunity to meet members from the Ragusa Scout Group. The participants were divided into four patrols, each bearing the name of famous Sicilian localities: Etna, Ragusa, Modica and Pozallo.
DAY 1: Upon arrival, the Group made its way up to Mount Etna, boarding a cable car to explore the heights of the volcano and admired the beautiful scenery. Some of the more adventurous participants ventured even higher up on foot, experiencing a sharp drop in temperature and beholding spectacular views. Afterwards, the participants were treated with a cup of hot chocolate before starting their descent. They also dedicated some time to exploring the craters. Then, they started their 2.5-hour journey to their campsite in Modica, where the Guides and Scouts set up their tents and settled in. To cap off their first day, the Group enjoyed a delectable pizza buffet, featuring an array of mouth-watering pizza varieties.
DAY 2: An early wake-up call at 5:45am marked the beginning of their visit to an agricultural farm. This visit started off with a very informative hands-on presentation about the process of making ricotta. The Guides and Scouts were also given the opportunity to taste this local product. Next up, the Group toured the farm, observing the cows and gaining insight into the milk production process. After the agricultural visit, they headed to the Parcallario Adventure Park into the Monti Iblei. This park consisted of several high-rope courses of varying difficulty levels. The participants were given an introductory demonstration regarding safety before being allowed to experience the challenging courses. They also had the opportunity to complete a two-part panoramic zipline, 50 meters in height and 130 meters in length. After a very demanding day, the Group had some free time and participated in night-time games and karaoke fun.
DAY 3: This day was dedicated to exploring Cava Dei Servi. In their patrols, the participants were given the chance to rock-climb and zip-line. They also had the opportunity to embark on a nature hike, spotting several animals in their natural habitat. Their lunch consisted of a cookout, with patrols tasked with crafting their own pasta dishes. Before leaving, the participants competed in a series of fun games that Sicily Scouts traditionally play. Moreover, the participants exchanged badges and t-shirts with Ragusa 1 Scouts Group, who were also celebrating 100 years in Scouting. Back at the campsite, preparations for the campfire were in full swing. The patrols worked on their campfire stunts and skits. The campfire, also serving as the closing ceremony, provided a beautiful moment to reflect on the beautiful camping experiences and commemorate the end of an extraordinary camp.
DAY 4: The participants’ final day in Sicily was primarily dedicated to sightseeing. After dismantling the tents and bidding farewell to the campsite, they made their way to Ragusa Ibla, exploring the city on foot. They also indulged in the Sicilian style pizza also known as Schiaccata. The Group then made our way to Modica, the city famous for its chocolate. The Group took on an educational train ride along the streets of the beautiful Modica, followed by a visit to the chocolate factory of Bonajuto.
It goes without saying that 24th Santa Venera Girl Guides’ Young Leaders, Rangers, and Guides as well as all the members of Qawra Scout Group will forever cherish this remarkable time spent together. This being a joint activity, the members were exposed to different ideologies as well as having an opportunity to further build friendships. This international experience is another core memory that will contribute to the way they look at their future Guiding experiences.
