Mia Goynes, a longtime member of the 1st Discovery Scouts, has reached a significant milestone in her scouting journey, achieving her Springbok Scout Award – the highest award attainable by a scout in South Africa.

This prestigious accolade is awarded to scouts who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and outdoor skills, and must be completed before their 18th birthday.

Mia’s achievement places her among an elite group, as only a select few Scouts reach this milestone each year.

Throughout her journey, Mia immersed herself in nature, participated in numerous camps, and mastered survival and hiking techniques. To qualify for the Springbok Award, she completed three major projects.

For her community service project, Mia raised R35 000 via a fundraising platform to assemble 300 toiletry bags for elderly individuals in underprivileged communities. Additionally, she and her fellow Scouts prepared and served hot meals at three old-age homes during the 2024 festive season.

Her pioneering project demonstrated her creativity and technical skill. She constructed a 3m tall, 6m wide replica of London’s iconic Tower Bridge using traditional pioneering techniques – ropes, wooden spars, lashings, and knots. Pioneering is a hallmark of scouting, often used to build functional and decorative camp structures.

For her hiking expedition, Mia planned and led a 40-kilometre, three-day hike in the Barberton area, guiding a group of scouts through challenging terrain. She submitted a detailed logbook documenting the route, landmarks, and navigation strategies within four weeks of the expedition.

Mia is the 42nd Scout from the 1st Discovery Troop to receive the award since its founding in 1961. The troop currently has two other candidates working toward the same distinction.

According to troop Scouter Kenneth Slabbert, her accomplishment stands as a testament to her dedication, resilience, and leadership – qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well in the future.

“We are very proud of Mia’s achievement. It has been a privilege to guide her on this journey and to watch her grow into a capable leader who displays the spirit of Scouting.”