Life at the Bay

Do you want an African drum beat master at your next party? Well our campers should be on your speed dial! Drumming has become a phenomenon at the Bay where we see our campers create extraordinary rhythm and beats with the djembe drum. The djembe drum is said to have been invented in the 12th century by the Mandinke tribe in what is now Mali, West Africa. The djembe has a great cultural heritage in Africa and still has a weighty presence in African rituals. The body of the drum is made from a single piece of tree trunk and topped with goatskin, providing the djembe with a piercing high-pitched tone. The Mandinke people believed that the Lenge trees held great spiritual importance while also lending its trunk to make the drum. It is said that the drum consists of three spirits: the spirit of the tree from which it was made, the spirit of the animal which covers the head and the spirit of the drum-maker. The term djembe originates from the Bam...

Throughout our lives, from childhood to adulthood, community is an essential part of everyday existence. The beauty behind selfless acts lies not only in the party receiving the act of service, but the shared experience between the giver and the receiver. Community Service Learning is one way that Sugar Bay gives back to the local community and Bongimfundo Primary School is one of the schools that benefit from our Service Learning initiative. We are always happy to host the school at Sugar Bay and we delight in seeing bright smiles from the learners.   Service Learning is a far-reaching and life-altering experience for students, where they undergo incredible growth in their emotional maturity and learn a great deal about themselves and as a part of a greater society. On their visit to the Bay, the American International School of Johannesburg shared a day of their school camp with the learners, where they relished in foursquare, space jump, chalking, body...

There are a gazillion articles with tricks and tips on sending your child to camp; how to pack for your child like a pro, how to choose the correct camp for your child, the benefits of camp and so forth. But what about when they come home from camp? What can you expect?  All children are different and the re-entry home from camp can range from never wanting to go back  to instant talks about plans for the next trip. Here are 3 tips for a smoother re-entry back home from camp. Listen  You may need to prepare yourself for an eventful ride home. They'll sing every camp song, tell you all about the new friends they made and mimic their favourite counselors. This is their way of processing and reliving their camp experience and they essentially want to share their adventures with you.On the other hand, you may get one-word answers and periods of silence. Don't push for more information, sometimes kids just need to settle down in order to get comforta...

Are you ready for magical adventures and a swashbuckling good time? This festive season we'll  be delighting in a world where imagination and animation take over Sugar Bay these upcoming holidays! Devouring in a land of mystical creatures on our DreamWorks week and Jack Sparrow visiting us on Pirates of the Caribbean week, don't get caught missing out on the magic! DreamWorks week: 7 - 14 December 2018  DreamWorks week promises to be magical with creativity and mythical creatures coming to life! Join us as we explore alien life and monsters under our beds.  Highlights Movie-making / drama classes.  DreamWorks bingo. V.I.P tuckshop session.  Monster treasure hunt.  DreamWorks show night.  Monsters vs. Aliens auction.  How much does it cost for a trip into outer space?   Book now for a trip to Mars.   Pirates of the Caribbean week: 14 - 21 December 2018  Sugar Bay will be turning into a dead sea a...

Camp is a great place for children to get some much-needed time out from mom and dad and form relationships with other authoritative, yet not as threatening, figures: camp counselors. The role of a counselor is not only being of a guardian and caretaker, but a friend as well. Camper- counselor relationships provide long-lasting values for both parties; camp allows children the freedom to grow into independent individuals and teaches counselors teamwork, communication and responsibility. Let's take a look at the benefits of camper-counselor relationships. Counselors show campers that being an adult can be fun.  Children have many adults in their life: mom and dad, the family doctor, their teachers; they're constantly surrounded by someone who either always has something to do, stressed out from work or giving them instructions. A counselor is an adult that is also a peer to the camper. When they see an authoritative figure playing in the mud, ...

