On 16 and 17 March 2015 the WildREACH group took 18 Grade 11 learners from Ntsika High School to Hogsback. The group spent the weekend in the mountains and forest landscape learning about the plant life and animal habitants of the area. Here’s the trip report:
Committee member & position: Phumlile Cotiyane (Vice Chair) & Sarah Larkin (Excursion officer)
Trip: Elundini – Hogsback
Number of children and teachers: 18 learners. No teacher.
School/s involved: Nombulelo High School
Age spectrum: 17 – 19 year olds
Educational value of the excursion (including activities done with the beneficiaries):
- As WildREACH we had prepared a booklet that contained the summary of the history of Hogsback. It also included comprehensions that the learners had to read and answer questions based on.
- Afromontane Forests comprehension
- Cape Parrot comprehension
- In Hogsback, we met up with David who works for Wild Bird Trust who gave us a well guided tour into the several walking trails in the in Hogsback and bird identifications were done along the trail. David showed us the amazing water falls of Hogsback including the Madonna and Child, and the 39 Steps waterfalls. It was a rewarding exercise through the forests.
- The learners were taught and had a hands on activity of pressing plant specimens provided. A question and answer session about plant collection and pressing and its importance was conducted.
- Finally, the learners had to complete and essay detailing their experience and what they had learnt from the trip. These will be used to judge and help choose deserving individuals who will get the chance of going on the last trip of the year 2015.
WildREACH 