- Details
- Written by: Chris N
Just when you think the term is winding down quietly, Scouting reminds you that adventure doesn’t check the calendar. With exams still being written, some Scouts away on a sports tour to Grahamstown, and the rest gearing up for the holidays, a solid band of our boys still answered the call for one last night of fellowship, fire, and fun. It wasn’t the biggest parade we’ve had - but it was one of the most memorable.
We began the evening on a high note with the final investiture of the term, welcoming Mark C. officially into the Troop. Mark had missed his earlier opportunity due to an operation, making this moment all the more meaningful. As if scripted by Scouting tradition itself, the skies opened up during the ceremony. A proper downpour followed - surely a nod of approval from the spirit of Lord Baden-Powell himself. Rain or shine, a Scout’s promise stands firm.
And where there are Scouts, there is always a way. Despite the weather, our not-yet-invested Scouts rose to the challenge and managed to braai wors under less-than-ideal conditions. Soon, the smell of sizzling boerewors filled the air, turning a rainy night into a celebration. A big thank you to Carmon Bakery and everyone else who contributed to this surprise - those boeries tasted like victory.
YouTube - TikTok - Instagram - Facebook
Read more: Rain, Fire, and Brotherhood: A Proper Scout Send-Off to the Term
- Details
- Written by: Chris N
The evening began the way all great Scout stories do — gathered in a quiet circle, faces glowing softly by candlelight, promises spoken with pride and just a hint of nervous excitement. Six brand‑new Scouts were officially invested, welcomed into the ranks of uniformed Scouts of the 1st Graaff-Reinet Scout Troop. Neckerchiefs were worn for the first time, salutes were given with confidence, and another chapter in our Troop’s story was written.
But once the final candle was extinguished and the echoes of the ceremony faded… it was time to run.
Out into the night we burst, trading solemn ceremony for laughter, energy, and pure Scout mischief. The game of choice? A timeless classic: Red Light, Green Light — but with a distinctly Scouty twist.
Check the Socials:
Game
TikTok - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook
Read more: From Candlelight to Chaos: Red Light, Green Light – Scout Style!
- Details
- Written by: Chris N
We would like to inform Scouts, parents, sponsors, and members of the public that the Raft Race has been postponed.
Due to growing interest in the event, limited preparation time, and clashes with school and Scouting calendars, we have decided to move the Raft Race to a later date, provisionally planned for September or October.
This decision was not taken lightly. Our goal has always been to host a fun, safe, and memorable day by the dam, with plenty of on-water activities. Postponing the event allows us the necessary time to:
- plan and organise the event properly,
- ensure adequate volunteer and safety support,
- allow participants sufficient time to prepare,
- and deliver an event that truly lives up to its potential.
This is a postponement, not a cancellation. Planning will continue, and an updated date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.
Thank you for your understanding, enthusiasm, and continued support. We look forward to hosting an epic Raft Race later this year.
Yours in Scouting,
1st Graaff‑Reinet Scout Group
- Details
- Written by: Chris N
The hall was empty—but it was not silent. Flags stood raised. Shirts hung waiting for shoulders. Dust lay where boots once passed, and photographs watched from the walls as if they still remembered our names. While the Scouts were outside, laughing and playing, the Chookie Geard Scout Hall stood open, holding more than a century of Scouting in its bones. This short film is a walk through that space—and a reflection on what Scouting leaves behind.
YouTube - TikTok - Instagram - Facebook
Read more: These Ol’ Bones: A Walk Through the Chookie Geard Scout Hall
- Details
- Written by: Chris N
On a warm Sunday afternoon, our Scouts answered the call to celebrate the birthday of our Founder, Lord Robert Baden‑Powell, in the most fitting way possible: boots on the ground, scarves around necks, and eyes lifted to the wide horizons of the Camdeboo.
The road to the Bergendal Gate, winding its way through the municipal quarry, proved rougher than expected and prevented some moms from reaching the starting point. But true to the spirit of Scouting, those who could make it pressed on. Seven boys stepped forward—four of them invested Scouts—ready for adventur
e.
They were joined by Troop Scouter Jacques Ferreira, Assistant Scouter Chris Nash, and special guests Aidan’s mom and sister, forming a small but determined hiking party set on honouring Baden‑Powell the Scouting way.
YouTube - TikTok - Instagram - Facebook
Read more: Founder’s Birthday Hike – Eerstefontein Trail, Camdeboo National Park
- Details
- Written by: Chris N
There are games… and then there are Scout games.
And few spark the same excitement, strategy, and full-throttle energy as the legendary favourite: Open the Gates!
On this action-packed evening, the Scouts of 1st Graaff-Reinet leapt straight into the fray. Patrols charged, defended, planned, and countered as the battlefield came alive with laughter, teamwork, and the unmistakable sound of boots pounding the ground. Open the Gates isn’t just about speed—it’s about communication, trust, and knowing when to make your move. Every Scout had a role to play, and every victory was earned together.
The video below captures the spirit perfectly: high energy, big smiles, and Scouts giving it their all.
YouTube - Instagram - TikTok - Facebook
Read more: Open the Gates! A Night of Action, Skill, and Scout Spirit
- Details
- Written by: Chris N
Last night, something powerful happened. Not loud. Not flashy. But deeply, undeniably Scout-like.
As the sun dipped and the hall filled with the familiar sound of boots on wooden floors, the Troop gathered for an evening that proved - once again - that Scouting is not about adults running programs for boys. It’s about boys becoming leaders.
From the very first whistle to the final sweep of the floor, the entire evening was planned, prepared, run, and packed away by the Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders and their Scouts. No adults running the show. No hands-on guidance. Just Scouts leading Scouts.
And they nailed it.