Geared with tarpaulins, flysheets and the absolute basic camping equipment, members of Summerhill Prep School were taken to Mackers on the Sabie Road to learn a few new survival skills.
On arrival, they had to build a shelter for the night using whatever they managed to lay their hands on. Having previously had several lessons in tying knots, they attached their tarpaulins to a tree using logs to hold the sheets firmly to the ground. It was important that they built a waterproof shelter as this was their “home” for the night.
After camp inspection, the children were taught how to cook vegetables in the coals of their fires, wrapped in tinfoil and seasoned with feta cheese and tomato.
On Saturday morning after packing a small backpack, they set off on a hike through the indigenous forest to a rock pool, where only the very brave managed to swim in the ice-cold water.
On returning to base camp they had to practise their first-aid skills. This included making a “bush stretcher” using poles and T-shirts.
One member of the group was the patient and had to be transported out of the forest. Using their ropes and knotting skills, they had to hoist him on the stretcher over a “rock” which was pretty difficult and caused much laughter. Eventually all the patients were safely delivered to the “hospital”.
To conclude the training session, the kids carried all their belongings, including tarpaulins, up the mountain for one kilometre.
This was mainly as practice for the grade sevens who are going on a 32-kilometre hike next month. They had to learn the basics of hiking with a full backpack, which was harder than they thought.
Summerhill is an honorary member of the local conservancy and as such has strong ties with the environment. There is a strong emphasis on outdoor living, in conservation, in survival-skills development and just pure enjoyment of the beautiful area in which we live.
Tired and smelly, everyone arrived home, having had a great time and learnt many valuable lessons.
