25 Scouts and 11 Scouters from 2^nd Bergvliet Sea Scouts, 2^nd Somerset West and 1^st Monte Vista participated in the annual Inter-Troop Expedition from the 9^th or the 13^th of July.

Among other activities they visited the Parliament buildings and the Castle, hiked up restricted routes on Table Mountain, did some community service at DARG Animal Welfare and spent a night on Robben Island as well as cleaned up part of the island’s shore line for Mandela Day.

“We had a once in a lifetime experience”, explains 2^nd Bergvliet Troop Scouter Peter Otzen. “It started with the yacht trip to the island, followed by walking around the island‘s coastline, seeing the animals and visiting the prison. We also got the chance to talk to former prisoners during the tour. What stood out was the message of reconciliation, and the responsibility which the new generation of citizens has towards the country. It’s up to us to ensure that the work of the previous generation is not wasted. We also slept over on the island and that was very humbling and cold,” he adds.

The Scouts collected over 100 bags of rubbish, as well as dozens of nets, tyres, old gas bottles, shoes and fishing line. In total they spent 67 hours on the island.