The Grade 7 class from the Zenzeleni Waldorf School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, recently enjoyed a four-day educational camp in the Cederberg with the Cape Leopard Trust. The camps explore themes such as biodiversity, leopard biology, animal tracking, geology, rock art, astronomy and survival skills. Guest blogger, Elizabeth Martins is Education and Outreach Co-ordinator for the Cape Leopard Trust. She tells us more.
As we got out of the bus for the big hike up Welbedacht kloof, the children noticed an unpleasant smell in the air. We spread out to find the source of the smell until we came on one of researcher Quinton Martins’ baited leopard traps. We explained how the traps worked and how catching and collaring the leopards played a vital role in the conservation of this threatened population.
Environmental educator for our Education and Outreach Programme, Matthew Dowling, then introduced the group to the fynbos, Ceder trees and hiking obstacles – in this case, rivers and rain! We hiked up to a large old Ceder tree where we had our lunch. Then began the race to the top, where it started to pour with rain and everyone was soaked by the time we reached the bus again.
Environmental educator for our Education and Outreach Programme, Matthew Dowling, then introduced the group to the fynbos, Ceder trees and hiking obstacles – in this case, rivers and rain! We hiked up to a large old Ceder tree where we had our lunch. Then began the race to the top, where it started to pour with rain and everyone was soaked by the time we reached the bus again.
‘It was such a good challenge for them, getting to the top of the mountain,’ said their teacher, Tinashe Mahachi. ‘Most of the children were born in Cape Town and have never been out of it before so this was a totally new experience for them. They may not realise the value now but it will stay with them forever.’
The following morning the group went to Stadsaal, where they learned about the historical significance of the area, how it was used by the San bushmen and later as a stronghold and meeting place by the Boers in the Anglo-Boer war. The children enjoyed exploring the
beautifully sculpted rocks on their own.
The following morning the group went to Stadsaal, where they learned about the historical significance of the area, how it was used by the San bushmen and later as a stronghold and meeting place by the Boers in the Anglo-Boer war. The children enjoyed exploring the
beautifully sculpted rocks on their own.
Later the focus turned to animals. The children were split into groups, some learned animal tracking and others examined and drew a variety of animal skulls. During the tracking sessions, the groups each chose an animal track and made a plaster cast of it. When the first group was out tracking, they came across a large puff adder sunning itself on the edge of the road. While keeping a safe distance the children engaged in a lesson about these snakes.
They weren’t scared, but curious. They learned from their own observation that the snake had recently had a meal – there was a sizeable bulge in its middle. Seeing the puff adder definitely reinforced what had been said about how they need to keep their eyes open when walking in the veld.
The highlight of the trip for many of the children was the walk upstream to a beautiful pool where they could swim. They played in the water till they exhausted themselves and came out shivering but happy.
They weren’t scared, but curious. They learned from their own observation that the snake had recently had a meal – there was a sizeable bulge in its middle. Seeing the puff adder definitely reinforced what had been said about how they need to keep their eyes open when walking in the veld.
The highlight of the trip for many of the children was the walk upstream to a beautiful pool where they could swim. They played in the water till they exhausted themselves and came out shivering but happy.
That night Matthew introduced them to star-gazing, where they learned to identify some of the main constellations, like Scorpio, and to find direction using the Southern Cross. The Milky Way was a bright band across the sky.
This was a great adventure for these children, outside of city life, a chance to breathe fresh air, drink clean mountain water, experience silence, run and play and just be themselves and feel calmness. ‘If only I could stay for two more weeks one girl commented, ‘I would climb every mountain.’
Find out how you can support the Cape Leopard Trust.
This was a great adventure for these children, outside of city life, a chance to breathe fresh air, drink clean mountain water, experience silence, run and play and just be themselves and feel calmness. ‘If only I could stay for two more weeks one girl commented, ‘I would climb every mountain.’
Find out how you can support the Cape Leopard Trust.
