S pec cial Celebrating 100 Years of World Scouting l Iss ue MMaattoopospos MMuummbblliinngsgs Issue 4 Monday 13 August 2007 Monday’s Programme: Rise at six o’clock with the call from the Kudu Horn, just as B-P himself used to do, getting the The History of Gordon Park — Part 3 Camp underway with the The camping site chosen was in the Rhodes area, now known as “The Bowl” was acquired Morning Parade at 8 o’clock. Matopos Estate, none other than the site which increasing the total acreage to 285. the 1st Bulawayo Troop had been using for the Bases open during the morning, There are many who have contributed but who previous six years. On 16th February 1936 the so those Bases not yet tried: have not been mentioned by name in this re- camp was formally declared open by Colonel cord. They “have given and have not counted do them now! Granville Walton, Imperial Headquarters Com- the cost”… To all of them, those known whose missioner for Overseas Scouts who accompa- work is recorded and those unknown to us we Bases close at 12:00 noon, nied the Chief Scout to South Africa. owe our consummate gratitude. as Scouts prepare lunch and The Camp was named after Colonel Gordon. begin dismantling their camp- With acknowledgments to the booklet, The handsome wrought iron gates made by F. Gordon Park. sites and packing away kit. Issels and Sons, were erected in his memory and opened by the then His Excellency, the Closing Parade is held at 3:00 at Governor, Sir John Kennedy. The first Warden the Skipper Knapman Training (later a Warden became known as Camp Com- Ground, wishing farewell to all missioner) was Mr. C.M.K. Robertson B.Sc., professionally a Civil Engineer and Skipper the Scouts attending the Knapman acted as his Assistant. Join-in-Centenary Camp. Parties of Rovers continued visiting the Park Scouts depart after the until the outbreak of the Second World War. Closing Parade, ensuring that Skipper Knapman became Warden (Camp Commissioner) when Mr. C.M.K. Robertson their campsites are left clean left for active service. Soon after the Park, and tidy, and that their dustbins which by then boasted two small wooden have been emptied into the buildings, was closed down for the duration of incinerator. Safe traveling all. the Second World War. The Memorial Gates at Gordon Park The original Park was 75 acres but need soon arose for Scout Camping and Leader Training areas to be established. In 1947 the adjoining Special points of interest: · Water is in very short supply and Fond Farewells expensive to supply, so please be As the Camp draws to a close, Monday will see the departure try, binding them under one very careful with your water usage. we hope that everyone has had of all the Scouts from Camp, promise to celebrate 100 years a good time, and that everyone after the final Closing Parade of World Scouting. Remember · Fires need to be kept under con- has learnt something new, ex- held at the Skipper Knapman the ideals that B-P founded 100 trol at all times. The grass is very perienced something new and Training Ground in the early years ago, and help keep them. made new friends. afternoon. flammable now, so be careful! Now that you are leaving, re- Though the programme was As you return to your homes, member well the fun you had · Listen out for animals, as they are unfortunately delayed, the Bases keep in mind your Scout Prom- here, the friends you made, the proved very enjoyable, with the ise and Law. Have you followed new things you saw and learnt around, and if you’re quiet you may Jumping Jupiter (Trampoline), them out on this Camp? about. just see something. Meteorite (Shooting) and Have you kept your honour Keep your Promise and Law Gogo’s Flight Food (Pancakes) bright, and followed the path set uppermost in your minds, and · Litter is a serious problem, so being the most favourite. out by B-P 100 years ago. God Bless and Safe Traveling. please pick up all litter around Hopefully, you have been on all We hope to see you all in two The Centenary Camp has the Bases, and your passport is years time, in 2009, as we cele- Camp and place it in a dustbin. brought together hundreds of full of signatures showing your brate 100 years of Zimbabwe Scouts from all over the coun- adventures! Scouting! PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com Cake!! Where? Issue 4 Sunday saw the Centenary After the Service however, all After the Slicing of the