Shark Centre Summer Marine Awareness Camp, December 2011

During the recent summer school holidays, the Save Our Seas Shark Centre (SOSSC), supported by the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC), ran a marine awareness camp for high school learners selected from six Cape Town secondary schools. The camp provided learners not only with an awareness-raising and knowledge-building programme, but also a rich experience of our magnificent coastline.

It was a case of The Fairest Cape meets The Cape of Storms as our three days at our chosen venue (Soetwater Environmental Education Centre) gradually changed from scorching, windless heat with calm, turquoise seas, to a North-Westerly gale and torrential rain. But participants showed great spirit and took it all in their stride.

Activities included sand sculpting, presentations about sharks and shark research, dissections, exploration of the rock pools, day and night hikes, a tour of Slangkop Lighthouse, birding, camp fire concerts and a cooking competition. By the second evening the extremely full programme was beginning to take its toll, with the participants finally showing signs of exhaustion (to the relief of the facilitators!).

Going on camp means leaving one’s comfort zone behind. The learners were visibly apprehensive on arrival, particularly as many of them had never met before. The absence of familiar objects (like television!) couldn’t have helped this feeling either. As a species we are increasingly insulating ourselves from our natural world to the extent that we now often fear the very organisms and systems that make life possible for us. Going on camp provides us with the opportunity to re-connect with the earth and its oceans. As the camp progressed, it was fantastic to witness new friendships being made, and attitudes to our natural surroundings opening up. The millions of jumping sand hoppers that seemed so threatening on the first day, were a source of fascination by the end of our camp. The kelp which initially seemed so “gross, slimy and smelly” gradually earned the respect it deserves, as learners began to understand its ecological and economic value.

On reflection after the camp, this is what some of the learner groups had to say:

“We came here with the idea that sharks were cruel, evil and dangerous creatures. This programme has changed our perspective of how we see/have seen underwater life. We came to terms with the fact that they are just animals trying to survive and aren’t really a threat to us. We also came here with lots of uncertainty and as young people we are thankful to have been taught this message. It has opened our eyes.” Sieraijodien Thomas (Beacon Hill High), Fergus Bo-Stander (Lotus High), Danielle Williams (Crestway High), Marvin Sheldon (Mitchells Plain School of Skills), Megan Overmeyer (South Peninsula High)

“We learned how to protect the environment and how to have a brighter perspective concerning it. We found out about different types of sharks and their inner parts.
We also learned about different kinds of birds, shells and even some plants and how to treat them. We learned how to care for each other, work as a team, and accept each others differences.” Francois Jafta (Mitchells Plain School of Skills), Amy Williams (Crestway High), Randi Jafta (Lotus High), Ntando Mankayi (Beacon Hill High)

“Animals have the right to feel safe in their own environment. There are 7 billion humans, limited amount of animal species out there, but limited care. All species are different and want to be free; all species play an important role in the food chain.” Sedick Don (Beacon Hill High), Keenan Jaftha (Lotus High), Chad Cloete (Glendale High), Nazley Martin (Crestway High)

“Our knowledge on sharks and marine life has been expanded. The knowledge we gained will determine the way we treat and view wildlife around us.” Sasha-Lee Naidoo (Glendale High), Luke Coller (South Peninsula High), Peter-Lee Hercules (Mitchells Plain School of Skills), Abdul-Azeez Moses (Ocean View High), Shannon Muller (Crestway High)

The enormous success of the camp is not only due to the efforts of the SOSSC team. SASC staff, school educators and volunteers, all played a key role. The key ingredient, however, was the energy and positive attitude that the learners brought with them. Well done everyone!

Written by Paul Millar
paul@staging.saveourseas.com