Tag: scouting

6rondeboschLeave a comment

ANNUAL ORIENTEERING EVENT 2025

On Sunday 17 August 2025, Plaisir Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch hosted this year’s orienteering event. A record-breaking number of teams to entered, with 93 junior and senior teams competing. Out of those 93 teams, we had 5 junior teams, 1 senior team and an additional 3 adult / Rover teams entering from 6th Rondebosch Troop.

At the start of the competition you are given a map with different positions on it. You then have to go to that position in real life and scan an EMIT (which looks like a USB stick, but acts like a bar code) that you are given at the start of the competition. Each different position has a different point value. For example, a position that is close to you will have a point value of 10, but the furthest position on the map is worth 60 points.

Personal Experience

I thought that the whole competition was an awesome experience especially because it was held at such a beautiful wine estate. I really enjoyed tackling very different challenges with my school friend Ethan.

As soon as we got our maps we immediately set out on our 75 minute journey that really tested our physical abilities and mental capacities. We decided to head up the steep Stellenbosch hill to maximize the amount of points that we got per position. We got a little bit lost during the competition, but after a few minutes (and running into a spiky rose bush) we were back on track.

In the end we ended up scoring 120 points, which was enough for us to make it into the top five! It was really cool trying to find the little orange boxes, in which we could scan our EMITs and get our hard-earned points.

Overall there was just an amazing vibe and environment before, during and after the competition, but the best part was being enemies during the competition but as soon as the closing ceremony was finished we were all friends again. I also learned many useful skills, like how to use an EMIT and how to get over different obstacles (like really spiky thorn bushes). I really look forward to the next orienteering event so that I can rectify all the mistakes that I made last time.

A big thanks to Plaisir Wine Estate for the beautiful venue, to the Chief Judge – Thomas Ashworth, the judging team and all of the people who helped to organise the competition. Another big thanks to PENOC for setting up the route and for supplying the EMITs and for doing all of the scoring.

By Brett Liddell

6rondeboschLeave a comment

SENIOR SCOUT NIGHT HIKE AUGUST 2025

A group of 11 senior scouts from 6th Rondebosch came together under the leadership of scouters to test themselves against the mighty Vlakenberg in the pitch dark.  Walking from Price Drive to Constantia Nek.

I was really excited and looking forward to the hike but did have a few worries with the thought of hurting myself in the dark but the scouters reassured us of our safety and throughout the hike made us feel secure.

We set out at 6:30 pm just as the sun was starting to set in the sky.  Sadly, we missed the sunset as the clouds descended over the mountain.

It started with an easy flat path which gradually turned into an uphill climb.  A slight detour in the dark led to a bit of bundu bashing but soon we were back on track. 

By the time we reached the top of the mountain the sky was dark. I will most definitely be buying a much brighter and better torch as it was quite tricky to see the path but we all worked together and stayed together to reach the goal.  Which is an important value that scouts teaches us.  Team work is dream work.

At the top the scouters treated us to a very delicious mug of hot chocolate as we watched the twinkling lights of the city below.  Coming down it was not as steep but a gentle downhill walk ending with wooden steps.

A few minor scraps but we all triumphed and got back down in the end reaching the parking lot at 9:15 pm laughing and shouting as we jumped into the warmth of the awaiting vehicles.

If you get the opportunity it is an adventure I would definitely recommend to other scouts.

Isabella Ciolli

6rondeboschLeave a comment

6th Rondebosch Scouts Make a Difference at Lagoon Beach

Scouts from the 6th Rondebosch Troop recently came together to make an impact at Lagoon Beach, Milnerton, through a dedicated clean-up effort led by the Cobras Patrol. This service project, held on 24th November 2024, reflects the troop’s ongoing commitment to environmental conservation and community service. 

From 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, six members of the Cobras Patrol worked tirelessly to clear the shoreline of litter. Their efforts resulted in the collection of 11 full bags of waste, significantly improving the beach’s condition and ensuring its natural beauty could shine once more. 

This project was a shining example of the teamwork and determination that define the 6th Rondebosch Scouts. The Cobras Patrol, one of the troop’s dynamic patrols, led the charge, but their efforts represent the spirit of the entire troop: taking responsibility for the world around them and leading by example. 

Through initiatives like these, the 6th Rondebosch Scouts continue to live by the values of Scouting, showing that even small groups can have a lasting, positive impact. Lagoon Beach is cleaner today thanks to their dedication—and this is just the beginning of their environmental efforts. 

Follow the 6th Rondebosch Scouts for more stories of service, leadership, and adventure!

Zachary Adams

2 December 2024