Teen reaches highest level in Scouts

Mia Goyns, a dedicated 17-year-old member of the Discovery Scouts, has reached her final advancement level – the Springbok Award.

The Springbok Award is the highest advancement level a Scout can achieve in South Africa. It’s considered the equivalent of the Gold President’s Award, but more difficult, and it must be completed before the applicant’s 18th birthday.

Mia has been part of the Scouts since she was seven and this remarkable feat is a culmination of her years of dedication, hard work and perseverance.

As part of her final advancement level, Mia has undertaken a pioneering project that includes four major projects that will test and showcase her skills in planning, design, IT, leadership and project management, just to name a few.

One of her standout projects is the construction of a scale model of London’s iconic Tower Bridge, using traditional scouting techniques of gum poles and ropes.

The bridge, which opens and closes, was showcased to an inspector and other scout members and troops on Sunday, December 8, at a park outside the first Discovery Scout hall. Mia built this bridge with the help of her troops.

“I’m extremely proud of myself that I have reached this level, and I’m grateful to my support system, which is my mom, my fellow scouts, and my patrol.

“This journey has taught me a lot of skills, like communication, leading, handling big projects, and teaching those who are coming after me. It also taught me survival and how to go with the flow and solve problems,” she says.

“Moving from being a junior scout to a senior scout is a new stage of life, and it means that I’m now responsible and take control of my life and what I want to do.”

She will also embark on 40 hours of community service and she’s planning on serving hot meals to three old age homes in underprivileged communities.

“Many people in old age homes spend the festive season alone. For my community service project, I have planned to serve hot meals to residents of three old age homes. As Scouts, we will also be spending time with the elderly over the Christmas period”

Her two other projects which include a hike and a camp are planned for next year, “I’m super excited and I can’t wait to get started.”