PowWow: 2000 Report
Cub Pow Wow 2000
Report by Shirley McDiarmid – AAC Cub Programme - Cape Western
Traditionally, Pack Scouters gather every two years for their national conference. Due to South Africa hosting the World Conference last year, Pow Wow was postponed to 2000. Our retiring AAC, Pauline Reef, was to host this Pow Wow but, sadly, due to her illness I had to take over. However she had set the scene for what turned out to be a most memorable Pow Wow.
Thursday 27th April saw 172 Pack Scouters gather at the Okkie Jooste camp in Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, for the official opening by Andre Bredenkamp, our Area Commissioner. This was followed by a delightful song and dance display by children from various schools in Mitchell's Plain, trained by Veronica Hendricks.
Out of camp visits included the Butterfly World, a cheetah exhibition at Spier, a demonstration by a falconer, a picnic lunch on Milnerton beach as well as a visit to the Waterfront. The balance of the "Take-off 2000" programme was made up of plenty of Cubbing, such as a campfire with a difference (by candle light), a Scout's Own, and many advancement and skills bases to give Pack Scouters new ideas to take home to their packs. These were of a high standard and everyone returned with many new tools for implementing the Cub programme.
One of the highlights of the conference was the concert on Friday night where each province put on a little show. No preparation and planning had been spared and the echoes of side- splitting laughter was proof of its success.
Another highlight was the banquet on Saturday night. After inspirational messages from a University of Stellenbosch lecturer, David Taylor, and our own adult leader trainer, Paddy Milner, the mood was set with the singing of Love changes everything. Outside, the delegations stood silently outside to the strains of It's time to say goodbye, only to be awakened by the start of The final countdown and the dropping of a shade-net screen to reveal a 3m high rocket (the feature of the Pow Wow badge), complete with flashing lights and smoke. Inside the rocket stood a Stellenbosch Cub who, once he had been lifted out, delivered the Pow Wow flag to the Cape Eastern AAC, who will host Pow Wow 2002.