Megan Osborne finds friendship, purpose and pride in Scouts, and is pouring her heart into each requirement and enjoying the journey every step of the way.<\/p>\n
At just 17, Megan Osborne is working hard to try and achieve something few Scouts do – the prestigious Springbok Scout Award. But for Megan, this isn\u2019t just about ticking boxes; it\u2019s about doing what she loves and honouring a promise made to her late dad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always enjoyed Scouts because it\u2019s fun, challenging and full of people who love the outdoors like I do,\u201d says the Grade 11 Westville Girls\u2019 High School pupil. \u201cIt\u2019s my time away from school where I get to be myself, take on new adventures and learn skills that actually matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/05\/IMG_2430-Large-400x400.jpg\")
Megan joined Cubs at age nine, encouraged by her parents\u2019 shared love of nature. \u201cMy dad, Malcolm, really sparked my passion. He became an Assistant Pack Scouter and we did Cubs together. The year I moved up to Scouts, he passed away from cancer,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s when I made a promise to carry on and earn my Springbok Award in his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
A dedicated member of the 1st Pinetown Scout Group, Megan is pouring heart and energy into the six demanding requirements that she needs to complete before her 18th birthday in September. These include planning and leading an expedition, a community service project, outdoor leadership, a skills-based construction challenge, safety and first aid proficiency, and a personal development plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot,\u201d she laughs. \u201cEvery day I\u2019m either planning something, finishing paperwork or training. But I enjoy it as it\u2019s all part of the journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan\u2019s highlight so far has been the 2024 Cederberg Senior Scout Adventure – a tough, 10-day mountain trek with over 400 Scouts. Her patrol took on the Southern Route, the most challenging of the three, and earned themselves the Extreme Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat experience was incredible,\u201d she says. \u201cIt taught me how to rely on myself, support others and push past my limits.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that will last beyond me,\u201d she says. \u201cReading changes lives, and I want kids to feel inspired the way I do when I\u2019m learning something new.\u201d<\/p>\n To help raise funds, Megan is hosting an \u2018Absolute 80s\u2019 show fundraiser at The Barnyard Suncoast on Sunday, July 27. \u201cIt\u2019s open to everyone, R200 a ticket, and I\u2019d love people to come and enjoy the music while supporting a good cause.\u201d<\/p>\n Scouts has shaped every part of who Megan is. From building fires and navigating with a compass to leading patrols and mentoring younger Scouts, she\u2019s grown into a confident, capable young woman.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m proud to be an Assistant Troop Leader now. It means I get to help others the way I was helped when I was younger. I\u2019ve learnt that leadership isn\u2019t about being the loudest, it\u2019s about being dependable, kind and calm.\u201d<\/p>\n That calmness, she says, is key to any survival situation. \u201cAlways carry a first aid kit, know how to build a safe fire, and most importantly, stay calm. Mental strength is everything out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Megan credits her mom, Gail, as her biggest source of strength. \u201cShe\u2019s amazing. Since my dad passed, it\u2019s just been the two of us. She\u2019s strong, independent, and involved in Scouts by being on the Parent Committee, and has supported me every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n Scouting, it turns out, runs deep in the family. Her mom was once a Brownie and Girl Guide, and Megan even has her great-grandfather\u2019s 1932 Scout leadership notebook from the 1st Natal Gilwell Rover Scout Leaders Course. \u201cIt\u2019s like my story is part of something bigger,\u201d she smiles.<\/p>\n Looking ahead, she hopes to become a Rover Scout after turning 18, and eventually travel the world. \u201cI\u2019m not 100 per cent sure what I want to study yet, maybe something in conservation or teaching. But I know I want to explore, learn and keep helping people.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked what motivates her to keep pushing towards her Springbok Award, Megan doesn\u2019t hesitate: \u201cIt\u2019s the memory of my dad, and the example I want to set. I want to make my mom proud. And I really, really love being a Scout.\u201d<\/p>\n With her signature grit, warmth and sense of purpose, Megan Osborne is proving that joy and determination can take you far, even into the mountains, across communities and towards a badge that means the world.<\/p>\n For Megan, the Springbok Scout Award is more than just a goal. It\u2019s a legacy in action.<\/p>\n Details: To support Megan\u2019s fundraising event at The Barnyard phone Gail Osborne at 084\u00a0432 1306. <\/em><\/p>\n To learn more about Megan\u2019s mission or the1st Pinetown Scout Group, follow on socials IG: 1stpinetown_scouts or FB: 1stPinetownCubPackAndScoutGroup or Tiktok:1st.Pinetown.scout\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Megan\u2019s top survival tips <\/strong><\/p>\n First Aid <\/strong><\/p>\n When out hiking or camping it\u2019s critical to have a first aid kit with you at all times. You never know what could happen and making sure your body isn\u2019t jeopardised is key to survival skills.<\/p>\n Seeking shelter\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Seeking shelter is important, depending on circumstances. At Scouts we learn how to build a quick shelter with materials around us which is important. The last thing you want is to harm the environment.<\/p>\n Building a fire\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Building a fire isn\u2019t as easy as it sounds – especially if you have no materials or if your materials are wet. But is a good to have to make sure you keep warm, and in an emergency, a large fire may be spotted by helicopters. Plus, it can also be used to make smoke signals.<\/p>\n Signalling for help <\/strong><\/p>\n The less time you spend trying to survive, the better – especially in an emergency. You can signal in many different ways, depending on what you have. For example, if you can make a fire, make one big enough to produce smoke signals \u2014 but also ensure the area is safe for a fire. You don\u2019t want to burn down a forest. If you have bright, luminous clothing, try to use that too.<\/p>\n Stay calm and don\u2019t panic <\/strong><\/p>\n You never think clearly or logically with a panicked or busy mind. When trying to survive in an emergency, especially if you are not alone, stay calm. People feed off each other\u2019s emotions, and this will help you all. That said, not everyone has strong mental resilience, but staying positive will help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Megan Osborne finds friendship, purpose and pride in Scouts, and is pouring her heart into each requirement and enjoying the journey every step of the way. At just 17, Megan Osborne is working hard to try and achieve something few Scouts do – the prestigious Springbok Scout Award. But for Megan, this isn\u2019t just about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":44201,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[1183,11500,11502,11501,11503],"class_list":{"0":"post-44186","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kids","8":"tag-chic-mamas-do-care-durban","9":"tag-megan-osborne","10":"tag-scouting","11":"tag-scouts","12":"tag-springbok-scout-award"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/05\/IMG_2438-Large-400x400.jpg\")
Her Community Service project is also close to her heart. She\u2019s partnered with Chic Mamas Do Care Durban<\/em>, a non-profit she\u2019s long admired for its focus on early childhood education and sustainable giving. Megan is currently fundraising to install Library Corners: book-filled reading hubs in four local schools.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/05\/Megan-Fire-Rescue-Jan25-Large-400x300.jpg\")
Outside of Scouts, Megan stays busy. She\u2019s a Drama, and Computer Monitor at school, plays First Team Cricket, and is always up for a challenge – whether it\u2019s on stage, in class or out in the wild.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/05\/Megan-Cederberg-Dec24-2-Large-300x400.jpg\")
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