Introduction
The Elsieskraal Power Walk Series of geocaches has been prepared as an educational initiative to introduce young people to two things: types of geocache hides that they will encounter in an urban environment as they start geocache activity; and to some interesting facets of Pineland history encountered along the walk. It may assist Scouts in obtaining their geocaching badge and may be suitable as a small-group youth activity: either school of faith based.
The Power Walk is a circular trail of just under 6 km along the walkway that goes along both sides of the canal. For its entire length the walk is in a proclaimed green recreational zone.
The walk can be started at any point and the caches don't need to be found in any particular order. There are many convenient parking spots on the roads that run adjacent to the canal.
The Gilpine Scout Training Centre
Historical background
William Maclaren was a Scout Commissioner from Scotland. During a business trip to London, Maclaren was saddened to see that Scouts had no suitable outdoor area to conduct their activities. He contacted Lord Robert Baden-Powell and agreed to donate £7,000 to the project. Gilwell estate was for sale for £7,000, the price Maclaren had donated.The estate totaled 21 hectares (52 acres) at the time. The history of Gilwell estate can be traced to 1407. The name Gilwell is from "Gill" being Old English for glen and "wella" for spring.
The estate was purchased in early 1919 by Maclaren for the Boy Scout Association. Maclaren was a frequent visitor to Gilwell Park. His dedication was so great that he donated another £3,000. Over time the Boy Scout Association bought adjoining land to increase the estate and protect it from new developments. An additional purchase and a donation from South Africa in the early 1950s brought the estate to its present size.
Although Maclaren's interest had been in providing a campground for Scouts and Rovers, Baden-Powell envisioned a training centre for Scouters and Gilwell has subsequently become synonomous with international scouter training. The Pinelands Scout Traing Centre was named the Gilpine Centre in recognition of its link to Gilwell and its location in Pinelands.