Enviro camp opportunity for youth
There will be an opportunity to participate in outdoor activities including an ocean experience, game, birding and nature walks.
ENVIRONMENTALLY passionate youngsters are being offered an unique opportunity to become social entrepreneurs at the Four Elements environmental camp in December in Northern Zululand.
Durban-based NPO, Four Elements Conservation is offering fully-paid scholarships to between eight and 12 young learners.
During the four-day camp, which is being organised by Four Elements CEO Olivia Taylor, the group will participate in a number of outdoor activities including an ocean experience, game, birding and nature walks.
These adventures will be connected by a course in essential business skills that will teach them how to start their own initiatives and become high-impact social entrepreneurs.
The course will cover how to put ideas into action; using youth as an advantage; registering an NPO; starting a social media platform; sustainable funding and conducting a meeting.
“The camp is about teaching young people how to become environmental entrepreneurs while engaging with the environment,” explained Taylor.
The course has been designed using real-life insights Taylor (18) has learnt while starting her environmental journey eight years ago, eventually launching her successful NPO, Four Elements Conservation when she was just 15-years-old.
In 2008, Taylor became concerned about the decimation of the bearded vulture and has since raised R200,000 for the species and more for the oceans through a number of fundraising ventures.
The sought-after spots will be open to boys and girls aged between 12 and 18-years-old, who have a love for the environment and belief in the future of South Africa.
She said the course is not a once-off training session as successful applicants will be expected to follow-up and keep in touch regarding initiatives they have started.
“A platform will be created to keep in touch after the camp and Four Elements will provide ongoing support.”
Funding for the course, which is valued at between R5,000 and R10,000 per person was raised through the Four Elements Ocean Challenge held on 16 May.
The first section of the application process is in written form which can be found at www.fourelementsconservation.org.
Applications close on 8 September. Applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed face-to-face in October before the final selection is made and the lucky candidates announced.
