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The Vredefort Dome is a scientific
and environmental marvel that offers outstanding
opportunities for learning and building team spirit. If you
are a teacher or parent, consider this for your group.
Education is combined with fun and activities so there is
never a dull moment. We devise a programme specially for
you, combining whatever elements of physical science, nature
science, geography, history, local lore and literature, or
art, that interests you. Plus, we always include hiking /
paddling / swimming to to burn up all that excess energy.
There are several ways in which your
school or college department can introduce young people to
the heart and soul of South Africa in the Dome. The half-day
to 2-day hiking and canoeing
Options
below show how we normally structure the days. Read on
 and decide how you would like to tailormake
your visit to suit the interests and age level of the group. Note that the options shown here are not the only ones. You
may wish to book a
whitewater rafting trip for teenagers or young adults;
ride cycles around
historic Parys or do a
mountain biking trail (bring your own bikes); or choose
to do a
birdwatching trail.
Just ask.
YOUR HOSTS
Graeme Addison is a former university professor, and wife
Karen is a former primary school teacher who specialised
with deaf pupils. They - and other specialists who can be
recruited for your visit - will ensure that you leave here
with a thorough understanding of the area. And we usually
prepare take-away notes for projects. A special new feature
of our young visitor activities are the
storytelling hours and fireside chats. These bring to
life the personalities and events that made history in the
Dome. For more information about any offering
Just ask.
LOGISTICS AND SPECIFICS
You can come at any time of the year, winter or summer.
There  is always plenty to do and see. We have toilet facilities and areas for
you to serve refreshments. The outlines are for weekday
visits at discount
rates, unless you ask for a special weekend quotation. All
accommodation is self-catering. We do not provide transport:
normally groups arrive and travel around the Dome in own
bus. All activities are undertaken at own risk and your
organisation must undertake to supervise and care for the
children, teenagers or young adults under your control.
COSTS
VAT is added to quoted prices. Every trip is quoted on the basis
of what you want and how much we must provide. We devise the
most reasonable and cost-effective quote and it's always
negotiable.
Ask for a quote.
OPTION 1: HALF-DAY
Leeukop Walk 'n Talk
Limit: 60 learners and 3-5 supervisors
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Morning 9am-12.30pm. After a
lively introduction to
 the Dome's people and history, we
look at the geological map which shows why this is one
of the world's most remarkable heritage sites. Then we
walk across highveld grassland to the prominent koppie
of Leeukop. Spectacular patterns of melt-rock are frozen
in the rock faces just as they were 2 billion years ago
at the moment the crater was formed. We view the Dome
Bergland and Vaal River far below, and learn about the
many battles that have taken place in the area.
-
Your transport can collect
you for departure direct from Leeukop. On a hot summer's
day you can swim in the tranquil and clear lake at
Leeukop.
OPTION 2: FULL-DAY
Leeukop and Boplaas
Limit: 60 learners and 3-5 supervisors
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Morning 9am-12.30pm. Same as
above but we shorten the visit in order to drive on into
the Dome Bergland.
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Lunchtime: Braai or have a
picnic at Boplaas, overlooking the Dome Bergland. Here a
huge farm swimming tank is a great success. On a colder
day we spread out in the sun.
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Afternoon 2.00pm-4pm. After
lunch, hike to the Boer War fort atop the ridge (1km)
and walk around via a lovely shady kloof back to Boplaas.
Drive down the road pass to Venterskroon to visit the
Museum and see the video about the Dome. On the way,
stop to admire the scenery and see shattercones in a
cliff face - evidence of the Dome blast. Depart from
Venterskroon after a day well spent.
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After a lively introduction
to the Dome's people and history, we look at the
geological map which shows why this is one of the
world's most remarkable heritage sites. Then we walk
across highveld grassland to the prominent koppie of
Leeukop. Spectacular patterns of melt-rock are frozen in
the rock faces just as they were 2 billion years ago at
the moment the crater was formed. We view the Dome
Bergland and Vaal River far below, and learn about the
many battles that have taken place in the area. Your
transport can collect you for departure direct from
Leeukop. On a hot summer's day you can swim in the
tranquil and clear lake at Leeukop.
OPTION 3:
OVERNIGHTER
Dome by day and night
Limited to 14 learners and 2 or 3
supervisors
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Stay over at the Full Moon
Bush Camp. Arrive on the first afternoon after lunch,
depart on the second day before lunch.
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DAY ONE: (2.30pm-5.30pm): Do
the Leeukop Walk n Talk hike (Option 1 above).
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EVENING. Do your own supper
around the campfire or in the Bush Camp lapa. After
supperm,
 gather
round for fireside tales about the Dome and its heroes,
villains and forgotten events, told by writer Graeme
Addison who has researched the area over many years. As
a former stage actor and playwright, Graeme makes the
stories come alive. Read up on the
story-telling here.
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DAY TWO (9am-11am): Paddle
the Malachite Canoe trail among the Vaal islands. This
is a 2-3 hour paddle using sit-on-top canoes on mainly
flat water with just a few riffles. It takes us into and
around the many enchanting channels that mark the
crustal fragments of the Vredefort Dome. There are no
other islands like this on Earth - read more about them
here. The islands
are overhung with trees and are havens for birds,
otters, porcupines and monkeys.
OPTION 4: TWO DAYS
South Africa's Dome
heartland
Limited to 14 learners and 2 or 3
supervisors
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Stay over at the Full Moon
Bush Camp. Arrive on the first morning and depart on the
second afternoon.
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DAY ONE: Leeukop and Boplaas
(Option 2 above)
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EVENING. Do your own supper
around the campfire or in the Bush Camp
lapa. That evening, enjoy a drumming session using true
African drums, and hear fascinating story of the drums,
the people and the continent. This is an extraodinary
experience that leaves a deep impression on everyone,
reminding us of our African heritage and the wonderful
talents of our people. After the drumming, plan your
group story-telling enactments for the next afternoon.
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DAY TWO (morning): Rising
fresh and early to greet the sun, we walk on the islands
of the Vaal and learn about the fascinating ecology of
these unique islands, which are a product of the
Vredefort Dome. After breakfast, we Paddle the Malachite
Canoe trail (see above). Stopping off on the islands,
it's time for the groups to their final plans for the
afternoon's dramatic story telling. Incorporate as much
of the wildlife and ecology of the area into your
stories as you can!
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In the afternoon, we break
up for two hours in the garden to take part in
story-telling - with groups enacting some of the stories
they have devised since the night before. The winning
stories are retold at tea-time before we say our
farewells and you depart for home.
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