On Saturday, 12 September, we gathered to bid a fond farewell to our inaugural Rafiki, Judith Bishop, and to celebrate the remarkable contribution she has made to our Meerkat Den. Judith founded the Meerkat Den …
On Saturday, 19 September, Meerkat Dens from across Cape Town, and as far afield as Paarl and Onrus, came together in Muizenberg for a good old-fashioned, carnival-themed Mob Day. With around 138 Meerkats in attendance, …
I love orienteering and I think it’s a great Scout activity. It is fun, it is like a big treasure hunt and you get to be outside. This year the Scout WC Orienteering competition was …
On Sunday morning, Sam, Emily, and I were at the hall bright and early to pack. We arrived at Keurboom Park at about 8:45 and started unloading the equipment. There were lots of dogs. Soon …
This year’s Doc Trophy was held at Appleton scout base on signal hill. The morning started with packing all the equipment into the trailers. It was my first time being a PL for a competition …
Bats had a fun term, we’ve been having a great time as a patrol and all the new patrol members are fitting in well. Our seniors (Malaika, Julia and Oliver) will all start running their advancement activities next term as well as myself starting my Springbok. The Juniors (Paige, Layleh, Jean, Harry and Megan) have all been attending troop events and are all very eager to help out and participate which is amazing to see. I’m very happy with where the patrol is in its current state and feel very confident with how it will move on in future.
Tim van Zyl-Smit
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/2024q2-bateleurs/
On the 1st of June we went on a joint patrol activity with 4th Claremont owl patrol
The drive to the skate rink was uneventful. We took two cars for our patrol and met the Owl patrol at the rink after we had already gotten our skates.
We also happened to run into a patrol from 1st Durbanville who were also having a patrol activity!
Once we got our skates on, and after a brief wait for the previous group to get off, we finally skated on to the ice. Ethan and Avila got it pretty fast but it took a while for the rest of us to get stable enough on the ice. Though by the end of our time everyone was skating much better than before.
Everyone fell a couple times but we were all fine
Just before we got off the ice we all gathered together to take a group photo! 🙂
After our session was over we decided to get ice cream, except for Sam H who decided to get a pizza that we all had to wait for.
It was an overall fun experience to have had with the patrol!
Avila & Bridget
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/2024q2-goshawks-ice-skating/
On 18 May 2024, Goshawks went to Ysterplaat Air Force Base for their open day. We saw some old restored aircraft that are on static display. Some of these were open and one was able to climb inside some, namely a C-47 Dakota and some helicopters. There were also some classic cars that had gathered on the airbase apron. The highlight of the day was seeing the Shackleton nicknamed “Pelican 22” start up its 4 Rolls-Royce engines. This was the first time for 3 years that it had been done for the public. “Pelican 22” is also the single remaining airworthy Shackleton in the world.
I asked the patrol what they enjoyed the most and this is what the Sams said:
“The Shackleton starting. Going in the personelle carrier plane and the cargo container helicopter.” – Sam G
“Going in the some of the aircraft” – Sam H
It was a fantastic day and patrol activity. We are even thinking of going to do community service by helping to restore the aircraft, the Friends of the Museum are desperately wanting help.
Ethan Gilham
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/2024q2-goshawks-ysterplaat-visit/
Term 4 has been incredibly busy term of Goshawks… and you can read all about it here in The Goshawks Bush.
As the patrol leader I have seen immense growth in the patrol members this term. Patrol spirit has been on an all time high, with everyone gunning for the MOSCIP win! We had 2 patrol activities this term. First of all we visited Ysterplaat Air Force Base and saw the Shackleton “Pelican 22” start-up its engines. Then we also went on a joint patrol activity with the Owls Patrol from 4th Claremont to Grandwest to ice-skate.
A lot of people started working and finishing up badges this term. Sam G got his first Interest Badge, as well as Sophia and Cian getting some scoutcraft badges. Logan is almost done with his Traveller only 2 tasks left! I managed to finish a First Class theme badge.
The favourite meeting of the term was the patrol evening, where all baked birthday treats for Chris’ birthday at a scouts house. Our Astro Chocolate Chip Cookies became world famous! Overall the term was awesome, and we can’t wait for the next!
Ethan Gilham
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/2024q2-the-goshawks-bush/
Thanks once more to all our article contributors for making this issue possible. Special thanks to Ian Webb for documenting the history of our group through its various flags over the last year – our flag series now draws to a close.
If there are any suggestions for material that you’d like to see covered in Smoke Signals in future please let us know!
This issue is available to read as articles here, or via PDF. Limited printed copies will be distributed at each branch’s meeting – but you’ll miss the glorious colour.
In February many of our Meerkats, Cubs and Scouts wore their uniforms to school for a day to show their pride in being part of Scouting. Officially it is called “Founder’s Day” as it is celebrated on Baden-Powell’s birthday of 22 February, but I prefer the name “Scout Day” in celebration of the movement and our members rather than the individual founder.
Thank you to all those who have paid their fees for 2024, and to those who have added a voluntary donation to the maintenance fund!
February also includes the Western Cape Awards Ceremony where we honour our Gold Star Meerkats, Leaping Wolf Cubs and Springbok Scouts. 1st Claremont received Gold Star Awards for the Den, Pack and Troop and several patrol awards, and our group was placed 4th in the Tonkin Trophy for the best groups in the Western Cape. Well done to our members, leaders and families for this great result.
February also featured our AGM, where our leaders and committee report on the past year and the plans for the year ahead, followed by a social event outside. The social side, on a Saturday afternoon, included a family braai, a fundraising tuckshop, and a foofey slide built by the Scouts. This year was a fun event but unfortunately not very well attended by parents, so please let us know if you have ideas on how to tailor the event to encourage families to attend.
