Cultural Field Studies

One of the blessings our children receive by being students at Rosslyn Academy is the chance to participate in Cultural Field Studies. This trip is a required part of the school curriculum every year beginning in grade 5. The purpose of the school-wide program is to educate the students about Kenya and become sensitive to the culture of the country in which we all live.

Last week Max and Lisa traveled south of Nairobi to the HopCraft Game Reserve in the area called Lukenya. The focus of Grade 5 CFS is learning about the nature and wildlife of Kenya. The 50 students and 6 chaperones spent 2 nights in a banda (like a little cabin) where the monkeys, hyenas and frogs serenaded all night long. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the kids that kept the adults awake! The food was delicious and the campfire hilarious!

During the day the students had classes on survival skills, safari drives, team building activities, orienteering, and how to make an equatorial sun dial. We also participated in a game walk with a local conservation officer named Nation. We learned that female zebra dung is found in a neat little pile while male zebra dung is scattered. It’s all about being organized, ladies – no matter the species!

Lisa also acted as the “camp nurse”. Except for a million ticks and a few acacia thorns in bare feet, the whole group stayed healthy and happy.

Last October Lisa and Tim also attended the Grade 7 CFS trip to Lake Naivasha. The focus of that trip was taking care of the land of Kenya – through conservation.