Kamoka Bush School - Reflections on Grade 9 Camps

Author: Kerry Baytopp

Kamoka Bush School has been a buzz of activity with St Stithians Girls' and Boys' College from May this year until August.

Whilst at camp the students are required to do a Social Sustainable Entrepreneurial task and come up with ideas that could improve the quality of lives in the Phagameng community (Modimolle) based on information gleaned from inhabitants in Phagameng as well as Phagameng High school scholars. Before arriving at Kamoka the students take part in and Urban Immersion in the Phagameng community, Modimolle

As the camps coincided with government school holidays this year, the staff from Phagameng High arranged for volunteers from the high school to meet with the Saints students at the school. They were taken on a tour of the school, (which was an eye opener for many), and some interactive games were arranged followed by group discussions exchanging information on their schools and socio-economic issues. Girls' College also immersed themselves in the neighbourhood of Marie Day Care Centre, interacting with residents and picking up litter. Lunch was spent at Marie Day Care Centre where the girls spent some time with the toddlers.

Frans Nkoana from Phagameng High School joined Boys' College camp 1 and returned to Saints with the group to take part in the Entrepreneurial programme at Boys' College. According to Frans the experience was undoubtedly the highlight of his Grade 9 year. Not only was he placed out of his comfort zone and coped, he grew in confidence and feels that he has more direction in his life.

With 42 challenges to accomplish at Kamoka, either the Polar Bear announces the day with notorious screams of horror from the students piercing the still morning air, or eager students waiting for the stopwatch to start for a time trial. Both activities require determination and commitment especially if the goal is to achieve challenge 100, which is completing all 42 Kamoka Challenges.

Fear and trepidation grip most individuals as they leap off the 7m water into the freezing pool of water below; this could be acclaimed to be the most breathtaking experience of bush school. But not the toughest. The optional 12.6 km, self-navigated route around the farm on rough terrain is not for sissies, and it’s called The TOUGH ONE for a reason.  Second to this is the well-known wood carry for hot water at camp. Both require mental and physical fitness and resilience.

Students were amazed by the traditional knowledge, beliefs systems and diversity of natural medicinal plant remedies encountered on their nature walks. Leaves for flu, a poultice for boils, edible fruits or bark for headaches. For those enrolled with FGASA, Kamoka was their outdoor classroom.

“Uncomfortable, insecure, peaceful, relaxing”, are words used to describe the Awareness exercise. Totally covered from head to toe in clothing and with cotton wool plugged into ears and nose, items were released at intervals freeing up their different senses. A question posed to the students was: Which sense would you prefer to lose, and at what stage of one’s life?

24-hour solitary was time for ME, a time for introspection, growth and realisations, a powerful experience for the students, and packed with emotions. All they had was a wintery tree, a small patch of clearing around it, their shelter, and a view that many would be jealous of. The sound of silence occasionally interrupted by the bark of a baboon, a howling jackal, the wind blowing through the grass or wildebeest walking past in the dead of night. And flying high above, a jet – a subtle reminder that civilisation was still there.

As long as bellies are full, the students are happy. They prepared quite a few of their own meals, such as braai day Friday, master chef, pizza night, potjie kos and breakfasts around the fire. The hearty aroma of the meals prepared by themselves or the chef, will elicit memories for years to come.

Certainly after $ a Day, the students had a renewed sense of appreciation and gratitude for the food they have at home and for what their parents do for them. Amongst many valuable bush skills and lessons learnt, $ a Day teaches them how to plan, how to ration, to share, to be considerate, the importance of teamwork, and the ability to empathise with people living in poverty.

Sunday Chapel services were always a delight of positive affirmations led by the pupils themselves or by Reverend Dan, or Reverend Saamdan who took time out to come and interact with the students. The messages always related to the present mood of the camp and therefore gave the students renewed hope and confidence for the week ahead.

Many memories were made during fun times in and around camp or at first aid, the potjie challenge, the mountain bike relay, playing basketball and bush ball or when Mr Watson air dropped sweets.

We were blown away by the sense of community service by the students. This year was even more remarkable than in previous years. Collections of books, stationery, projectors, shoes, sanitary items, beanies, blankets, and sweets were all amongst what was collected by the students. These were formally handed over to Phagameng High school and Mari Day Care Centre. Furthermore, a 140 wooden table tops were donated to revamp the metal desk frames at Phagameng High so that the grade 12’s could have extra desks when writing exams.

For community service some of the girls spent time at Marie Day Care Centre bag washing, painting the walls and erecting shade cloth around their vegetable garden to keep the chickens out. Others remained at Kamoka and treated the MDC centre staff to a mini spa treatment and the children were entertained with games.

Boys' College did their community service at Kamoka working in the vegetable garden, collecting wood washing and maintaining the mountain bikes, and assisting with cleaning the lapa and kitchen.

We welcomed visits from the Heads and Deputies from both schools, the camp organisers, Heads of Houses and teachers from different departments who presented a few lessons. Their visits were appreciated by the students and by Kamoka.

Many carpe diem moments were encountered whether an “aha” moment about themselves, or a stunning sunrise or sunset, which will remain etched into their memories forever.

Hiking through scenic landscape, and discovering the endless beauty of the farm is always an epic way to end off the journey at Kamoka. A total of 148km’s is walked per day during their stay Bush School and approximately 8000 calories are used in one week. This is a testament to how active they are at Bush School.

Here are some more photos of the students and staff at Kamoka Bush School

 

Bush School Closure

Icy cold water on a winter’s morn

Is not for the faint hearted at the crack of dawn

You know every bump on the ostrich run

Which is not what you anticipated before you begun

Most have jumped from a 7 m height

Or accomplished the tough one with all your might

 

You have survived the 24hr solitary in the wild

Which many found quite mellow and mild

You have vomited and had aches and pains

That have nearly driven you insane

You have seen sunrises and sunsets

Which hopefully you will never forget

 

You have witnessed growth and changes

Even in fellow peers you thought were strangers

There have been valuable lessons learnt

Either positive, or you got burnt

Memories have been made

Which will never fade

 

For each of you sitting here tonight

You have experienced the journey yourselves

And made it YOUR Bush School.