As the first female Scout of the Ninth Benoni Scout Troop in two decades to embark on her Springbok Trail, Kim Bailey (17) is determined to ensure her projects are on par with what her male counterparts produced in previous years.

Arriving at the Scout hall at Arrowe Park on a zippy scooter, the Benoni High learner does a quick check of her crisp uniform before leading the way to her recently completed pioneering project.

With the gentle lapping of the water against the banks of Homestead Dam, a bright smile stretches across her face as her 6m-tall structure comes into view.

Dubbed Paladin and constructed by the ‘Chevaliers,’ the temporary build secured with sturdy knots boasts an impressive 11m-long and 4m-high bridge and a 18m-slide stretching into the dam.

“Construction of Paladin took a total of 65 hours to complete,” said the Grade 11 learner, as she made her way up to the platform.

“The project proved quite tricky when we had to perfectly anchor the support poles both on land and in the water, but through the diligence of my troop we were able complete a structure which was safe enough for us to slide into the water.”

Joining the Scout movement in 2019, Kim only started attending weekly meetings because her brother had enlisted.

“Being 11 and adventurous, Scouting soon became my primary interest. The day I received my first badge I looked up at the plaque containing the names of every Ninth Scout since the 1950s who completed their Springbok Trail and was determined to see my name there too.”

Following in the footsteps of James Treacher and Kevin Bartholomew, who both attained the highest accolade in the scouting fraternity, in 2023 and 2024, troop Scouter Errol Treacher jokingly said her name will be emblazed in rose gold upon her completion.

Taking up the challenge, Kim’s endeavour soon took on a medieval theme, with her escorting her troop to the Queen River Adventure Camp in Barberton, earlier this year.

“The theme just stuck and we had a great time completing the various tasks required to attain my Springbok award; speaking in old English and conducting ourselves like members of the Knights Templar,” she said.

Win a hiking tent

With the clock ticking toward her 18th birthday in February, Kim has secured approval to rebuild the 50-year-old chapel at Arrowe Park’s Scout grounds – the only task remaining towards her ultimate goal.

“In an effort to raise the necessary funds to procure the building material needed to complete this task, I am selling raffles for an opportunity to win a three-season, three-person hiking tent,” she said, appealing for community support.

“Tickets are R100 each and entries close on November 30. I am hoping that the community will support this initiative as a means of preserving Benoni’s rich and flourishing Scouting heritage.”

For more information or to donate towards the project email springbok@bailey.co.za

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