Rotary’s Adventure into Citizenship camp inspires future leaders
Over 56 high school learners from across the Western Cape, including George, took part in the Rotary Club of Cape Town’s annual Adventure into Citizenship (AIC) camp this July.
Image: supplied
More than 56 pupils from as far as George attended the "Adventures in Citizenship" program, a Rotary initiative that took place in July, aimed at developing leadership potential in high school Interactors.
The programme, which has run since the 1950s, is hosted by the Rotary Club of Cape Town in District 9350, with support from Rotaractors who facilitate a week-long itinerary of activities designed to immerse Grade 11 and 12 learners in civic engagement, leadership development, and an understanding of how local and national government functions.
Selected learners who have shown leadership in their school Interact clubs take part in visits to key civic institutions, including Parliament, the High Court, the District Six Museum, the Long March to Freedom, the Heart of Cape Town Museum, and the universities of Cape Town (UCT), the Western Cape (UWC), and Stellenbosch.
Chadwin Petersen, the District 9350 Rotaract Representative, says the AIC is all about social cohesion and building a culturally rich learner.
“This camp that started in the 1950s has birthed the way for great leaders up to today. We still have former AIC participants that are now teachers that are sending their high school learners to camp. So we have a rich tradition of camaraderie at our camp.
“My vision and goal as a DRR specifically is to see continuity in our structure where we see Interactors becoming Rotaractors, and Rotaractors essentially becoming Rotarians.”
He said that the impact of the camp has seen shy pupils who arrive on the first day blossom into confident, articulate young leaders by the end of the week, ready to make a difference in their schools and communities.
Aiden Jonck, a Grade 12 pupil at York High School in George, who has been part of Interact for three years, said AIC is an amazing opportunity to grow, learn about the community, and connect with other like-minded kids his age.
“I’ve built many connections with multiple Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary clubs. This whole experience has been such a learning experience. I've learnt a lot about politics, history, stepping into citizenship, and building healthy relationships with people around me to better the community. We’ve done multiple courses on how to be better people and to educate people on being better people.”
Amy Philander, a Grade 12 pupil at Fairmount Secondary School in Grassy Park, who is interested in studying law and politics, said she most enjoyed the visit to the High Court and that the whole program helps AIC campers build a foundation for what they want to do after school.
Adventure in Citizenship campers visits to civic institutions, universities, and heritage sites, like the Long March to Freedom in Century City.
Image: supplied
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