The Limpopo Valley annual camp was once again held at Mashatu Game Reserve towards the end of 2015. Mashatu generously sponsors the bednights for the camp and children from surrounding villages enjoy a wonderful camp of game drives, lessons, games and fun. The subjects covered in the Limpopo Valley camps included elephant conservation, bird biology and identification, general conservation, photography, littering, nocturnal creatures, circle of life and eco-systems, predator research, snake biology and identification, general wildlife tracking, film-making and very importantly anti-poaching. These topics are always followed by informative game drives to back up what had been learnt. Illala, the elephant play, and the circle of life activities have strong conservation and moral messages which are enjoyed by the children. The creative activities included lapdesk decorating and making of dream catchers. Some valuable and interesting anti-poaching activities were included. Anti-poaching is a subject high on the current affairs of Southern Africa and it is a very important component of our curriculum. It has a very strong impact on the children and they are especially interested in the laws of Botswana with regards to poaching. The children were given little Canon Cameras to share for the duration of the camp and taught how to “shoot” animals with a camera, rather than with a gun. The children absolutely loved the photography workshops which were very well presented by photographers Travis Bester and Gabriel Nel. At the end of the camp, each child was given one photograph of their choice, printed and a memory stick of their photos is given to the school. HIV and nutrition activities also form part of the curriculum.
The children went on many outings including the Limpopo Valley Airport, Mashatu Lodge and the Pont Drift Customs and Immigrations Office, where they learnt about different careers and various job opportunities associated with the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The highlight of this day is the Discovery Room at Mashatu Lodge, a ride in the cable car over the Limpopo River into South Africa and a ride on the fire engine at Limpopo Valley Airfield. As well as being much fun, the morning games, songs and team challenges provide moral lessons. It is during these activities where the various personalities of the children become apparent. One of the highlights during the camps is an enthralling presentation on wildlife film-making by the famous wildlife film-maker, Kim Wolhuter. The children were absolutely amazed by Kim’s photos and movie clips. They had many questions for him and were inspired to take more videos and photos of the wildlife with their cameras. Another highlight of the camp was when a herd of elephants came by the camp to drink water. The children were escorted to the hide on foot and watched the elephants drinking close by.
Children’s quotes from camp:
Katlo Seeletso – 12 year old boy
The most important thing that I learnt on the camp is that if we do not protect animals, there will be no more tourism jobs. I want to be a photographer when I finish school.
Patricia Moloto – 12 year old girl
I have learnt to understand other people for other cultures. I will make a difference to the world like decorating the environment with traditional clay pots and I will make them and give Botswana money.
Tumelo Aphiri – 10 year old boy
I learnt about the animals being very important e.g. the hyena cleaning the world by cleaning bones.
