View Just Footprints Camps: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
Camping in South Africa
There are a number of different camping programmes being offered throughout South Africa by various organisations. They range from traditional and established Boy Scout and Girl Guide camps, to “veld” (outdoor/nature) school camp experiences and to specialized eco-education camps where the emphasis is placed on environmental awareness and appreciation. Most camps strive to provide a series of challenging activities for healthy and able bodied participants but unfortunately these camps do not cater for children with serious illness or with disabilities.
Why is Just Footprints camping unique?
We provide a unique opportunity for children who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses or whose young lives have been interrupted by some form of trauma, to learn new skills, develop confidence, enhance self-esteem and grow – all in a safe, nurturing, fun camp environment.
Our goal is to create a camp space where physical risks are managed appropriately and participants are supported emotionally. Many of the children attending our camps will have been denied normal childhood experiences because of the trauma they have sustained or are still being exposed to. Just Footprints Foundation intends providing an adventure that will enable these children to be children once again.
Our Camp Programmes
We provide programmes that are based on “experiential education,” meaning participants learn through direct experiences that are challenging, age appropriate, student focused and engaging. We believe that challenge in the context of support leads to growth. Our programmes are led by staff and young adult volunteers who are trained to facilitate the activities which include a reflective component aimed at helping participants discover, understand and generalize their learning.
Our programmes include life skills and HIV/aids training sessions as well as environmental awareness components where the children are encouraged to play a proactive role in protecting the environment and to being agents of positive change back in their communities.
The campers are identified from the four founding partners and other associated organisations and include children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders, other life threatening illnesses and infected/affected with HIV. Intellectually challenged and physically disabled children will also be offered the opportunity to participate in our ‘Camp Footprints’ experience.
To date, Just Footprints Foundation has hosted 16 camps for 798 children with cancer-related illness and infected/affected with HIV in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape. 220 young adults have undergone volunteer training and have participated in these camps to mentor and support the campers. Three more camps coming up before the end of 2011... 75 children with cancer from the Pretoria and Johannesburg areas in October at Phiri Camp Kwalata Game Reserve in Dinokeng, 40 special needs children from Johannesburg in November also at Phiri Camp and our final camp for the year, 40 cancer children at Noordhoek in Cape Town in partnership with Constantia Rotary Club.
Camp sponsorship
For Just Footprints Foundation to increase the number of camps hosted per annum, sponsorship for camps is needed. Current camp costs (depending on the venue hire and transport) including the training and participation of volunteers on a 1 volunteer to 3 camper ratio are:
- R2 000 per camper per 5 day camp
- R75 000 for a three-day camp for 50 children
- R150 000 for a five-day camp for 75 campers
- R1500 per volunteer including training, camp gear, transport and camp accommodation
- R200 per camper for a Camp Footprints goodie bag with toiletries, Tshirt, bandana, peak and water bottle
Company team building opportunities and interacting with the children at camp could be arranged for donors who sponsor camps.
The “Footprints” of our Camps:
Our camp programmes are designed to provide a life changing experience for each child. We will leave “mindprints” of laughter, endless smiles, accomplishment and a spirit of love, caring and support from participants and staff. Each child must leave camp with an imprint of confidence and hope for the future.
Our Camp Song
My footprints show me where I’ve been
They point to where I’ll go
No matter where I’ve tread before
I now know where to go!
STAMP! STAMP! I’ll start anew
With so much fun and spirit
There’s nothing that can get me down
I have new friends to prove it
My footprints point to things anew
New challenges and trials
At Footprint Camp we learn to win
with laughter fun and smiles
STAMP! STAMP! We’ll start anew
With so much fun and spirit
There’s nothing that can get us down
We have new friends to prove it
At Footprint Camp we learn to laugh
To share and work together
We know that with our strengths and will
We never will say never!
STAMP! STAMP! Our feet in time
Our footprints here today
We’ll walk ahead on life’s new path
We know we’ll find the way!
STAMP! STAMP! STAMP! STAMP!
