Grade 8 and 9 Camp at ATKV Drakensville – Miss G. Zarca
On Tuesday the 23rd of April 2019, the grade 8 and 9 learners as well as three high school teachers embarked on a journey to the Drakensburg. Considering that the bus trip started at 06:30, the learners were very lively and excited, singing, laughing and eating all the way until we reached our destination.
ATKV Drakensville was a fantastic destination to have our school camp. Learners stayed in their very own chalets and engaged in countless fun activities. The first activity that was on our itinerary was zip-lining. For many of the learners it was their first time attempting to zip-line and it put their fear of heights to the test. The learners zip-lined over the ATKV dam with the Drakensberg mountains in the background, a truly picturesque moment to remember. At ATKV the learners also engaged in activities such as archery, obstacle courses and team building activities such as stalk the lantern which were facilitated by the ATKV councillors. At the end of each day the learners enjoyed their down time in the resort’s heated indoor pool and had fun together going down the water slides.
All Out Adventures Trapeze
The highlight of the camp was our last day hiking in the Drakensburg National Park where we hiked up the mountain along a river and ended up at a waterfall. The learners took off their socks and walked along the rocks having fun in the water. Some of the learners were even brave enough to brace the cold water and swam in the rock pools. We then hiked to “All Out Adventures” where the learners were put into groups and did various circus activities such as the trapeze and the bungee bounce. Miss Schoombee and I also faced our fears and put on a show for the learners where we did the 17m “King Swing”, an experience I will never forget. To top this day off, the learners had a disco where they pulled out all their sokkie dance moves.
As a teacher, I enjoyed every moment of the camp being able to have fun with the learners and get to know them better. It was also wonderful seeing the grade 8s and 9s forming strong bonds, creating wonderful memories, engaging in once in a lifetime activities and having so much fun doing it. This camp was certainly one to remember!
Thank you to Outdoor Environmental Education Africa for their assistance in organising this fantastic tour. Click here to find out more about other tours and camps.
