Two Scouts from the 3rd Kensington Sea Scout Troop were recently awarded the Springbok Scout Award, the highest advancement in the South African Scout programme.
Wendy Sorour from Kensington and Daniel Hartridge from Modderfontein are the first Scout pair in the troop to scoop the award in the same year in over a decade.
For her Springbok challenges, Souror chose all the Sea Scout-based activities from the new programme, Entsha, launched as an advancement programme by Scouts South Africa.
Her construction project involved fixing 10 canoes and overhauling a sailing boat, teaching the Scouts life-saving skills and doing a full inventory of the troop’s boathouse equipment.
For the community service project, Souror ran a water awareness camp for underprivileged children, teaching them paddling, rowing, pioneering and other Scouting skills.
She planned and ran a sailing training camp at the Vaal for her troop, along with many other interesting training sessions and activities.
After many hours of service to Scouting and the community, Sourer ended her Springbok journey with a three-day expedition that involved sailing around the Vaal Dam with her patrol.
Meanwhile, Hartridge’s community service project involved teaching underprivileged children in Alexandra every Wednesday afternoon for a few months.
He built a tower from logs and ropes for his construction project and arranged numerous other camps and activities for the troop.
Hartridge also spent many hours assisting with the organising and running of the 3rd Kensington Cub pack throughout the year. Similarly, his Springbok journey ended with a three-day hike in the Eastern Cape along sandy beaches and through forests.
Lorraine LeSueur, Scout Troop Leader, said, “We are extremely proud of both these Scouts’ achievements. They worked hard and upheld a very high standard in everything they did.”
“Their detailed log books were highly praised by the Gauteng Springbok Panel and they were complimented on their dedication to the Scouting movement.”
Sea Scouts offers children between the ages of seven and 18 years the opportunity to learn sailing, canoeing and rowing in a fun and safe environment.
They learn leadership, teamwork, survival and many other life skills while enjoying the outdoors, camping and hiking.
If you are interested in finding out more about Scouting or would be interested in joining this fun, dynamic troop email the Troop Scouter at lorraine@3rdkensington.za.org