We’re delighted to have Karen Hewson joining us in the fundraising portfolio for the group. Karen brings great enthusiasm and creative ideas and I am very happy to have her as part of the team! On that note, well done to Daniel and team for hosting a very successful fundraising Pub Quiz earlier this term.
Finally, an update on the City’s proposal to take away a large part of our grounds to build a Vodacom mast. Our councillor Mikhail Manuel sent this update when I asked:
Please see the response I provided to previous residents who have reached out for an update. These are my estimates based on previous experience.
The decision on whether to lease the land will likely only be made around Aug/Sep 2024. After that, there will be a further 12-18 month period for the planning applications, if the lease application is successful. So at a minimum, no construction will happen until late 2025.
1st Claremont will carry on monitoring this and will raise our objections at the planning stage and any other opportunity.
– Ian Webb
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/2024q1-sgl-report/
Cub camp is without a doubt the highlight of the first term every year. We were once again joined by our friends from up the hill. The camp started on Saturday, however,
That first evening
The next day was Saturday and the camp officially started. The theme this time was “Around the World in 80 Days”.
The sixes were made up of a mix of 1st and 4th Claremont cubs and were named after the national birds of the four countries we journeyed on.
On the camp cubs had their own passports. They got their first stamp on their exit from South Africa when they travelled to India.
In order to get to India, the Cubs had to build gliders
Flying was hard work so once they arrived in India, the cubs were happy to be greeted by their lovely host, Anjali (a scout from 1st Claremont), who served up some delicious marsala chai and muffins. Once duly refreshed the cubs played the traditional Indian game of gilli danda.
As they temperature rose in the late morning it was a great relief to play another game inspired by the Hindu festival, Holi, which is traditionally celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. The twist for the camps was that instead of throwing powdered dyes at each other the cubs through colourful water. Fun and refreshing!
This was lucky, because with all these activities the cubs were ready for lunch. These gourmet chefs served but delicious chicken biryani an veg biryani. This flavour explosion was especially appreciated by Sarah Johansen who may never eat food without spice ever again.
Not only that, but granny Anila also produced extraordinary cakes to celebrate the
After lunch it was time to leave India and to fly to the next destination, China.
And to fly they safely too! This allowed the cubs to finish off their flying models interest badges.
This engineering in the afternoon sun was followed by another water game. This time it was the traditional camp game of Slip n’ Slide. Micaela Hall distinguished herself with her acrobatics as immortalized in this work of art to the right and doubtlessly contributing the afternoon of joy and laughter.
As the day ended a dinner of Chinese stir-fried noodles was served. Then the cubs left China and reached their final destination for the day: Mexico. The day then faded and the night creeped in. Cubs knew exactly what was coming now – CAMPFIRE!!!!
Popcorn and hot chocolate comforted the cubs as bedtime came. With exit stamps done it was lights out and the cubs took the redeye to their next destination.
Nighttime is always tricky for some of the cubs, many of whom are experiencing their first night away from home.
Not only did she tend to the cuts and bruises she also brought along a very special helper. Luna, the squishy mallow was so soft and cuddly and helped many cubs when they had a hard time and were feeling a bit down. Nothing like being able to have a chat to a kind person and hug something soft to get you past the tough times.
As the sun rose in England on our final day of camp there was no rest for the weary. The scout helpers, and a surprisingly spritely assistant pack leader, quicky got the cubs moving.
After a solid English breakfast cubs had a scavenger hunt where they completed their first aid kits. Learning all about what essentials we need to when we travel. They then visited Greenwich where they played N.S.E.W. and learned to use compasses.
Next it was time for the eternal debate of which is the best British sport: Cricket or soccer. So, the cubs played both.
The verdict reached in that debate was…. drum roll please: Rugby. So we of course had to return to the place where the Rugby champions and all round lekker folk live: South Africa.
Here their lunch (boerewors naturally) and reflected about their time at camp. They did this by writing some wonderful little poems which were shared during cubs own.
During this time cubs were celebrated and given certificates for their distinguishing contributions to the camp.
The cubs then said their goodbyes as the camp came to a close. In the end the poem by Louisa’s Maughan-Brown in the end said it all:
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/cub-camp/
On Friday the 15th of March Malika, Tristan, James and I went to Groot Winterhoek for James’ springbok hike. The first day of the hike we were hiking up a valley to Groot Kliphuis. There were lots of prickly and spiky bushes and branches that scratched everyone’s legs. We arrived at the beginning of the hike a bit later than expected and because of this we hiked into the dark which was fun but we were all very tired. We were over the moon when we saw a sign pointing us to the oak tree where we were going to sleep. We had wraps for supper with hot chocolate and went to bed.
The next day we set off and hiked at a very good speed arrived at a hut 1km from where we were spending the night and decided to eat lunch there in the shade as it was quite hot. At around 2pm we decided to go to Die Hel which is a really beautiful natural pool with a stunning waterfall that we swam at. Getting down to Die Hel was tough but it was worth it. When we arrived at the ‘campsite’ we were staying the night at. We started making supper which was pasta. It was delicious and we had all been looking forward to it the whole day.
In the morning we packed our bags, ate breakfast and off we went. That day we hiked mostly up the valley and over the mountains. At one point we had to take our shoes off to walk through a shallow river that was going over the path. There was a really nice, big rockpool that we stopped at to have a quick swim. After wee swam we dried off and continued hiking. Around 1pm we got to the end of the hike and we were all exhausted and hot as it was the hottest day of the hike. All in all it was a really great, scenic hike and we had lots of fun.
– Juliet D’Arcy-Evans
Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/smoke-signals/james-springbok-hike/
and Hathi
The camp started on Saturday, however, 
