Fun Day at the Vlei 2018

When Kathryn and I first joined 1st Muizenberg in 2016, we had heard rumours about the first Fun Day at the Vlei that was held at the Sea Scout Base earlier that year that sounded like an awesome event. Last year, there had been talk in the Events Committee of running a second Fun Day event but it was decided against as it is quite an undertaking and there was just not enough time.

This year, we were fortunate enough to have some new parents join our Events Committee and we decided to take on a second Fun Day at the Vlei.

What a day it was! Sunday 6 May started with Cub Dandre and his dad firing up the braai for the spit before 7am! When everyone else arrived just before 8am to set up, we were greeted with the most magnificent Autumn sunrise on a rare windless day in Muizenberg. I was very pleased to be able to put our 1st Muizenberg and Scouts SA flags up that were donated to us last year.

It wasn't long before the Sea Scout Base was a hub of activity as stall holders arrived to set up for our newly introduced Entrepreneur's Market. This was a great success with a wide range of goods on offer from Shweshwe table runners and placemats, to handmade wooden puzzles and handmade jewelry, to pet portraits, cushion covers, leather goods and knitted dolls & toys, a TEARS charity stall and even my own eco company managed to set up a stall for the day. We also had a pocket money market for the kids and one of our Cubs sold out of the bottle holders that he crocheted himself! This is definitely something that we will retain at future Fun Days.

Fantastic background music and MCing were provided by Streamline Audio. Thank you so much for giving us your time and services.

The Entrepreneur's Market was complemented by the 1st

Muizenberg Stalls run by Scouters and parents. We had Tombola, a Book Stall, Face Painting and Henna Tattoos. For those looking for something to do, we had a Games Section run by parents and Scouts, sailing on the vlei with our Scouters and Scouts at the helm. Good-natured Adult Leaders put themselves in the line of fire at the Scouter Sponge Toss Stall for those wanting to practise their aim.

Not only was there the mouth-watering aroma of a spit braai on the go, we had a pancake stall, boerie rolls for sale, a cake stall and coffee and homemade juice up for grabs. Almost all the food sold out so this is definitely an area we will need to look at improving in years to come.

One of the highlights of the day were two shows run by our very own

Assistant Pack Scouter, Kaa (Martin Odd), who runs his own company, Birds of Africa, teaching us about his amazing animals. Wide-eyed children and adults were entertained and taught valuable lessons about various birds and snakes in South Africa. We even had the incredible opportunity of interacting with these amazing creatures. Thank you Martin, we are very lucky to have you in our group!

This year we had over R 16 000.00's worth of prizes in our raffle! Thank you to everyone who made these generous donations.

Fun Day at the Vlei 2018 is definitely a day to be remembered and we hope to make Fun Day an annual event. Thanks to the Events Committee, Scouts, Cubs, Scouters and parents for your donations, time and support. With special thanks to Pack Scouter Lisa Storey for heading the event and Cub and Scout mom Desire Nielsen for the amazing donations she provided or organised. The funds raised will go a long way in assisting the 1st Muizenberg Sea Scout Group. We salute you!