Supplied – PLTU WC
When Laura Owens joined 1st Claremont Scout Group, she was so eager to begin her Scouting adventure that she started attending the Cub meetings two weeks before her seventh birthday. Eleven years later, that same determined young woman has achieved one of the highest honours in South African Scouting – the Springbok Scout Award. Laura’s journey has been more than badges and adventures. Through Scouting she has been able to find her place in the world, overcome obstacles, build lifelong friendships, and discover that there is more than one path to success.
“My brother Jono was a Scout and I was so eager to do what he was doing. From the start 1st Claremont was a really supportive atmosphere and excellent environment for me to grow,” says Laura with a smile. “I didn’t ‘click’ with Scouts immediately after my investiture, and I actually got my Traveller quite late. But what did click for me were the people. I went on my first badge course in 2022, and ever since then I kept signing up for every one that crossed my SD dashboard. It was definitely the Scouting people that kept me around, and they’re also the reason I made it all the way to my Springbok. Scouting has some really remarkable people keeping it together, and it’s been lots of fun to meet them.”
Gordons Shield 1st Claremont Facebook
For Laura, Scouting has given her many unforgettable adventures and memories that will last a lifetime. “Some of my favourite memories of Scouts are the nights I spent awake during Gordons Shield, or on PLTU (Patrol Leaders Training Unit Course), or on Survival Interest trying to create a shelter that fits you and your snoring buddy. Even the more “terrible” moments like being awake at 2AM freezing on a Kon-Tiki raft! These are the memories that you look back on and that really make Scouting what it is. The memories we cherish are all moments that we live, and Scouting is an excellent place to make those memories.”
Laura’s journey has not always been straightforward. “At the age of 12, at the very beginning of my Scouting career, I developed a chronic pain condition called Fibromyalgia and it became impossible for me to run or hike, which are things you do an awful lot of in Scouting. It was hard for me to see a path through which I could ‘succeed’ and accomplish all the big milestones people talk about like my Springbok or attending big courses like PLTU. Looking back, I’m very glad that I pushed through my initial misconceptions. While it was difficult at the beginning, and there were certainly a lot of obstacles, I found a place in Scouting. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the people who helped me along the way.”
Kestrels Patrol 1st Claremont Facebook
During her Scouting career Laura didn’t only overcome the physical challenges she faced, but she was able to soar in leadership roles and personal advancements. As Patrol Leader of the Kestrels Patrol, Laura found herself stepping into the shoes of a Patrol Leader she admired. “I was the Assistant Patrol Leader to a very good friend of mine named James, and Kestrels under his leadership excelled. It was a Patrol in which we had a lot of fun but somehow won the weekly trophy quite often as well. It was daunting to fill his shoes, but my Patrol was very supportive of me becoming the Patrol Leader. This was around the time I started my First Class, and running those activities was less scary knowing that the participants would be the munchkins in my Patrol. I’m very lucky to say that I really didn’t run into that many obstacles with them at all. They definitely motivated me, because if you give up with seven people relying on you, the consequences are much bigger.
The other part of being a Patrol Leader was that I just loved every moment I spent with them. It was difficult to manage my Grade 11 workload, my Springbok, and lead a Patrol, but the moments I got to spend with them on Thursday evenings made it worth it. They really taught me how to have fun at Scouts and didn’t let me lose sight of why I was doing what I was doing,” she reminisces.
When the time came to complete her Springbok Award, Laura chose projects that reflected her passions and values. “My Community Service project was at the Trinity Children’s Centre in Mitchells Plain. I ran a stationery drive before we went to the centre so we had something to donate. We created a Spekboom labyrinth with a concrete path we laid for the kids to play in, we painted some chalkboard paint on the outside wall so they can draw murals every day, and we painted hopscotch and four-square lines. There was also a bit of general maintenance we did like moving a sandpit and clearing branches. The project was an opportunity to help a community that people often forget about. Children have no control over their circumstances, which is why I think that it’s so important that every child has the best facilities possible to learn. I’m super passionate about education, and I think that it’s the best way for everybody to succeed, so starting that early for kids as young as Grade R seemed like an obvious choice. I also believe that young people are the most able to help, and they often have an awful lot of free time. I think that everybody should occasionally stop doomscrolling and pick up a spade to mix some cement. Doing good with your resources is one of the best ways to practically become more grateful for what you have and to recognise how lucky many of us are,” continues Laura.
Laura’s Pioneering Project 1st Claremont Facebook
“My hike was themed around the 2025 Heritage National Challenge and included museum visits all around the Cape. My camp was an absolute blast! It was quite big as we had three Patrols. We camped at the Roberts Camp in Glencairn, and I themed it around the show “Survivor“. It was fun to watch memories being made. To be honest, the Scouts did an excellent job keeping the spirits up. Even though it was a little wet, they managed to build swings in their campsites and find all our hidden immunity idols. I’m very grateful for the enthusiasm of everyone there. Lastly, I ran a pioneering project, and we made a Portcullis-Drawbridge – which is a drawbridge that drops a portcullis when it lowers. I really wanted to do a pioneering project because I feel like there aren’t enough girls pioneering, but we’re just as capable as the boys. When I was little, I never learnt my knots from the girls, so I made it a bit of a mission to teach as many square lashings as I could in my Scouting career,” she quips.
When asked how she felt after finally completing her Springbok Award, Laura’s answer was characteristically honest. “”Honestly, relieved to be done with the admin,” she laughs. “I was very lucky that 1st Claremont’s leadership structure encourages Scouts from 11 years old to learn the skills to become a Springbok Scout by implementing them efficiently. Having excellent Patrol Leaders and three capable Troop Scouters throughout my time was one of the most valuable resources I could have asked for. I also think that the Advancement System prepares you as a youth for the Springbok requirements and it’s really fun to get to implement all the skills you’ve worked so hard to develop throughout your advancement as it builds on them.
1st Claremont Facebook
I’m very happy that I made all the people who helped me through my Scouting career proud. It was surreal to stand in front of the Scouts, Scouters and family who’d gotten me to this point at my Springbok ceremony. Really, my speech was 90% thank-yous. I think that finishing my Springbok also let me have a good deal more faith in my own abilities.”
Today, Laura is a Matric learner at Westerford High School and hopes to study Mechanical Engineering at UCT next year. Looking back on her Scouting journey, she adds: “You get out as much as you put in. The people who really excel are never the ones who take things lightly. No matter what you want to pursue in Scouting – whether it’s your Springbok, or badges, or something nobody else has thought of yet – pursue it with all your heart. The reason I’m proud of my Springbok is because I know I genuinely gave it my all. It’s your life, and nobody’s going to live it for you.”