Jota/Joti 2012 Feedback

The Scouts had an enjoyable day talking to some HamSphere operators located around the world.

Girl Scouts from 1st Edenvale Girl Scout Troop joined our activity. They also used the HamSphere software program. They also chatted to other Scouts using Skype software.

Our Scouts were also able to complete the pioneering structure in preparation for their camp-out on the 27th September.

The structure was also built to show parents of members of our Scout Group (who will be attending the Scout Group AGM of the 27th) what Scouts are capable of building.

The Jota/Joti activity was however interrupted in the afternoon by a very big rain storm during which there was also a very large "hail-storm". The hail stones were between the size of a golf ball and a cricket ball. This caused a lot of damage to houses and cars in the suburb/town which included the damage to the cars of our Scouters and visitors.

2012 JOTA/JOTI

Scout Patrols in our Group will be participating in the 55th World Scout JOTA event and 16th JOTI event. This event takes place on 20th / 21st October 2012.

The patrols will try keeping contact with other Scouts using a JOTI station and will also be testing a software package "HamSphere" as JOTA stations. The HamSphere software provides the same functionality and look of a real Ham Radio.

The main difference is the communication is done via Internet and via a number of servers throughout the World.

Below is a picture of the software graphics. The Scout Patrols are looking forward to hearing from you. Look for the following call signs 44HS250 and 44HS277 in the LOG/QSL screen of the HamSphere software.

Scouts visit Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory

Saturday 25th August was a day of excitement for Harmelia Air Scouts going to the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory as located near Hartebeespoort Dam.

Scouts and parents met at the Scout Hall and departed by car at 15:30 On arrival Scouts were facinated by the size of the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio telescope.


Credit: M Gaylard / HartRAO


The evening started off with an introduction by HartRAO staff on how a Analemmatic Sundial works and also how the Scouts can make their own one. Detail on how to make one is also available using the following website link 
http://www.hartrao.ac.za/other/sundial/sundial.html

Scouts and parents were then introduced to why we have day, night and the seasons; the position of Earth in Space ; how a satellite dish communication works (see left Scouts whisper at one dish and it was received clearly at the opposite dish) and then given a presentation on a range of astronomy and space-related subjects. Interesting to note was the amount of "space junk" left is space (nuts, bolts, pieces of old rockets, etc) that can cause serious damaged to working satellites currently in operation in space. To see for yourself visit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7766894/Space-so-full-of-junk-that-a-satellite-collision-could-destroy-communications-on-Earth.html

The 15 metre diameter radio telescope that was built in 2007, the 26 meter diameter radio telescope and their satellite "laser ranger" that shoots a laser beam into the sky towards passing satellites to gather information was then shown to all. Amazing was the laser beam shooting into the sky. If the satellite is able lock onto the beam then a signal is returned.The returned signal (together with satellite data information) is then detected by the radio telescope. The captured data is then stored for processing.

Credit: M Gaylard / HartRAO

The evening closed with some viewing of the moon using optical telescopes (one optical refractive and the other an optical reflective mirror).

New in our "Interesting Articles" page

Mignet Flying Flea (an aircraft from the 1930's)

Focke Achgelis FA330 (an autogyro kite built in 1940's)

Google Doodle Honors Amelia Earhart

Google’s home page is marking what would have been the 115th birthday of a remarkable woman who fascinated the world with her bravery, pluck, intelligence and skill. The new doodle shows Amelia Earhart, the first great female aviator, climbing into her Lockheed Vega monoplane, which now sits in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

The homage is timely, not only because of Earhart’s birthday, but also because of two coinciding events

More information is available at http://www.pcworld.com/article/259751/google_doodle_honors_amelia_earhart.html

Harmelia Gardens Group updates Scarf Colours

Just before the close of the Cub meeting on 8th June 2012, all Cubs and Scouters in attendance were issued with our "updated" Scarf Colours.

Over the past years it became problematic in obtaining the "burnt-orange" colour from material suppliers. It was finally agreed to change this colour to one that is more readilly available (according to our material supplier).

Scouts received their scarves at start of their meeting.

Below is a digital picture taken of our Cubs with their new scarves.

Below is a digital picture taken of our Scouts with their new scarves. Included in our Scout picture are Cubs that are soon to be invested as Scouts.

Scouts assist with scoring at National Model Aircraft Aerobatics event

Scouts in our Scout Group were invited to assist at the National Model Aircraft Aerobatics held in Gauteng Province in April 2012. The event took place over the long weekend of 27th /28th and 29th April.

Scouts were able to see model aircraft in action and also be able to learn from seeing these aircraft in action.

Below are some pictures taken at the event.

...... and now the smallest model at the event.

Scouts attend KonTiki 2012 event

Our Scouts attended the KonTiki 2012 that was held at the "Arrowe Park" Scout Camping grounds.

Below as some pictures taken at the event.

Scouts enjoyed Kim Shield Challenge

Our Patrol, Mirage, recently participated in the Gauteng Provincial "Kim Shield Challenge" held in the suburbs of Northern Johannesburg. They succeeded in securing overall "4th place" with 3305 points. Crucial to this challenge was when to play a trump card which provided addtional points. The patrol was succesful in almost doubling their points at 5 of the 68 bases.

Photos to follow.

Cub Challenge

During the School Holidays, Hathi built an airplane (see below) and brought it to the Cub meeting at the start of the new school term. This was built using waste cardboard.

