It was so encouraging to see how many parents and boys attended our AGM, campfire and supper on Friday, 28 August 1998. Congratulations to all those who received prizes and keep going to all those who just missed out. A heartfelt thanks must go to Akela (Mrs Pike), Juliet and Mrs Wheeler who give up so much of their time to help the cubs and to Steven O’Reilly, Nicholas Berry and Michael Wilson for their help with the Scouts.

Hello everyone, it’s that time again. The last couple of weeks have been very busy wrapping up the troop competition events. During this time, the boys took part in the following events: -

We visited Tsolwana Game Park. The boys had a great time especially the rhino tracking.

The Interpatrol camping competition has held at Ingleside, from 7-10 August. This was held in perfect weather, apart from the fact that at night it was quite chilly. It was great to have so many boys camping again. They learnt a lot, especially the younger boys. See some photos.

Interpatrol pioneering also took place at the hall from 14-15 August. The boys had a tough time, as the weather didn’t play along as it rained the whole weekend. This made construction difficult with slippery wet poles and it was also difficult to mark in the rain. The boys did their best. This one is definitely one for the book of experience.See some photos.

The Area Soccer Day was held at PE Technikon fields on Sunday, 16 August. This year the competition was tough and not all plain sailing. Kudu eventually won with 1^st Newton Park coming second and Rhino coming third.

The AGM was held on 28 August. It was nice to see so many parents attending. Congratulations to those who received trophies. The campfire was a great success thanks to Wayne Roberts for leading it, to the patrols for their skits and to all the parents who attended. I would also like to thank the boys for their continued support.

SCOUT PRIZE WINNERS

Interpatrol Pioneering - Rhino Patrol
Scout of the Year - Daryl Whittal
Best Attendance - Kelvin Garner
Service to Fellowman - Cuan Jonas
Most Improved Scout - Patrick Wilson
Patrol of the Year - Kudu Patrol
Chairman’s Trophy - Darryl Garner
First Aid Competition - Rhino Patrol
Camping Competition - Kudu Patrol
Cooking Competition - Kudu Patrol
Patrol Initiative - Kudu Patrol

We still have some events for this year: -

• Troop Camp in September
• Jota in October.

Report Backs

TSOLWANA GAME RESERVE TROOP CAMP BY MICHAEL WILSON

On 26 June, 1st Cotswold left for Tsolwana Game Reserve near Tarkastad. After a 4 ½ hour drive we finally arrived at the park to be met by Sean and Christopher Pike, ex-scouts of 1st Cotswold, who escorted us to a farm house in the middle of the reserve. Immediately, as the sun went down, the temperature dropped and it was freezing. That night we went in an open Landcruiser for a night drive. A lot of games were spotted but it was freezing cold. The following morning everyone was up early except for Steve, Nick and myself who tried to get a few more hours sleep but this was not to be, as the scouts bombarded us. After breakfast, Sean and Chris took us for a walk to spot the giraffes and other animals. All the boys were excited by the possibility of catching an injured giraffe. The vets came and checked the giraffe and said there was no need for it to be caught after all. On our walk we spotted eight giraffes as well as a rhino with her baby. There were plenty springbok in the area as well. Later that afternoon Mr Bickell, Mr Garner and Nick took us all the way up the mountain and we spotted Cape Zebra and a huge group of Wildebeest running across the mountain. That night supper was rather interesting as we had to pair up and skin and braai our own springhare. This was great fun for some but others were not so impressed. The meat off the haasie was however very tender and Tasty. After supper went for another game drive but this was even better as occasionally we got out and chased springhares. This was particularly funny as Steve went down a hole and others were falling over anthills and bushes. Sunday was clean up day and also time to buy biltong, which was very cheap. Our trip home was very long but most of us slept. Thanks must go to Sean and Chris and Tsolwana Game Park for allowing us to camp there. Thanks also to Mrs Berry, Mr Bickell and Mr Garner for transporting us all the way there and back. I am sure everyone enjoyed the camp. See some photos.

