Philosophy and Methodologies

Educo Africa makes use of a variety of methods on its programmes, drawing from experiential education, adventure-based therapy, wilderness therapy and Vision Quest. Elements of these are creatively combined to have the greatest impact and meet the needs of our clients. Some components are:

Full Value Contracting

Full Value Contracting is the process of agreement made by each member of the group, to give shape and form to the time together. As a contract it holds everyone, whether instructor or participant, accountable to their word and action.

Vision Quest or Solo

Time spent alone in the wilderness forms a fundamental part of wilderness therapy methodology. Solo time invokes a greater sense of inner peace and insight, and offers a unique opportunity for people to reconnect with themselves and their environment.

Mirroring

Mirroring is a reflective listening technique. We use it to hold up a mirror to the story of a participant that acknowledges the positive, the gift, the good, the beauty, the grace, the power, and the promise of life. It empowers the participant to see themselves differently, also bringing their awareness to the challenges that they face.

Rites Of Passage

Rites of Passage involves the use of ceremony and ritual from a variety of traditions and cultures to mark and make meaning out of significant life experiences or thresholds of change.

Initiatives

At Educo Africa we believe in the power of playing. Our courses include games and activities ranging from fun 'de-inhibitors' to more challenging provokers of trust, communication and co-operation.

Adventure Challenge Activities

Through the utilisation of adventure challenging activities such as abseiling, rock-climbing and hiking, we invite participants to explore and discover new strengths and skills and then meaningfully apply these to personal life situations.

Experiential Learning

Educo Africa uses the model of experience, reflection and application of new understanding, for a direct transfer of learning into daily life situations to bring about significant change.

Community Service Projects

An avenue for participants to 'give back' some of what they have received, to the community and/or the environment.

Journaling

Through personal journals we allow participants to explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences by keeping a diary, which may lead into a discussion of a theme or personal sharing within the group, and serve as a memory-keeper and inspiration.

Circle of Courage

The Circle of Courage relates to the interactive components needed to develop a healthy individual. This methodology forms the basis of the transformation of the Child and Youth Care sector in South Africa.

Wilderness Based Education

Getting in touch with the natural world allows us to get in touch with our own true nature and brings us back to basics. It opens us up to receive and be received, to give and be given to. The wilderness tests our capacity to improvise and adapt and helps us to recognize our reflection through the mirroring of our internal landscapes and our environment. This in turn helps us to see the things we often deny or ignore, be that our beauty, strength, power, or our shadows.

Leave No Trace

Educo Africa practises a Leave No Trace philosophy. Leave No Trace involves treating the environment, wildlife and other visitors with care, respect and circumspection and endeavouring to leave as little negative environmental impact as possible. Take only pictures, and leave only footprints!