First Time Camping: In Africa

Marsh — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:10:00 +0000

Who knows what day it is! I have lost track. We arrived in Monze in the Southern province of Zambia and because I have no sense of direction, we made a series of turns and arrived at the Moorings Campsite. In their places, and already set up were tents. Yes, I said it. Tents.

Rolanda with her gear

This city kid, who has only stayed in the finest of digs, has to now pick a TENT. It’s yellow and made by the North Face company. Some of the kids and teachers nicknamed it my condo.

So the first night rolls around and at this time of year in Zambia there is no evening dusk. At 7 PM it’s completely dark and your body feels like it is 1 AM. I get in my condo, situate things as best I can debating what can be in and what can be left out. When I say left out I do mean the suitcase standing guard at the rear door of my condo.

After peering up at the stars for about an hour—they really are brilliant. I settle in for the night, thinking to myself: I’ve never camped before, I’ve never been in Africa, and you guessed it, never camped in Africa.

I got a thrill! For four consecutive nights thrill after thrill after thrill. My highlight at the top of the list is my first time camping in Africa.

by Carlton Ashton, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School

LearnServe International » camping

First Time Camping: In Africa