Activities

Nature School
Environmental Education and Training

Nature School
Environmental Education and Training

Environmental Education

Both adult and youth groups are accommodated. The programme focuses on skills development, such as field craft, exploring the natural environment and survival in the wild. Furthermore, the programme is aimed at creating awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation and a healthy natural environment, as well as the responsibility of man towards the natural environment.

An important aspect of every programme is the practical side – activities and tasks candidates have to perform, aimed at acquiring or improving skills and knowledge. The curriculum and duration of each event will be structured to suit the client’s requirements and expectations.

The programme can be presented at Minwater or any other venue, including the client’s premises. The obvious advantage of the last option is that candidates learn more about the ecology, plants, animals, etc. of the area where they live or work.

Environmental
Training Programmes

The training programmes, Nature Exploration and Nature Guiding, are suitable for novices as well as qualified / experienced persons who wish to improve their knowledge and skills, such as:

  • Nature enthusiasts
  • Qualified nature guides and game rangers
  • Owners, managers and other employees of nature reserves, game lodges and game farms
  • Tour operators

Nature Exploration

This programme is aimed at self enrichment and a better understanding of the natural environment in general, or can be focused on the area where candidates live or work, or on any or all of the aspects mentioned under the heading, ‘Interpretative Nature Tours’.

Nature Guiding

This programme is aimed at candidates working in the field of eco-tourism, enabling them to provide guests with a true nature experience (and not a big-animal-lots-of-flowers experience).

An important aspect of every programme is the practical side – activities and tasks candidates have to perform, aimed at acquiring or improving skills and knowledge. Although candidates will be assisted in identifying plants and animals (including birds, reptiles and invertebrates) with which they are not familiar, awareness and understanding of the natural environment will be emphasised. Consequently, candidates will learn many of the “stories” associated with creatures of nature – big and small. The curriculum and duration of any programme will be structured to suit the client’s requirements and expectations.

The courses can be presented at Minwater or any other venue, including the client’s premises. The obvious advantage of the last option is that candidates learn more about the ecology, plants, animals, etc. of the area where they live or work.

These courses are not accredited by any SETA.

Know Your Veld

The client’s property is explored, with the client in attendance, and the client is acquainted with aspects such as veld type, veld condition (including signs indicating good or bad veld management, and indicator species), plant names, grazing value of plants and poisonous plants.

Fundamentals of Nature-Conscious
Off-Road Driving

Effecting sensitivity and responsibility of candidates towards the natural environment is intrinsic to this training programme.

The programme is suitable for novices as well as experienced off-road drivers who wish to improve their knowledge and off-road driving skills.

The following aspects are covered:

  • Setting the scene
    • Safety
    • Driver attitude
    • Treading softly
  • Familiarising candidates with the relevant features, technical aspects and components of their vehicles
  • Off-road driving
    • Terrain types, including gravel roads, and obstacles
    • Negotiating such terrain types and obstacles safely
  • Vehicle recovery
    • Safety
    • Recovery equipment, uses and application in various situations
    • Recovery without the use of sophisticated equipment

The programme comprises theoretical sessions as well as applying newly acquired knowledge and skills in practice. The curriculum and duration of each training event will be structured, within reason, to suit the client’s requirements and expectations.

Training sessions can take place at Minwater or any other venue, including the client’s premises.

This programme is not accredited by any institution.

Activities at Minwater Eco Adventures