Western Cape Scouter

Kon-Tiki 2019 Rayner 2019 winners

Upton 2019 winners Kon-Tiki 2019 winners

Inside this Issue: Rayner Trophy 2019 Editor’s Note Upton Shield 2019 Regional Commissioner’s Reflection Cape Town City Nature Challenge Springbok Scouts Gilwell Reunion Leadership Development Course 1 Kon-Tiki 2019 Training Talk Kon-Tiki 2019 - Cubs Properties Awards Ceremony

IISSUESSUE 1 - JJuneune 22019019 Editor’s note

W h e n I w a s a positive response and also approached by Nigel whether there would be enough Forshaw who asked me articles and news from various w h e t h e r I w o u l d scouters to make this newsletter consider being the worth producing and reading in the editor of a new Scout’s future. newsletter, at first I was not sure whether I Constructive criticism will make this should accept this newsletter better as we proceed. I challenge. Having been the editor will welcome and consider any of a scout newsletter for 7 years, I changes/additions to the layout and felt that this should have given me contents. enough confidence in accepting this role. I am a parent of a Springbok scout but was never a scout myself. Due to The brief was that this was to be a this lack of practical involvement, I newsletter aimed at scouters, while rely heavily on the experience of my previous task had been editor of contributors to this newsletter. a newsletter aimed at cubs, scouts, Looking forward to hearing from scouters as well as parents. you all.

Would this newsletter would be well The name of this newsletter is received by its readers and worth currently the “Western Cape continuing and would I be happy in Scouter”. If you think of a better continuing being the editor for name, please let us know. 2020? Contact details: It was decided that this year’s three [email protected] issues (June, September and [email protected] December) would be a trial run. (editor)

Obviously this first issue (June 2019) Deadline for next issue is Friday is being compiled with the idea of 20th September finding out whether there would be Mauro

1 Regional Commissioner’s Reflection Winter 2019

How exciting it is to be reflecting on in our Region for inclusion in a revived quarterly Adult leaders e-news magazine. We have a good email subscribers list in place and many more local WhatsApp type groups for communication. But the need for a more relaxed reading of youth members in a number of what's happening in Western Cape groups. Scouts Digital is tracking an Scouting has long been challenging upward trend and our Scouting in us. When Mauro offered to act as Schools project has both grown in editor-in-chief of a newsletter stature and numbers, but also format quarterly 'e-magazine' we delivered some exciting spinoffs for were delighted. This edition is the our young interns and learners. first of what we believe will become Properties are a big administrative a very anticipated mailing each and security challenge, yet the quarter. growing usage and popularity of our We want the newsletter to highlight facilities with members and non- the action and excitement that members alike has been a pleasant Scouting is delivering to youth result of the strong focus on offering across our Scout groups. To share a 'good, clean, working and great ideas for games, activities and comfortable' experience for our programs. To highlight what's users. Read inside how the new coming, and celebrate what's tents for hire project has benefitted happened. We want it to be a hirers. helpful addition to your scout Finances in a fee based organisation leaders toolkit. will always be a challenge. The As a Region we are seeing growth in Regional focus on balanced

2 Regional Commissioner’s Reflection budgets and tight control on spend, those less fortunate via Soup but investing in needed equipment challenges involving the whole and facilities has with the help of Group, blanket collecting, pet care donors and members brought or environmental cleanups and about refurbished halls, a fully education around especially plastic equipped obstacle course, the new usage. bridges at Hawequas and a buildup in reserves. Lastly, let’s make 2019 an admin Looking ahead we will continue to efficient year, get your census return consolidate membership data in in on time, have your first round star Scouts Digital (17 units still to awards assessment by July, blow complete their take on data), as well your parents away with a rocking as grow the courses offered for AGM, and strive for those elusive youth members around the LDC 1 & Leaping Wolf and 1st class badges - 2 introductions and water activities. and in between all of that keep the purple visible in your hood! As we move into mid winter it is time to challenge all Groups to ensure Happy Scouting you are doing your 'good turn' to Paddy Springbok Scouts

