CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS PROGRAMMES

Each country operates a comprehensive educational curriculum based on the Children in the Wilderness programme objectives. The following is an outline of the areas in which we operate and their programme highlights:

BOTSWANA

First country to run a Children in the Wilderness camp; began in 2001.

Hosts 96 children in 6 camps in the Okavango Delta per annum.

Operates an Environmental Outreach programme whereby Children in the Wilderness provides environmental materials and the curriculum for Environmental Clubs in schools.

Introduced an Environmental Stewardship programme: a six day guiding course with an extension of the concepts learned on camp and a strong conservation focus.

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LIMPOPO VALLEY

The Children in the Wilderness Limpopo Valley programme was created as a direct result of the Tour de Tuli fundraising event and hosts children in the areas through which the cycle tour traverses

This programme operated their first Children in the Wilderness camp in April 2010,at Mashatu Tent Camp and have had great momentum since then.

This camp enjoys a variety of activities, including lion tracking and research and a ride on the fire engine at the Limpopo Valley Airport.

It is intended that in time the programme will expand to four other regions of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area

An Environmental Club has also been implemented in the schools.

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MALAWI

Began in 2003.

Hosts between 50 and 96 children per annum at Mvuu Camp in the Liwonde National Reserve and Chintheche Inn on Lake Malawi.

Conservation and the sustainable use of the Lake are keys elements in the environmental curriculum. Due to the proximity of the Lake, learning to swim is one of the life skills taught.

A large number of school scholarship programmes and job mentorship programmes are offered on a yearly basis.

Future planning is a favourite programme run at camp – where the kids get to interview all the staff from Cleaner to Manager, and in this way broaden their horizons

Run extensive Follow-Up Programmes consisting of weekly meetings, individual child follow up and a Children’ Open Day, where the children show case what they have learnt during the year

A group of children who attended a Children in the Wilderness camp, have used their initiative and have started two of their own projects; a Tree Nursery and a Park Fence Protection and Maintenance Project.

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NAMIBIA

Began in 2002.

Hosts around 90 children per annum.

Operates Outreach and Follow up Programmes.

Follow-Up Programmes take place throughout the year with a dedicated Follow-Up Coordinator designing and implementing activities in the communities in which the children who attend the camp live.

Specialist Follow-Up Camps also take place every year, devoted to developing the children’s leadership skills.

Opportunity for school graduates to attend the Wilderness Safaris guide training courses.

Former Children in the Wilderness participants are now in permanent employment with Wilderness Safaris.

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SEYCHELLES

Began in 2006.

Hosts 30 Seychellois children every two years.

Camps are operated in partnership with the National Council of Children on Mahé.

Educates children in marine and terrestrial environmental issues pertinent to the Seychelles.

Another focus is the history of the island and its function as a Noah’s Ark Project protecting vulnerable island species.

SOUTH AFRICA

Began in 2005.

Hosts two camps per annum at Pafuri Camp in Northern Kruger and Rocktail Beach Camp in Maputaland, with a total of 69 children per annum.

Environmental Clubs in the Makuleke Community have been running successfully for two years.

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ZAMBIA

Began in 2007.

Camps host about 90 children per annum, in the Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park and Livingstone.

Poaching is one of the biggest issues in these areas and thus activities surrounding poaching are included in the camp curriculum.

A follow up programme is now operational in Zambia.

ZIMBABWE

First camp took place in 2008.

Hosts 130 children at Linkwasha Camp in Hwange National Park per annum.

Participants are from an AIDS orphanage in the town of Dete and from villages on the outskirts of Hwange National Park.

At present, due to a general lack of nutrition, Nutrition Programmes are being run in four village schools in the area instead of the Follow-Up Programmes.

Follow-Up programmes include literacy, upgrades on school facilities & equipment and teacher training programmes.

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