Fire-spinning has become a sensation at the Bay with our campers delighting in performances put on by our counselors every final camp night. The tradition has become so popular, our campers have joined in the shows and have brought new tricks to the game. Before you start spinning with fire, you use poi to practice your routine. Poi originates from the Maori people of New Zealand and has spread across the globe. Poi is the Maori word for 'ball' on a cord. Maori women used Poi to keep their hands flexible for weaving and men for strength and coordination during battle. The practice was also seen in beautiful dance ceremonies where the poi was put on fire and phenomenal images emerged as they swung rhythmically. Here are 5 easy steps to make poi What you will need:  String or shoelaces Black plastic bags  Scissors  Ruler A4 paper or rice  Rubber bands  Sellotape Method:  Step 1: Pour the rice into the plastic bag until it...

It's not easy being a kid today; facing chunks of homework and a seemingly never-ending quest for achievement, it appears to be harder being a kid than a CEO of a large corporate company. It's even harder for creative children; to discover and nurture their talent with different social pressures and numerous inconsistent daily requirements. How do we create the next generation of innovative artists? Through all our art teachers across the globe! Listed below are 3 key qualities every art teacher should have. Cultivating these principles assists our aspiring Picassos, aka your students, in finding their role in the creative world and how to play it. Curiosity Curiosity builds a desire for a greater understanding and learning more. Besides innovating your student's creative talent by gaining more intel, curiosity develops awareness and attention to detail for their craft. It is of utmost importance to motivate them to consistently ask questions and to dig deeper. ...

Being our in-house emergency response CPR trainer for our camp staff and counselors, a self-defence class instructor and a superhero to our planet; we caught up with League on being a mountain guide and how the rhino is his spirit animal.  From rock-climbing in Maine, leading a hike in Vietnam to being a mountain guide in upstate New York, League is definitely living up to his name by being in a league of his own.  We first set our eyes on the great adventurer in 2017 when he was a C.I.T (counselor in training). This is where we watched him transform into the great counselor he is today.  "I was extremely shy, I couldn't look people in the eye when I was speaking to them, it was really bad! Let's not even talk about public speaking!"   He exclaimed. League runs a specialized self-defence class at the Bay where he teaches campers basic moves to protect themselves. "I have been doing karate since I was 3 ye...

"Tea- making is a form of meditation for me, nothing is on my mind except the smell of the herbs, the different textures and the outcome of the different herb combinations." His love for tea began with a birthday tradition his mom started, where he found himself receiving a cup of tea on the night before and the morning of his birthday. "My mom always wanted to make me the last cup of tea of the age I was, and the first cup of the age I was turning. I can safely say my mom is my inspiration when it comes to tea-making." He shared. When introducing his tea-making at Sugar Bay as a specialized class, he was inflicted with doubts of whether campers would want to take part.  "When I first advertised my class, no-one came and I was so bummed about it. About twenty minutes later, three kids came up to me and asked if we could make some tea. That's when I knew my tea-making class was not just about teaching kids how to make tea; but it was ...

Spring is here and we're on the brink of another school holiday. We have one holiday camp for the upcoming October holidays and we're feeling the need for speed! With a discount of R1900, don't get left behind as we race our way into a week of drifting and car mania. Need For Speed week: 30 September - 7 October 2018  With camp turning into Ventura Bay, we're unlocking all the summertime fun with horsepower and Formula1 knowledge! Don't get caught missing out on being number 1. Highlights :  Soapbox derby (campers build and race their own go-carts). Senior boat cruise. Wacky races evening program. Formula 1 quiz night. Trump card classes and Pitt crew games throughout the week. How much does it cost to become Sean “Mac” McAlister?  Book now to unlock your potential. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our holiday camp highlights , alternatively check out our   Facebook Events  to stay updated on what we have planned...

