Jul 19 2026

Avila’s First Class Hike

  • 19/07/2026

On the 16-17th of May, myself, Oliver V, Oliver R, and Saskia embarked on an adventure through the mountain ranges surrounding Montagu. The hike was a physically challenging route. The route on day 1 was clearly marked which made following the path very easy, while the route on day 2 was very flooded and difficult to follow (we only got lost 3 times…).

The patrol enjoyed the experience overall. The route was beautiful with many scenic views and cool rock forms. The campsite was really nice and the communal sitting area was the highlight of our visit. The campsites were beautiful and nicely spaced out.

Montagu is a beautiful town that we loved exploring. We walked along main street laughing at all the peculiar shop names like the magenta gherkin and the square tomato.

On day 2 we walked in our hiking boots through waist deep water, we were told the path was a little bit wet at the end… (the path was underwater after the first 10m). We also managed to see a really cool buck and a rather large spider I named Simon.

Avila van Bever Donker

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/activities/hiking/avilas-first-class-hike/

Jul 18 2026

Matthew’s Friendship Activity 

  • 18/07/2026

For Matthew’s Friendship Activity we went to 2nd Rondebosch to try and complete Sharpshooter interest. We split into two groups, the group I was with started shooting first, we each got ten shots and we had to aim (and shoot) at a target, the goal was to get 18 or something points. You had to get that many points to complete the badge. Luckily, everyone in my group got it, I think.

After that, we moved on to the theory bit. We learnt all about guns, their origin and what they can be used for. It was quite hard to focus as there was a little cat walking around. He was black and white and loved Simon. At 5:00, we all parted, with the new knowledge of how to shoot and what guns are about.

Jocelyn Berry

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/advancement/first-class/friendship-activity/matthews-friendship-activity/

Jul 18 2026

Emily’s Springbok Wide Game

  • 18/07/2026

Emily’s wide game was super fun. We all arrived at Kirstenbosch to start the wide game, where some patrols were combined to make the teams bigger. We then set off on our first bearing to Base 1. Every patrol had a different starting base.

Our first base was first aid, where we had to splint someone’s broken ankle and carry them to and from a river. Our second base was at the Boomslang, where we identified different snakes. After that, we went to a knots base in a thick forest before heading back to the start just in time.

Overall, Emily’s Springbok wide game was a great success, and I had lots of fun taking part.

Oliver Ringrose

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/advancement/springbok/emilys-springbok-wide-game/

Jul 18 2026

Oliver’s Discoverer Hike

  • 18/07/2026

My Discover Hike was lots of fun. Everyone arrived at the Scout Hall at 8:00, and my dad gave us a lift to Silvermine Gate 2. From there, we set off towards Muizenberg Peak.

The weather was great throughout the hike, apart from the strong wind at the peak. The hike was enjoyable, and there was lots of patrol bonding, especially within Kestrels. We all worked well together and had a great time.

Overall, the Discover Hike was a fun and successful experience that I really enjoyed.

Oliver Ringrose

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/advancement/discoverer/olivers-discoverer-hike/

Jun 21 2026

Quiz Night

  • 21/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to support our Quiz Night on 20 June! We filled the hall and had a lot of fun answering some challenging questions. 

We’ll share the amount raised soon, which goes towards our target of R1 million to purchase our property from the City – the fund currently stands at R372 000. More about that in the next Smoke Signals newsletter.

Thank you to our prize sponsors – Butlers Pizza, CityROCK, CAB Foods, Fraiche Ayres, Bloc11, Acrobranch, Vida e Caffe, Bike Park Uitsig, Nirvana and more.

Well done to our winners, Team Hall (a multi generational team of long time members, families and supporters!) and to Swifts Patrol for bringing in the most quiz participants.

Thank you Fraser, Karen and Oliver for setting and running the quiz (get well soon Karen – really sorry you couldn’t be there), Annemarie and Carol for arranging prizes, Alan and team for braaiing, Heather and Richard for the venue setup and much more, all our dessert bakers, many other helpers, and all who attended. Go 1st Claremont!

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/fundraising/quiz-night/

Jun 18 2026

Julia’s First Class Community Service

  • 18/06/2026

For my community service, we spent the weekend of the 6th and 7th of December making soup to donate to the Haven Night Shelter in Wynberg. 

Both days were spent chopping what felt like millions of butternuts and onions, with the occasional potato or carrot thrown in. There were many tears shed (thanks to the onions), and our hands were stained BRIGHT orange by the butternut, but despite this, the weekend was a lot of fun. We bonded really well as a group, even squeezing in some karaoke while the soup was cooking. 

In the end we made 52 litres of soup!! This was dropped off at the Haven Night Shelter Wynberg, where it was accepted with real gratitude. 

A huge thanks to everyone from Bats who came along to do some service for the people in our community who need our support. Your hard work over this weekend genuinely made this donation possible. A special mention to Jocelyn, not only for coming along on both days despite not being in Bats, but also for being there for the most hours! (9 hours out of the 12 total!)

Julia Webb

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/advancement/first-class/community-service/julias-first-class-community-service/

Jun 18 2026

Emily’s First Class Community Service

  • 18/06/2026

In my opinion Emily’s comm serve [at Oude Molen Eco Garden] was very eventful as we were busy constantly. On the first day we cleared a flower bed of wooden planks then we air rated the soil with pitchforks after doing that for an hour or two then we watered the soil and tilled it some more so the ground is watered though. After our break we planted wild garlic and some creepers. On the second day we spent the whole time clearing out the area they bumped all of the  compost and miscellaneous plant matter, while sam self proclaimed his task for the day was to cut down a  tree like plant which was in the way  (it wasn’t) for two hours, after he finished that we started to clean the area for the rest of the day.

Sam

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/advancement/first-class/community-service/emilys-first-class-community-service/

Jun 16 2026

Emily’s First Class Camp

  • 16/06/2026

We camped at glencairn for 2 nights. We had the whole campsite to ourselves. We decided that since the weather was good, why bother with tents? So we slept outside. 

The food was good. We made bracelets and did advancement. Ariella slept in her outdoor shelter. We made s’mores using handmade solar ovens and attempted to collect water using a distillation. We built a table that was actually functional, and we ate Emily’s first class meal on it. The weekend was fun and a nice break from the busy school week.

Saskia

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/advancement/first-class/camp/emilys-first-class-camp/