About the camp
Camp Uganda is about bringing children, their knowledge and hearts, closer to wild chimps so they will be more empowered to save this amazing endangered cousin.
The campers we choose live close to wild chimpanzee habitats in Uganda. They are about twelve years old and going into their seventh grade (called Primary 7 in Uganda). Half the campers are girls and half are boys. Each camper has demonstrated an ability to communicate in English, good behaviour at school, and an interest in wildlife conservation.
Camp size
In 2007 we sponsored 14 children from near Kibale Forest. In 2008 we sponsored 25 children from near Budongo Forest. In 2011 we will sponsor 30 campers, 5 girls and 5 boys each from 3 different schools in the Kibale Forest and Budongo Forest areas.
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Location
Camp Uganda begins with an educational bus ride from the children's home regions, across their country (which most have never seen) to Entebbe on Lake Victoria. The camp takes place at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) where most animals living there have either been found orphaned, injured or rescued from illegal holdings. UWEC’s excellent staff provide high quality wildlife conservation education, food and accommodation.
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Dates
The camp is held in January of each year. Children and teachers are on their school holidays at this time and free to participate in other educational activities.
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Camp Philosophy
When children are brought together with nature and wild animals they develop a greater respect, understanding and concern for these. When children who live near wild chimpanzee habitats meet chimpanzees and learn about their skills, their needs and the problems chimps face, they will be more inclined to want to help. When children, who later become decision making adults, help in any small or big way, chimpanzees and their forest homes will be better protected and human beings can continue to learn from them and be held in awe at their beauty and their similarity to humans.
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Camp Goals
- To educate equal numbers of girls and boys entering primary grade 7 who live near wild chimpanzee habitats in Uganda.
- To provide wildlife education with a focus on wild chimpanzees.
- To provide environmental education with a focus on the importance of living forests.
- To meet other children from Uganda, to learn what they have in common and to celebrate their differences.
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Learning Objectives
At the end of the 7-day life changing camp, children will be able to:
- Explain the needs of chimpanzees.
- Explain the problems chimpanzees face that cause risk to their survival as a wild species.
- Give examples of how they can help chimps.
- Explain what the importance of preserving forests is to humans and animals.
- Understand the interconnectedness between humans and nature.
- Name a camper they never knew before the camp and describe what they have in common.
- Show the leaders their journal with writings and illustrations that describe each day's experience.
- Write a letter of thanks to their sponsors explaining what they learned and enjoyed most about Camp Uganda.
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Camp Activities
- Primate study
- Chimp study
- Forest study
- “My Habitat Is Home” activity
- Waking up birds, rhinos & chimps
- Feeding chimps
- Feeding grazing animals
- Visiting a vet clinic
- Cultural exchange
- Journalling
- Creating wildlife art
- Storytelling and singing
- Eco-games
- Beach clean-up
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