"I came to Sugar Bay as a fresh young kid at 19, I had to grow up very quickly and camp was the right place to be because it taught me responsibility. I also gained skill sets that would help me in my future endeavours." Working as a radio host on 5fm on the afternoon drive (weekdays 3-6pm) and presenting a T.V game show, Msizi James explains how his time at Sugar Bay has helped in growing his character and preparing him for his career. We caught up with Msizi, popularly known as TGIF, on his humble beginnings at the Bay and how he had a hand in the building of the climbing wall at Sugar Bay. 1. What's the craziest, messiest, most mind-boggling thing have you have ever done or been done to you at the Bay? "The messiest thing that ever happened at the bay always involved special loans and a legendary counselor named Chana. If it was your birthday, he would make you a toxic cocktail of whatever was around and you had to drink it to get the (staff) part...

Ever wondered why our counselors have super cool nicknames? Well besides it being exciting having a name that suits your personality, campers also love it; even parents think it's quite neat! After all, it's easier to distinguish between Moonwalk and Spook than Josh and Josh. We have 5 popular types of counselor personalities we get to see around camp, what category do you fall under? Fireball:  If the name isn't already a hint that this type of counselor is the life of the party, you will definitely feel it on your first encounter with them. Besides illuminating a room with just their presence, they're also Mr. Funny Guy, throwing in banter and playing on words. Campers love these counselors; from the random fun facts on Marvel movies to the grand speeches on ocean life. Harmony:  This counselor is the designated fairy godmother at camp. Usually creative, they inspire and cultivate talents around camp with their nurturing personality. Bri...

Our body art class, one of our arts and crafts activities at Sugar Bay, has become a hit with our campers creating some original and innovative designs. From different textures, styles and colours; the art of henna has definitely become a sensation amongst our campers. Henna is a fun and exciting way for bonding and relaxing with your kids. Here are some tips on how to get started : 1. Wash the area you plan to tattoo.     Removing oils and grime from the concentrated area will ensure the henna stains correctly. 2. Practice on paper first.      Because henna will last between one and two weeks, it's best to develop a technique before                      applying the paste on someone's skin. 3. Don't get lost in the grand scale of things.     Start small, too big a project might uninspire you. Fun facts about Henna :  Henna (called   mehndi   in Hin...

Laila Mackay, popularly known as Lilo, is celebrating her 20th-holiday camp at the Bay. From Jurassic World week to Japan week, Lilo has vast experience on our themed holiday camps. On her 20th visit, she explains how camp has made her bolder and much more comfortable with herself. "Camp boosts your confidence, you're accepted for who you are. I remember during Peanuts week, I was doing sumo wrestling, and Jack (a fellow camper) tackled me so hard that I started rolling back and forth! It was the funniest thing ever and it was all caught on camera! I was comfortable with being silly and everyone around me was amazing."  Describing herself as fun, caring and arty, Lilo explains how she would love to become a counselor at Sugar Bay. Spending most of her time at the arts and crafts section during her stay on her holiday camps, she tells us how being an Arts and Crafts PC (Pro Counselor) would be a box ticked on her life to-do list. "I love the feeling of ind...

We sat down with our former dancing instructor, Cashmere, on why Tina Turner is her spirit animal and how Sugar Bay has given her a global perspective. With 18 years worth of dancing under her belt, she's performed all over the country and admits to how much she loves the limelight from her craft. "Oh! the standing ovations and flowers after the show! I love it. It just reassures me that I was born to dance." The 21-year-old, who's originally from East Rand Johannesburg, explained to us how she's on a dancing hiatus, and how the sky is the limit. " I'm currently studying French and working for my dad; just learning new things. I want to grow in other parts of my being."  1. Describe yourself in 3 words: "Passionate, compassionate, gwitty (gangster/ghetto/witty).  2. Hahaha, which counselor , past or present, inspires you and why? "Afro, he used to tell me that everything you do, should be done with a purpose." ...

