Rover SARSI: 1937 Report
Valsch River Banks, Kroonstad: SARSI
26 to 29 March - Easter week end
A review of a Memorable Camp of outstanding events.
In many ways the Third SARSI has been a memorable one, with unusual features helping to keep it interesting. Every camp differs from another, and this Indaba has been no exception.
There has been hardly a dull moment from the time the camp opened. Rhodesia were first to arrive, with a few odd Rovers from Natal and the Cape, and there was soon brisk action. Then the Transvaal began turning up, in carload after carload, until five and six o'clock on Friday morning.
The arrival of the Natalians on Friday afternoon completed the gathering of the clans and the SARSI began in earnest. Papers had already begun, and from the start these set a high standard, this being maintained until the final reading. Discussions were keen and these, fittingly enough, were climaxed at last night's session, when, at last, fellows who had remained shyly silent at previous sittings were roused to jump to their feet and join in with a will. This, to the old stagers, was one of the most pleasing features of the discussions.
The opening ceremony on Friday afternoon was fittingly impressive. Well attended by the public, it went off without a hitch.
Saturday was exclusively set aside for fun and pleasure by the organisers. Boatloads of Rovers enjoyed a trip up the river in the morning, and in the afternoon entered with great gusto into the swimming gala and "regatta", these providing some of the highlights of the camp as, regards fun and laughter. The swimming was of a high standard -- but the rowing should be allowed to pass without comment!
The camp fire concert on Saturday night, already reported upon by the "News", was another memorable event, to which the Kroonstad public turned up in right royal fashion. And their applause was generous to the many excellent items provided. The lighting ceremony began the programme in fitting fashion, and drew forth roars of applause. Even, Squarelaw, with his long years of experience, declared that he had never seen a fire lighted in such impressive fashion before.
Then the Rovers' Own, in which Rovers took part in a service conducted by a brother Rover. It was a service with a direct appeal, and was followed by the presentation by Squarelaw of the Medal of Merit to Grey Wolf, District Commissioner C. R. Voorboom, for his valuable services to Scouting in Kroonstad. There was also the presentation of the Medal of Merit to the Kroonstad Crew for their work in connection with the SARSI, which they ran entirely on their own, and against not inconsiderable difficulties.
In the afternoon there was yet another unusual feature tea as guests of the Voortrekker Commandant, who thus extended a friendly gesture to Scouting. Mr and Mrs Rautenbach were accorded an ovation in the form of three ringing cheers before the Rovers were taken for a drive round the town and environments. The lorry-drivers, we think, had the best time of the lot, and by the time they had circled round one or two streets there is no doubt that every resident in Kroonstad knew that there was a merry crowd of Rovers abroad.
Back last night for the last supper and the last papers, and so on to this morning, when the last day of the SARSI dawned.
It has been a memorable, and an enjoyable time, unmarred by the frequent showers which have fallen. There has, indeed, been only one unfortunate aspect of the camp, and that has been the inordinate number of articles lost. Some have been valuable and their loss has not been easy for their owners to bear.
In spite of all the drawbacks, however, we think that the SARSI has been an enjoyable gathering which has been of real value to the cause of Rovering in South Africa. The next one will be looked forward to with a keenness which will be tinged with impatience, and three years will seem a long time to wait for it.
Scout Heritage 2018