Cognitive Skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logic / critical thinking
- Creative thinking skills
- CAPS aligned curriculum best taught in an outdoor educational space
- Environmental awareness skills
Bridging the Gap
Outdoor Education Programme
The Next Step in Education
Providing enriching and educational camp experiences for children from under-resourced communities, where they develop values and life skills that will positively impact the trajectory of their lives.
About Our Programme
Holistic Development & Horizon-Broadening Experiences
We run a carefully designed values-based adventure and team-building education programme based on best practice from around the world, adapted for our local community schools. Each session has key objectives and outcomes.
The programme facilitates the holistic development of each learner, focusing on different life skills within each targeted grade.
Social Emotional Skills
- Communication skills
- Teamwork and collaboration skills
- Personal development skills
- Social awareness, relationship building
- Leadership skills
Physical Skills
- Physical fitness skills
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Co-ordination skills
- Outdoor adventure skills
- Physical fitness skills
Join us on the journey to empowering children
and transforming lives.
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Inspiring Dreams Through New Experiences
Camp is not only about learning—it’s also about having fun and creating significant, lasting core memories. For children growing up in poverty and often stressful environments, these positive experiences are especially important. Camp exposes them to new adventures that broaden their horizons and inspire them to dream bigger for their future. At camp, new talents are uncovered, emerging leaders shine, and fresh hopes are sparked.
Staying at a world-class facility, with a comfortable bed and hot shower.
For many children at our camps, sleeping in their own comfortable bed and enjoying warm showers each day is a rare experience that feels like a true luxury. These simple comforts help them feel cherished and provide a sense of security, allowing them to focus on learning, growth, and fun
Clean, looked-after spaces surrounded by mountains and nature.
In these well-kept spaces surrounded by mountains, children get a glimpse of life beyond their usual surroundings. Here, they experience the difference between their day-to-day and what's possible, opening their minds and allowing them to dream bigger dreams for their future.
Experiencing peace, safety, and a sense of belonging.
In a space filled with peace and safety, children discover a sense of belonging they can take back to the classroom environment. Surrounded by caring mentors and positive role models—many experiencing good male role models for the first time—they can relax, learn, and build meaningful connections with those around them, including their teachers.
“I always try to convey to my learners that the community they live in isn’t normal when compared to the rest of the world, and they should work hard to eventually get out of it. This camp was the best way to demonstrate what normality is, and what life they could have.”
– Dillon Henwood, Elnor Primary School
Our Latest Goal
Help Make a Difference in a Child’s Life
Bridge the Gap
Giving Campaign
Together we can BRIDGE THE GAP and sponsor ONE of the 30 Educational Camp Programmes held annually at Bridges.
R1550 covers the cost for each learner (transport, food, accommodation and programme costs). R1550 x 100 learners per camp = R155 000 per camp.
R1550 covers the cost for each learner (transport, food, accommodation and programme costs). R1550 x 100 learners per camp = R155 000 per camp.
About us
Get to Know Us
Bridges Retreat Centre & Education Programme
A place where every year, thousands of children, most in need of transformational experiences, are able to leave the realities of life for a few days and engage in learning and growing emotionally, mentally, relationally and spiritually in the beauty of creation.
Contact Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide fully funded experiential learning camps, aligned to the national curriculum, for Grade 5-7 learners from under-resourced communities in the Western Cape. Our Outdoor Education Programme fosters cognitive, social-emotional, spiritual, and physical growth while developing values and leadership skills.
“Empowering lives
through transformative
camp experiences.”
Bridges Retreat Centre
At Bridges Retreat Centre, we believe in the transformative power of short-term, facilitated group experiences, where people are out of their normal home, work and community situations and are engaged in learning and growing emotionally, mentally, relationally and spiritually in the beauty of creation.
Thank You to Our Generous Partners
We appreciate your ongoing support and contribution
in changing lives, one child at a time.
Donate
Help Empower a Child to Dream Bigger
Contribute to memorable life experiences that have a lasting positive impact on the developing minds and hearts of the young people who attend our camps. Contribute to shaping a better society, for generations to come.
BANK DETAILS
Bank: FNB Account Name: Bridges
Current Account Number: 62864303278
Account Type: Platinum BusinessAccount
Branch Code: 250 655
Reference: Ed Prog Sponsorship
Enter an Amount to Give
Your donation can help send a
student to one of our life-changing camps.
Enter an amount to give and how often
Your donation can help send a
student to one of our life-changing camps.
Help Empower a Child to Dream Bigger
Contribute to memorable life experiences that have a lasting positive impact on the developing minds and hearts of the young people who attend our camps.
Contribute to shaping a better society,
for generations to come.
Enter an Amount to Give and How Often
Your Donation Can Help Send a
Student to One of Our Life-Changing Camps
Student to One of Our Life-Changing Camps