INTERPATROL CAMPING COMPETITION BY AIDAN BERRY

From 6-8 August, Rhino and Kudu patrols took part in a camping competition at Tankatara, which was a suitable venue for the camping competition. We all arrived there at about 17:00 hours and started setting up camp straight away. That nights when the sun went down we heard the jackals howling, which sent shivers down our spines. The moon was full that night and both patrols worked till 2:00 hours working in very cold conditions. The next morning we woke up to the sound of birds singing and had breakfast. The rest of the day we spent upgrading our campsites, with various inspections taking place throughout the day. That night Rhino went to bed at 12 and was woken up by Kudu’s campfire singing. On Sunday, we had final inspections and Rhino packed up camp afterwards and went back to P.E. Kudu patrol decided to stay on for another day, as they enjoyed the farm so much. Thanks must go to all the parents who helped with transport and to the Lakes’ for allowing us to camp there. See some photos.

BAGHEERA IS BACK!!!

Bagheera was fortunate to be chosen to attend, in a working capacity, the summer camp at Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico, USA. He was one of the 8 international scouts together with 842 other staff members that ran 35 bases. Bagheera was at the Harlan camp. Their main activity was clay pigeon shooting. In the evenings the scouts would take part in Burro (donkey) racing which was a lot of fun. Approximately 12 000 scouts and scouters went through the base during the 3 months.

In Brad’s own words – "I had an absolutely fantastic experience at Philmont and as the Americans would say it was AWESOME!!! I made many new friends – it was the best three months of my life!"

DISTRICT CAMP AT CULTURAMA

The First Aid Competition was held during this camp. Our team – Jonathan, Timothy, Jared and Jannes gained a second place in the competition. Well done boys! The weekend weather was the usual district camp weather – cold and rainy. As usual the boys were so busy with activities that it did not bother them. We had an interesting outing with the environmental student from Safcol. We went into the pine forests and they fynbos area. He ended the informative afternoon with games. At the camp there were various bases which the boys took part in eg. Pottery, fabric painting, sand art etc.

Most of the boys earned their Flying Models badges at the camp. Thanks to the organizers for a good camp, lots of great food and all the fun we had.

ARBOR DAY

We had great fun on Arbor Day. Each cub brought a spade and in there sixes they planted a large variety of indigenous shrubs and lots of succulents in our Cub Fynbos Garden at the scout hall.

OUTING TO NATURE FESTIVAL AT THE D.R. CHURCH – SUNDRIDGE PARK

What a wonderful display it was. In the middle of the hall there was a huge display of Valley Bushveld/fynbos that was filled with animal and birdlife (stuffed) which the cubs really enjoyed. There were displays put on by the Wildlife Society, National Parks, Wild Flower Society, to name but a few. I think the boys enjoyed the Marine Mammal Interest Group’s pool the most. They put their hands into a rock pool and touched the sea urchins, sea cucumbers, star fish, fish and numerous other creatures without even going to the beach. Special thanks to the church for sharing their love of nature with the community.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

• Friday 16 October – Travelling Supper
• Saturday 17 October – JOTA outing to Cape Receife
• Saturday 31 October – Train trip to Skilkana in Uitenhage
• Sunday 8 November – Cub Cricket Challenge

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thanks to the committee who supplied and served the food for the A.G.M. A special thanks to Jan Hopkins for handing out the Cub Prizes and Wayne for presenting the Scout Trophies. Thanks also to Kevin for braaing the meat and Wayne for leading the Campfire. During the meeting we said thank you to our long serving committee member Joan van Niekerk who has had to leave the difficult job of hiring out the hall due to ill health. We were sorry that she could not join us on the evening.

CUB PRIZE WINNERS

Perseverance - Jannes Wessels
Best Attendance - Brendan Zeelie, Joss Jurgens, Kevin Brown.
Six of the Year - Green Six
Most Badges - Jannes Wessels
Most Improved Cub - Adam Daniels
Individual Beans - Jared Prowse
Cub of the Year - Jonathan Comley

I hope that all the boys will enjoy the last term of this year at Scouts and Cubs – please make every effort to attend on Fridays. Good luck wishes go out to you all for your end of year exams.