Founded some two decades ago by Wilderness, after hosting the late Paul Newman and learning about his inspirational Association of Hole in the Wall camps, CITW is the driving force behind our life-changing focus on community.

Eco-Clubs and Eco-Mentors
Children in the Wilderness’ weekly Eco-Clubs in regional partner schools increase children’s awareness, bridge cultural divides, broaden horizons, build confidence, provide opportunities for new friendships and positive life choices, and reveal career opportunities. In turn, the children’s Eco-Mentors are leaders, connecting them to their jobs, instilling pride for their culture and their community, and offering an enriching experience, exposing new skills and talents.

Eco-Club Camps
Annual CITW Eco-Club camps are held in Wilderness or associated partner camps, which close for the duration of these three-day events. They are interactive and fun, and also obviously highly informative. Run by volunteer Eco-Mentors primarily drawn from camp staff and members of the local community, these annual camps expose the children to different leadership skills while simultaneously increase the respect of community for camp staff.
An important aspect of the camps is the campers’ pledge to the environment. Everybody stands together to affirm their commitment to the protection of nature and biodiversity. Campers are also gifted a treasured Mother Bear Project hand-knit or crocheted bear, donated by knitters from the United States and elsewhere.

Youth Environmental Stewardship Programme (YES)
CITW’s YES Programme focuses on children with commitment and potential who have been identified on annual CITW camps and in Eco-Clubs as showing a particular interest in conservation and/or leadership potential. The YES curriculum is an extension of concepts introduced in Eco-Clubs and on annual CITW camps, with a greater focus on career guidance, leadership, team building, communication and further environmental education.

Eco-Club Successes
Conservation Science Camp for Girls in Botswana
In an effort to encourage and empower school girls in rural areas to develop an interest in environmental and conservation science, in late April 2021, CITW Botswana facilitated a five-day Conservation Science Camp for 30 girls from Ngambao Community Junior Secondary School in Seronga, in Botswana’s North-West District.
“CITW is focused on environmental education, life skills and leadership development for children in Botswana and Africa. By understanding the importance of conservation and its relevance to the lives of the next generation of decision-makers, we can inspire them to care for their natural heritage and to become the custodians of these areas in the future”, noted Moalosi Lebekwe, CITW Botswana Programme Co-ordinator. With the success of this camp, Moalosi and his team are already planning the next one.

Judith’s Reading Room Award – Ziga Primary School, Zimbabwe
After COVID-related delays, CITW Zambezi has finally been able to induct Ziga Primary School’s library as the 100th Judith’s Reading Room library. Due to school closures in Zimbabwe from March 2020 – March 2021, this much-anticipated unveiling had to wait until the team was able to visit schools again.
