Rather than bemoan the attachment so many children have to cellphones, TVs and computer games, the Auckland Park Academy of Excellence established a hiking club.
Over 150 people turned out for the inaugural hike at Melville Koppies Nature Reserve, and Mother Nature provided support with perfect weather.
“The children were young, from one to 12 years old,” said Friends of Melville Koppies spokesperson Wendy Carstens.
“Fortunately, everyone came as a family, so the little ones were all taken care of by their parents, and as it was an homogenous group, no one was trying to do a fast route hike – except for the group of children right behind one of the four Melville Koppies guides who managed the hike.”
Carstens said the group made a long, snaking trail through Melville Koppies Central, the oldest part of the reserve, and Melville Koppies East, nicknamed “the reserve’s Cinderella”.
“First-time visitors were amazed at the incredible beauty of the koppies a few kilometres away from their school, which they had driven past many times but never visited,” she said.
The hike was organised by the school’s senior administrator, Fazela Amod.
Details: Melville Koppies Nature Reserve 011 482 4797; fomk@mk.org.za; Auckland Park Academy of Excellence 011 482 7852; www.apax.co.za