We congratulate our recent Springbok Scouts who are: Hanna Ashley-Cooper 1st Durbanville Laura Kingston 2nd Bergvliet Thomas Barker 1st Mossel Bay Thomas Leach 2nd Bergvliet Maryka Bewee 1st Knysna Christopher MacDonald 1st Bergvliet James Bowden 1st Bergvliet Jonothan O'Callaghan 2nd Fish Hoek Kyle Cato 3rd Pinelands Neil Smith 1st George Jamie Fraser 6th Rondebosch Connor Stockdale 2nd Bergvliet Thomas Goemans 1st Bergvliet Dirk Troost 1st Hermanus Robyn-Anne Hyslop 2nd Bergvliet Andre Truter 2nd Rondebosch

3 Leadership Development Course 1

Attending the LDC1 course is one of and delightful to see all the smiles the optional activities that a Scout and laughs on the faces of the can participate in that counts Scouts during the race. towards the Traveller advancement badge. It is a course where the use The course was a great success with of the Patrol System and a small 87 junior Scouts attending in 12 group of Scouts in a Patrol under the Patrols, all lead by a senior Scout. leadership of a Patrol Leader, is Scouts earned the LDC1 badge highlighted. The course is almost which is worn on the Scout uniform like a Troop Meeting except it starts where the Interest badges go. The in the early morning and finishes in course was quite challenging to run the late afternoon. for so many Scouts but issues relating to this were thought about This was the first time the course beforehand and overcome. was to be run in the Western Cape Region so I contacted Jearóid Harris Ideally, I would like to see LDC1 from the Gauteng Region who had being run at District level, as well as previously run the course and who Regional. District Commissioners was very helpful in passing on the are being encouraged to put LDC1 Gauteng programme to the into their District programme. Western Cape Region. The programme comprised registering, Thanks go to Peter Otzen, Jason falling in, an icebreaker ball game, a Raad, Cedric Pienaar, Petra Botes, Patrol Meeting demo and Jamie Stewart, Daniel Middleton, orienteering exercise, a Scout Law Gershwin Botes, Byron Kingwill, and Promise game, the role of the Ewan Blamire, Mia Ehlers, Taylor APL and other Patrol members, Williams, Dayton Charles, Oliver Patrol Camp/Activities paperwork Murphy, Andrew Venter, Jamie (permissions, permits, consent Fraser, Justin Cheney, Caden forms, transport, invites, etc.), Sampson, Mika Wessels, Rebecca pioneering lashings, menus , Sparg and Robyn Hyslop for shopping lists and budgets. The day staffing, acting as Patrol leaders or finished off with a fun chariot race Patrol Quartermasters. Thanks to which requires pioneering 1st Bergvliet for allowing the use of construction. It was so noticeable their Scout hall.

4 Leadership Development Course 1

Now for the LDC2 course to be run Nigel Forshaw in July 2019. RTC Scout Programme – WCape

Training Talk

needed to safely deliver exciting programs. Additionally hands on Workshops for Committees cover key aspects of running a group and optimising Adult leader training is a critical resources. Around 25 Nationally support function provided for all registered courses are presented in Scouters and adults who assist in the year. The Stage 3 the Movement. The team of is the aspired level of training for volunteers run a range of courses all Scouters. from the Stage 1 Introduction to The symbol of training is the axe Adult Leadership to Stage 3 The and log logo, which was used as Wood Badge. Specialist courses above in the 2019 annual like First Aid, Cub Camping, membership badge to celebrate Jungle Book and Mountain the Wood Badge Centenary. Awareness give Scouters the skills

5 Scouts‘ Properties

HOLDERNESS ROAD HALL This property is based in Kenwyn . We are currently upgrading the outside of the property, thanks to a generous donation of R25000 from the Abe Bailey Trust. This is fully owned by Scouts SA (Western Cape). 1st Belvedere Scout Group are busy relocating from 124 Belvedere Road (currently Scouts HQ South Africa) into this property. We have replaced all the facias/eaves/gutters and downpipes as well as refurbishing and painting of all the metal windows. We still need to replace the 8 small windows on the north facing wall.

