Western Cape’s famed rafting competition Kontiki came with a band of fun, growth, friendship, lessons and many more exciting features. The competition consisted of two teams per troop. A raft team that spent 24hours on a raft constructed. Their main objective was to complete STA’s (spare time activities) ranging from arts and crafts to cooking delicious meals that would be judged. The 2nd team is non-other than the fringe team. That competed in several sport games such as volleyball, slip-n-slide tug of war, knee boarding and catapult building.
Personal experience
Being part of the fringe team as a Patrol Leader for majority junior scouts definitely had its challenges. However, it allowed me to sprout in a leadership environment. It was a pleasure to teach younger scouting skills, that I myself had been taught throughout my time being in scouts. It was my first Kontiki where I got to understand the ways and working of planning, taking care of younger scouts and execute the task of making sure they had fun while learning. I got to know the scouts on a personal level. I learnt about their aspirations and eagerness to achieve their goals in scouts. Their willingness to participate and experience gave me the motivation to lead them through with confidence and determination to do our best and make our troop proud. I had to be aware that whilst my patrol was eager they weren’t capable of fulfilling extensive task such as the dreadful STA’s. Sitting up till 3am with my brother completing a crafted campfire made me appreciate the work that my patrol put in, during the rest of the day e.g. my brother and another scout volunteered to do knee boarding in the freezing weather at past 6pm just to make sure we got points.
Overall experience
The competition was a phenomenal experience that teaches patrols how to work together as a team and reap the benefits of their efforts. The aftermath of Kontiki was something to treasure. Those exhausted scouts with beaming faces after getting the news that they came second made every hour count. Coming home from the competition where they filled their parent’s ears with tall tales of the event whilst having memories to take back with them. Watching them interact with each other after spending so much time together learning about each other’s differences and personalities.
The last words
Kontiki was truly an amazing event. Of course we won’t all experience the same things but the general objectives always stay the same. Be a good scout, do your best, be aware of others, engage with you patrol but most importantly have fun. For anyone looking for a weekend pact with excitement and adventure, I recommend this thrilling competition.
Danielle Kriel 6th Rondebosch scout
6throndeboschscouts.org 
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