Scouts are at KonTiki 2013

After some absence (since 2008), our Troop was in attendance at the annual Gauteng Scouting event, KonTiki 2013, and participated in the raft building competition.

Even though it rained on Friday night nothing stopped the troop from building their raft. Below are some pictures taken of Spitfire Patrol who were staying on the raft for 24 hours, the model of the raft and then finally the Patrol "on-the-water". Well done to all (editor)

Mirage Patrol camped out at the event.

Mirage Patrol were also responsible for the running of the Harmelia Beaver Challenge activity at the event.

The one challenge was a North-South-East-West game whilst the other was the challenge of balancing 16 nails on the head of a 17th nail which was mounted on a block of wood.

Seen below are members of the 9th Irene Guide Company busy with the challenge of "hooking" one of the blocks using commands of North-South-East-West-Up-Down.

Well done to the 1st Rosebank Cub (seen above) who was able to complete the challenge of balancing the 16 nails.

Spitfire Patrol goes rafting at KonTiki 2013

This year Scouts from our Scout Group will be building a raft at the annual Provincial Challenge event known as KonTiki. 

Part of the criteria for a Scout to be allowed on the raft for 24 hours is that they are able to meet specific swimming requirements. Below are some of our Scouts going through the various test to confirm that they meet these requirements.

Our thanks to Akela, a swimming instructor, for giving up her time to assist with the evaluations / testing

Harmelia Scout Group hosts BP Sunday Celebration

Our Scout Group had the privilege of hosting the 2013 BP Sunday Celebration event. Scout Groups in our District assembled in Baker Road, Edenglen and then marched via Harris Street to the school grounds of Edenglen Primary School where the event was held.

The Irish Pipe Band provided the music for the parade.

The order of service was done by our Scout Patrol Leaders with the assistance of our District Commissioner and was concluded by Akela, our adult leader for our Cubs.

Our guest speaker was from the Edenvale community and was Pastor Mike Geldenhuys.

At the event there was a presentation of Leaping Wolf Awards to Cub from our District. Three “Patrol Leader Training Unit” certificates were also presented to Patrol Leaders from our District. Two Patrol Leaders were from our Scout Group

The event was concluded with tea/coffee for parents and juice for the Cubs & Scouts.

Our thanks to all who helped make this event a success.

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).

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