Youth camp offers children outdoor experience

After a five-year pause, a youth camp started by an Athlone woman is back and looking for volunteers to be trained as camp counsellors.

Belinka Forbes-Voltman says she started the Matai Youth Camp non-profit organisation in 2014 when she saw a need for Cape Flats schoolchildren to be exposed to nature where they could learn a range of new skills.

Since then, various schools have booked with her, and she takes children on a three-day camp where they learn how to swim, cook, play sport, and more. She said the experience was important because children these days seldom played outside and learnt social skills.

“Each group of children get a camp counsellor. We help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and how to overcome hurdles. We do the programme according to the need at the school. Some schools have issues with gangsterism so we compile a programme catered for that. We have seen a change in pupils over the years. It’s good to see how the camp makes a difference in their lives.”

Those wanting to be trained as camp counsellors should be aged 19 to 70 and energetic. They should have good communication and listening skills as well as a police clearance certificate.

Former Spes Bona High School principal Amanda Matta said the organisation exposed children to teamwork, problem solving, obstacles, and how to communicate kindly. The children could speak to professionals about their problems and learn life skills.

“I love the way the learners enjoy nature. One can see that families no longer go camping with their children. Overall the camp has a good effect on the learners who dealt with school issues differently after attending the Matai camp,” said Ms Matta, who is now a Grade 5 teacher at Chameleon Junior School in Goodwood.

“It was a privilege to be involved with the organisation, and I would recommend them to everyone. They are learner-centred and assist the learners in attaining their full potential thus making them more aware of the world out there.”

Volunteer Estelle Forbes, 69, said that pupils needed a healthy outlet away from academics where they could learn and have fun at the same time.

“There is more to life than what children perceive life offers. Taking them away, even just for a few hours, has such a positive effect on them,” she said.

For more information, call Belinka Forbes-Voltman at 066 214 1651.