Oct 06 2025
Tim’s springbok ceremony was inspirational, lots of friends and family of Tim’s.
We started by lighting the scout laws in darkness and then with Simon bean introducing the schedule for the night and then began with speeches and photos, Holly Raine had an exceptional speech as well as Ov and Daniel Le Jeune, Timothy VZS then did his speech, spreading inspiration and a couple a tears, and then after the ceremony closed we ate food and drank juice.
– Oliver Van Zyl-Smit
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/ss2025q3-tims-sbokcer/
Oct 06 2025
At the end of October, the first member of Scouting to have gone through Meerkats and Cubs will go up to Scouts. Neema Galetta joined the 1st Claremont Meerkat Den when it opened in October 2020. Our first meeting was an adventure in Keurboom Park, but we were soon locked down, and meetings proceeded online. Neema and five other Meerkats were invested with smiling faces and their parents pinning on the badges. For months thereafter, everyone wore masks.
Neema was an enthusiastic Meerkat and achieved his Bronze, Silver and Gold Stars before Burrowing up to Cubs at the end of 2021. One abiding memory, says Rafiki Judith Bishop, is of Neema at the Under the Sea Camp-at-Home coming up with a food called “Finding Nemo”. Neema also distinguished himself by starting a recycling collection at his local supermarket to raise funds for charity.
At Cubs Neema was always involved, a solid presence in his six. As Sixer he led Green Six with enthusiasm and always made sure that his Cubs knew where to go and what to do. He achieved both his Silver and Gold Wolves. He loved Cub Camps and especially the games played outside at meetings, says Akela Lucy du Toit.
We decided to ask Neema to reflect on his time at Meerkats and Cubs and this is what he said:
1. What has been your favourite memory from Cubs or Meerkats?
One of my favourite memories from Meerkats was attending our meetings online on Zoom during the COVID-19 lockdown. Even though we couldn’t be outside together, it was special to still see everyone and do activities from home. My favourite CUBS memories include holding Fluffy the snake when we had a snake visit, going on my first camp, and sleeping in tents. Playing games with a flashlight at night made it feel like a real adventurer. I was also really proud when I won the Aquaman award for swimming in the whirlpool on camp at Hawequas.
2. What are some of the things that you’ve learnt through Cubs and Meerkats?
I’ve learned how to tie different knots and use a compass. But more importantly, I’ve learned how to work as part of a team, be responsible and help others. I’ve also learned about nature and how to respect the environment. I enjoyed the iNaturalist challenge and learning about different plants in nature.
3. How do you think you’ve grown as a person through Meerkats, Cubs and being part of the Scouting Movement?
Being part of CUBS has helped me become more confident and independent. I’ve learned to speak up, take on leadership roles and try new things even when they seem scary. It’s also taught me to be kind and helpful to others. Being the Green Sixer was the best.
4. Is there something that you have struggled with at Cubs and have learnt to overcome it?
At first, I was really shy and didn’t like speaking in front of the group. But over time and with encouragement from my Meerkat and Cub leaders and Cub friends, I got better at it. Now I feel proud when I lead a game or help explain something to others.
5. Would you recommend that others join Scouts and if so, why?
Yes, I would. It’s a great way to make friends, learn new skills, and have fun outdoors. You get to do things you wouldn’t normally do at school or at home, and it helps you grow into a more confident young person.
Lucy du Toit and Judith Bishop
1st Claremont Scout Group
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/1stclaremont-scouts/ss2025q3_-neema/
Oct 06 2025
Our Meerkats took to the streets on Saturday 13 September to tackle a bare verge outside the International School of Cape Town. Under the Action Task of the Meerkat National Challenge, they had to “Find a place in or near you that needs greening. Plant and nourish indigenous greenery for a term.” Parent Kirsty Gilmour found just the place and supplied cuttings of Salvia Leucanthus and Spur Flower from her garden. Armed with mini spades, rakes and watering cans, the Meerkats made compost, planted and watered the flowers. The eager gardeners are now on a roster to water their plants during the weeks ahead and make them thrive. We are very proud of our Meerkats for their enthusiasm. They showed such joy in making our suburb greener. The Project has turned out to be one of teamwork, opening their eyes to nature and having fun.
