A day of fun and discovering

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — There was plenty of excitement on Friday 8 June among the eight teams that took part in this year's Eco-Amazing Race hosted by Union High School in Graaff-Reinet.

Once again, SANParks and the Desert Springs Spur also joined in and hosted stations consisting of varied and interesting eco-activities.

At the start, the thirty-two participants raced, arms linked, to the first station where they randomly chose a timer which had been pre-set at different time intervals.

As their timer beeped, they raced back to the Union to complete a sports quiz.

This first activity somewhat staggered the groups as they made their way to the SANParks offices on the N9 to Middelburg. There, at the Granaat Lapa, their general knowledge about the local park and birds was tested.

The clue for the third station led the groups back to one of the music rooms at their school. Here the group's rhythm, rhyme and creative design were put to the test.

Each team was instructed to design an eco-related poem and perform it, as a band, consisting of one vocalist, one body percussion member and two members playing a homemade and/or conventional instrument.

There was a special team prize for the best performance, which was awarded to team number 7. Well done to Bronlynn Gamiet, Amanda Brink, Joshua Basson and Bavu Hermans who each won a R50 voucher each from XTT.

Following this creative cultural activity, the groups took part in three physical activities, receiving an envelope of puzzle pieces as they completed each activity.

Movements with mats, benches and tyres made for interesting and varied physical exercises. With the contents of their three envelopes, the teams then had to complete two puzzles, without guide pictures. This challenging activity provided the necessary staggering of the teams before they set off for the final leg of the race.

At the Desert Springs Spur in Church Street the teams began by completing a Green Ops Report, and then they partook in a recycling activity. Finally, they had to find the "Indian dude by the river" and WhatsApp a group selfie to Caryn Cherrington, the franchise owner.

Excellent participation was the focus this year with a number of staff members and parents taking part in the race, either as station managers or team managers and team skills were tested when learners of different ages and genders had to work together.

Principal William Pringle was at Spur to congratulate the winning teams: In first place was team number 1 (Bronwen Langmead, Megan Nortje, Ryan Jenneke and Drew Dobinson) who each received a voucher of R250 from Pick n Pay. Team number 7 (Bronlynn Gamiet, Amanda Brink, Joshua Basson and Bavu Hermans) not only walked off with the "Best Performance" prize, but also second prize - Spur vouchers of R200 for each team member.

Congratulations also to the third team in, team number 4 (Louise Potgieter, Jenna-Lee Jansen, Zara Deysel-Douman and Cameron Muir) who each received a voucher of R100 from Our Yard.

Union extends their grateful thanks to all its partners and generous sponsors, adults and learners who made this year's Eco Amazing Race a fun day to remember.

In the Camdeboo National Park the contestants' general knowledge about the local park and birds was tested.