The African Bush Camp - Africa's Best Challenge!, an eco-adventure and survival training programme, is designed for young adults (male & female) who need to find direction and purpose in life. The program is ideally suited for school leavers as a foundation for entering life as an adult. The holistic, participatory approach and combination of learning and action make it an ideal way for students to embark on a meaningful path shaping their own lives and those of others.

The objectives of the The African Bush Camp programme are to create a safe and structured environment in which love, wisdom, compassion, loyalty, honour, courage, health and achievement exists, where the individual is empowered, free to choose, focused on what is important and experiencing his/her magnificence.

The above objectives are achieved by exposing the individual to various experiences through participation in a range of activities as listed. The Base camp where the programme will be presented from is situated close to the Kruger Park in the beautiful Limpopo Province.

The participants will stay in groups of six in chalets with one bathroom (bath and shower). Male and female stay separately. The camp is close to the Kruger Park, in a dense forest area. The whole group shares the kitchen, dining and lounge area that is built in a bush camp style. Many of the activities take place away from the base and the team members should not be spending more than three months there. When out there, they will be camping mostly.

A very limited group of young adults will be selected to participate in the programme each year, as we believe that personal attention to each student is extremely important.

By the end of the programme the participant will be equipped to take responsibility for his/her own destiny by making decisions based on a variety of experiences and knowledge gained during the programme.


Letter from Kate, overjoyed member of the African Bush Camp 2011:

”...Dear Michael,

Can you believe that our 7 months together are already over? I know, I can’t. As I sit here to write this letter it feels like I’m coming home to you soon,

like we’re just on a holiday, and in a couple of days our family will all be reunited at base camp once again.

When I started with you at the end of January, I saw ahead a fun-filled action packed course. But what I took out of it was way more than that. In a short space of time I became part of the African Bush Camp 2011 family. When I left you on that fateful Saturday I really felt like I was being taken away from my home, and 18 of the people closest to my heart. I

never expected to feel like such a big part of something, nor have so many people ever loved me, so intensely, at the same time.

I know that I personally had some hard times this year, but when I look back now, all I see are happy times. If I have to break the course down into its different parts, I can give you a very honest opinion and feeling.

Self-Actualization:
Well, you and I both know how much I hated that first course, but

then I also don’t think I have thanked you for making me stick it out. The 3 courses did more for my life and my thoughts, feelings, and attitudes than any other experiences I have ever had. When I applied to become an African Bush Camper, I definitely was not bargaining on this side of the course, but now I know African Bush Camp wouldn’t have been the same without it. Joyspring especially brought our group closer than any of us could ever have imagined possible. There I cemented some friendships that I know I will have forever.

The Business Administrations and Management Diploma:
There were so many times when I just wanted to pack it in, and say forget it, but African Bush Camp taught me to stick it out, even when times are tough, because you don’t know how things will turn out, until they have been completed. The only thing that you can lose by carrying on with something is your time, but you lose that second by second anyway, so it doesn’t matter. Rather use (or lose) it constructively.

Now that I’ve finished it, I feel very proud of myself. It feels so satisfactory to have completed something that I could have given up on long ago. There was no need to give up though, and now I have something to add to my CV. BRILLIANT!

The Eco-Adventure:
From very little it has been a dream for me to jump out of an airplane. AND I DID! What makes this one so much better is that it wasn’t on the program originally, and you listened to what we wanted, and suddenly we were going skydiving! That was one of my highlights of African Bush Camp. Another thing in this section that I enjoyed every minute of was our week at Sabie. All the activities there were so much fun, and it was fantastic for me to see the less-than-brave African Bush Campers facing their fears. All the

fun said and done, the most challenging and in the end fulfilling physical thing we did was the Survival Hike. At the time I thought I’d never make it, but I got all the support I needed, and I made it! I had a mountain to climb (quite literally) and I climbed it standing on my own two (very sore) feet. I also can’t forget to include the fact that I think it’s awesome that I’m a qualified yacht hand, and I have my open water 1 in scuba!

Social Skills Development:
Never before have I been so ready to move out of home and on to University. I learnt really to cook. I can successfully do my own washing (although I’m not to find of ironing). I can essemble a circuit, with a light and switch and everything! There was so much that I took out of this part of the course that I could write forever. Working on the Outreach, and at the aids home were both truly moving experiences for me.

If you can count it here, living in such close quarters with all the other African Bush Campers, for such a lengthly period of time, has developed my people skills tremendously.

I also enjoyed the mixology and sexology. There was stuff I learnt there that the average teenager will never know. It opened my eyes and prepared me even more for the outside world. So Michael, if African Bush Camp carries

on with the success of this year, I know that your dream will help many youngsters find their dreams. I have realized so much about myself this year that I never knew before. When I came on African Bush Camp I was pretty certain where I was going and with whom. That path is completely different to the one I am on now. I have come to the realization that I am not mediocre, and I mustn’t settle for mediocre. I also discovered that the more you believe in yourself, the more others begin to believe in you. As I sit here today, I have a higher self-esteem, and more self-confidence than I have ever had. It feels so good to be me! Thank-you for giving me this opportunity at such an early age. Each day that goes by now I am spreading my love and my discoveries. Thank-you for making me part of your family, and for showing me that I am perfect and complete. Thank-you for teaching me that I am loved, loving, and loveable.

Thank-you for being the best surrogate parents!

All my love,
Your ‘adopted’ daughter,
Kate.
XOXOX...“

7 Months	16 members, Start February 2013
3 Months	16 members, Start February 2013

This programme is not a military academy where blind discipline and conformity are the order of the day, neither is it a glorified summer camp catering for a group of bored teenagers searching for something to fill their time. In fact on the African Bush Camp programme participants are actually taught very little, rather they are guided onto a path towards realising their own unique potential in as broad a number of activities as possible. They are coached by a group of committed, qualified and highly professional facilitators to the threshold of their own learning and encouraged through the experience with which they are provided in the environment, interpersonal relationships and self development along a path leading to a definite direction in life, and a sharpened awareness of the role in a constantly challenging world.

The African Bush Camp programme comprising of four major components and is presented by a number of external facilitators, trainers and staff members.

Programme outline:

1. Self Actualisation
I Personal Development & Ontological Coaching
II Dolphin Experience
III Community service participation
IV Sexuality


2. Social Skills development
I Public Speaking
II Music appreciation
III Creative Art
IV Pottery
V Basic dance skills
VI Basic mechanical skills
VII Basic DIY Skills
Basic electrical skills
Basic welding skills
Basic building skills
VIII Basic Domestic skills
Food preparation
Outdoor food preparation
Gardening (Organic vegetable & herb garden)
Needlework
Mixology (Preparation / Usage of alcoholic beverages)

3. Adventure, Eco-Tourism, Health and Fitness
I Sailing
II Scuba Diving
III Sky-diving
IV Water sports
Water skiing
Kayaking
Tubing
V Outdoor:
Horsemanship
Mountain Biking
Running
Hiking
Caving, Kloofing, abseiling, bridge swing
Wild life experiences
VI First Aid & CPR
VII Self defence
VIII Gym work
Personal body assessments
Aquatic training

4. Information Technology, Entrepreneurship and Business Management
I Business Management Diploma

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