This past Friday and Saturday, a group of 12 enthusiastic Grade 7 learners from Union High School had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Social Sciences 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 to the stunning KAROO RIDGE – Conservancy, located just 50 kilometers northeast of Middelburg.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 “𝘍𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘪𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺,” 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴.
The journey began early on Friday, 18 October, as the learners departed the Union grounds filled with excitement for the days ahead.
After a scenic drive, they arrived at the picturesque River Lodge at the Karoo Ridge Conservancy. Following a light lunch and a chance to unpack, the learners were warmly welcomed by Helen Wenham, who introduced them to the unique environment they were about to explore.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗲. This engaging hike not only allowed the learners to appreciate the breathtaking landscape but also provided valuable insights on erosion and its impact on the environment. After an invigorating walk, the group returned to the River Lodge for some relaxation time, which included a refreshing swim before dinner.
𝗔𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺. This experience provided them with a close encounter with the local wildlife, further enriching their understanding of biodiversity in the Karoo region. The day concluded with a delightful dinner and braai in the Boma, where everyone gathered to reflect on the day’s adventures.
Saturday morning kicked off with a hearty breakfast cooked over an open fire, setting the stage for another exciting day ahead. The learners joined David Hall for a 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸, which included discussions on the local flora and fauna, alongside a hands-on activity in small gabion building.
Following a brief comfort break, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹. This hands-on experience reinforced the importance of sustainable practices in farming and conservation efforts.
After a well-deserved lunch, the group wrapped up their enriching excursion and prepared to depart, leaving with a wealth of knowledge and unforgettable memories.
Union extends its 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗧 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘 to Mrs Hanli Rose-Innes for organising this memorable trip, as well as to Pete and Helen Wenham for their generous hospitality and guidance throughout the excursion.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴’ 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
