Bongimfundo delights in a day at Sugar Bay

Sugar Bay does not host day visits for schools, but we make one exception. We are always honoured to host the learners of Bongimfundo Primary School free of charge. This year the smiles of ninety grade 3 and 4's arrived at camp filled with the Sugar Bay spirit. They were thrilled to spend the day playing at camp. Four Square, Space Jump, swimming and body art were among the long list of activities they relished on Friday, 11 May 2018.

"I was scared when they told us we were coming to Sugar Bay, kodwa kum'nandi lana! (It's so much fun here)" This is what Nosipho, age 9, said when she was asked about her experience at Sugar Bay. "I still can't believe it!" she exclaimed.

Because every child is special, Sugar Bay supports student growth and different forms of education. Experiential education is Sugar Bay's specialisation. There are many things children can learn through play, for example interpersonal teamwork and problem-solving skills. We extend that learning opportunity to the learners of Bongimfundo Primary School when they visit our camp.

Community Service Learning is one way that Sugar Bay gives back to the local community. Bongimfundo Primary School is one of the schools that benefit from their Service Learning initiative.

Service Learning provides an opportunity for students from well-resourced schools to engage with under-resourced schools in an effort to share resources and actively participate in community development. The goal is to combine learning goals and community service in a way that develops life and social skills.

When students come to Sugar Bay, we want them to leave with a greater sense of personal efficiency, a broader outlook on life with reduced stereotyping and greater inter-cultural understanding.

“A form of experiential education where learning occurs through a cycle of action and reflection as students. . . seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves. In the process, students link personal and social development with academic and cognitive development. . . experience enhances understanding; understanding leads to more effective action.” - Janet S Eyler (winner of the 2003 Thomas Ehrlich Faculty Award for service Learning)

Learn more about the Service Learning program at Sugar Bay, or in what other ways we give back. You can also view more photos from Bongimfundo's 2018 visit to Sugar Bay.