Grahamstown/Makhanda Scouts

We've been up and going for 5 years! The Scouts have called for a party. They've put together an exhibition about Childrens' Rights as well as a multimedia journey.

Hope we see you there!

A fun afternoon at the pool at Stone Cresent Hotel! The group is going from strength to strength.

In the midst of tackling abuse and corporal punishment in our communities. We're currently needing to register as a scout group as our boys grow older.

Watch this space as we approach child protection week.

Although these photos are late I'd like to announce we've finished our 10 week Environmental campaign.

Massive thanks to Ashton Du Toit for the photos. It was a treat to have everything documented and also be fully attentive to our children!

Here's what we've learnt and done:
- We've noticed behavioral changes in our children (who are more co-operative and focussed/attentive). Ordinarily there would be chaos over painting or choosing a select few boys to do something special (radio). During this process things were orderly, they chose spokespeople etc.
- Our children know more about the community than we anticipate. Sometimes even more than the adults.
- Young children find solutions.
- We've researched at the library, made posters skillfully, discussed the water crisis and it politics in depth, we've spoken maturely on radio, we've gained the support of two school principals.
- We've been resourceful in getting our message out.
- The boys have for the first time reflected and critiqued their work and are talking about "next we should..."
- We've planted trees. The boys have taken full responsibility in nurturing and protecting them. They know the names of the trees, they water them, weekly they check that they're ACTUALLY growing :P

We are so incredibly proud of our children!

Moving onwards and upwards with these children!!! VERY HAPPY!!!

An awesome day at Hobbiton! Gusting winds and super cold... But trust a scout to be outside anyway! A great break in between our next campaign on the environment.

This term's focus has been on knotting... here is our week on putting our work to practice: knot relays, tying into a harness, climbing safety, learning to spot and belay etc.

Super generous of Mark Spyker to have donated this stuff to be used for the boys. So much joy and an unforgettable experience!

Want to be part of more than just Community Engagement? Join the club behind our Cub pack for the full experience.

Our Summer Swim at our local Dam last Thursday!

This year the pack has 30 Cubs. Here's to a fab year ahead!

Final week of term for volunteers and the Cubs came on an important visit to Rhodes. Perfectly sunny weather. 21 Cubs. Students. Slack Lines. British Bulldogs. Hand stands and wheel barrows. Smiles all round. The best part? The stories the boys have been writing and photographing about their lives and the community we run the project from were exhibited. This is the first step in making a publishable book. Watch this space!!!

On Thursday we completed our conservation theme. We went to a park that was made for the community by the community on property that used to be an eye sore (its now packed with kids each after noon). We had the privilege of four volunteers who work for Hobbitton joining us- a great exchange and they jumped right in running bases and games. This week the boys made nature rubbing, had a chat about conservation and their environment and they all throughly enjoyed making recycled plastic balls. Another fun week with our little kings!

Go Jenson! We're on the national radar :) So proud of our boys.

I swam in a dam for the first time! - Scouts South Africa This year we are celebrating 100 years of Cubbing worldwide. We asked 100 Cubs why Cubbing Rocks. We spoke to Jenson Peters (8) from St Mary’s Development and Care Center (DCC) Cub Pack in the Eastern Cape. SSA: Why is Cubbing so much fun? Cubbing is so much fun because we help people and people lis...