June 2003

• General
  • Investiture of Johan Prinsloo
  • Vandalism
  • Lesley Pike to resign as Akela
• Scouts
  • Kontiki
  • McClelland
  • Walton
  • Custard's visit
• Cubs
  • Kontiki
  • Water sports
  • 100km hike
  • Rocky shore outing
  • Lion camp

Chairman's Report

Dear Parents, Cubs, Scouts & Friends

Well, we have once again reached the halfway mark for the year.  We have had a busy time as usual.  The year kicked off with our Annual BP Dinner and I would like to thank those parents who assisted either by way of puddings, donations or giving their time to help in the kitchen.  Without your help it would not have been possible.  Thanks also to the committee for keeping everything running smoothly in my absence.  I would like to urge all parents to please support our fund raising events.

Congratulations go to Johan Prinsloo, who was officially invested into the Scout Troop as an Assistant Troop Scouter – his assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Congratulations also to one of our Scouts, Dylan Prinsloo, and to our Assistant Scouter, Gareth Whittal.  Dylan was chosen as Head Boy at Moregrove Primary School.  Well done Dylan, we are proud of you!  Gareth passed his final qualifying exam in order to become a Chartered Accountant – all that is left now is for Gareth to complete the remaining 7 months of his training contract before he becomes a fully qualified C.A. It’s has been a tough seven years, but it has all paid off in the end.  A little late but congratulations to our Troop Scouter, Wayne and his wife, Madelein, on the birth of their son on 22 December 2002.  Another future Cub/Scout for 1^st Cotswold!  J  Congratulations to an old Scout, Darryl Garner on his recent 21^st birthday!

On a more serious note, we have had a lot of vandalism taking place at the hall. Windows broken by stones being throw through them, making of fires, trashing the Lapa, etc.  In one instance, a section of the vibacrete wall was broken down!   We have managed to apprehend a few children and are in the process of dealing with the matter.   I would like to appeal to those who live close to the hall to be especially vigilant and to call the police immediately if they see anything suspicious.  Our insurance is negatively affected by our claims to the extent that our excess is now R750-00 per claim which means that most of the damage must be for our own account.  As we are a non-profit organisation this is getting beyond our reach.

On another note, our Akela, Leslie Pike, has decided to “retire” after 17 years at 1^st Cotswold.  I am sure everyone would join me in thanking her for all she has done for 1^st Cotswold and wish her well.  Should anyone be interested in running the pack or know of anyone else, please contact me on 041-3711987 or 083 6502932.

Please remember to send all your old newspapers, magazines, etc as we have a container which is emptied on a regular basis and these funds do come in handy.  I would like to appeal to all parents to please make sure their subs accounts are up to date.  Our hall is also for hire at R325-00 per hire and you can contact Charmaine Zeelie on 041-3608500 or 041-3641678 for further information.

To those who are traveling during the holidays, have a safe trip!

VANESSA PROWSE  
GROUP CHAIRMAN

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After the long Dec./Jan. holidays, our year started with revision of the basics, ensuring that the skills developed during 2002 had not been lost.

During February the entire troop was tested for and received their swimming badges.

On 1 March it was “Kontiki” time once again. Cotswold entered two 8-man teams. This was the 1^st year that the current patrols took part in a “traditional” Kontiki, i.e., all the way from Swartkops to Redhouse. Fortunately, the wind and the tide were both in their favour, although it was still one hell of a long way to row on top of barrels and poles held together by a few ropes.  Algoa Sea Scouts with their nautical expertise won this event, but our scouts certainly had an enjoyable day on the river and gained valuable experience.  Trevor, one of the parents, joined in with the spirit of the day, and rowed along with the participants in a canoe, taking his own “emergency “ rations with him. Unfortunately, he never was a scout, and was not prepared…he left the bottle opener behind! Luckily for him, a boatload of kindly fishermen was able to supply an opener so that he could quench his thirst.

