Growing numbers of young people are signing up to join the St Croix Sea Scouts in Bluewater Bay.
The scout “pack” was nearly wiped out during the covid pandemic when bans on gatherings and fear of becoming infected by the virus, resulted in only three scouts remaining with the by June 2021. This number has subsequently risen to 23 – 11 scouts (over 11 years old) and 12 cubs (aged seven to 11).
Scout Trooper, Norman (Skip) Visser, says St Croix is working hard to recruit more youngsters from the community to join the voluntary scout movement, but he is thankful that the success since covid resulted in St Croix being able to celebrate their 60th anniversary, having been formed way back in 1963!
According to Norman, there are more than 54 million scouts worldwide. The global umbrella body is the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) based in Switzerland.
In South Africa, St Croix is affiliated to the National, Provincial and District scouting organisations.
The main aim of the Sea Scouts is to mould the youngsters to become honourable and valuable members of society by deed rather than just by word, but this does not mean there is no fun to be had.
The scouts go on hikes and camping trips and learn how to handle an axe, make fires, tie knots, read maps, how to use a compass and how to navigate by the stars at night. Among community activities they learn how to grow vegetables and plant trees. There is also the fun of treasure hunts using digital clues.
Norman says St Croix is actively keeping costs of participation in the Sea Scouts as low as possible.with quarterly fees of only R200 per child which is a bargain given all of the activities and the skills the youngsters will acquire.
Even when it comes to uniforms, Norman says the scouts are able to save by being able to wear jeans and any type of shoes that they want to wear. This means that the only costs are for the scout shirt and belt (R300) and a once off charge for a handmade scarf and set of badges.
If your kids would like to join, take them along to the St Croix Sea Scout hall at the bottom of Tipper’s Creek from 17h00 to 18h30 (for cubs) or 18h00 to 20h00 (scouts) free for one or two Fridays to see what Scouts are all about.
For further information, contact “Skip” on 082 567 4018
