1st Claremont leader milestones in the 4th term

In the Scout Group Leader role, I get to visit all of our branches and work with the adult leaders who run the Meerkat, Cub and Scout programmes. We now have around 30 adult leaders in the group, and these volunteers are a critical part of the group’s growth and success. This term marks the end of an era as David Knight steps down from the Troop Scouter role, which he has held since 2013. When he started as TS, there were around 10 Scouts at meetings, which has now grown to more than 40, a long waiting list, and a large and active team of Assistant Troop Scouters. David also played a role in relaunching our Cub Pack and Meerkat Dens, and in massively improving our the long term planning (especially finances and facilities) in the group. In the last few years the Troop has also produced many Springbok Scouts and won all of the major Scout competitions in which we participate in the region. All of those are just side effects of the great Scout programme which David and his team have run, and for this the parents, scouts and scouters have expressed their thanks to David. As SGL I particularly want to thank David for the central role he has played in the growth and success of the Troop as well as the Group.

David will hand over the Troop Scouter role to Daniel le Jeune, and we look forward to more exciting things from the Troop under Daniel’s leadership.

The past term was even busier (and more rewarding) than usual as I was also involved in the relaunch of the 4th Claremont Fernwood Cubs and Meerkats. Two of the 1st Claremont APSs, Elton le Roux and Barry Staak, decided to move to the new Fernwood Pack, and Barry agreed to become the Akela. We’re sad to see them go, but their experience will be extremely valuable in building the new group. Sadly we also said goodbye to Robyn Muirhead who has been an Assistant Troop Scouter for many years but has now moved away from Cape Town.

Two parents have recently been invested as leaders: Brian Sutherland in the Meerkat Den, and Namita Dhanjee in the Cub Pack.

Most of our leaders have attended some form of adult leader training this year, whether for a warrant, water safety, first aid, or to qualify as an adult leader trainer. With nearly 30 adults active in the group it is impossible to mention all of them. We are extremely fortunate to have such a strong team of adults who are prepared to invest time in their training, and this is a big factor in the strength of the 1st Claremont group.