Judith Bishop, Den Scouter
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/ss2025q3_meerkats-greening/
Oct 06 2025
1st Claremont Meerkats held a most successful Elders’ Day yesterday, rounding off the Family Heritage Badge and part of our National Challenge. Our grandparents and other older relatives were proudly presented with flowers and cards made previously by the Meerkats. At three bases, they tasted food from long ago such condensed milk on bread, Welsh rarebit, Cape Malay koesusters and jelly oranges, and decorated little cakes. Then off to play dodge ball and three sticks. The grandparents were ace at both! The third base had indoor games – Snap with real cards and Tiddly Winks – quite a history on that. Family trees made by the Meerkats were on display, and photos. A wonderful Day!!
Judith Bishop, Meerkat Den Scouter
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/ss2025q3_meerkats-elders-day/
Oct 06 2025
For Joel’s springbok advancement, we (As Swifts) visited the Wynberg firestation.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a fire Marshall. At first we learned about what firefighters did. We learned what outfits they wore for different types of fires. (They wear light and thin clothes for bushfires because they might be working for several hours. They wear heavy jackets for house fires because they need to keep smoke away.)
Next, we learned about their equipment, and hoses. We picked up their heaviest equipment and learned how they used it. We used the firemen’s hoses and sprayed the top of a rea;lly tall tower type thing. Then we gave the cookies and left.
All in all, it was a good day.
-Sarah.
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/ss2025q3_firestation/
Oct 06 2025
Juliet ran her first class camp from the 12th to the 14th of September at Miller’s Point campsite.
The people who were on Juliet’s camp were Juliet, Axel, Christopher (me) and Aarya. When we got to the campsite it was very windy so we pitched camp and then we played card games for a while before we made supper. Then we played more card games and went to bed. Saturday morning was still windy so we made our French toast behind a wall of basins. We spent the morning doing some advancements like knotting and map work after which we built spaghetti and marshmallow towers. I really enjoyed this activity and built the tallest tower. We saw a troop of baboons raiding the campsite next to us, and after that was all over we had lunch and we made a solar oven and tried to cook some marshmallows which didn’t work as it was too late in the day. After our siesta we made keyrings, then we made a fire to cook supper on. We prepared the potjie and the bread. Then we waited for them to cook. Once the bread was ready, we ate it and were too full to eat the potjie! When we were taking the potjie off the fire, Axel poured all the coals which were on the lid into the potjie so we couldn’t eat it. AXEL!!
We got up in the morning and ate our cornflakes then we took the tents down and packed almost everything away. We went down to the jungle gyms (which Axel loves playing on) and held Scout’s Own there. Then we played ninja and played more ninja. Back at the campsite we played charades and card games before packing the car and the trailer and went back to the Scout hall.
I had a really fun and chilled camp in a beautiful place with cool people.
The end
– Christopher
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/juliets-first-class-camp/
Oct 06 2025
Hello my name is Reza Teunissen. I am 13 years old. I am part of the kestrels patrol and Laura is my patrol leader. I attended Laura’s springbok community service at The trinity children’s centre where Laura’s uncle Andrew assisted in Mitchell’s plain.
For most of the duration. I helped with digging trenches, painting walls, making hand tennis courts, and even creating hopscotch game in the parking area. After digging the trenches we took the grass out so we can create a maze from concrete and spekboom.
We had to wash the walls with Laura’s uncle Andrew’s power washer so we could remove the dirt off the wall to paint chalkboard paint so the children could also use the wall to draw.
I felt very privileged to give back to the community of Mitchell’s plain, although when we got there was a bit worried because on the news they always say it’s not safe in Mitchell’s plain.
While I was there I could see how people lived their lives in Mitchell’s plain and how grateful I was for what I have, the lesson I learnt is to always be grateful for what you have and when you have more than others you should give back.
– Reza Teunissen
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/ss2025q3_lowens_sb_comserve/
Oct 06 2025
“MAN OVERBOARD!!!” was something we were yelling over the treacherous waters of Zandvlei. On the 13th and 14th of July a few scouts from 1st Claremont learned the basics of sailing with me in 1st Bergvliet’s Saldanha – the main type of sailing craft that all sea scouts use and race in. Unfortunately no one actually went overboard save for a water polo and tennis ball.
It was awesome to have everyone and to be able to teach scouts how to sail. Every scout there got to helm the boat for quite a while and learned how to steer and control the sail. Learning words like gybe, forestay and gaff seemed to be quite a challenge though
I would love to organise more sailing activities as they are SUPER fun. 1st Claremont will definitely have more in the near future so long as we get people who want to. Maybe we could even enter a regatta eventually. Who says land scouts can’t sail?
Peter Raynham
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/activities-smoke-signals/ss2025q1_troop_sailing/
