THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
VOL. 29 NO. 32
AUGUST 31, 2012
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Sigonella Boy Scouts Troop 53 joined more than 40 Italian Scouts for a 12-day camping extravaganza. (Photo by Lt. James Simpson)
Sigonella Boy Scout Troop 53 joined local Italian Scouts for 12-day adventure BY JENNIFER SIMPSON Sigonella Boy Scouts Troop 53
S
igonella Boy Scouts Kyle McCullough, Tyler Simpson, Kolby Simpson, Peter Cauble and Zach Zmijski of Troop 53, led by Scoutmaster Lt. James Simpson, joined 40 local Italian Scouts for a 12-day camping extravaganza, August 1 - 12. Italian Scout leaders began planning a year ago. The event marked the first major collaboration between Troop 53 and Sicilian troops. The event began with a tree conservation project in Catania, with Scouts working side-by-side to plant dozens of pine trees in an area destroyed by a brush fire. Following the conservation project troops played beach games and swam at a local lido (public pool).
After the day's activities, the Scouts hiked 17 kilometers to a new location where they set up their campsite and built makeshift shelters. Even though language was a barrier, the kids discovered that having fun is universal. Singing and guitar playing was the norm at the campsite. Each group shared their favorite songs in both English and Italian. A master chef competition was also included in the events. Three times a day, a basket of fresh ingredients were given to each troop to prepare their meals. Italian Scouts prepared meals including cous cous, pasta alla norma, and pasta carbonara. Troop 53 prepared pasta, baked potatoes and steak along with
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a Nutella dessert, impressing the Italian judges with their traditional Italian dishes. The event concluded with the "Day of Famine" when all the campers hiked 20 kilometers roundtrip to the town of Randazzo and had to find and trade work for food. A local restaurant graciously rewarded the Scouts with a table full of Sicilian favorites. "We were welcomed into a new family and experienced the Italian culture as we never have before," said Lt. Simpson. "Future projects and events are already in the works." The entire camping experience was gratifying for everyone involved and was the start of an exciting new relationship between the two Scout organizations.
OF THE WEEK
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - H. Jackson Brown Jr., Author of P.S. I Love You
Beautifying Sicily
Missoula Children’s Theatre
Bravo Zulu!
Members of CTF-67 clean up area in Paterno.
Sigonella children perform The Frog Prince.
NASSIG Chief Petty Officer Selectees.
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