Young scouts have their fun outdoors

Halfway House Scouts’ Leigh Fernihough hosted a Springbok Scout Camp from 18 to 20 June at Halfway House Scouts premises in Midrand.

Leigh Fernihough, who is the patrol leader for the Halfway House Scouts, explained that the event was her way of working toward her Springbok Scout Award.

She explained that there are four levels of Scouting and Springbok is the highest one.

“One of the requirements is that I have to do a camp.

“So we are also hosting one of the troops from the First Alexandra Scout Group and they are going to be our participants, because they will do one of the badges, the Discoverer badge. This is all like a training camp.

“The camp is mostly about teaching, doing lashes, tying poles together, setting up our camp site, it’s not like basics anymore.

“Here we go a bit higher because after the Discoverer badge, you have to start [teaching] back at your site and make sure you have all the skill sets in Scouting,” Leigh added.

On the first camp night, the Scouts started off by marking their territory, building their camp site and raising their flag.

Leigh said the second day will be all about setting up their tables and kitchen which they would build, using ropes and poles among other material.

Doug Rix, head of the Halfway House Scouts Group, showered Leigh with support, adding that they were super proud of her. “I don’t know what the percentage is of who goes into Cubs and Scouting and actually qualifies Springbok, but it is a very small number.

“They continually try and expand or increase the number, however, only a very focused niche group of kids actually step up and achieve the award. It is a huge accomplishment.

“She will be the second girl from Halfway House to actually qualify,” Rix concluded.

Details: 1st Halfway House Scouts