Between them they led fellow scouts through the rugged Groot Winterhoek Mountains in a blinding storm, constructed an exquisite miniature model of a medieval slingshot, and cooked massive stews and chocolate cake over a camp fire – all in pursuit of the ultimate honour in scouting, Springbok colours.
Yesterday Megan Medcalf and Alexandra “Lexiy” Lancaster, both 18, made history when they became the first girls from East London to be Springbok scouts.
They received their awards from Scouts South Africa chief scout, Sibusiso Vilane, who has achieved fame as an adventurer, marathon runner and mountaineer, and who has climbed to the summits of the seven highest mountains.
“I think it’s fantastic that they have achieved their Springbok colours as this award represents the accumulation of scouting values, skills and leadership abilities,” said Vilane.
He frequently came across female expedition leaders taking men up mountains, and met a woman who was exploring Antarctica on her own. “We need to move away from the notion that girls and women are weaker. I find these days women are taking adventure to another level.
“The fact that Megan and Alexandra have achieved their Springbok awards is simply confirmation of this.”
To attain Springbok colours, Medcalf and Lancaster, both proud members of 1st Cambridge Troop, had to complete 40 hours of community service, lead a 30km hike, organise and lead a camp, cook a three-course meal over a fire to feed a group, and complete a pioneering project. “It’s a perception that boys can do hiking, camping and construction stuff better; we can do it just the same,” said Lancaster, who is in the first year of a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Cape Town, and followed in her father’s steps when she became a scout at the age of 12.
She has a tool kit at her university residence and is astounded that most of her friends there are incapable of fixing anything.
“People fall apart when something breaks but I can fix things. I have a toolbox with a set of spanners, screwdrivers and duct tape. Duct tape can fix anything.”
Medcalf is in her matric year at Clarendon High School and became a scout when she was 13. “Becoming a scout is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
“We can use axes and saws and feel equipped to save a life because we did a first-aid course. We went to the Cederberg along with 400 other scouts from across South Africa, Namibia and Germany. Scouting opens so many doors and teaches you to work as a team. And anyway, what else is there to do on a Friday evening?”
Although both girls admitted to at one time being sheepish about their scouting endeavours, this no longer applied. “I used to be embarrassed about it because people ask if we sell cookies,” said Medcalf. “But this year we decided to be proud to be scouts ... and being Springboks gives us bragging rights.”
Springbok colours for Megan and Alexandra
Yesterday Megan Medcalf and Alexandra “Lexiy” Lancaster, both 18, made history when they became the first girls from East London to be Springbok scouts.
They received their awards from Scouts South Africa chief scout, Sibusiso Vilane, who has achieved fame as an adventurer, marathon runner and mountaineer, and who has climbed to the summits of the seven highest mountains.
“I think it’s fantastic that they have achieved their Springbok colours as this award represents the accumulation of scouting values, skills and leadership abilities,” said Vilane.
He frequently came across female expedition leaders taking men up mountains, and met a woman who was exploring Antarctica on her own. “We need to move away from the notion that girls and women are weaker. I find these days women are taking adventure to another level.
“The fact that Megan and Alexandra have achieved their Springbok awards is simply confirmation of this.”
To attain Springbok colours, Medcalf and Lancaster, both proud members of 1st Cambridge Troop, had to complete 40 hours of community service, lead a 30km hike, organise and lead a camp, cook a three-course meal over a fire to feed a group, and complete a pioneering project. “It’s a perception that boys can do hiking, camping and construction stuff better; we can do it just the same,” said Lancaster, who is in the first year of a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Cape Town, and followed in her father’s steps when she became a scout at the age of 12.
She has a tool kit at her university residence and is astounded that most of her friends there are incapable of fixing anything.
“People fall apart when something breaks but I can fix things. I have a toolbox with a set of spanners, screwdrivers and duct tape. Duct tape can fix anything.”
Medcalf is in her matric year at Clarendon High School and became a scout when she was 13. “Becoming a scout is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
“We can use axes and saws and feel equipped to save a life because we did a first-aid course. We went to the Cederberg along with 400 other scouts from across South Africa, Namibia and Germany. Scouting opens so many doors and teaches you to work as a team. And anyway, what else is there to do on a Friday evening?”
Although both girls admitted to at one time being sheepish about their scouting endeavours, this no longer applied. “I used to be embarrassed about it because people ask if we sell cookies,” said Medcalf. “But this year we decided to be proud to be scouts ... and being Springboks gives us bragging rights.”
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