1st Claremont Scout Group: Lighting fires since 1908

Jul 19 2026

Emily’s Springbok hike

19/07/2026

Emily’s hike to put it simply, it was an experience to say the least. Small disclaimer Emily is not very smart to put it kindly for doing springbok (I got permission to say this)

So the first day was an expedition as the path wasn’t there but instead there was a RIVER directly in the path we were told to take. For 2 hours we were stuck until me and Ethan found a path (a very step hill) that got to the other side, then by some stroke of idiocy Emily entrusted me to guide the way (I had no clue where we were going) we got mostly up a very large hill, during one of our breaks Emily told us we went the wrong way, so we walked until we found a path. We walked for 2 hours until we decided to set up camp for the night. When we were making dinner Saskia lost the pot by dropping it in a large stream. On the 2nd we hiked 27km and we were lost half the time as the path WASN’T THERE for the whole time and we did some rudimentary rock climbing thing where we had to climb over some rocks after 3 or so hours we slept for 30 or so minutes. A while later we encountered the stairs to heaven, I think we took 2 or 4 hours to get over it and find a plateau where the cabin is, when we arrived we discovered that the milk had exploded in Ethan’s bag so all of his stuff was milky and wet, abruptly after that we went to bed. On the 3rd day we took the emergency route so we only walked 10 km on mostly flat land nothing memorable happened on this day ,except when we meet two other hikers(they were cool), then we played a game of DND for a few hours until it was supper time after that we went to bed. On the 4th day we woke up thirsty so we elected Ethan to go out to get water while he was top less and barefoot. He complained after this as it was cold, with the water we made breakfast, while breakfast was cooking me and Michael got into a wrestling match. After breakfast we set out on a 3km hike to the village. I was threatened to be abandoned multiple times for no apparent reason, it might have been that me and Ethan were purposely annoying every one but couldn’t be it. When we got off the mountain we went to KFC for a small meal.

Sam George

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

Jul 19 2026

The Goshawks Bush

19/07/2026

Welcome back to the Goshawks Bush. Term 2 has been quiet so far, being a busier term on the school side we have had fewer patrol activities. The patrol has been bonding over the last few terms and are finally settling into a comfortable rhythm.

Our Patrol has been working steadily on their advancement throughout the term and I would like to congratulate Sophia on completing her traveller this term!

Next term is going to be a fun one with a sailing day, and multiple advancement days coming up! We will continue to have fun and enjoy meetings throughout the term and are aiming for MOSCIP next term!

We will continue to grow and bond as a patrol next term. Till next time.

Avila van Bever Donker

Permanent link to this article: https://1stclaremont.org.za/1stclaremont-scouts/scouts/the-goshawks-bush-4/

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