St. Aloysius’ College Scout Group marks centenary (via timesofmalta.com)

1. 4/15/2016 St Aloysius’ College Scout Group marks centenary
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St Aloysius’ College Scout Group marks centenary
One of the earliest photos taken of a group of College scouts in November 1916.
St Aloysius’ College scouts form a human pyramid during an overseas scouts jamboree.
The best thing about turning 100 is feeling like you’re still a 12-year-old. Not many people get to say
that, but we certainly do. Ever since its formation in 1916, hundreds of boys have been part of the St
Aloysius’ College Scout Group, sharing years of friendships and vivid memories of adventures locally
and on trips abroad.
This year, the group celebrates a century of service to the community, providing a fun-filled, safe
environment for youngsters, ensuring that its members are given every opportunity and encouragement
to take their place in society as young men of standing and worth. Essentially, our purpose is to provide

2. 4/15/2016 St Aloysius’ College Scout Group marks centenary
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our members with experiences that build character and assist them to acquire self-belief in whatever
they choose to do in the future.
St Aloysius’ College Scout Group boasts the longest continuous and uninterrupted service on the
island. The merit of this success lies in the group’s past and present members who have kept the
scouting spirit alive in the past century.
College scouts in front of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour, during a visit to the US.
Maintaining their promise and duty to God and country and to help others at all times, the college
scouts have since their early years helped the community. During times of war they assisted the sick
and providing first aid, delivered messages and even helped with debris clearance after aerial
bombings. Nowadays, the boys focus on a different nature of community service, assisting a variety of
NGOs with fundraising initiatives and providing assistance where and when required.
The group has always promoted a healthy and active way of living, exposing its members to a variety of
activities that the great outdoors has to offer. Youngsters also learn important skills such as pioneering,
first aid, orienteering and a variety of other scout crafts; however, the ultimate goal has always been
character formation.
Activities vary so much that only the scouts’ imagination is the limit. How many 13-year-olds are
capable of building a bridge across a flowing river? How many 10-year-olds know how to prepare a fire
and cook food on it? How many youngsters do you know who have built medieval catapults, abseiled
down 50-metre gorges or administered the right treatment to an injured friend?

3. 4/15/2016 St Aloysius’ College Scout Group marks centenary
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Emeritus Group Scout Leader John A. Mizzi, known by College scouts as ‘Cubbie’, hosting a visit by
former Presidents Guido de Marco (centre) and Ċensu Tabone, both Old Aloysians.
The group has always promoted a healthy and active way of living. Youngsters also learn important
skills; however, the ultimate goal has always been character formation
Throughout the past 100 years, the college scout group has not only given youngsters the right set of
tools to work with but consistently introduced the concept of teamwork to achieve successful results.
Projects, which in the eyes of many youngsters seem impossible to achieve, turn into problem-solving
exercises with a successful final product in the scouts’ eyes.

4. 4/15/2016 St Aloysius’ College Scout Group marks centenary
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Two College scouts in a reflective mood as they walk on the railway tracks at Auschwitz concentration
camp in Birkenau, Poland.
Sir Robert Baden Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, said: “Scouting is a game with a
purpose. Fun is the game, learning is the process and values are the purpose.”
One of the major contributors to the group’s success has undoubtedly been Emeritus Group Scout
Leader John A. Mizzi (1925-2013) known by many as ‘Cubbie’, who started serving as a leader in the
group in 1947. Throughout his tenure, Cubbie provided his scouts with interesting, exciting and
wonderful experiences. He also led the group on a number of offshore adventures, including the US,
Russia, South Korea, Australia, North Africa, Chile and many others. Mizzi was also awarded the
highest decoration by the Russian Scout Association for his help in re-establishing scouting in Russia in
the 1990s.
Today the group has a proud team of leaders who strive to maintain the legacy they have inherited.
They are led by Group Scout Leader Edward Cassola and myself, and have a strong and active 120-
member group.
The College scout group does not limit itself to the vast knowledge of scouting skills it provides but
aims at giving youngsters the social skills to become responsible adults who reserve the knowhow of
leading the future generation. One looks back with pride and a sense of satisfaction at the past. In
these 100 years, the group has remained ever young and adventurous, as boy after boy joins its ranks.
So it will remain in the years to come.
College scouts enjoying an outdoor trekking expedition.

5. 4/15/2016 St Aloysius’ College Scout Group marks centenary
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Throughout 2016, the College scouts will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary by hosting a number
of activities, including camping trips in Easter and the summer months, a trip to Aosta, Italy, community
service initiatives, and a 100-year anniversary reception in August.
The group invites past members to join it and sleep over during its camping trip this Easter for one night
(campfire night) to relive and rekindle old memories of their scouting past.
We encourage all former scouts interested in joining to visit the website below or our Facebook page.
The 100-year reception in August will be held at the College headquarters, which has recently
undergone a number of refurbishment initiatives.
There will also be features portraying the group’s milestone achievements and a wide array of logbooks
and photos of our members, dating back to 1916.
All former members of the scout group are encouraged to attend.