Day 1 – Arrival Day!

Welcome to sunny South Africa! Upon your arrival to Port Elizabeth Airport, you’ll be picked up and transferred across to your new home for the next few weeks! Spend the evening getting to know your fellow campers and settling into South African lifestyle!

Day 2-3 – Induction and Intro to United Through Sport

Over the next couple of days, you’ll learn everything you need to know about teaching and coaching in schools.

You’ll meet the team and learn more about the programme and South Africa. Along with your fellow volunteers, you will get involved with  team building activities, coaching/teaching sessions and workshops. You’ll also visit a local township and learn more about the local culture. After this you’ll be all set and ready to get teaching!

Day 4-7 – English Teaching/Sports Coaching Project

Time to make a real difference and get involved with your chosen community projects

English Teaching – Monday-Friday  8 am – 1 pm

You’re ready to get teaching! Each morning, you’ll be transferred to the schools. You’ll be teaching children of varying ages from in 3-4 different schools across the week. As levels of education do not stay within strict grade guidelines in South Africa, it’s important all Camp South Africa participants are proactive, flexible and adaptable. We provide the students with reading books and workbooks with set assignments in, you’ll work 1-2-1 to help improve their English. If you’d like to teach a whole class, we can assist in this too!

All participants are provided with an online Teaching Young Learners Qualification prior to departure to help prepare you for teaching.

Sports Coaching – Monday-Friday 9 am – 2 pm

You’ll spend time in 3-4 different schools a day for about an hour and a half at each. You will usually be coaching in groups of two or three. So don’t worry – you won’t be on your own. It’s a team effort!

There’s a range of different sports you can get involved with including: football, rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, cricket, tennis, dance, swimming and even ultimate frisbee! You don’t have to be an expert to be able to teach! A usual session will start with a fun warm-up (including games and fun competitions), develop into some skill development exercises and then maybe a small match or two.

Coaching in this project relies on having a relaxed attitude and being able to improvise. The equipment and facilities can vary from school to school, but that’s all part of the fun! You will be coaching kids ranging from around 8-14 years of age, with a mixture of boys and girls and a mix of sporting abilities from absolute beginners to the next wonderkid!

Afternoons/Evenings after Community Projects: 

When you return from the schools, you’re free to fill your time as you wish! Chill at the accommodation with your fellow volunteers after a day of hard-work. Play some pool or ping pong in the bar, watch some tv in the lounge or take a dip in the swimming pool. Why not head into town and hit the beach or try surfing; explore the city or go shopping. Be sure to talk to the team for recommendations.

Day 8-9 – Weekend Activities

The weekends are for FUN!

Depending on your length of your programme at least one weekend activity will be included. These include:

• Overnight trip to Jeffreys Bay (the surf capital)
• Kragga Kamma Game Reserve
• Visit to Bloukrans Bridge (Worlds Highest Bridge Bungee*)
• Sundays River boat trip and BBQ
• Bushcamp –  Dinner under the stars and traditional African dance group

The activity depends on the schedule/availability and will be confirmed on arrival.

On the weekends that our included tours aren’t running, there’s a wide range of activities available including*:

• Skydiving
• Bungee Jumping
• Shark Cage Diving
• Safari & Game Reserve Drives
• Surfing
• Dune boarding
• Zip-lining
• Canoeing

If you’re after a more relaxing weekend, Port Elizabeth boasts one of the most beautiful shorelines in all of South Africa. Enjoy a day at the beach, topping up the tan or head to one of the nearby shopping malls for some retail therapy. If you prefer, you can choose to spend the weekend relaxing on-site and chilling by the pool!

*All optional activities come at an additional cost

Day 10-14 – Week 2 – Teaching and Coaching

Time to get back in the schools for another 5 days of really making a difference!

Remember if you’d like to switch to English Teaching or Sports Coaching for a few days, you’re more than welcome!

You’ll also have the opportunity to volunteer with preschool children from disadvantaged communities. You’ll assist with general classroom activities, help with meal times and of course play lots of games and sing songs! If you love working with young children, you’ll definitely want to get involved!

Day 15-16 – Free Activity – Jeffreys Bay*

Surf’s up! Heading to the surf capital of South Africa, Jeffreys Bay. You’ll be transferred  to the beautiful J-Bay for a change of scenery! One just a sleepy seaside town, it is now one of the world’s top surfing destinations! Check into your beachfront accommodation, drop your bags and hit the beach. Whether you’re a pro or an absolute beginner, J-Bay is the perfect destination to get go surfing! You can also try a range of different watersport activities as well as dune boarding – you’re sure to get the adrenaline pumping!

If you’re looking for something more relaxing, spend the weekend topping up the tan and exploring the local area. You’ll be spoilt for choice with all the great cafes and bars around.

(Transport & Accommodation at Jeffreys Bay Included, surfing and additional activities are at an additional cost).

*Please note the schedule may change and this may move take place on another weekend.

Day 17-21 – Week 3 – Teaching and Coaching

Three weeks in you’ll know the schools and the students like the back of your hand! Why not try coaching another sport, or try teaching English to switch things up!

As always, the evenings are yours to spend as you wish! In the evenings there are a range of activities the team will organise including: 5-a-side football with your fellow volunteers, ‘localicious Wednesdays’ where you can try some local cuisines and of course games nights!

Day 22-23 – It’s the Weekend!

It’s the weekend and time to relax or get involved in some epic activities! The weekend activity schedule will be confirmed on arrival.

Here’s just a few additional activities available*:

• Skydiving
• Bungee Jumping
• Shark Cage Diving
• Safari & Game Reserve Drives
• Surfing
• Dune boarding
• Zip-lining
• Canoeing

Of course you can always spend the weekend at the beach, shopping or just relaxing on-site and chilling by the pool!

*All optional activities come at an additional cost

Day 24-28 – Week 4 – Teaching and Coaching

It may be your final week but it doesn’t have to be! You can stay up to 12 weeks.

Head back to the schools for another week of teaching and coaching. By now you will have seen how eager the children are to learn from you and the impact you have had on their lives. You will have formed close relationships with the students and the local teachers.

Day 29 – Weekend Activities/Departure Day

If you’re staying just a short 4 weeks, you’ll be transferred back to the airport for your flight home!

Staying longer? Lucky you! The weekend awaits!  Your local leader will confirm the plan for the weekend and let you know what activities are planned!

With Camp South Africa you can volunteer for up to 12 weeks!