Andrea and Emma
Andrea Booth made history in July 2001 when, just before her 18th birthday, she became the 1st female Springbok Scout in South Africa. Today, she is helping the next generation at 1st Strand Scout Group in the Western Cape, while watching her own daughters experience Scouting. Her Scouting journey creates a full circle moment if ever there was one!
“My brother was a Scout and I was a Guide. Unfortunately, at that time Girl Guides was dwindling and was becoming more “passive”. The Scout meetings and activities were much more fun and adventurous, incorporating more outdoor activities which I enjoyed. Thus, when the opportunity arose to be able to attend meetings with my brother, I jumped at the opportunity. I suppose also because of my family, we were outdoorsy people who enjoyed camping. Right from the start I was welcomed and accepted into the fold at 1st Strand. It was a lively Group,” explains Andrea.
Andrea and her brother Warwick
When she joined Scouts, girls had only been part of the programme for a few years. “All those years ago, as a child, I was naïve to the “politics” surrounding having girls in Scouting. Now, being an adult, I can appreciate all that my parents and Scouter put in and put up with to be able to provide me with the opportunity to be there. I grew up in a house where I was not treated differently to my brother, and I was given the same opportunities as he was. Thus, I knew that girls needed to be treated as equals and are not inferior to boys, because of my home life. The opportunities provided by the Scouting community reinforced these beliefs and I always believed that I could do whatever I set my mind to.
My Springbok journey was the same as the boys’. My community service project was beautifying the gardens at the local provincial hospital, and my pioneering project was a merry-go-round. Not the run of the mill bridge that all the boys were doing back then! My Springbok hike was a challenge. I hiked the Cape Point to Simon’s Town route. Because I was the first girl, the examiners were tough on me and there were – what I perceived – as double standards. Looking back, I now realise that the examiners upheld these standards to ensure that everything was above board. There was also this unspoken pressure on me to prove that girls were up to the challenge, and I wanted to show them that the principles of Scouting didn’t need to change just because I am a girl.
Photo Heritage archive: Andrea Springbok Scout
When I started my Springbok journey, I didn’t realise that I was going to be the first girl in SA to take on the challenge. I don’t think many people today understand what it actually means to be able to break this proverbial glass ceiling.” Today 47% of SCOUTS SA’s membership are girls and many are Springbok Scouts. “I feel quietly proud of myself, my family and 1st Strand Scouts as it was – and still is – a collective effort. It is also important to note that in a society that was still very male orientated at the time, the leaders of the Scout Association were willing to open the Movement to girls. That was not a decision that they took lightly but I think it has paid dividends for society as a whole.”
Andrea has truly lived the Scouting Aventure. “I’ve been privileged enough to attend three Senior Scout Adventures both as a participant and an adult leader. During one of these, I had to join a few days later as I had just come back from Seoul, Korea where I attended an international Scouting event. I am looking forward to hiking the Cederberg again when my daughters Emma and Anna get to go,” she continues excitedly.
Andrea, mom Denise and Scouter Derrick Black
A life of adventure in Scouting is also synonymous with skills development. Looking back, what skills does she currently still use? “Everything! No, probably the most prominent trait is my goal orientated approach to life as well as the incorporation of the leadership skills. Learning to be able to lead from the side lines as well as when in a management position while working with people is a skill that few actually master. If it can be taught from a young age it becomes part of you. Another valuable skill is balance. While perseverance and resilience are both important skills to master, it is also important to acknowledge when it is time to change the approach and take a rest. These cannot be separated and taught alone. If they are, the Scouts and future adults will be at a disadvantage causing them to burn out. This is something I re-iterate regularly with my girls and students. ‘You have to make mistakes to learn, otherwise you have no room for improvement’.”
Andrea and Anna
When her daughter Emma started her Cubbing journey with 1st Strand, Andrea became a parent helper, and two years ago, when Emma went up to Scouts and there was a need for a female warranted Scouter, Andrea stepped into uniform once more. “The Scouting Movement becomes a way of life, service, friendship, learning and fun. It has a valuable place in our society, and it is up to us to keep the Movement going. It is important to acknowledge how SCOUTS South Africa has remained current with regards to all legislations and trends. Being proactive like this keep the organisation relevant and a popular activity for children and adults to join. As an Adult Leader, this is what helps create lifelong learning. As a parent, wow, I think back to when I was their age and I am like ‘really, you want to do what?’ It’s hard to think that you are going to let your 12-year-old go with a 16- year-old into the mountains and trust that they’ll come back J!”
When reflecting on what she hopes her daughters will gain from Scouting, Andrea says: “Scouting teaches many life skills, encourages service to communities and is a place where lasting friendships are made. All of these are important, and I hope my daughters will gain as much as I did. Besides all the life skills, the best intangible assets of the Scouting community is creating these life-long bonds that few people outside of Scouting really understand. When you meet someone who is or was a Scout, you can immediately gauge or understand their calibre and mettle. Today, the majority of our family friends and support circle are people who I went to Scouts with and who have also circled back into Scouting.”
Andrea and her Scout family
Often people still think of Scouting as a place for boys. However, in South Africa, girls have been Scouting for over 26 years. Andrea’s message to young girls considering joining the Scout Movement is clear: “You go girl! You do not have to stand back for anyone. But be respectful. This is the most important value in life. Do everything you can and want but have respect for yourself, other people, life and the environment.
Also remember that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. If you want to aim for your Springbok Award, consider that your goals need to be SMART, and that achieving your Springbok is not a ‘me’ opportunity. You need your family, friends and community on your side to be able to achieve it. While many people talk of the Springbok Award, it is not everything. It is an opportunity like many others in Scouting. If all you take from Scouting are the friendships and skills that you learned along the way, that’s amazing! You need to do what you can within your capacity.”
When not volunteering, Andrea is saving lives at the ICU of a private hospital as a Critical Care Trained Registered Nurse. “Scouting shaped my career goals as I have become dedicated to continuous improvement, so much so that I am completing a master’s in emergency medicine. If I critically think about it, my career choice in both critical care and emergency medicine is definitely the more adventurous side of nursing. Constantly seeking that adrenaline
high. And that is also what Scouting provides, the thrill of reaching a mountain peak, of completing that difficult pioneers task etc. As mentioned earlier, the leadership skills have also brought me to when I am, learning how to involve and work with people in small and big teams to be able to achieve the goals for the day to safely nurse the patient through a 12-hour shift.”
After a lifetime of adventure, what does this inspiring women always carry in her bag? ”Wet wipes, a space blanket and a first aid kit!” Because till today, Andrea lives the Scout motto and is always prepared.