Category: inspiration

Everyone agrees that studying can be a little tedious at times. Doing the same thing all day everyday can make even the most studious get bored. It is worthwhile to frequently be in nature, breathe in the fresh air, experience the sun on your face and see the wildlife in Africa.

Imagine learning in this environment instead of being stuck in class day in day out. At Bunduz, we believe learning can be both fun and engaging.

It’s why we pioneered the idea of learning while experiencing the beauty of Mother Nature. Thus the creation of our Field School in Africa expedition. So, what exactly is field school?

Field School: A definition

Field school is simply an outdoor learning experience.

It’s a training that involves taking students from the cold theoretical learning of classrooms, to the rich practical & engaging outdoor environment. Field school offers students an unprecedented opportunity to work directly with study subjects in their natural habitat.

Instead of examining a picture of an indigenous tree, you get to interact with this rare specimen in real life.

Field schools are becoming increasingly popular as a study technique. This is because they offer the following key advantages:

1. Better understanding

Simply being outdoors has numerous benefits to cognitive development. Children that learn from outside are more reflective and inquisitive. These are essential qualities needed for problem solving in real life situations.

During a field school trip in Africa, you can hold a class in a conducive environment which promotes better understanding.

2. Enhance self-reliance

Imagine going for a hike for just a week. Sleeping in tents and having only your team and guide by your side. By the end of the week you will be far more confident in your own capabilities, don’t you think so?

By being part of our field school, you will not only learn from books, but from nature itself. Depending on oneself is a core ability you’ll learn during your safari.

3. Enhanced communication skills

From personal experience, it’s safe to say that outdoor classroom activities provide an avenue for self- expression. By working as teams to solve problems on expeditions, you become a better communicator and team player.

4. Better overall behavior

 

In contrast to a regular classroom, where the stifling heat and cramped seating can lead to restlessness, the outdoors encourages better behavior in individuals.

Nature helps improve social adjustment, group cohesion, confidence and self-awareness.

6. Increased motivation

Learning from a different location is non-conventional. This increases motivation especially for young curious minds.

They are always willing to learn but only if it is made both fun & engaging for them. This is the case created by field school since it has a relaxed vibe where you can get your hands dirty.

7. Change of attitude about the environment

It is sad how the human race has neglected Mother Nature.

Unfortunately, this negative behavior is being passed down to our younger generations who prefer to surf the internet while watching endless hours of entertainment.

Outdoor education influences how they view the environment making them develop a meaningful love for the outdoors. This creates a more responsible and environmentally conservative individual.

8. Reduced stress levels

Have you ever been outside, saw the sunset or heard birds chirping and suddenly felt better?

Hearing sounds of nature releases dopamine “the happy hormone”. Field school provides serene environments with exquisite views for you to conduct classes.

It is certainly liberating to be both happy and learning.

Conclusion

All these points vividly illustrate and prove the usefulness of incorporating field school as part of your curriculum.

Field school in Africa gives students an education, entertainment and life skills all in one bundle. Moreover, it is equally as useful for work colleagues in team building and teaching them new things about their job.

At Bunduz, we believe in shaping the young to not only be theoretical adults, but also leaders capable of out of the box solution thinking. We provide an immersive yet safe field school experience in Africa that will have a permanent impact on each and every individual.

To find out more about our next scheduled field trip or to organize a custom trip, contact us today.

On the rocks is how I wanted my drink served after a long day out chasing after charge cars. On the rocks is where every competitor and spectator that made it to the Gauntlet found themselves. On the rocks is where I found my relationship with Safaricom degenerate to when I found out that the gauntlet was their guard-post, yet there was no network coverage!

“Should you ever go to your village and not connect to your Safaricom line, this is the guy to call.” That is how I had been introduced (on the eve of the charge) to the signal guru that Safaricom had dispatched to the Rhino Charge 2016 venue. As I paced up and down the gauntlet, I couldn’t help but wonder where and how he had lost his mojo. I later met him and he explained  in an embarrassed mumble, from underneath a Safaricom branded cap that; it was difficult to get network coverage at the gauntlet because it was smack in the middle of a depression. I walked away and stripped him of the title guru in four steps; a letter down with each step.

Rhino Charge 2016 was set in the vast and picturesque Narok County, the home of the world renowned wildlife reserve; Masai Mara! As we drove there aboard Ki-Pumpum, I wondered what adventure the charge had in store for us this time around. Would I be able to get good shots? Is the terrain taunting enough for me to maybe get a shot of a charge vehicle toppling over several times and back on it’s four wheels? Would I be in a position to visit most guard-posts and spy on charge vehicles as they tore ravenously through the thick bush in a bid to win the top prize? I had to wait until the charge day to find out.

For the past 27 years, why does a group of people get out into the wild to find a new trail where millions of shillings are torn away in the form of all-terrain vehicles that maneuver a 12 point circuit spreading over approximately 100km, in a duration of 10 hours? One would wonder. Year in, year out, why do spectators throng the often harsh environment to witness embellished vehicles clamor over rocks and tear through bush while driven by enthusiastically calculative crews that stop at nothing unless their vehicle is reduced to a heap of junk metal? As I retired to my safari chair right by the Bunduz camp bonfire, I watched spectators share their tales from the charge day that had just ended. As we braved the cold dark night of the Masia Mara, I quietly scrolled through the shots I had taken, and that’s when it all dawned on me; the spirit of the Rhino Charge is one charged with the resilience of a people committed to the conservation of the Kenyan wildlife, nature and catchment areas through the protection of mountain echo-systems. The spirit of the Rhino Charge will stop at nothing to see that conservation is upheld!

This year, the Rhino Charge raised Kshs. 139,000,000.00 for the Rhino Ark and Kshs. 4,400,000/- for the host community! Of note is that the top two fundraisers were indigenous Kenyan teams. Team Magnate Chargers and Car #23, led by Stanley Kinyanjui and Peter Kinyua respectively. In celebration of the success that Rhino Charge 2016 was, I made sure to bring you some shots of the action…