IMBILA EDU-ADVENTURES
Imbila Edu-Adventures provides Educational Adventures and Self-Actualisation tours to school groups. These tours are held in Port Edward, KwaZulu Natal.

These tours consist of a number of activities. The Self-Actualisation concept of “Who am I, and what can I do to be my best” will be the central theme that will be applied in the academic, as well as the adventure part of the program, and it will form part of the development of the spiritual well-being of the learner. These tours consist of a number of activities.  The Self-Actualisation concept of “Who am I, and what can I do to be my best” will be the central theme that will be applied in the

academic, as well as the adventure part of the program, and it will form part of the development of the spiritual well-being of the learner.

The program has been designed, and the activities chosen to provide fun with a learning element. School subjects covered will include, but are not limited to,
~  Science
~  Chemistry
~  Maths
~  Biology, especially Marine Biology
~  Geography
~  History
~  Business Studies
~  Accountancy

The practical application of each subject in nature will be dealt with to ensure each learner has an understanding of the concept taught. The Self-Actualisation and Life Skills will be incorporated during the programme.

The Students will be very active during the tour as all of the above mentioned activities will be mixed with Edu-Adventures activities, that could include;
~  Game drives
~  Cultural experiences
~  Zulu dancing
~  Fireside storytelling
~  Kayaking
~  Scuba diving
~  Hiking, survival skills and abseiling
~  Paintball
~  Raft Building
~  Quad Biking
~  Horse Riding
~  Drumming
~  Painting, drawing and other creative outlets

The South African Government is encouraging our future leaders to use the education tools provided to them, and use it as an opportunity to empower themselves and contribute towards the success of our economy, in the global market.

Imbila has identified a need for taking a holistic approach on a long-term career choice, by means of subject choices and personality assessments that will benefit the student participating.

About Imbila Edu-Adventures
Imbila Edu-Adventures provides a practical alternative to normal classroom based education. Certain parts of the curriculum are so much better explained out in nature with the use of practical aids. It was with this vision that Imbila Edu-Adventures created its programmes. Adventure activities, such as Abseiling, Kayaking, Hiking, and Quad Biking are used. Have you ever done trigonometry in the bushveld, using a tree and anthill to determine your new orienteering route to take while driving your quad bike to a campsite? Or have you kayak in the mangroves during high tide and observed the craps sheltering in the trees?
These are the adventures that make Imbila Edu-Adventures unique.

During the camps presented, it became very evident that a big need exist for career guidance in today’s school students. Many uncertainties face these students, and comments like the following are made;
~  I have no idea what I want to do with my life.
~  I’m unclear about my own special talents, interests and preferences.
~  I’m not ready to make educational/career choices.
~  I’m unclear about what educational/occupational choices are available to me.
~  I’m uncomfortable about the study alternatives I am currently facing.
~  I’ve made an initial study choice but the reality does not appeal to me.

Programmes have been developed to address the need of scholars. Professional guidance are provided by registered Psychometrics to the learners to ensure recommendations made to each student are of the highest quality standards, and the students are able to apply it directly into their subject choices at school.

Member of Imbila
The following members form the core management of Imbila Edu-Adventure;

ABOUT IMBILA CAREER GUIDANCE AND
EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE CAMP
Life is full of choices, and they begin while you’re at school. Subject choices, grade choices, how to study, understanding subjects, understanding yourself…and that’s only the beginning. Should they study further, obtain a job after school, do a GAP year or start their own business? Making a career choice will be one of the most important decisions that school children will have to make in their lives.

Imbila Edu-Adventures has formulated away camp to assist students with their uncertainties and will focus in depth in the following areas;
~  Career Guidance (Interest and mathematical ability determination)
~  The Business Game (Entrepreneurship, leadership)
~  School Subject Assistance (Sand and Rocky Shore Studies, Economic Management
     Science, Science, Maths)
~  Self Empowerment and Life Skills training
~  Leadership Development

Adventure Activities in the form of abseiling, beach games, quad biking, volley ball, paintball, group dynamics, drumming, arts and cultural activities and raft building will be used as a means of accessing the children based on a number of personality characteristics for example analytical ability, communication skills, planning & organisational skills, task structuring, and others.

On completion of the camp, each student will receive a report detailing possible career choices, subjects needed, as well as the result of a personality assessment made during the activities presented.

Schools should decide what the camp must be all about. The Imbila Education Manager will ensure that the schools objectives are met with the activities presented.

The following activities can be presented at Imbila;

CAREER GUIDANCE
The following professional assessment will be done on each participant.

1.  INTEREST DETERMINATION, EXPLORATION AND
     ASSESSMENT SYSTEM® (IDEAS™)

The IDEAS assessment is a short, interest inventory designed to be used as an introduction to career exploration for students The IDEAS inventory can be used with early high school students in conjunction with career programmes. It can also be used with special education students and students at risk. The items cover school subjects, occupational titles, and activities. The inventory scales are designed to be measures of well-known and sharply defined areas of activity.

