CROWS NEST

Crows Nest is the recently acquired (officially opened 24 April 1999) 2^nd Boksburg camping grounds and bus garage. The bus garage is just the symbolic name we have given to the place that stores our vehicles and equipment. Crows Nest also has a large parade ground, place for camping, chapel and is near to the district grounds Owls Nest. This equipment and grounds are superbly looked after with Crow both by supervising the Scouts and by taking a hands on approach to restoring some equipment to its full glory. I will not go through the Troops inventory but I will say that some of it is older than any current members parents and some of it is newer than the newest visitor. All are looked after with respect and the constant belief that it will be useful at some stage and will be used.

The scouts are encouraged to take an active part in the equipment care. This is because it is a firm belief of the troop that if you take the time caring for and repairing pieces of the equipment that we have, then the boys will be more appreciative when using the equipment. Although the caring of this equipment is sometimes a lot of work, it also teaches the young adults skills, which they may not have acquired otherwise, and if you ask any weathered 2^nd Boksburg scout if the work is worth it, they will always say that it is.

The grounds themselves are constantly under going improvements, and hopefully in the not too distant future other troops will be interested in the well cared for premises and will use them. This will not only allow us to share in our work, but could also add much needed funds to improve the grounds further or buy more fun-filled equipment.