BELVEDERE ROAD HALL (HQ SCOUTS SA) This is a leased hall and we are currently waiting for the lease to be renewed. HQ will be occupying the entire hall as from the end of June 2019. We are busy with minor repairs and will undertake major renovations once the new lease is received.

1st STRAND SCOUT GROUP This is also a fully owned property. We are busy looking to develop this into a regional camping ground should current negotiations prove successful.

GILRAY We are on a month to month lease with the COCT. Our future is uncertain hence the lack of funds to develop the property.

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APPLETON CAMP SITE SIGNAL HILL The future of this camp site is rather uncertain. After more than 60 years of occupation by the Scouts, SANParks seem reluctant to want to renew our lease. However, the camp site is still very popular and well used.

SCOUT HUT ON TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN Thanks to Thomas Shrick and his team, the hut is in a very good condition and perhaps one of our most popular and well used facility.

HAWEQUAS SCOUT ADVENTURE CENTRE - WELLINGTON Hawequas has seen many milestone recently. For the past four years we have been working on making Hawequas legal – we have needed to reconcile building plans to municipal records. After a lot of work all buildings had plans draughted and these were submitted for approval. Council eventually came back to us and informed us that we had too many will be the Terrace Ablution Block, beds and toilets to be a farm! We that will also have a communal were advised that we needed to re- kitchen and a covered dining/events zone the farm, which has been a very area. We are hoping to start on this lengthy process; many professionals project still this year. gave us help and yes, finally we have A lot of homework is being done on been re-zoned as an Open Space 3 creating a brief for a new Barn category – a Private Nature Reserve! building, incorporating a big We will soon have a competition to kitchen, accommodation, store get to a new name that will rooms and an office – this is an incorporate the words “Private exciting project. Nature Reserve”. Watch this space! The usage of Hawequas is We can now submit plans for new increasing dramatically, which is buildings we want to build: the first wonderful to see but still only 10%

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of Hawequas is being used, there is so much more that can be done here, get out and explore! To help with the exploring we will soon be erecting our Adirondack Shelter up in the saddle next to the koppie – you will be able to do a two-night hike without leaving Hawequas boundaries! We are working on a helicopter airlift. events bring us very good revenue, The MTB Cycle Trails have now been which we need to keep upgrading mapped; the map is on display at Hawequas and being able to the entrance to Hawequas. One can c o ntinue eradicating alien now do a 22 km trail on a circular vegetation on our reserve. route from Hawequas. You can pay by using Snapscan for a I need to thank our Property riding/running permit. We have a Committee for all the support and full set of Harnesses, “Cowtails” and all the kind donors who continue to Helmets which you can hire so that support us. We always have projects you can use the Ropes Course – This on the go at Hawequas, so scouts equipment needs to be booked are always welcome to contact me with your booking of Hawequas. to find out how you can help; come spend time over you holidays We have 6 x full patrol kits now, with getting to grips with your Hawequas gas and all the cooking equipment a Scout Adventure Centre. patrol needs, as well as 10 x 6 person Dome tents. We have now had over a 1000 nights spent in these tents! Apart from all the Scouting events happening at Hawequas, we will be having a three day stage trail race being run from Hawequas in September – these

8 Rayner Trophy 2019

When I agreed to be Rayner Chief Judge, I saw it as an opportunity to link my Woodbadge project of introducing Scouts to my topic of environmental ethics by using Leave No Trace (LNT) as my theme. As part of my LNT goals, I worked the theme into all aspects of the competition. Bases had markers stating one of the seven principles. Several bases had direct associations to one or more of the principles. STA's had one or more of the from the start that there were principles worked into them. penalties for scouts or patrols The route was designed to leave leaving a trace or impacting the no impact. environment. The scouts were made aware

