• General
• Scouts
  • Events
    • Skilkana
    • JOTA /JOTI
    • Beach Hike
    • Swimmers Badge
  • Test Passing
  • Consent Forms and Health Certificates
  • Subs
  • Re-cycling
  • Troop Meetings
  • General
• Cubs
  • Arbor Day
  • District Lion Camp
  • Snare Hunt
  • JOTA
  • Skilkana
  • National Cub Challenge

Dear Parents, Cubs, Scouts, Family and Friends

Once again it is that time again – the end of another busy year. Each year seems to go quicker than the one before. 

I would like to thank the families who have supported our fundraising efforts.   Next year we will have to do even more fundraising as our running expenses are increasing all the time especially now that we no longer receive a subsidy for our rates.  The cost of insuring the hall has also increased.  We would like to ask all families to support our fundraising efforts.  We would also welcome any new fundraising ideas.

We would like to congratulate our Treasurer, Denise, and Trevor Swiekkaard on their recent marriage and wish them many years of happiness.  Congratulations also to another committee member, Len Zeelie, who has started a new business venture.  We wish him every success.

We had a serious problem with vandalism at the Scout Hall this year, which resulted in around 35 windowpanes being broken.  The cost to replace the windows was borne by the insurance company but I would like to appeal to everyone to report anything suspicious to the police.  We have had many instances of vandalism in the past.

In closing I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and everything of the best for 2003.  To those who are writing exams, best of luck.  To those who will be travelling, please drive safely.

Regards

Vanessa Prowse
Group Chairman

SCOUT REPORT

EVENTS:

- SKILKANA:

Skilkana was held in Uitenhage once again and hosted by SOE Scout Group.  The event consists of short bases with scouting skills being put to the test.  Cotswold Troop entered two teams this year.

- JOTA / JOTI: Two patrols went to this event.  Jamboree on the air (JOTA) / internet (JOTI) was a weekend camp held at Andrew Rabie High School.  We arrived on the Friday afternoon and set up camp in howling wind.  The scouts cooked their own food the whole weekend and took part in a number of bases.  Some of the more popular bases were pellet-gun shooting, archery, radio hams, aerial runway, signalling, internet, and an obstacle course.  Great fun was had by all.

- BEACH HIKE: We are going to go on an overnight beach hike from Gamtoos River mouth to the Van Stadens River Mouth.  Most of the scouts only need to sleep out one more night to complete the five nights camped as part of the Pathfinder advancement badge. The date for this event will be announced.

- SWIMMERS BAGDE:

When we open next year, we will also be taking the scouts to the pool to complete the swimmers badge.  So during the holidays, get as much swimming practise as possible.

TEST PASSING:

The last few months since the AGM at the troop meetings we have been training the scouts on the requirements for the Pathfinder badge.  I would like to get at least 80% of the troop to complete the Pathfinder badge by the Easter weekend.

CONSENT FORMS & HEALTH CERTIFICATES:

Please parents, remember your son may not attend any scout event / activity without you signing these forms before hand.  Scout rulings do not allow me to take any scouts with to events / activities without parents signing these forms.

SUBS:

If you are going to send subs to scouts, please make  sure that the monies are in a sealed envelope with the scout’s name & amount written in the outside.

RE-CYCLING:

We are collecting waste paper, cardboard, plastic packets, plastic bottles and cans for sale to waste agents.  We get money for all the items that are collected from our hall.  Please let your son have about 5 family members, friends or neighbours collecting for him and bring it down to scouts on a Friday night.

TROOP MEETINGS:

Our meetings start at 18:30 sharp and end at 21:00.  Please ensure that your son is at the hall at 18:15 if possible, so as to allow us to start on time.

If he has other obligations and cannot make it to a meeting on a Friday, please get him to excuse himself to either Gareth, Johan, or myself.

GENERAL:

It was my 1^st full year at my new job and it has been a trying time for me.  I hope to do a lot more for the troop in the year to come and help all your son’s progress in scouting.

We had Johan Prinsloo join us on the uniform side when Nicholas Berry left us.  Johan’s assistance has been helped us plug a gap and is much appreciated. 

Thank you to the parents who supported me throughout the year with various events i.e. transport mostly provided by the same few parents.  I would like to call on the other parents to try and get involved in the troop and help us get Cotswold on the map in the Cape Eastern region.

Thank you to the committee and my fellow uniformed colleagues, who also assisted me and supported me this year.  I would not have been able to do it without you guys.

Thank you to the scouts who gave up there Friday nights to be at the hall to learn & have fun.  If you guys work hard, I am sure that Cotswold will have a good few more Springbok scouts in the next few years.

This is wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.  If you are travelling, take care.

Panther

CUB NEWS

The second half of this year has been a busy time for the pack.  Four new chums have been invested: Charl Topkin, Mathew Abraham, Jonathan Prinsloo and Daniel Jooste.  Colin Fouché and Lyall Blaauw have been graduated to the scout troop – both earning their top award, the Leaping Wolf.  Well done boys.

ARBOR DAY:

The boys did bark rubbings and with the aid of a hammer, they ‘banged’ out beautiful tray cloths for their Moms using flowers and leaves.

DISTRICT LION CAMP:

Lyall attended this very ‘wet camp’ and enjoyed it.

SNARE HUNT:

On Sept 30, we joined in with cubs and scouts from the St. Croix group, the Swartkops Trust as well as conservation officials from the metro to look for snares in the Aloes Nature Reserve.  A total of 41 snares were found and removed.  It is gratifying to know that we helped save 41 animals lives.

JOTA:

We attended Jota and had great fun working at the different ‘communications’ bases.  The boys managed to earn their secrets codes badges at the event.

SKILKANA:

We attended this great event in Uitenhage.  Our team gained two places: 1^st place at the ‘Rope Throw’ base and 3^rd place at the ‘Kims Game’ base.  Thanks to 1^st Uitenhage (SOE) for once again organising such a wonderful day.

CUB NATIONAL CHALLENGE:

As part of the challenge, we ran a very successful pirate programme, which was enjoyed by all.  

CUB CRICKET: We took part in the cub cricket challenge run by 1st Sunridge this year.  Although our team did not reach the finals, they played well and enjoyed the day.  Thanks to Dylan Abrahams who stepped in to complete our team.  A special thanks to Adrian Thompson and ‘Romeo’ (Darren’s cousin) for being the umpires.  We do really appreciate the support from our families

We will be ending the year this year off with a carol service at the Protea Place of Safety.  We will also be camping at Gilsprings with 1^st Uitenhage (SOE) cubs in early December.

It is with great sadness that we are saying goodbye to the Thompson family who are returning to Cape Town.  We will miss Robin and Michael.

Akela