Africa Scout Day 2026

Written by Aashirya Sundarlal, Rhino’s Patrol, 1st Midrand

Africa Scout Day is all about celebrating how the Scout’s Movement positively impacts youth development across the country. It’s an event where Scouts from all over South Africa come to one area and camp over two days, while participating in different fun activities and making new friends from different places.  This event celebrates the African Heritage while bringing everyone together. This year, the theme for Africa Scout Day was “Strong Roots, Bright Future.”

Africa Scout Day took place from the 13^th to15^th March at Arrowe Park Scout Centre. It was a fun experience. The Rhino’s patrol participated, and we also hosted a Scout and Rover from Mpumalanga. It was really refreshing to be able to meet new people from other parts of South Africa and making new friends. All the Scouts that participated got the same scarf, including the colours yellow and white, which bonded us and made us familiar with each other. At the start of every meeting, there was a marching band playing ‘Scotland The Brave’, and the flag bearers would follow, carrying all the flags found in Southern Africa. Our PL and I were flag bearers at the opening and closing ceremony and that was an amazing opportunity. I really enjoyed all the different kinds of dances that were performed during the Scout’s Owns. This was something I think everyone enjoyed.

Midrand’s base was the flapjack-making base, and we helped where we could with it. I thought it was a very creative base; we were always accompanied by other Scouts wanting to make flapjacks.  When we weren’t helping, we were exploring all the other different bases. There was a target range, a drawing base where you could showcase your art, first aid scenarios, and many more. Along the way we checked out a Scout shop, which had old badges, scarves, and basic history on Scouts, including how it started and how it evolved over the years, and I think this specific part of Africa Scout Day fit with the theme well. It showcased the roots of Scouts and how it all started. We also checked out the canoeing base, which was personally my favourite, though rowing did require quite a lot of strength.

I also got the opportunity to trade my extra scarves with other troops, and I got to bond with the other Scouts. Overall, Africa Scout Day was a fun experience.