In the spring the scouts, a bit like the Young Marmots told by Disney, cannot remain closed in their seats. On April 27 and 28, the Avola 5 group was able to leave the parish premises to experience Scouting as B.P. commands. Branco and the department participated, in fact, in two important local events: the “small tracks” and the “San Giorgio”.

Leaving the world “a little better” than it was found is very difficult, especially if you don’t know it well. Knowing the past, history, popular culture and traditions of our land is a need that cannot be ignored, even for the little ones of our scout family.

The “little traces” are nothing more than this: an activity that allows us to deepen, “with the game and not for fun” (word of B.P.), what our Sicily has been able and is still able to offer today. On April 27th and 28th, with the second-year cubs, we learned something more about the salt, the processing of this famous “white gold” and the salt pans of our island. Playing, the little ones knew the various phases that allowed our ancestors to make salt from sea water. A large number of uniforms, lots of hats and as many kerchiefs have contaminated the area in front of the Noto Episcopal Seminary. It was also an occasion for new acquaintances and friendships with little brothers and sisters from other groups and other countries. Avola 5 was and comes home richer and more aware of all that scouting can give. “Dono” was in fact one of the many messages that we wanted to leave, with the colored salt from the cubs and with the help of the master florists, in Noto. The 6 wolves of the Seeonee Avola 5 pack together with the “old wolves” are back with an awareness: scouting must leave a trace and must, under the banner of diversity and beauty, wave the colors it brings (a bit like we have) made with salt).

If “tradition and color” have filled the weekend for the little ones, “business and community” are the watchwords of our department that, with all the departments of the Zona Netina, has faced the San Giorgio 2019. The department, branch which involves scouts from 12 to 16 years, every year is the protagonist of this event that celebrates Giorgio, the great Christian knight protector of explorers and guides of the world. But, unlike the “small traces”, which have been marked by the discovery of the little ones, the San Giorgio 2019 of our area has made some of the boys themselves protagonists of the organization: the squadron leaders have indeed met days before to Rosolini and then meet again on Saturday 27, with his squadrons in tow. Foxes, eagles, dolphins and lions from Avola 5 arrived in Ispica (Baia porto “Ulisse”) to experience the event. Beating sun, tents and activities characterized the two days; even the older ones, playing (B.P. has always been clear in this), have experienced how beautiful it can be to live in community, respecting the roles. A simple and too often trivial motto is always in the background: “all for one, one for all”. Scouting tries to do this: to show kids the way to go to make things go the right way. No leader, no record but only a community that looks to the common good: the boys have shown that it is not impossible, although it is often very complex. The San Giorgio wanted to leave this message: it is fundamental to recognize each person as unique and unrepeatable. Each of us is nothing but a piece of a great puzzle that has the task, not simple, of participating in the creation of a world of peace and fraternity, where differences do not divide but unite in our one great family: humanity .

In both activities the Holy Mass could not be missed since on our journey it is not possible to leave Jesus behind. We also had the pleasure of seeing our handkerchief in one of the two altars since our ecclesiastical assistant – Don Rosario Sultana – concelebrated in Ispica with the older ones.

A weekend full of games and content but we are well aware, both us leaders and the boys, that this is not enough and cannot afford to wait for the next one. Scout it is daily and the promise that unites us asks us to do our best in all circumstances and not only when we wear a scarf. The boys are not the future but they are also able to be the present and they know it well: activities like these only allow us to clarify what our society needs and to give the necessary determination to face everyday life.

Luigi Scifo