1st German Scout Troop stay dry at 2025 KonTiki

The 1st German Scout Troop headed to Arrowe Park Scout Centre to take part in the annual regional land and rafting competition, KonTiki, which this year was themed: KonTiki visits the North Pole.

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This Richmond-based Scout troop traveled to Benoni over May 16 to 18, starting day one with the construction of their raft. These were made of poles, plastic barrels for floatation, ropes, and boards. Each raft was equipped with safety gear, as well as food, sleeping equipment, anchors, and a means of propulsion. On the second day, following a final safety inspection, 51 rafts, with six Scouts on board each, spent 24 hours on the water, not being allowed on shore.

Weeks of meticulous preparation by senior and adult Scouters went into preparing for the competition. They planned every detail, from equipment and food, to transport, as well as the design of the raft. It was the senior Scouts’ responsibility to plan everything, and have it ready by the competition.

The 1st German Scouts ended up placing third raft overall, second in raft pioneering, and first in raft safety awareness, as well as first in raft construction, an achievement this Scout troop sees as outstanding.

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Running simultaneously, were the various campsite competitions, one of which required Scouts to prepare a three course meal. Arriving on day two, just for the day, were the 1st German Cubs, who competed in the Beaver Challenge and displayed their fierce mentality by taking second place.

The role competitions like this one play, is to teach participants how to work towards a common goal. The seniors also learn leadership and team work skills. For the adults involved in assisting, it’s nice to see the Scouts achieve, building a raft on their own, which can float and hold them for 24 hours. From a Scouts vantage point, a cool aspect to the competition is that they get to spend time on the water, all alone.

1st German Scout Troop has been part of the community for 63 years. Throughout those years, it has endeavoured to produce young adults with great leadership potential. They’re currently sitting at 42 members, and see there place as teaching children skills that aren’t generally acquired inside a classroom. They see Scouting as putting emphasis on life skills, like leadership, teamwork, first aid, and organisational skills. They also introduce children to nature and the outdoors, an aspect, they reckon, many children don’t get to experience anymore.

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