Who Are We
I always had a difficult time at school, due to the fact that I was dyslexic, and was taken out of main stream schooling. I was sent to a remedial school for 3 years where I overcame most of my problems. This is something that I am certainly not ashamed of. Going back into mainstream schooling was a big step, and I was still slower than the other students. During Standard 9, my class teacher told me outright that he had no hope in me, and I should drop out of school.
I always had a keen interest in the hotel industry, so subsequently went on to study Hotel Management through Protea Hotels. As I had now left school, and was studying, I also knew that I had to go into the Army, which I was not really looking forward to, but I knew that I was not the only one (me and 10 000 others). I was accepted to the Airforce, and Lo and Behold I had an amazing time working in the 19th squadron and flying in Puma helicopters. This is where I was introduced to Emergency Medicine.
Two years after the army, I became a volunteer at the local EMS, and after a few years, I became qualified in the field, and worked for Medical Rescue international.
After treating my first child, I developed an interest in children and found so much reward.
All of a sudden, and in a space of 3 weeks I packed up and went Overseas (England, Israel, America, and Thailand among a few), to work and travel. After working at a hospital in London for 4 months, I got bored. I found a job in the country at a place called The Kingswood Centre, where kids would attend with their schools to gain skills in IT (Information Technology) and outdoor recreational activities. As time went on I developed myself into a senior position. I was now in charge of pastoral care and welfare of all the children participating in the programme. I also controlled the health and safety aspects of Kingswood, and acted as senior liaison between teachers attending Kingswood, children, parents and staff. I developed many different skills in counseling children and adults.
Things at Kingswood were better than perfect, but unfortunately my visa expired, and I returned home.
Due to my wonderful experiences and training I decided to bring the concept from England to South Africa
Many people thought that the concept was great, including a Business Consultant, but unfortunately he let me down. I hit an all time low, but after brainstorming with a few honest and very loyal friends, I came to the conclusion that the only person that was able to do something constructive was myself and my two partners (me and I) and to take groups of children (aged 6 to 14) on adventure camps around South Africa.
Today I have qualifications in emergency medicine and counseling kids and have my own registered business, which I have been running since September 1999.
The company is called "KIDSCAPE ADVENTURE CAMPS"
The response from both children and parents from many schools in the Gauteng area, including I.R. Griffiths, where I assist in the running of the aftercare Centre and counsel children has been fantastic.
As far as Kidscape is concerned, we run camps during all the school holidays, the price includes everything from 3 nutritious meals a day, to all the activities: Abseiling, Climbing, Rafting Tug - of - War, Hiking, games etc. The camps are designed around four main areas in life, life-skills, team-building, character-building and group-dynamics. This is where kids can improve and develop areas within themselves. The Kidscape kids always come back home a "changed child" for the better.
For me the most exciting part of Kidscape is to see how children excel in all areas, and we separate the boys from the men, and of course the girls from the women. The most important thing for me is to get the kids attention away from TV's, Computers and the drug and alcohol infested establishments in and around Gauteng.
So why not invest in your child's future and have peace of mind that you, as parents deserve.