From an eager seven-year-old Cub following her brother’s footsteps to overcoming the challenges of Fibromyalgia, Laura Owens has proven that passion and perseverance can take you anywhere, recently achieving the Springbok Scout Award!
Claremont, South Africa (09 June 2026) – For as long as she can remember, Laura Owens has consistently longed for one thing – to be a Scout!
Inspired by her brother, who had already begun his scouting journey, Laura was eager to follow in his footsteps. She even started attending the Cub meetings at the 1st Claremont Scout Group two weeks before her seventh birthday.
“I didn’t ‘click’ with Scouts immediately after my investiture, and I actually got my Traveller quite late,” Laura admits.
“But what did click for me was the people. I went on my first badge course in 2022, and ever since then, I have kept signing up for every one that crossed my SD dashboard. It was definitely the Scouting people who kept me around. Scouting has some really remarkable people keeping it together, and it’s been lots of fun to meet them.”
For Laura, Scouting has given her many unforgettable adventures and memories that will last a lifetime. However, her journey has not always been straightforward.
“At the age of 12, at the very beginning of my Scouting career, I developed a chronic pain condition called Fibromyalgia, and it became impossible for me to run or hike, which are things you do an awful lot of in Scouting.”
Laura says her condition made it difficult for her to see a path where she could succeed in accomplishing the big milestones she needed to.
“Looking back, I’m very glad that I pushed through my initial misconceptions. While it was difficult at the beginning, and there were certainly a lot of obstacles, I found a place in Scouting. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the people who helped me along the way,” she says.
Laura not only overcame the physical challenges she faced, but she was also able to soar in leadership roles and personal advancements, such as becoming Patrol Leader of the Kestrels Patrol – stepping into the shoes of a leader she admired.
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Eleven years later, that same determined young woman has achieved one of the highest honours in South African Scouting – the Springbok Scout Award!
When the time came to complete her Springbok Award, Laura chose projects that reflected her passions and values.
“My Community Service project was at the Trinity Children’s Centre in Mitchells Plain. I ran a stationary drive before we went to the centre, so that we had something to donate. We created a Spekboom labyrinth with a concrete path we laid for the kids to play in, we painted some chalkboard paint on the outside wall so they can draw murals every day, and we painted hopscotch and four-square lines. The project was an opportunity to help a community that people often forget about. Children have no control over their circumstances, which is why I think that it’s so important that every child has the best facilities possible to learn,” she shared.
Laura is passionate about education and considers focusing on children as the best starting point to ensuring the upliftment and success of a disadvantaged community.
When asked how she felt after finally completing her Springbok Award, Laura’s answer was characteristically honest:
“Honestly, relieved to be done with the admin,” she laughs.
“I was very lucky that 1st Claremont’s leadership structure encourages Scouts from 11 years old to learn the skills to become a Springbok Scout by implementing them efficiently. Having excellent Patrol Leaders and three capable Troop Scouters throughout my time was one of the most valuable resources I could have asked for.”
Laura credits her achievement to all the people who have carried and supported her through her scouting career, adding that getting to stand in front of them at her Springbok ceremony was surreal.
“I think that finishing my Springbok also let me have a good deal more faith in my own abilities.”
Looking ahead, the hardworking Westerford High School Matric learner hopes to study Mechanical Engineering at UCT next year.
Sources: Scouts South Africa
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Dear Nothando, from all of us at SCOUTS South Africa, thank you to you and your team at The Good Things Guy for consistently highlighting the positive impact that young people are making across our country.
We are especially grateful for your support in sharing the stories of youth-led projects and young people who, despite facing significant challenges, choose to step forward and serve others. By giving these stories a platform, you help celebrate the resilience, leadership and determination that exists in communities across South Africa. We are proud to see so many Scouts and young leaders recognised for the positive change they are creating in their communities.