Wędrownicza Watra: Where Change Begins and Friendships Grow

Four Maltese Girl Guides, Nirvana, Erika, Kayla and Amber, travelled to Poland to take part in Wędrownicza Watra, a national Polish camp. Each of them returned home with unique experiences, but together their stories reveal just how special and meaningful this camp truly was.

Nirvana explained that “Wędrownicza Watra was a four-day national Polish camp, where a long-lasting campfire is lit during the Opening Ceremony and extinguished during the Closing Ceremony“. She shared how the camp was built around themes of civic democracy and youth independence, bringing together Polish ‘Rovers’ of a similar age to Senior Rangers. Nirvana remembered spending the first night in Warsaw before travelling by train, bus and a short hike to reach the campsite. A highlight for her was being invited to help light the Watra during the Opening Ceremony. She also recalled attending workshops, cooking meals, meeting new friends and later exploring Warsaw: “We interacted amongst ourselves and went shopping, making cherished memories together”.

Erika reflected on the international aspect of the camp. “I travelled to Poland with three other Girl Guides from Malta to join the Wędrownicza Watra camp, where around 700 people, mostly Polish, took part,” she said. She enjoyed the wide range of creative workshops and proudly mentioned, “I learnt new things, like making a woggle from tree bark”. Erika and the Maltese group also led a cultural workshop about Malta, sharing fun facts, songs, and games while giving souvenirs. She added that the evenings were full of joy: “We joined parties with Polish music and dances, made friends from different countries, and enjoyed campfires with songs”.

For Kayla, the camp’s theme, “At the Centre of Change,” was especially meaningful. “Each workshop pushed me to explore new perspectives, work with others and embrace challenges,” she said. Her most surprising moment was the meditation session, which gave her calmness and fresh energy in the middle of the busy schedule. Beyond the programme, she emphasised the friendships: “Together, we laughed, learned and created bonds that made the camp unforgettable”.

Amber focused on the lessons she gained. “During this camp in Poland, not only did I make new friends, but I also gained new knowledge and experiences which will be helpful in my daily life”, she said. She enjoyed the variety of workshops and reflected on how they encouraged personal growth. Like Erika, Amber also valued sharing Maltese culture: “During this camp, we Maltese Girl Guides created a wonderful workshop where we played fun games and sang songs together to connect even more“.

For Nirvana, Erika, Kayla, and Amber, Wędrownicza Watra was more than just a camp, it was an unforgettable experience that fostered learning, sharing and friendship across borders.