GRAAFF-REINET — Two notable achievements were celebrated at a function at the Scout Hall in Graaff-Reinet last Friday evening.

Graaff-Reinet resident Bruce Maree is synonymous with scouting in the area.

This year marks the 50th year of his involvement with the Scouting movement in Graaff-Reinet alone - and this was after he had been involved for 10 years further afield. This retired maths teacher’s influence has touched many young lives as he has taught many boys the principals of Scouting. Bruce Maree still takes scouts on expeditions to the surrounding peaks and farms, giving them a taste of life and survival in the outdoors.

In this day and age where many youngsters spend hours in front of screens - this taste of reality leaves the Scouts with a distinct advantage over those children who spend precious little time in the beautiful natural surroundings on our doorstep. Graaff-Reinet Scouts has been active for an impressive 107 years!

Johan Vorster grew up scouting under the guidance of Bruce Maree. Having being bullied as a youngster, he found solace in the natural world, and found his true self there. Quietly spoken, but strong and self-assured, Johan is passionate about the outdoors and comes into his own in nature. Scouting gave him the opportunity to travel as far as Japan to attend the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, with fellow scout Ben Kroon.

Vorster also attended the Lexden Patrol Leader Training Unit in Pietermaritzburg where he was honoured to be Troop Leader - only two scouts from Graaff-Reinet have ever had the honour of being a part of this excellent leadership unit. His survival skills, including being an adept medic, led him to being invited on Union High’s Odyssey, where he was invaluable as a medic, team leader and help on this challenging journey. He was also chosen as a prefect at Union High where he displays true leadership skill beyond the school environment.

There have been 73 scouts who have achieved the highest award of Springbok Scout over the years that scouting has been existent in Graaff-Reinet. In recent times Brian Kingwill, Brian and Stuart Welman, John Marais, James Moore, Rodney Naude, Kevin and Carl Watermeyer, Joe Kroon, Kayne Kingwill, Kobus Olivier , Leonard Kingwill, Kevin Prinsloo (to name a few), have achieved this prestigious accolade.

Only 1% of all Scouts manage to put in the hours and dedication and become Springbok Scouts. To become a Springbok Scout, one has to undergo a rigorous series of challenges before the age of 18. Bear in mind that this is not a school activity, and has to happen over and above academic, cultural and sporting responsibilities at school. Some of the challenges include:

• Camping out in the wild for 30 or more as a Scout.

• To build a 1:20 scale model of a proposed construction project needed in the community, and train and lead scouts in the building of the project.

• Lead the Patrol in planning, cooking and serving a 3 course hot, healthy meal to at least 6 people on an open fire, in camp, from raw ingredients.

• Plan and lead a hike of more than 30km and 2 nights over a route you have not covered before with a group of no less than 4 members. Select a theme as the focus of the hike and submit a written log for evaluation.

• Demonstrate organisational and leadership skills by planning, organising and conducting a camp for at least 2 patrols of at least 2 nights.

• Identify a need in the community and plan a solution and lead a patrol in meeting the need.

• Plan and conduct a ‘Scout’s Own’ church service.

• Attend three meetings of the Court of Honour and fully understand the execution of such a meeting.

• Have an understanding of the importance of mutual respect between people of different gender, race and culture.

• Give an oral presentation about the effect Scouting has had on your life.

• Enter into a Personal Growth Agreement with the Troop Leader.

• Attend a Panel Interview to confirm assimilation of all aspects of the Scout Programme and that the Promise and Law have been adopted as a way of life. 

Martin du Bruyn, regional commissioner of Scouting in Cape Midlands presented Bruce Maree with his certificate of service.

He also presented Johan with his Springbok Scout Award. Headmaster of Union High also presented Bruce Maree with a certificate of appreciation for his continued contribution to the school on the Scouting front. It was a memorable moment when Johan received his award before his parents Anje and Hannes Vorster and, notably, both sets of grandparents.

The ceremony was followed by a hearty braai prepared by the Scouts in honour of these admirable men.

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