South African Youth Adventures

SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH ADVENTURES ORGANISATIONAL PROFILE:

Purpose of this document
The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of South African Youth Adventures and in so doing provide more insight for organisations and individuals.

Background

South African Youth Adventures (NPC) is a not-for–profit company which has as its primary goals that of introducing adventure-activities to youth in disadvantaged communities; and through encouraging participation, contribute to the reduction of crime, gangsterism and substance abuse. The aim is to bring development, sport, play and an element of fun back to the communities; whilst encouraging youth to enter the adventure-activtity job market. The programme has been designed to instil safety awareness, and moreover, has proven to be a metaphor for finding direction in one’s life.

In addition South African Youth Adventures aims to take young people into the wilderness to help them experience these wonderful experiences. Wilderness adventures challenge participants to expand their horizons by fostering trust relationships and team-building skills.
South African Youth Adventures also targets youth who are underprivileged or have been labelled "at-risk". We provide a positive alternative to the typical behaviours and habits that youth in our society often fall into.
South African Youth Adventures takes youth on adventure orienteering trips, hiking experiences, sea kayaking, white water rafting, rock climbing, and backpacking trips to challenge them spiritually, mentally and physically; encouraging them to evaluate what they put their faith in. These once-in-a-lifetime opportunities have an immeasurable impact on the participants and promote all-round healthier lifestyles, sound judgement (decision-making),
Most individuals in our targeted population cannot afford the costs of such mainstream youth development activities. We therefore rely on individual and corporate contributions to subsidise these excursions.

Heading up South African Youth Adventures is Bernard Fortuin, a well-respected member of the community in Mitchell’s Plain and beyond. He is recognised for his skills in organising and facilitating adventure sports programmes/events for both children and adults. Bernard has extensive travel experience, receiving training and guidance from the best in the world.

Bernard and Megro teamed up a year ago after being involved in several projects together. Megro is a capacity building company and has extensive experience in youth development projects such as the Youth Sport Programme Ikhaya Lemidlalo at NY49 in Gugulethu and the Youth Music programme Blastbeat. Megro has played a major role in setting up South African Youth Adventures and will continue to assist in the design, management and reporting of this NPC.

Our Mission
SAYA seeks to expand Adventure-based experiential programming, with the goal of developing responsible individuals, productive organizations and sustainable communities.
We provide individuals with the tools necessary to challenge themselves to grow by overcoming perceived limitations.
We offer a safe environment and excellent instructors to encourage this growth.
We meet the needs of a variety of age groups and organizations.
Our Approach
SAYA applies a unique Adventure methodology to all of our programs, workshops and publications. This methodology consists of activities and experiences designed to appropriately challenge individuals and groups in ways that accelerate learning. Adventure methodology can be incorporated into an existing curriculum or used as the core of a new program.
Our emphasis on research and our strong commitment to curricula and educational standards differentiates us from other Adventure organizations. We constantly review and evaluate our programs to identify the measurable outcomes and use that research to modify existing programs and develop new ones. Supported by our core concepts of the Full Value Contract and Challenge by Choice.







Who We Serve
YOUTH: Out-of-school Programs, Religious Youth Groups, Sports Teams
Youth Camps, Sporting Clubs
SCHOOLS
Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Principals

AT-RISK YOUTH
Teachers, School Counselors, Social Workers, Group Home Staff
Juvenile Justice Staff
Professionals
Corporate Teambuilding
Full Value Contract (FVC)
Developed by SAYA, the principles of the Full Value Contract (FVC) are integral to many Adventure programs. A FVC fits the unique spirit and purpose of the group. It is a shared creation, developed in words that are understandable to all group members, that creates an emotionally and physically safe environment supported by all group members. All versions of the FVC ask the group: 1) to understand and/or create safe and respectful behavioral norms under which it will operate, 2) for a commitment to those norms by everyone in the group, and 3) to accept a shared responsibility for the maintenance of those norms.
While the principles of the Full Value Contract are consistent throughout all South African Youth Adventure programs, the exact wording of the FVC has evolved over time. Starting with the concepts of asking group members not to “devalue” themselves or others, the FVC has changed into the more positive language of giving and receiving full value from a group experience. As it is currently used, specific points that it identifies and the manner of wording may vary considerably based on group membership and purpose. The very fact that there are many variations and that the FVC continues to evolve in its adaptations underscores its value and importance as a versatile learning tool.

South African Youth Adventures embrace the power of adventure experience and make effective use of the teachable moments that stem from the adventure learning experience for generations to come. Numerous educators and organisations have started to appreciate the benefits in Outdoor Adventure Education for their participants and are pro -active to seek out experiential learning opportunities that teach meta-skills or elements of the school curriculum.
South African Youth Adventures has many years experience in providing Outdoor Adventure Education and worked with various institutions, community youth organizations and schools for the last 3 – 5 years to ensure lasting experiences are achieved for their participants.
SAYA partners includes the Chrysalis Academy where SAYA coordinate the Adventure Outdoor Phase 2012, Beacon School for Learners with Special Educational needs, Department Sports and Recreation – City of Cape Town
South African Youth Adventures programmes on offer:

1. Hiking adventures for disadvantaged youth / School Learners
2. Sea kayaking / white water kayaking / flat water Kayaking
3. White water rafting / Flat water Canoeing / White water canoeing
4. Abseiling
5. Rock climbing
6. School Leadership Camps
7. Corporate Team-building
8. SAYA : Adventure Facilitator Training and Assessment – Outdoor Education
9. Adventure Orienteering Programmes & First Aid
10. Map & Compass: Navigation Training
11. Archery
12. Mountain biking