The 16 Basic Scales for the IDEAS inventory are organised according to the widely accepted RIASEC themes:

1.   Realistic:            Mechanical/Fixing, Protective Services, Nature/Outdoors.

2.   Investigative:    Mathematics, Science, Medical.

3.   Artistic:             Creative Arts, Writing.

4.   Social:               Community Service, Educating, Child Care.

5.   Enterprising:     Public Speaking, Business, Sales.

6.   Conventional:    Office Practices, Food Service.

The IDEAS inventory can be helpful in:
~  Assisting students develop an awareness of personal likes and dislikes that can have a
     bearing on career development and direction.
~  Introducing students to careers and the world of work.

2.  STUDY ORIENTATION QUESTIONNAIRE IN MATHS
(SOM)

	Research has shown that achievement in school mathematics is one of the best predictors of success in tertiary studies. Even so, very little attention has been given to pupils’ interest and study orientation in mathematics. It is a fairly common phenomenon that pupils with an apparently high intellectual ability or aptitude for mathematics sometimes underachieve in the subject, whilst
some pupils with an apparently lower general mental, intellectual ability or aptitude for mathematics achieve well in the subject. The question is: why do students avoid mathematics or underachieve in the subject?

The following fields are measured by the SOM:

AREAS OF APPLICATION
~  It is appropriate for use in an educational setting, in schools and for remedial purposes.
~  It is suited both as a diagnostic tool to identify potential problems as well as a product to
    provide a study guideline in mathematics.
~  It can be used to familiarise pupils with certain basic principles of effective study in
    mathematics, as well as the important role of study conditions, including motivation and
    background factors, in academic success.

FEEDBACK TO PARENTS

IDEAS

SUBJECT ORIENTATION IN MATHS

3.  THE BUSINESS GAME
There is a growing need in South Africa, as well as worldwide, to encourage the start up of businesses based on sound business principles. Certain aspects of business are not taught to aspiring entrepreneurs, and many students don’t have an idea of what it is like to manage a business. This pragmatic business simulation teaches the fundamental principles of starting, running, growing and conducting a real business, in a simple and fun way.

The Business Game is a practical and exciting programme that demonstrates within an experimental environment, how to run a real business. In a simple but powerful way, the Business Game demystifies financial jargon and equips learners with all the necessary tools and information to successfully participate in a business.

How does the Business Game work?

The Business Game simulates a real business and everything that could happen in a working business environment. Participants are made aware of what is required to start and run a business – from raising capital to employing and empowering staff, forming relationships with shareholders, banks, customers and suppliers and measuring the results of performance. Students learn about key financial concepts, how to formulate business plans and budgets, and about the

practical implementation of these business fundamentals. The success of each business team is measured by the return on capital achieved after operating the business over a pre-specified financial time period.

Outcomes of the Business Game

4.  PERSONALITY PROFILING

		During the course of the camp a number of practical activities will be presented to the students. This will be in the form of adventure and artistic activities. The activities will be used by the counsellors to do an individual personality assessment on each participant. This assessment will be presented in the form of a detailed report to the students and the sponsor.
~  Initiative ~  Human Capital ~  Planning Skills ~  Organisational Skills ~  Coordination Skills ~  Control ~  Determination ~  Analytical Ability ~  Judgement Capability ~  Flexibility ~  Assertiveness ~  Task Structuring ~  Consideration ~  Persuasion Skills ~  Presentation Capabilities ~  Leadership		Areas that will be tested include;

EXAMPLE OF FEEDBACK
The Psychometric tests results is a bit worrisome in that she showed a very average interest level in most of the career groups which she could choose from. Some of her interest levels were even below the norm for her age group. This could be indicative of poor career guidance she has had thus far in her life. The other test which she completed, indicated that that in general she does not have a very positive orientation to Mathematical subjects. The test reflected poor Study Attitude and habits as well as poor Problem Solving ability. These factors could be vital in any career which she chooses. It is therefore vital that an in-depth investigation should be done in order to eradicate these negative influences in her life.

During the group activities she came forth as being a good team player who was wiling to share her ideas with others. She also reflected a fair amount of analytical ability and she was also willing to listen to suggestions from the other kids.

I summary: she has the personality but other factors could be a stumbling block in her career choices

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
All the activities presented by Imbila comply with International Health and Safety Regulations regarding visits to an Adventure Camp. All counsellors and staff employed by Imbila are trained and regarded as experts in their fields, ensuring that every student attending an Imbila Camp only receive the best treatment.

OBJECTIVES OF CAMP

Broadly, the camp’s focus areas will include:
~  Provide students the opportunity to receive a Professional Career Guidance service
~  To enhance the students subjects knowledge with the presentation of key school subjects
    in a very practical manner
~  Share career success secrets with the students
~  To provide a safe and fun environment were the students can excel to their full potential
~  To groom our future leaders

The objectives of the camp will be achieved as follows:
~  The sharing of local and international experiences and lessons related to specific industries
     with students by guest speakers
~  To promote business opportunity development for the senior participants
~  To encourage the study of interest and career related subjects
~  To assist self development
~  To provide a forum for education, knowledge transfer and the development of new skills
     as well as professional development
~  To facilitate the behaviour of diverse cultures by sharing and learning from each other
~  To manage the Health and Safety of the participants according to strict safety guidelines
     during all activities presented, as well as with the transport and accommodation provided.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Food is one of the main ingredients in the recipe for a successful camp. Therefore, the Imbila chefs ensure that there is more than enough food available to each student. No student will ever go hungry on an Imbila camp. An example of the dishes prepared and presented to the students is featured below:

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