"I don't want to go, it's just not fun anymore, I'm not a kid anymore." This statement is usually followed by a well-prepped speech on why your teen doesn't want to go camping anymore, accompanied by a list of alternative activities that can preoccupy them during the school holidays. Teenagers have different reasons for not wanting to go to camp anymore, from feeling like they have grown out of the annual excursion to wanting to invest time in things that interest them outside of camp. When teenagers grow out of their adolescence, they want to create an identity for this new stage of their life. This is when you cue in the "I don't want to go anymore" talk. In a 2014 survey done by Sarah- Jayne Blackmore, Royal Society University Research Fellow and Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience , found that teens between the ages of 14-17, were more likely to shift away from the things they loved as children. Creating new habits, hobbies and socia...

These August holidays, we're exploring Greek mythology on Mount Olympus, breaking it down for our Step Up tournament and James Bond will show us his poker face during Casino Royale week. The holiday season will end on a sweet note, as we celebrate our 17th birthday with S'mores galore! With a discount of R1900 on our first three camps and a whopping R2200 saving on our birthday celebration, you have every reason to join us for our August holiday camps! Mount Olympus week: 5-12 August 2018 Who's ready to become a Greek God? As we hang out with Zeus and Poseidon, come enjoy a week of bravery and legacies. Highlights:  Mount Olympus quiz night. Camp half blood (campers will learn how to be warriors).  Shaka land excursion or camp in. Camp will be hosting it's very own Olympics.  Explore classes in honour of Odysseus.  How much will it cost to become a Greek God? Book now to conquer Mount Olympus with us! Step Up Week: 12 - 19 Augus...

Moulding fondant has become a sensation in our arts and crafts section at Sugar Bay. We have our campers thinking out of the box and inventing original pieces of art. During our Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed week, we made Wonka bars in tribute to our chocolate master, Mr Willy Wonka. If you have a sweet tooth and you love the 1964 classic, here's how to make a Wonka bar. What you will need:  Fondant  Icing sugar Chopsticks (long and short) Medium sized jar Food colouring (colours of your choice)  Flat board Scissors Toothpicks  Method:  Step 1: Separate fondant into 3 pieces. 1 fistful piece (for the wrapper) and 2 smaller pieces (for the             chocolate bar and Wonka wording). Step 2: Mix the icing sugar into the pieces until smooth. Step 3: Squirt the red food colouring (or any colour of your choice for the wrapper) into the bigger         ...

We sat down with the Sugar Bay surfing PC (Pro Counselor), Smiles, on his surfing journey and who he thinks would win in a fight between Steven Seagal and Jean Claude van Damme. Real name Grant Anderson, was born in Johannesburg, Gauteng and went to North Cliff primary school before the Anderson tribe moved to sunny Durban in 2009. The surfing bug bit him at just 10 years old and he has never looked back. As a past camper at the Bay, he loved the positive influence the counselors had on him. "I felt like I could be myself, I was exposed to the one thing I love most in the world and I was surrounded by the most amazing people." Wanting to shine that light on someone else, in 2016, he joined our C.I.T (Counselors in Training) course where he had goals to become the surfing PC and the counselor he had always wanted to be.   What's your favourite part about teaching children how to surf?  "Just being able to share my passion with som...

Do you find yourself constantly asking your child to get off their phone? Or delayed responses because they need to answer a text? Welcome to a world where toddlers have tablets and teenagers are iMessaging on the latest iPhone. A break from the digital world is the goal of our camp, to be able to revel in adventure, friendships, and personal growth. Most camps do not include cellphones on their packing list, and the reason is simple: cellphones take away from the camp experience.  Many children and alarmingly numerous parents will argue that things are different and we need to move with the times. The most popular excuse is the reassurance of their children's safety if they are always contactable. Besides being an obvious distraction from enjoying the moment, cellphones could prevent them from focusing on important safety protocols. Imagine a child more focused on capturing the perfect selfie, than remembering to put a helmet on! Here are 3 ways having a cellphone at ca...