Umbogintwini Scout upholds promise during lockdown

An Umbogintwini Scout has come up with a unique idea to donate food parcels. Shawn Collins, 15, a patrol leader with the 1st Umbogintwini Scouts, started a Scouts-skills-for-all YouTube channel and the jars of hope was a suggested activity from Scouts South Africa. “I thought it would make an interesting video and I was very surprised with my troop’s response.”

A jar contains a half a cup of rice, lentils, soup mix, packet of soup powder, stock cube and half a teaspoon of salt.
“We made 33 jars and each jar can feed four people. Troops all over South Africa participated in this initiative and these were donated to the Seed of Hope as a Mandela Day tribute. This was a once-off project, but if the public wants to participate, we can always make more – there is always a need for food in our community. They can donate ingredients and clean empty jars without labels.”

Shawn was born in Roodepoort, Gauteng and attended Laerskool Kenmare in Krugersdorp. His family moved to Toti in January 2019, where he started his high school career at Hoërskool Kuswag until recently. He is now home-schooled.

He joined the Scouts in June 2018 in Krugersdorp, the 1st Eagles. When he moved to Toti he transferred to the 1st Umbogintwini group. “My dad was a Springbok Scout and I really enjoy the outdoors. He told me what they did in Scouts and it sounded so exciting, I simply had to join.

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“I am currently on the second level, Discoverer. There are four levels, Traveller, Discoverer, First Class and Springbok and you have to achieve your Springbok before your 18th birthday. I have all of my theme badges for Traveller, which are adventure, safety awareness, living outdoors, service, Scout skills and personal development. I also have a swimming scoutcraft badge.”

He was appointed a patrol leader about a month after he joined 1st Umbogintwini when the then patrol leader turned 18. When you are 18 you have a choice to either leave the Scouts or join the Rovers. A patrol leader is generally the highest ranking Scout with leadership qualities. “I was assigned to the Leopards in 1st Eagles and then joined the Leopards patrol at 1st Umbogintwini, which meant my mom didn’t have to change the badge on my shirt.

“First Umbogintwini has three patrols: Leopards, Rhinos and Cheetahs. There is space for a fourth patrol, Crocodiles, but we don’t have enough members. Generally, there are six to eight Scouts in a patrol and I have six in mine.”

A patrol is a group of children learning from each other and the younger Scouts learn from the more advanced. Patrols plan and do activities together, such as camping, hiking, community services, life skills, sport and recreational, learn skills and have fun. Three patrols make up a troop and a patrol can also represent the troop at district events. “We try and keep the patrols equal in numbers and skills. Younger Scouts who have advanced from Cubs are divided among our three patrols.”

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Unfortunately meetings were halted during the start of lockdown, but Scouts SA sent out a challenge to complete the ‘HikeToMahikeng’, where you get up, get moving and ‘step’ into Baden Powell’s footsteps by virtually making your way along the historical trail he travelled from Cape Town to Mahikeng. Scouts hike 20km in their homes, neighbourhood or garden. Once they have completed their portion of the journey they earn the #HikeToMahikeng badge. A group that completes the distance of 1 290km receives a digital commemorative certificate.

Another activity was to make a poster to earn a Covid-19 badge. “Now that lockdown has been relaxed, we are allowed to meet in small groups of not more than eight. Our three patrols will start meeting at separate outdoor venues on a Saturday afternoon at Hutchinson Park until we are allowed to have normal activities.”

He is a member of Amanzimtoti Tennis Club and enjoys deepsea diving, cycling, running and hiking. When he is not gaming, he plays the guitar. “I also enjoy recording and editing my own YouTube videos. I spend a lot of time with my older sister, not because I have to, but because I want to and we are great friends. Our favourite past-time is reciting memes, painting, watching movies, acting and cooking. I watch YouTube a lot and I am a Big Mumbo Jumbo and PewDiePie fan. My mother makes me read books – I protest, but secretly I do enjoy reading.

“My sister is a nerd and she set up a very strict schoolwork schedule for us at the beginning of lockdown. I haven’t been to school since 20 March, but I feel I’m ready to write my final exam for Grade 9! My days are filled with schoolwork, chores, watching movies, playing my guitar, running, cycling, creating YouTube videos and video editing.”

Patrol leader is the highest level he can achieve in the patrol, but as a leader he has to work through the Scouts Trail with his patrol to achieve Springbok ranking. “For now, I am working on achieving the six theme badges in Discoverer in order to advance to first class. I am also working on interest badges, which are pet keeper, musician and computers, and scoutcraft badges, which are survival, first aid and rock climbing. Once a Scout always a Scout and my dream is to become a Springbok Scout.”

Scouts started again on Saturday, 1 August. Boys and girls from the ages of 11 to 18 can join. Call Adele Wilson on 083-306-2668.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAiZzKF3csI

What Scouts has taught him over the years:

“I’ve learned a lot of people skill, gained a lot of confidence and learned a lot of outdoor survival skills. I can tie more than six basic knots, work safely with an axe or a knife, building rafts, towers and bridges. It has taught me of possible dangers in my home and at a campsite. I can navigate my way with a compass and do mapwork. I can make a fire and cook a basic meal backwoods style. I’ve also learnt how to take care of our equipment. I’ve learnt how to survive and rescue people from water and how to handle an emergency situation. I’ve also learnt how to plan and execute a camp or hike, and how to draw up a kit list for various activities. I’ve learnt that I am not just part of a community, but an active citizen in my community.

Why joining Scouts is still relevant today:

“We live in a world where anything can happen. The Scout motto is “Be prepared”. When you are prepared, you can handle any situation. Over and above the friendships you build, the programme is packed with skills and knowledge and there are so many children who live in small flats with very little interaction with nature. The diversity of the programme keeps youngsters interested and gets them excited about their futures. Life becomes an adventure.

Like and subscribe Shawn’s Youtube channel to keep the troop active and motivated during lockdown.

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