From 13 to 16 February, the Grade 11 learners went on a school tour to ATKV’s Klein-Kariba, located in the heart of Bela-Bela, Limpopo. We had the opportunity to explore, grow, experience adventure and bond with one another.
Mrs Kraay and Mrs Rodrigues took on the responsibility of adopting over 35 of us for the week, and between the two of them, they added their special touch to our experience by taking great care of us and showing us a more personal side to them. From the housing and scenery to the activities and games, we shared many great moments and made long-lasting memories which we are excited to share with the rest of the school. So, let us dive into some of the highlights of the trip.
We hadn’t even stretched our legs after the long drive when our facilitators joined us on the bus and immediately started with activities and games. The games we learned at camp are just some of the many unforgettable things we got to bring back with us. The trip started off with a few ice-breaker games, which allowed us to get to know one another more and become comfortable with the instructors. And of course, we engaged in some (friendly) competition. We may have taken a few days off from school, but that doesn’t mean our concentration couldn’t be tested. One wrong move and you’d be put on the spot to either share a joke, sing a song or bust a move for the entire class. If I wasn’t so close with my peers this would have been one of the most embarrassing moments of my life! Some of the games we learned included a game called 369, where the numbers 3, 6, and 9 are replaced with claps and another game we collectively titled Jimisai to Jimisai (obviously named after one of our very own Grade 11s). Due to Limpopo’s extreme temperatures, we spent a lot of our time in the pool where we played games like the classic Marco Polo, Whirlpool and Capture the Ball.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but for this camp, each meal was just as important as the last to keep us energised for the long days. Mealtime was one of the best activities. The chefs and waitstaff at Klein-Kariba ensured that we were not only fed, but that we enjoyed each meal: Spaghetti Bolognese, roast chicken and veg, burgers and chips and ice cream for dessert. It’s safe to say that we never went hungry with those exquisite dishes! Mealtime was more than just food though. We got to bond with our table mates and have a mini-debrief with them on the day’s activities. We made friends with so many people and saw a different side to our classmates when we were at the table.
Apart from the good food and awesome activities at Klein-Kariba, the accommodation takes the cake. Nestled in the beautiful bushveld of Limpopo, Klein-Kariba is a picture-perfect destination. The accommodation that the SCC girls were placed in was more than we could have asked for. We stayed in fully-furnished apartments, with at least two sleeper couches, and two bedrooms upstairs, consisting of a main bedroom and another bedroom with two double beds and a bathroom. Now that’s not all that makes the accommodation so special, it was the view of the beautiful mountains that could be seen from the patio that really made the early morning starts worthwhile. From the patio a few little visitors could be spotted roaming around, such as the dassies. It’s true what they say, sleep is the best meditation and our accommodation surely lived up to its potential by keeping us well-rested.
What a trip! We are so grateful for our time spent away and will cherish and safeguard the mementos we brought home with us!
To all the grade 11s, thank you for making our camp at ATKV Klein-Kariba such a special time. We give our flowers to all of you!
Written by Laylaa Sheria, Angelique Mbuyazi, Saskia Kamaar