Presenta- Service being held in St. those in Camp assembled on the tion Cake, everyone on Camp Water Watch George’s open-air Chapel, be- Skipper Knapman Training was given a slice of cake, which hind Gordon Park Rock, with a Ground, as magically, cakes were wolfed down in no time! The Last Day of Camp has come! Well done large proportion of Scouts in began to appear on a trestle on your water usage, though a lot has been Great thanks must go to the attendance. table set-up close by. used, we haven’t been over-excessive. wonderful cooks for their time The Service was conducted by The large Presentation Cake, and effort, and the soucing of However, please try to conserve as much Father Benno Holtz, who talked with an icing replica of the Join- the ingredients. Your love and water as you can today, as the water bases on the vision and inspiration of a in-Centenary Logo, was placed devotion are sincerely appreci- will run if there is enough water left. man like Baden-Powell, giving us in the centre of the Training ated, and your cooking skills a clear example on how to lead Ground, with all eyes drooling most highly rated! On Sunday we used 53566 litres. We have our day-to-day lives with a sense over the beautiful icing. used a total of 86544 litres throughout the of honour and love towards our camp. The youngest Beaver on Camp, Creator. Josh Maidwell, and the two Keep taps tightly closed when not in use: The Colours were presented, oldest Leaders, Mrs. Moody and more water can be wasted through a drip- with several Cub Pack and Mr. Nortje, cut the cake, sym- ping tap than anywhere else. Troop Colours, along with a bolizing the link between the old Beaver Pennant! The presenta- and new methods. Links with Please save water as much as you can! Re- tion of a Troop’s colours reaf- our past are important though, The cutting of the member the water bases need as much firms that Troop’s commitment and we must always keep in Centenary Cake water as we can spare. to God in it’s daily existence. mind the work done before us. A Hope for Tomorrow We often dwell on the problems our country has They ask me and I am not ashamed, been facing recently, moaning and gripping about To tell them “You have not finished your the politics and other issues we face today. We 100 years of peace and harmony, camp, even if you have packed tend to dwell on the negative side of life, forget- 100 years of love and unity, ting often how beautiful and positive life can be. 100 years of prosperity. up your kit and cleaned up the Investing in Scouting is investing Some Scouts on this Camp have refused to be In the Future of Africa and the World, negative, and have sent in the following poem, ground, until you have thanked How Proud am I to be a Scout. expressing how beautiful life can be. the owner for the use of it and Debra Bhebhe & R.J. Davies A Proud Scout Thanks to the both of you for taking the challenge have thanked God for giving They ask me and I am not ashamed, of submitting something to the Newsletter. To answer. How proud am I to be you a good time.” A Scout. Also thanks to 66th Bulawayo (St. Columbus), who sent in a letter on what they have done in From Zambezi to Limpopo Camp and on the Hike. It seems they have really Lord Baden-Powell Free an I to travel, enjoyed themselves. Free am I to express myself, Scouting for Boys How proud am I to be a Scout. “Let’s have fun, let’s march on to the next Century.” “In the Footsteps of the Founder” “It was a great experience” says with their chaps—we had some Forces during the Matabele Edmore Mhazo, Hike Leader, minor problems here and there, Rebellion in 1896, and were also who hiked from G-P to Nkan- but we tried to go as quickly as briefed about the history of the tola, Fort Usher and back again possible.” Hiking can easily be Fort, with which B-P was di- with Hike Leader Mthabisi made an integral part of Troop rectly involved, lending some Mphofu, “we managed to make activities: try going for a history to the area they were it alright.” monthly hike, and see the differ- hiking through. ence it will make to your Troop The hike set out late Saturday The hikers really enjoyed the and your Patrol. afternoon, heading for Nkantola Nkantola area, notably the Battle site, stopping overnight at You don’t need fancy equipment overnight camp site as the river Nkantola. Following “In the to hike, all you need is a pair of races through a steep gorge.