9 Rayner Trophy 2019

For day 1 the route was from Bain's Kloof Pass across Canetsfontein to Hawequas Scout Adventure Centre where we camped for the night. For day 2 a circular route in the Dal Josaphat Forest Reserve took the scouts up the mountain to just below the Du Toits Kloof Pass and back to Hawequas. A total distance estimation, morse code, soap of approximately 20km was covered carving, BP crossword, Naismith's in the two days. rule, whipping, plaiting a , axemanship, carry rescue, With the help of Nigel Forshaw I mapwork, and a darts blowpipe introduced the City Nature challenge amongst others not Challenge 2019 as an STA. Each mentioned here. team had to use the iNaturalist app that had been pre-installed on their The LNT theme for Rayner 2019 cell phone to record at least one or made an impact on scouts during more plants, animals or fungi that the competition and for the most they found on the route by taking a part, maintained a high level of photograph and uploading it to the cooperation in adhering to the LNT web using the app. principles. I have noted a higher environmental ethics awareness Other activities included, rucksack with the scouts that participated in weigh in, uniform inspection, first Rayner at other events. aid incident that required treating the patient and a stretcher, hanking Congratulations to 1st Claremont a rope, knotting, cloud for coming 1st and 2nd and thus identification, water rescue, plaster retaining the Rayner Trophy. Very cast, cooking supper, height well done to 6th Rondebosch for

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coming 3rd. Full results can be found at https://westerncape.scouts.org.za/ 2019/03/05/rayner-trophy2019.

Being Chief Judge has given me a new appreciation of how it takes the efforts of many to help give a positive experience for our scouts on competitions. I am extremely grateful for the support of all the judges who volunteered their time because without them there would be no competition.

David Bosch Rayner Chief Judge

11 Upton Shield 2019

The Upton Shield is a day hiking competition for junior Scouts under the age of 14½. This year it took place at the Helderberg Nature Reserve at Somerset West. Congratulations to 2nd Bergvliet for winning the competition. 1st Claremont came second. In joint third were 1st Claremont (a different team), Durbanville Kraaifontein and 6th Rondebosch.

12 Cape Town City Nature Challenge

The Western Cape Scouts took part Therese-Anne in the recently held Cape Town City G o e m a n s Nature Challenge. This is a world submitted the wide citizen science challenge m o s t where Scouts installed the observations iNaturalist app on their cell phone f o r C u b s . and then took photographs of their K a y l e e a n d observations of birds, amphibians, Luke Fittock reptiles, mammals, fish, molluscs, submitted the most observations arachnids, insects, plants, fungi and for Scouts. Gunther Henshilwood protozoa. Some people preferred and I received awards for organising to use digital cameras and then Cubs and Scouts to take part in the uploaded photos to the iNaturalist challenge. website. 159 cities took part. You are encouraged to use The Western Cape Cubs and Scouts iNaturalist as a tool to assist in did a fantastic job in contributing citizen science and widen the almost 10% of all the data that Cape knowledge of Cubs and Scouts. Use Town submitted. Cubs and Scouts the iNaturalist cell phone app or go who submitted 10 or more to www.inaturalist.org. For more observations earned the Cape Town information have a look at City Nature Challenge event badge westerncape.scouts.org.za/wp- which may be worn on the uniform. content/uploads/sites/3/2019/02/C The great news is that Cape Town ape-Town-City-Nature- won two out of the three categories. Challange.pdf. We had the most observations at Cape Town is going to defend its 53,775 and the most number of title in 2020 so be on the lookout for species recorded at 4587. This was a more iNaturalist fun. Two tentative stunning result that blew the minds dates are already in the 2020 online of the organisers. Scouts SA diary. contributed! The City of Cape Town recognized Nigel Forshaw contributors at an awards evening at RTC Scout Programme – the City Hall. Emily Vergeer and Western Cape

13 Cape Town City Gilwell Reunion Nature Challenge 2019

Woodbadge training has been offered by scouting for 100 years. Save the date Saturday 07 September 2019 for this special 1st Gilwell Troop reunion celebration. All Woodbadge holders remain lifelong members of the Gilwell Troop and are invited to attend. Full details will be given when the invitations are sent out on Scouters mailing list.

