Andrei vies for Springbok Award
Scout Andrei Pretorius refurbished the campfire circle at Gilwell Scout Circle.
First Discovery Scout Andrei Pretorius has taken on a monumental task as part of her community service project to earn her Springbok Award.
According to her mother, Anna-Mari Pretorius, Andrei wanted her 40-hour community service project — one of the requirements scouts must fulfil to be considered for a Springbok Award — to be special.
After much deliberation, Andrei came up with a plan.
She decided to refurbish the campfire circle at the Gilwell Scouting Grounds at Florida Lake, which for years has been the official training centre for the Gauteng region of Scouts South Africa.
“The campfire circle plays such a significant part in the scouting tradition,” said Anna-Mari.
Once Andrei had hatched her plan, she immediately got to work. “I realised that I don’t really know anything about how to refurbish a fire circle,” said Andrei.
“So, I thought I’d approach a professional for some guidance.”
Andrei approached local business KeyContracts, which jumped at the chance to help, providing a contractor to advise Andrei on the technical aspects of the refurbishment, as well as mentor and coach the scouts on the basics of stone masonry.
“We came up with a project plan and devised a comprehensive budget,” said Andrei, who then set about raising funds for the project.
Once the funds were in place, it was all systems go. “Under the watchful eye of our mentor, myself and my team set about the project and managed to complete it successfully.”
According to KeyContracts owner Fritz van Graan, it was a pleasure working with the scouts. “Andrei’s enthusiasm and project management skills were outstanding,” he said.
The Springbok Award is the highest award achievable by scouts in South Africa.
The campfire circle holds a place of significance at any scout hall.
According to Gilwell committee member Stuart Baker, all the main training courses undergone by scouts end with a campfire around the circle.
“We are grateful and honoured that a Springbok scout candidate has decided to do their community service project to improve the circle and make it even more special,” he said.
