CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES AT MASHATU MAIN CAMP

With this program we intend to entertain children, but at the same time to educate them about the bush and the wildlife we share our lives with.  Children will always be under the supervision of a responsible manager and/ or ranger while on the program, whether within the confines of the camp, or out in the bush.

Leading the programme is Mpho Manthe, together with the team of Mashatu rangers. After a year of experience at Disney World (USA), Mpho has a rich knowledge of children’s entertainment – many of the games designed for this programme found their origin at Disney.

The program is geared towards children aged 12 years and under. Activities will depend on the time of the year, and the number of days the children are with us in camp.

Research volunteers will also lend assistance to the children’s program, subject to availability..

A Mashatu backpack including an interactive check-list, bird colouring book, coloured pencils & sharpener, compass & thermometer and water are given to each child between the ages of 4 and 12.

Animal Trivia

Children each get a poster of a particular animal. After reading the facts pertaining to that animal while viewing corresponding pictures – children then explain the specifics of their subject to the rest of the group. A great means of interaction facilitating relationship building, great fun and general knowledge.

Who Am I?

Each child get’s a turn. A poster with one of the animals in the group poster is placed on the child’s back. S/he then asks “yes/no” questions to find out what animal it is …. “Do I have horns? Do I have scales? etc.”

Game Walk

A short walk is conducted around the bustling Main Camp area. This is ideal for kids to learn more about the different rocks, trees, birds and nests in the wild. Children will also be taught how to track animals and identify the different spoor and droppings in the bush.  Children will be escorted by an armed ranger.

Wildlife Movies

For those children not eating with their parents in the boma, a delicious children’s meal is prepared. After dinner a video will be screened in the recreation centre

Crocodile Feeding

After brunch kids have the opportunity to watch the crocodiles being fed by one of the Mashatu managers/rangers (parents are also welcome to join!).. A short (and entertaining) discussion on crocodile ecology and behaviour accompanies feeding time.

Interactive “animal-building” exercise

Kids will visit the Discovery Room where the skulls of different animals are displayed. By studying the different skulls, they will learn the differences between carnivores and herbivores. By looking at the different bones in the body of an animal, participants are encouraged to try to build their own animal. In the process participants we will learn how an animal fits together, and what the function of all the bones in an animal’s body are.

Cultural Experience

Botswana has a very rich cultural history. In this activity, we aim to teach children more about the current local inhabitants of the country and area, as well as the ancient cultures that existed thousands of years back. Children will learn to make stone tools, ostrich and giant land snail beads and clay figurines from termite mound clay.

This is a great play session …. be prepared to get dirty! 

Pool Games

There is no better way of getting clean than in a pool. Children will be entertained in the pool with a variety of pool games (including Hippo Polo) under the diligent supervision of one of the camp managers.

Electronic Animal Tracking

Research is a vital part of any reserve and Mashatu currently has three major active research programs. Radio tracking forms part of these research projects. In this session we will expose children to the general field of research, and teach them how to track animals with the telemetry equipment.

To begin, a short introductory explanation on why and how animals are tracked is delivered in the Discovery Room. Following this, participants set out to find a radio-collared toy hidden somewhere in the camp (hint … it might even be just outside of the camp). The children will be able to listen to the beeping sounds of the transmitter, and to follow their own instincts on where to go. 

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