Meerkats awarded highest honours
ROBIN HILLS – Little Meerkats earned their Gold Star Challenge badges.
The little Meerkats of the Scouts were awarded for their dedication and perseverance to their learning activities and the betterment of the community in a ceremony held at the Robin Hills Scout Hall on 24 April.
Pioneer of the Meerkats, Sherley Southworth said that the last 12 months have been challenging for an outdoor movement like the Scouts.
“The children have been cooped up at home spending long hours in front of computer screens, either doing schoolwork or playing games. For the new, youngest section of the Scouts (the Meerkats), it has been especially difficult, how does one keep an active five or six-year-old amused?” said Southworth.
By getting their parents involved, they have built blanket forts, cooked breakfasts, going on treasure hunts, learned first aid, did puzzles and handcraft. They have also sung campfire songs, braaied food, helped round the house, gardened and helped out in their community.
“We are therefore very proud of the little Meerkats who have succeeded in gaining 16 challenge badges and eight interest badges,” said Southworth.
Meerkats that earned their Gold Star Challenge badge, the highest award a Meerkat can earn, included:
- Liam Ramsamy (1st Morningside Scout Group)
- Aniki Moodley (1st Morningside Scout Group)
- Katelyn Elliott (1st Morningside Scout Group)
- Jemma Ruth Rens (1st Craighall Scout Group)
- Joshua James Bishop (1st Craighall Scout Group)
- Kian Droste (1st Randburg Scout Group)
- Connor de Jager (1st Robin Hills Scout Group)
- Francesca Aucamp (35th Pretoria Scout Group)
To gain the gold star the Meerkats must pass tests in six themes:
- Body and mind: To introduce the Meerkat to living a healthy and active life such as keeping fit and healthy eating
- Life skills: To encourage the Meerkat to gain self-confidence and learn some life skills such as first aid and handcraft
- Living with nature: To encourage the Meerkat to find out about and take part in improving the environment, recycling, nature and gardening
- ScOUTcraft: To introduce the Meerkat to Scoutcraft skills such as hiking, camping, and adventure
- Service: To encourage the Meerkat to be helpful and take responsibility in helping in the community, helping at home, and standing tall
- Social: To build the Meerkat’s self-confidence and sense of belonging to their family and community.
“This all looks a lot to ask of a five or six year old, but you would be amazed what these little people will learn when it is all done with fun and games,” said Southworth.
In 2019, the Scouts introduced their fourth Scouting branch, namely the Meerkats, which is a programme that aims to support the development of children aged five to six.
Gauteng regional team coordinator Grant van Rooyen said, “How the Meerkats came to be was that the very young children see their older siblings in the Cubs and Scouts having a wonderful time, so we thought that the Meerkats would be a great way for the little ones to get involved and learn some of the skills it takes to transition into a Scout or Cub in a fun way.
“Parents are also always looking for a way for more activities their children can engage with, as well as greater social interaction at such a young age, outside of pre-school.”
Meerkat programme national chairperson Craig Rens said that the Scouts aim to slowly expand the Meerkats on a national level as every Scout hall can support it.
Details: www.scouts.org.za/members/meerkats/ sherley.southworth@scouts.org.za
