The Cape Town Section of the MCSA has an extremely active programme aimed at getting youngsters from disadvantaged communities exposed to the mountains and natural beauty around us and creating a community of young mountaineers.
The MCSA-CT Community helps grow future mountaineers by exposing youngsters to the mountains and the natural environment.
Many people growing up in sight of the Cape’s awesome mountains have little chance of experiencing their freedom and beauty first-hand. Access to wild areas has historically been an issue for the disadvantaged in South Africa, and we make full use of the Club’s various properties as well as government-managed reserves and private land to ensure our groups get to experience the freedom of the outdoors, whether for recreation or for serious sport.
The Cape Town Section has been operating a Community Programme since 2002. Over the years, MCSA volunteers have taken many groups from disadvantaged communities hiking and climbing in around Cape Town.
The aim of the Programme is to create a community of mountain lovers and independent hikers, and to identify those individuals and groups who want to take up mountaineering and/or climbing as a sport or an occupation.
We work with schools, youth groups and programmes, and children’s homes on a long-term basis to give these chosen youngsters as many opportunities as possible to be outside, grow their confidence and learn to value and preserve our natural environment.
The Programme is run by volunteers, mostly MCSA members, but non-members are also very welcome – we’re always on the lookout for new volunteers to meet the demand. Hikes occur almost every week for 4-5 hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings. We also run some overnight camps and hikes. Volunteers must adhere to the Club’s safeguarding policy and for some activities, a police clearance certificate is required.
We teach basic hiking and climbing skills, outdoor leadership, first aid, conservation, fauna and flora identification and custodianship during our activities.
Some of our participants have gone on to become guides and created hiking clubs in their own communities, while others have remained in the Programme as volunteers.
The Programme is supported through funding from national and local governments, as well as donations from members and other individuals.
Send an email to hanliegouwsrsa@gmail.com if you would like to join us.
