Some of the Pearston EYC members were part of a UK Schools Exchange visit with Wickersley School and Sports College in July and October 2019 where they participated in a week of activities including; exploring the Plains of Camdeboo Private Nature Reserve, Camdeboo National Park – Valley of Desolation, playing sport, planting a garden and painting a stunning mural at the library. As part of the same trip, they also visited Tsitsikamma where they planted trees and went on beautiful forest walks (see Bushmans Pillow Reforestation for more information).

Through this connection to Tsitsikamma, we started the Tsitsikamma Eco Youth Circle. Having two Circles from two different communities and different ecosystems means the youth can mix and learn from one another, make friends and connections they otherwise wouldn’t have and share their passions and knowledge with their new friends. Youth apply each year to be part of their local circle and then follow a year long process that is made up of inner and outer ecology activities, learning and outings (the content is derived from experienced facilitators, science based research, stress resilience tools and the Asset Based Community Development curriculum). The Circles come together in camps twice a year to learn from passionate facilitators and from the wild! They each have their own leaders on the ground and the process aims to upskill learners so that they can become mentors and in time, leaders of the group.