The Cape Town Environmental Education Trust has been running environmental education camps at Zeekoevlei for schools for the past 12 years. Over this time we have had the opportunity to work with some incredible youth who have shown a passion for the natural environment and its conservation. Until now we have not had the opportunity or means to take this further than a once-off camp. In 2013 we have launched the Conservation Leaders Programme which aims to provide the stepping stone for children passionate about conservation to develop this passion further and to forge a career in conservation.

The first of the Conservation Leaders Programme camp was held at the False Bay Education Centre from 21 to 23 June 2013. A total of 60 children attended the camp from 10 different schools on the Cape Flats and they included; Stephen Rd Primary, Lotus River Primary, Montague’s Gift Primary, Hillwood Primary, Zerilda Park Primary, Square Hill Primary , St Mary Primary, Delta Primary, Levana Primary and Floreat Primary.

The kids had a wonderful time over the weekend. The activities were plentiful and included team building, getting to know one another, a hike between Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei, a talk by the Cape Leopard Trust, an obstacle course and dragon boating.

At the end of the camp 20 children were selected from the 60 to continue with the programme. All the children were monitored carefully and marked according to a set of criteria. The 20 children are; Kelsey Jacobs (Delta), Saskia Booysen (Levana), Zoe Rodgers (St Mary’s), Raulston Brown (St Mary’s), Roshana Alexander (Lotus River), Tyrique Kruger (Lotus River), Erin Wilson (Floreat), Rowan Fredericks (Hillwood), Leigh-Ann Carollisen (Montagu’s Gift), Chanté Brandt (Montagu’s Gift), Courtney Daniels (Montagu’s Gift), Lauren Petersen (Stephen Rd), Mario Barnes (Stephen Rd), Rivaldo Destorie (Stephen Rd), Saafiyah Galant (Stephen Rd), Mickayla Williams (Stephen Rd), Ryan Petersen (Stephen Rd), Saar-Rah Phillip (Stephen Rd), Calton Jordaan (Stephen Rd) and Meldah Mathabathe (Square Hill). We are very happy to welcome them to the world of conservation. Well done!

See you all on the next camp!