About Us

The 1st Birkirkara Scout Group was founded in November of the year 1916 under Mr. J. Galea SM, Mr. J. Calleja ASM, Mr. J. Booker ASM and Mr. L. Carbonaro. The Headquarter were at Main Street. On the 11 th of February 1917, the 1st Birkirkara Scout Group took part in its first parade at the Palace Square in Valletta. In August of the same year, Lord Me thuen inspected the Scout Group in St. Helen’s Square, Birkirkara and in October the new colours of the group (blue and white) were blessed and presented during a Rally in Mosta. On the 8 th of July 1918, the 1st Birkirkara Scout Group moved its HQ to 192, Main Street.

In February of the year 1964, Chief Scout of the Commonwealth, Sir Charles Maclean, declared open the new HQ at 11, Main Street. However in the year 1981, the 1st Birkirkara Scout Group lost it HQ and became dormant for four years. In March 1985, the Group started to hold its meetings in a playing field at John Borg Street until a new premises in 29, Qrejzu Street were bought from the church in August of the same year. On the 24th of November 1991, the new HQ was inaugurated by the President of Malta Hon. Dr, Censu Tabone. In Summer 2001, the 1st Birkirkara Scout Group got a lease of 49 years for a campsite at Bahar ic-Caghaq. In November 2010, Chief Scout Kenneth De Martino inaugurated the new hall at the HQ, Sala George Sillato.

On the 7th of April 1937, Birkirkara Scouts attended a rally in Valletta on the last visit of Lord Baden Powell to Malta and on the 20 th of June 1943, Birkirkara Scouts attended another rally in Valletta, this time on a visit of King George VI.

In February of the year 1964, Chief Scout of the Commonwealth, Sir Charles Maclean, declared open the new HQ at 11, Main Street. However in the year 1981, the 1 st Birkirkara Scout Group lost it HQ and became dormant for four years. In March 1985, the Group started to hold its meetings in a playing field at John Borg Street until a new premises in 29, Qrejzu Street were bought from the church in August of the same year. On the 24 th of November 1991, the new HQ was inaugurated by the President of Malta Hon. Dr, Censu Tabone. In Summer 2001, the 1 st Birkirkara Scout Group got a lease of 49 years for a campsite at Bahar ic-Caghaq. In November 2010, Chief Scout Kenneth De Martino inaugurated the new hall at the HQ, Sala George Sillato.

November, 1991 – Inauguration of the new headquarters at 29, Qrejzu Street Birkirkara, by the President of Malta, Hon. Dr. Censu Tabone.

November, 2010 – Inauguration of the new hall, Sala George Sillato, by the Chief Scout, Kenneth De Martino.

Ex-GSLs

1916 G. Galea
1918 Lu. Carbonaro
1930 J.O. Bardon
1938 Salvo Bugeja
1945 Salv. Genovese

1951 Anthony Vella

2004 George Sillato

2012 Joseph Farrugia

2015 Caroline Galea

She has been in the group for the past eighteen years. She started as an Assistant Beaver Scout Leader, where together with the other leaders she would take care of organising meetings and activities for the youngest members of the group, children aged between 5–7. Then she moved to the Troop section as a section leader and later spent the last ten years as a Group Scout Leader. Now, due to personal circumstances, Caroline had to reduce a lot of the time she dedicates to Scouting and during the first months of 2024, she handed over the leadership of the group to Nicholai Farrugia.

Caroline still helps with the administration of the group, including emails and correspondence, help with the financial report and apply for funding to continue the group’s operations.

The purpose of Scouts is to help children and young people develop holistically — following what we call SPICES, where we help children develop socially, physically, intellectually, in character, emotionally and spiritually. We do this through hands-on experiences and outdoor activities.

We meet once a week with the Scouts where we have weekly meetings. During the meetings the children have the opportunity to learn new things related to scouting according to the badge work they are doing. They have the chance to play a few games and meet their friends. We also organize various outdoor activities such as camping, hikes, cook-outs and clean-ups. Members are invited to join the Scout band where they learn new instruments and play during some parades, both in the locality of Birkirkara and also on other occasions. We also organize some philanthropic activities to help in our community.

When one attends the Scouts, one learns various skills related to the Scouts, such as how to tie knots, how to light a fire, how to pitch a tent, how to plan a hike, how to take care of the environment around us and other skills according to the section program. Apart from that, children learn other skills that are important for life. For example, skills that help in character development such as responsibility, discipline, commitment and respect. They learn teamwork skills – how to work with others, lead and follow, leadership, delegation and conflict management. They learn how to take initiative, come up with new ideas and think critically – problem solving and decision making. They learn positive values, such as loyalty, service to the community and helping those in need. In other words, our children and youth learn how to be better, more independent and more useful people for their community. We work to ensure that our members grow into responsible citizens and active members of society.

We have around 90 members – children start at the age of five and stay until the age of eighteen. We have around twelve leaders who take care of running the different sections, and some helpers who help during activities such as camping.