First Discovery Scout Seth McCloghrie has achieved the highest honour that is possible within the scouting movement: His Springbok Scout Award.

To achieve the prestigious Springbok Award in Scouts South Africa, a scout must demonstrate consistent commitment, leadership, and personal development over time. This includes completing a range of proficiency badges across areas such as service, adventure, skills, and physical development, as well as taking on meaningful leadership roles within their troop.

A significant community service project, a pioneering project, and an expedition must be planned and carried out, showing initiative and a positive impact on others. In addition, the scout is expected to live out the values of the scout promise and law in everyday life, ultimately proving readiness to serve as a responsible and capable young adult.

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Following this gruelling process, the scout is interviewed by a panel of peers who will make the final decision on the awarding of the Springbok Scout Award.

Seth successfully achieved his Springbok award and two additional cords (a very rare occurrence) and was presented with these awards at a Springbok campfire held in his honour on April 10.

At the campfire, the Scout is allowed to thank the members of the team that helped make the award possible, including presenting Springbok pins to his parents (Paul McCloghrie – Pack Scouter, 1st Discovery, and Cins McCloghrie – Scout Group Leader, 1st Discovery).

In addition to his award, Seth, whose siblings Raven and Ethan are both scouts, and who descends from a long line of scouts going back as far as his great-grandfather, received two cords: His Airman’s Cord and Service Cord, which is a very rare, and requires a minimum of 18 Scout service badges. Seth has completed 29 thus far.