When Eastern Cape RTC Scouts Programme Stephen Stein was 11 years old, life as he knew it changed forever. It was the day he went to visit St Columbus Scout Group. “My brother and I both joined the Group. In fact, our current RC Neil O’Brien was my brother’s Patrol Leader at the time and later became Troop Scouter”, he says with a smile.

“I really enjoyed Scouting as a child and now as a volunteer”, he continues. “I’m a hiker at heart and our Troop is a camping and hiking Troop. The Scouting skills I learnt like pioneering, mapping, and hiking have helped me a lot over the years. Not only to grow as a person, but also to get out there and explore and hike. I think the fun and camaraderie built over the years is one of the main reasons why I am still in Scouting today. I mean, Scouts come and go, but they visit and then you go down memory lane and remember all the adventures and experiences you have had together. This is what I love the most about interacting with former and current Scouts, and people from other Scout Groups and Regions. I like hearing about experiences we all share. I think no matter where you are involved in Scouting, we all share the same values and programmes, and the Scouts are benefiting. I really think that our values are what makes it all happen. It doesn’t matter how many times we change the programme, the values remain the same and with those we can go far.

When Neil approached me about the RTC Scout Programme role, I was not sure at first. But then we went through the requirements and what the expectations were. I then met with Theo Rijs, the National Chair Scout Programme and realised that this was something I not only wanted to do, but also felt I needed to do for the youth in our Region. I then applied and fortunately got offered the role. It is a task and a half, and you just realise how large the Region is and how much need there is for assistance.

We are currently running a project spearheaded by our Regional Commissioner Neil called “Project Expand”. The goal is to grow Scouting in the Eastern Cape South Region by encouraging each Scout Group to add a new Unit. So, if your Scout Group has Cubs and Scouts, we encourage you to add Meerkats or Rovers, or both. We are trying to strengthen our current Scout Groups and help them have all the Units. After this, we can try to open new Groups. My role therein is to be of assistance to whichever Group needs help. It can be anything from procedural assistance, to helping them navigate a new hiking route. I aim to help the Region grow, but also want to help our Scout Groups run our programmes efficiently. There are many ways to present and run our programmes with young people. Some people might have been using one way for years, it is my role to guide them and help our leaders and youth learn and use other methods too. One of the main aims is to get our Patrols and Courts of Honour running more efficiently, so they don’t rely too much on the adults and the adults don’t get too overwhelmed.”

Youth training is a key component of the Scout Programme “As the RTC Scouts, I aim to promote and run more LDC1’s and LDC2s. We will also work towards a District or Regional Patrol Leader’s Training Course (PLTC), depending on the interest from our Scouts. We have also just recruited a Youth Coordinator for LDC training. Long term goal for the Region would be to revive the Patrol Leader Training Unit course (PLTU) too.

Recently he attended an Adult Leader Training course in KZN. “Three of us drove with our Regional Commissioner for two days through the snow to get to the training. It was quite the experience,” he says laughingly. “Adult Leader Training is so important as it sets a certain national standard for all the Regions. With the help of adult training, we can offer volunteers the tools and training they need to run the programmes efficiently and without doubt. You don’t want a case where a Scout Group doesn’t know how to run the programmes and run on passion without knowing where to start. The different stages provide the tools for Scouters to gain knowledge and improve their skills. Without the training, each Group would just do their own thing and then we would not have the same standard. By offering Adult Leader training we are enabling young people to join in. We want young people from outside and inside of Scouting to join in. Scouts learn one method and then only use that one, whereas the training teaches us more than one approach to get the skills across. For former Scouts it can be a whole new learning curve as they are now learning as adults. People from outside Scouting, no matter where they live, learn the various skills and how to run Scouting through the training course. So, anyone can join Scouting if they are passionate and want to grow and learn too. Personally, my eyes have been opened to the various methods of training. I knew of one, but now am keen to apply what I have learned. The methodology was the biggest learning for me, but there was so much! It was a very valuable learning experience. Over and above the learning, meeting new people for me always starts with observing, being quiet and then I would start interacting. At this ALT, people came from all around the country and interacting with each of the participants was eye opening. I was so motivated and felt so uplifted by seeing and hearing their attitudes to Scouting. You come back inspired and ready to go! Yeah! I really wanted to come back as I was ready to do some Scouting! It is really such a lovely experience. People are very passionate.

When asked what Scouting means to him, Stephen stops and thinks for a moment. “For me, Scouting means that I can do something for the Scouts. Every time I put my Scouting hat on, I ask myself what I can do for the Scouts. I enjoy helping and training the Scouts and I also enjoy learning from them. I like learning how they think and how they talk! It changes with every generation of Scouts. I am really trying to help them and make them better people!”

When not Scouting, Stephen works at the Nelson Mandela Bay University as a Network Engineer. His twin brother Shane is the St Columbus Troop Scouter. “One of my favourite moments within Scouting was quite personal. My twin brother Shane and I have gone through Scouting in thick and thin. We both got our First Class Levels! Two years ago he put his hand up to be Troop Scouter and I was so proud. The Troop is thriving and the Scouts are enjoying the programme. It was a special thing for me. A lot of changes were needed after Covid within the Group and now he is driving growth. Another growing Group is 1^st Vincent with Scouts, as well as 2^nd Gnubie with the introduction of their Rover Crew. Sunridge will soon also be investing their Rovers.”

Scouts in the Region that are keen to go hiking or have any questions, can call on their RTC Scouts Programme for advice! “Hiking is my passion and in my heart. Scouts can call on me any time for advice or for help with a route”, he says in conclusion.