100 years of Scouting. 100 years of friendship, service, adventure and memories.
On Saturday, 12 September 2026, 1st Walmer Scout Group celebrated a remarkable milestone as generations of the Group came together to mark its centenary.
The story of 1st Walmer began in 1926, when Miss E.T. Crooks, known as “Grey Wolf”, started the Wolf Cub Pack. A Scout Troop followed later that year, beginning a journey that would see countless young people grow through Scouting over the next century.
One hundred years later, the Group continues to thrive.
The centenary celebration brought together Cubs, Scouts, Rovers, Scouters, past members, families and friends. Among the special guests were past Cubs connected to the earliest days of the Group, Theo, National Chair of Scout Programme, and Neil, Regional Commissioner. Many travelled from near and far, with some driving long distances and others even flying in especially to be part of this very special milestone.
The celebration was also a wonderful example of Scouting across generations. Cubs and Scouts made new memories while Rovers helped recreate an old 1st Walmer photograph and brought one of the Group’s early adventures back to life. Scouts and Rovers also worked together to construct a massive gateway for the celebration.
Months of preparation went into getting the Group ready for its 100th birthday. The work included painting, repairs, cleaning, gardening, decorating and preparing the grounds. At the centre of it all was Scout Group Leader Cheryl Schroder, who put an incredible amount of time, energy and heart into making the centenary happen.
But Cheryl did not do it alone. It became a true family and Group effort. Kendyl Schroder, Colin Schroder, Morgan Schroder, Caroline Boshoff, Mariechen Boshoff, Trudie Marais, Robert Hill, Kelsey Dell, Neill Purdon, Amy Sutherland, Ammaarah Rahman, Justin De Beer, Andrew King, Stephen King, Barbara de Scande and Jeff Ferreira, together with the Scouters, Group Committee and Scouts, all played their part.
Scouts and Rovers worked together to build the impressive gateway, while others quietly painted, repaired, cleaned, decorated, carried and prepared behind the scenes. Every helping hand added something special and helped bring 1st Walmer’s 100th birthday to life.
A special moment of remembrance came with the dedication of the Garden of Remembrance. Situated beneath the trees, it honours three people whose contributions became an important part of the 1st Walmer story: Miss E.T. Crooks, “Grey Wolf”; Jimmy de Scande, “Baloo”; and Patrick van Rensburg.
The memorial yellowwood tree also holds a special place in the Group’s history. Nurtured by Jimmy, it has continued to grow alongside 1st Walmer and was later planted in his memory by his two sons.
Adding to the significance of the day, Algoa Sea Scouts presented 1st Walmer with a special 100 year stone display, creating another permanent reminder of the friendship between Scout Groups and the generations who have shaped Scouting in the region.
The weather even added its own touch to the celebration. Rain moved the planned outdoor campfire into the Scout hall, where everyone gathered around the chimney instead. The change of plans did nothing to dampen the atmosphere. If anything, it created one of those wonderfully memorable Scout moments that will be talked about for years to come.
The evening was filled with old friendships being renewed, new memories being made and generations sharing the same Scout spirit.
As 1st Walmer looks back on its first century, the centenary is not only a celebration of what has been achieved. It is also a reminder that every generation becomes part of the story.
From the first Cubs and Scouts in 1926 to the young people around the campfire in 2026, the values remain the same: friendship, service, learning by doing, adventure and doing your best.
100 years behind us. A new chapter ahead.
Thank you to everyone who travelled, supported, prepared, celebrated and helped make this milestone possible.
Here’s to the next 100 years of 1st Walmer, Scouting and adventure.