In January we spent marvelous two weeks of out winter break in Koninki, a town at foothills of Gorce Mountains. Scouts' camp theme was "Mafia" and Cub Scouts' and Brownies' theme was "Circus".

It was our 18th Winter Camp and 3rd in Koninki. There were seventy of us - including 15 Cubs and Brownies.

Eight of us took their Scout Oaths and were given Scout Crosses.

 We had so much fun and we are really looking forward to the Summer Camp

Last Sunday we took part in the 18^th Great Final of Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy (The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity), collecting money to support early diagnosis of children cancer as volunteers along with other scouts. There were as many as 120000 of volunteers working on the streets, malls and other public areas

We enjoyed it really much and we are looking forward to the 19^th Final next year.

See more at the official webpage:

http://www.en.wosp.org.pl/our_work/about_us

On December 12th we met with Slovakian scouts at the Polish-Slovakian border to receive a Bethlehem Peace Light.

"Now in its 24th year, the Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign was originally organised by the Austrian Broadcasting Company - ORF (Linz) - and was part of a large charitable relief mission - Light into Darkness, for children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1986, there has been a great deal of co-operation between Scouts and Guides in many countries which has allowed the light to travel throughout Europe, such that the light is passed on 23 European Countries and for the past few years on to America. Each year, a child from Upperaustria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria from where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of Peace, to their own countries for use at ecumenical services throughout the Continent. Scouts and Guides can then take the light on to other churches, hospitals, old people homes, prisons, and places of public, cultural and political importance - to anybody that appreciates the significance of the "gift"."

Source: http://www.peacelight.org.uk/

We also had an opportunity to talk to Slovakian scouts and attended a holly mass there. When back to Kraków, we attended a holly mass in St. Mary’s basilica and shared the light with other scouts, schools, town councils, sports clubs, theatres and many others.

Last November we went on a trip to Greece. We spent nine days there and visited Leptokarya, Meteora, Thermopiles, Itea, Athens, Nafplion, Mykenes and Epidaurus. We climbed Olymp, swam in the sea and had a wonderful time getting known Greek culture and heritage. What amazed us most was Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus with its theatre in the middle of nowhere, and the Meteora - monasteries built at tops of thin and tall mountains. We really enjoyed the trip and hope to visit Greece again soon.

Visit the Photo Gallery at http://www.preria.pl/photogallery.php?album_id=150

On the 1st September, our country celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Second World War outbreak. For us, Polish scouts, this is a special day because scouts fought and many of them died during the War.

In Cracow the first part of the celebrations took place on the Rakowicki cemetery where soldiers and scouts fighting for the Country are buried. We listened to the speeches, did honor and lit lanterns on the graves. The second part of the celebrations took place on the Rynek Główny (Main Market). After the holly mass in the Mariacka basilica we marched through the Florianska street to the Matejko Square. Then we listened to the letter of the President of Poland and speeches by Mayor of the City and representatives of War Veteran’s organizations. Official organizations’ representatives and citizens of the city did honor and put flowers on the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb. The last part of the celebrations was the presentation the War Veterans with commemorative medals.

Our Troup was proud to keep guard of honor together with military services.

We always keep deeply in our hearts all those young girls and boys who gave their lives for our freedom.