Maltese and Polish Scouts tap into the EU's 'Youth in Action' Programme
The Qrendi Scout Group have just returned from a Scout youth exchange programme, entitled 'Never Ending Story', held in Poland, as part of the EU 'Youth in Action' Programme.
The international gathering was held between from 21-31 July 2008, at the Berdo Scout Campsite, located near Myczkowce a small village, situated in the San River valley in the very heart of the Bieszczady Mountains. The campsite, which was a ten minute boat ride from the mainland, was located on an island on the largest artificial body of water in Poland- the Solina Reservoir.
Ten Scouts, aged between 13 and 18 years of age, joined 11 similar Polish Scouts from Hufiec ZHP Szczecin, 88 Druzyna Harcerska of the Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego (the Polish Scout and Guide Association), at this programme.
The Bieszczady mountain region forms part of UNESCO’s list of the World’s Biosphere Reserves, where the Scouts participated in a 2-day expedition deep into the Bieszczadzki National Park.
The Youth Action Activities throughout the programme included the gathering and presentation of information on the heritage, cultural diversity, and general information of each of the EU member States. Mud and water games, fresh water fishing, Scouting woodcraft, trekking and camouflage activities, brainstorming sessions, environmental discussions and teamwork games, also formed part of the programme.
Polish and Maltese songs and dances were performed by the participants during the daily Scouting campfires.
The Polish exchanged ended with a two day tour of the City of Krakow, and included visits to Wawel Castle, the Kazimierz district and the Aushwitz-Birkenau concentration camps.
Youth in Action is the Programme the European Union has set up for young people. It aims to inspire a sense of active European citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the Union's future. It promotes mobility within and beyond the EU's borders, non-formal learning and intercultural dialogue, and encourages the inclusion of all young people, regardless of their educational, social and cultural background: Youth in Action is a Programme for all, offering financial assistance to its various programme’s applicants.
Image 1: © Scout Association of Malt
