Malta Girl Guides Represent Country At UK Guiding Adventure
A group of Girl Guides from Dingli and Santa Venera travelled to the United Kingdom this summer to represent Malta Girl Guides (MGG) at two internationally recognised Scouting and Guiding locations, Gilwell Park and Pax Lodge.
After months of preparation, the girls embarked on a week-long adventure that combined outdoor activities, cultural exchange and personal development. Travelling together also helped strengthen friendships between members of the two Guiding units.
At Gilwell Park, regarded as the historic home of Scout leader training, the group took part in a wide range of activities including rock climbing, zip lining, archery, fencing, tomahawk throwing, fire lighting, pioneering, water activities and team-building exercises.
They also explored Epping Forest on a woodland hike and watched the Perseid meteor shower, with some choosing to spend the night under the stars.
One of the highlights of the visit was becoming the first Malta Girl Guides group to place an MGG scarf on the Gilwell Park Scarf Wall alongside scarves from Guiding and Scouting groups from around the world. The moment gave the girls a strong sense of pride in representing Malta within the global Guiding community.
The adventure continued at Pax Lodge, one of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts' five World Centres. There, the group completed a challenge around London, visiting some of the capital's best-known landmarks, including Westminster Abbey, where they saw the memorial dedicated to Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.
The experience also helped the girls develop confidence, independence, teamwork and responsibility while learning about different cultures and building friendships with Guides and Scouts from other countries.
Reflecting on the trip, Ranger Diane Bondin from Santa Venera said overcoming activities that initially seemed intimidating made her realise what she was capable of achieving. Shelleyzia Grech from Dingli said the experience helped her become more confident and independent while encouraging her to embrace new challenges.
The Malta Girl Guides thanked parents, leaders, sponsors and the local community for their support, saying the girls returned home with lasting memories, new friendships and a deeper appreciation of the international Guiding movement.
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