14 Kon-Tiki 2019

by Angela Lee-Wright Much camaraderie and excitement abounded within and between Kon-Tiki 2019 was a splendifirous groups as construction continued affair with 22 Raft Crew entries, 40 well into the night, ending at 11pm. Fringe Teams and more than 50 Campers and Boatshed-dwellers judges from around the Western turned in shortly after as Kon-Tiki Cape taking part in an exciting Saturday always promises an early weekend. With "The Works of Roald start with many activities taking Dahl" as this year's theme, we were place in every aspect of the graced with some truly magical competition. costumes and huts: from witches to giants, Willy Wonka and his oompa Construction of the rafts and huts loompas, to a library of books, an recommenced at the crack of dawn. ENORMOUS crocodile, talking As the new day set in, Groups animals and more, it was a feast for banded together to finish their the eyes! construction in time so as not to lose valuable points. Judges began the Even though Kon-Tiki started a little ever-important task of safety later this year, we were blessed with judging, as huts were being magnificent weather all weekend. assembled all around the Base. The base was a hum of activity as Spectators from the community construction of the rafts came down to marvel at the feat commenced promptly at 3pm. achieved by the Scouts, from the

15 Kon-Tiki 2019

solid construction of the rafts, to the competition and the adventure creative decor of the huts and began. theme items to the impressive Rafts were launched into the Bay costumes from the magical world of with the safety crew doing an Roald Dahl. It was a pleasure to exemplary job and STAs were announce that all constructions distributed without further ado. were awarded "A" grade Kon-Tiki 2019 had begun! The rafts Seaworthy Certificates. were anchored in the bay for 24hrs Parade was a whizzpopping affair as in a water-world type village. Raft each group paraded their time and crew members hunkered down and effort spent on really magnificent costumes. It was nice to see a significant group of Cubs enjoying the Parade this year as a new Cub Competition was implemented in 2019. This we hope to continue in years to come. Chief Judge, Dave Roux officially opened the

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get their tasks finished on time.

Sunday kicked off with a bang with the much-loved tender race. Frying pans and missing oars made it quite a spectacle that was enjoyed by all. Runners and enthusiastic group members took part in the annual engaged their creative juices to Cross Country race with winners deliver a high standard of work. This bringing great prestige to their year the Fringe competition groups. Spectators were able to ensured that the rest of the Scouts view the final STAs constructed by were kept on their toes with the Raft and Fringe teams as Sunday activities such as volleyball, drew down to a close. Rafts were kneeboarding, tug-of-war and an pulled back to shore and dismantled obstacle course. We even enjoyed with tired, disheveled but happy an indoor campfire on Saturday Scouts assisting or resting on the night! . banks of the vlei. Parents also got to take part, by cooking up a storm and practising their Master Chef skills for the Bob Bell Cooking Trophy. Needless to say that the Sea Scout Base became a true Scouting village. The Fringe Teams enjoyed some Night Activities while the Raft Crews stayed up all night, managing their time as best as they could in order to

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Congratulations to 1st Bergvliet for Competition and 2nd Bergvliet for winning the Raft Competition, 1st winning the Cub Competition. Durbanville for winning the Fringe

2nd Bergvliet - Cub Competition

1st Durbanville - Fringe Competition

1st Bergvliet - Raft Competition

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19 Kon-Tiki 2019 - Cubs

20 Awards Ceremony

Milly Siebrits (CEO Scouts SA) and the Western Awards were held at 1st Monte Vista Scout Hall Cape Region Management team

Springbok Scouts being recognized Opening prayer

Nimmy Abrahams, Paddy Milner, Regional Jana Lorenz and Rory Rochat receiving our MC Commissioner Christian Reimers, the Silver Cross for addressing the Scouts SA German Gallantry audience volunteers

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