1D – We dare to dream

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Our Second Video...(had some licensing issues with the 1st)

...and the link to our channel

If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life ― Author Unknown

Before anyone asks…no…we are not affiliated or related to the One Direction boy band (no offence fellas!), and this is not a fundraiser to get the band reunited (again…no offence)!

What are we on about then?

We are 1^st Durbanville Scout Group, located in the Western Cape in South Africa, and we dare to dream (sorry again other 1D!). Just to get the formalities out of the way and in case you don’t know…there are many interpretations or definitions of Scouting, one being that Scouting is a movement that aims to support young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society, with a strong focus on the outdoors and survival skills.

Our interpretation, in a nutshell, is to have fun while learning practical and life skills, make friends for life, learn to be a better person, and help others where we can.

Brief History

Our group (we are Land Scouts as opposed to Sea Scouts & Air Scouts, the three branches of Scouting in South Africa) is 63 years old, and currently consists of just over 30 boys & girls in the scout troop (11 – 18 year old's), just over 30 boys & girls in the Cub pack (7 to 10 year old's), and some young adults in the Rovers (18 – 25 year old's). We are privileged to be one of the strongest groups in our province (Western Cape), both in terms of numbers and calibre of cubs & scouts, performing well in all Scouting Competitions we enter, and on average producing one Springbok Scout (highest Scout rank in South Africa) annually. We are also fortunate to have a strong adult helper/volunteer structure, many of them being ex-Springbok Scouts themselves, and a very supportive group of parents.

Down to business…the reason you are hopefully reading this.

At the core of our bucket list there is only one thing…To raise funds to buy the property we use from the local council.

Why buy?...the local council currently lease the property to the Scout Group at a nominal fee, but this is not a sure thing. We would very much prefer owning the property and know that there will always be a home for our Cubs & Scouts.

And after that?...any funds that we raise at this point in time are being used or will be used for the following

1. Secure the property & install new fencing - a large section of the property fencing is old and damaged, and we had a recent situation involving scouts being robbed at knifepoint, the suspects gaining access over the old fence…never again
2. Building renovations – three of the four buildings on the property require some TLC, with one basically needing a rebuild in order to ensure safe usage & occupation
3. Develop an adventure camp - our cubs & scouts (and those of other Scout groups in the area) often have to travel long distances to make use of camping and adventure type facilities, and our aim is to develop this property into such a facility, but not just for cubs and scouts, but also for use by children in our wider community, especially those from disadvantaged and less fortunate communities(We are resolute that our dreams will be achieved. It might take a long time, but with your help we can speed up the process)

Now here’s the kicker…take a deep breath…

Raising funds for the above is a tall order, since we estimate that we will require in excess of R 5 million/$350 000/£ 270 000/€ 300 000. Should the gods (and you out there) be smiling on us, and we are able to raise the funds, this will all be going towards making sure the dream come true and live on for future generations.

There are lots of smaller things we are busy with or want to do, and which form part of our bucket list, but people in the know has advised me to keep my story short. I can go on for hours and will probably be able to fill a book with everything we want to do and how we can contribute to the world being a better place…suffice to say that we will appreciate any contribution you can make towards our cause.

You may also be thinking what you can get out of this…except maybe a tax write-off? All we can offer you is a word of thanks and eternal gratitude. If you so wish, your name will be published in these pages on GoGetFunding, and also on our website. You can also sign up as a friend on our Facebook page. For those that are able to contribute more than R 5 000/$350/£ 275/€ 300 we do however have a special token of our appreciation, showing that you are an angel investor in the future (still working on idea/design...will keep you updated!).

Regular updates will be provided as to the utilization of funds received, again via GoGetFunding pages, or you can visit our website and our Facebook pages for more information at www.durbanvillescouts.org.za & https://www.facebook.com/groups/durbanvillescouts/ respectively.

Please note that anybody, anywhere in the world are welcome to donate, in any currency!

I would like to leave you with the following...

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make ― Jane Goodall