The next event that we attended was the McClelland Camping Competition. This was an eye-opener for all our scouts who participated as it was the first camp that they had to plan in its entirety on their own. There were a few stumbling blocks to start off with, but in true scouting tradition, the scouts rose to the challenge and overcame the obstacles. After 3 days of camping, both Cotswold patrols had scored in excess of 55% on their 1^st McClelland.  To put this into perspective, the patrol that came second this year, only managed 26% on their 1^st outing 3 years ago. Our scouts can certainly be proud of their achievements.

Recently, we took part in the Walton competition and Night hike. The biggest problem was probably getting to the venue….in the forest behind Lady’s Slipper somewhere. Who will ever forget the cars sliding and skidding up the hill in the mud and slush?  Due to illness and unforeseen circumstances, we only entered one patrol. Fortunately, the rain stopped as the hike began, but the cold definitely made its presence felt. The Cotswold Patrol plodded through the night, covering as many bases as they could, and not getting lost at all.  At approx. 05h30, everyone gathered at HQ, tents were pitched, and a chance was taken by some to grab 40 winks. Tent pitching was too much for one scout, he just collapsed on top of his tent.

By 08h00, most of the guys were up again, and astounded us all by going for a walk! At the prize giving held later, Cotswold came 7^th in the Night Hike and 4^th in the Walton Competition. Once again, the Cotswold scouts acquitted themselves well.

With “inexperienced” scouts performing the way that these guys have done over the last few months, it will be interesting to see how they develop and prosper in forthcoming events.

One of our ex Assistant Troop Scouters, Nicholas, otherwise known as “Custard”, made a brief visit to the troop while on a visit to SA from the UK. He was very impressed with the progress that the troop has made since he last saw them.

Please continue to send/bring/collect scrap paper, empty beer & cooldrink cans as well as plastic bottles. Not only does this help to keep our environment clean, it also provides valuable funds for 1^st Cotswold.

Johan Prinsloo
Assistant Troop Scouter

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Cub Report

We have had a very busy 1^st half of the year.  We welcomed two new families into the Cotswold family - the Wright family from Uitenhage and the Myburgh family.  Hope that Gareth and Warren enjoy being part of our Pack.

Kontiki:  
We had a combined team of 1^st Lorraine and 1^st Cotswold Cubs on the raft.  Obviously a winning combination as our raft gained 1^st place.  Thank to the 1^st Cotswold dads for making the raft and to the 1^st Lorraine dad who transported the raft.

Water Sports:  
We took part in the annual water sports day at the Despatch pool.  Cubs from St Croix joined our Cubs in the ‘tube pull race’ and gained 2^nd place.  Mathew Abrahams won the ‘walking across the pool race’.

100km Hike:  
Most of our Cubs took part in the event by walking the last 5 km’s together with Akela.  The boys raised quite a lot of money on sponsorships, which went towards Sister Ethels Mission.  Akela started the walk with all the other participants in Jeffreys Bay and managed to complete 36 km’s.  Which in the end worked out to a total of 41 km’s.  Wonders never cease.  Well done to our Akela!!

Rocky Shores Outing:  
On 1^st April all the Cubs’ accompanied by a few parents and grandparents, we to Schoenies for a peak at nature.  Denise Davies of the Wild Life Society and Godfrey Murrel of the NMMM Nature Conservation Section led the outing.  Rocks were overturned and any little creature on the underside thereof was named, examined and then released.  The Cubs even learnt how to distinguish between sexes of crabs, much to their amusement.  Much fun was had by all.

Lion Camp:  
Two boys, together with Akela, attended the annual district Lion Vamp at Witteklip during the weekend of 17 and 18 May.  The Cubs were so busy with their work for the Lion Badge that they did not even notice that it rained most of the weekend.  Apart from the hike, the highlight of the weekend was the owners dog giving birth to ten puppies.

Akela