BOSKRUIN – In Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Baloo plays an integral part, he is a strict teacher to the cubs and is most challenged by man-cub, Mowgli.
Found in Boskruin is the Scouts Group Randpark Ridge , and like the book, one can find Akela, Baloo, Mowgli and even Bagheera. However, instead of them fighting off a fearsome Bengal tiger, the cubs are taught skills that would have them use their senses to the best of their abilities. On this particular day, the Randburg Sun was introduced to Cubs seven to 10 years old, who, once they turn 11 years old will become Scouts.
Under the warm sun, the Cubs showed they could tie reef knots, be the fastest Cub to complete an obstacle course, create unique works of art, and be able to sit quietly as a book was read to them.
Desiree Chinnian (Baloo), explained scouting is based on Kipling’s book. All the pack Scouters have specific characters with their own special traits. As Baloo, Chinnian is tasked with having to teach the cubs (Mowgli) important life skills, things they will use to aid and protect themselves in the world so they become exemplary community members. “We make sure to make learning fun, the more fun you make it the more the children come back,” she said.
The group currently has three Cub packs and three Scout troops. “Troops are tasked with building various things like rafts and each troop will have their own den to store all their equipment and tents,” said Chinnian.
Each achievement made by a Cub or a Scout is acknowledged through a badge. The Cubs love all the badges, from the healthy eating badge, where a Cub is tasked with having to eat all their vegetables for the week to attain, to the sewing badge that has boys and girls learn how to sew, to sports badges that required they take part in sports – Cubs show nothing is impossible to achieve.
Chinnian explained that because children learn by doing things themselves its important to have them be productive. There, Chinnian believes children build the confidence they need to take on the world.
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