A challenge was given at the Cub meeting to our Cubs to also build an airplane out of waste items.

Pictures below are of three airplanes made by our Cubs which were brought to last Fridays Cub meeting

 

Well done Cubs

Cub Pack grows again

The Cub Pack grew once again when another new member was invested as a Cub into our Scout Group. He also joins the World Scouting Organisation. The picture below shows our new Cub saluting fellow Cubs at the close of the investiture ceremony.

Spring Greeting from Japan : JOTI connection

Dear Scout Friends,

After long winter, we are enjoying spring season here in Japan.

And a month of April is very special to Japanese people because a fiscal year starts from this month and also school too.  

When we say Spring!  It is cherry blossom!

I have posted the messages, with theme of “Cherry Blossom and Scouts,” from our scouts on our English Web site.  There are also the messages from other scout groups in our neighbor district.  Please visit following Web site with your scouts and enjoy our cherry blossom together.

   Yokohama Nanoh - Welcome The World - from Japan:

    http://nanoh-joti2010.blogspot.jp/  

More posting from groups is expected with different theme on this Web site.

Any feedback comment from your scout to those message is appreciated.

REGARDS

Kaoru Yasui

International Relations,

Yokohama Nanoh District of

Kanagawa Council, SAJ

Hurlyvale Primary School : Scout Promotion

Scouts from our Scout Group provided some interesting challenges / activity bases for learners of the Hurlyvale Primary School at their Fun Day event.

Below are pictures of learners at each base.

Work as a Team and collect the block

Water Rockets

Hang the Nails



Shoot out the burning candle



Blast the Hanging Rocket

Photos submitted by our Chairperson

Assistant Troop Scouter joins our Scout Group

On Friday, 2nd March 2012, our Group Scouter and District Commissioner had the pleasure in investing a parent of one member of our Scout Group as an Adult Leader. Shane joins the Scout Group as an Assistant Troop Scouter assisting Steve, our Troop Scouter, with the running of the Troop.

Shane brings additional Scouting experience to the Group. In his younger years he was Scout at 2nd Kensington Scout Group where he attained the highest Scouting Award, the Springbok Scout Award.

Also in attendance at the investiture were members of his family who are also members of the Scout Movement. It was also a very proud day for his father who was also a member of the Scout Movement in his much younger days. 

Submission by Hathi, Group Scouter

Our new drums for KonTiki 2012

Our thanks for the donation of new drums for our KonTiki raft.

Also for the painting of them in our Group colours.

Our old ones were rusting and some had holes in them.

Submission by Hathi

2 more Cubs invested in Cub Pack

The Cub Pack is growing. Below are pictures of 2 more Cubs being invested into the World Scout Organisation and in our Scout Group.

Welcome to our Scout Group ..............

Submission by Hathi

Cub numbers grow

On 24th February, our Cub strength grew by 8 when new chums were invested into the World Scout Organisation and our Scout Group.  The Group also had the pleasure of the attendance of our District Commissioner and Assistant District Commissioner - Cub Program at the investiture. For more pictures visit our Cub Law and page link

Harmelia Scouts share North Rand District "web-site" award

On BP Sunday the Harmelia Gardens Scout Group and Kengray BK Scout Group were jointly awarded the North Rand LA "Best Digital Media Presence Trophy 2012".

Above are the Patrol Leaders who accepted the trophy on behalf of the Scout Group.

Comment: Each Patrol Leader is responsible for updating their Patrol blog page. The same applies for other blog pages on this site. It is very simple ; e-mail a new posting to a blog e-mail address and the rest is automatic.

Meet & Greet 2012 (1)

The Scouters of Harmelia Gardens Air Scout Group thank all parents for attending the first "Meet and Greet" event of 2012.

Cubs and Scouts were given a short demonstration about the use of various first-aid items found in two donated "First-Aid" kits. The demonstration was given by Dan of "First Aid Enterprises" with one of our Troop Patrol Leaders as the patient.

   

 

The demonstration was followed on with a braai and then closed with the singing of some Scout / Cub songs around a Campfire.

This is definitely better than KFC      

At the Campfire

"Scout Skit" in which the Fortune Teller says "Someone was going on a long walk".

Our New Scout Hall Sign

The committee of our Scout Group agreed during 2011 to improve our Scout facilities. One of the mandates given was to ensure that Scouting at Harmelia Gardens Air Scout Group is very visible to passing traffic into the Harmelia suburb.

Well, our thanks go to Shane for adding some pioneering skills to the sign. Also thanks goes to Shane’s contact that provided the sign artwork / screening / printing.

Our sign cannot be missed by passing traffic.

Hot Air Ballooning

Fun was had on Saturday. The principle of flight of a Hot Air Balloon was discussed and a small Chinese version used for a demonstration. The demonstration was found to be very be interesting considering the thin /  tissue paper balloon rose to an extremely high altitude (above the clouds) over a time period lasting 15 to 20 minutes.

KonTiki 2012 : Gauteng Province

Our Scouts are currently preparing for this event. The Scouts wish enter the competition and build a raft at the event so as to put their gained knowledge to test.


The Patrol Leaders were each asked to provide detail of their Patrols raft design and to provide a presentation for open discussion with the other patrols so that a consensus is obtained.

Below are pictures of our raft base design (version2).