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If the winter school holidays have you searching for something for the kids to do then Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has the answer! From Monday 27 June to Friday 15 July (on weekdays only) the Winter Wonders programme of creative and inspiring workshops and walks aims to engage young people from six years to 17 years old as well as their families.

With the garden dressed in its winter coat there are so many things to do and see that the holidays will pass by in a flash. Imagine using waste to create works of art and learning about biodiversity at the same time! That’s just one of the opportunities on the calendar when you join the Kirstenbosch Gold Fields Centre team in a fun morning making something useful out of items you usually throw away

Eco Art workshops with Sue Nepgen will have learners seeing for themselves what happens all around us and then they will create unusual 3D clay models of the landscapes they’ve explored.

Listening to stories is a magical way of introducing books to children so joining our story telling group opens up a world of lively characters. Listen to the true stories of our environment and some of the endearing creatures who inhabit it! Remember there are special discounts at the bookshop during the holidays.

The Botanical Society has arranged over nine different types of walks where you can explore unusual aspects of the garden with Mum and Dad or grandparents. Enjoying the crisp winter days in this magnificent setting with your family is a magical way of being outdoors. From all creatures great and small to adventure, birds in paradise to meeting the king – learning about our plant and animal heritage is simply a glorious way to spend the holidays in our beautiful Botanical Garden.

Abby brings you a variety of scrapbooking workshops suitable for ages eight years and up. Taking place in the Hall next to the Kirstenbosch Tea Room, plan to attend one of the six workshops over the holidays. You could be taking home a hand made wooden photo cube, a friends always scrapbooking page or a canvas scrapped masterpiece to hang on your wall. Fun, creative and inspiring that winter in the garden.

After a day enjoying all of these fun things why not settle down at the Kirstenbosch Tea Room for some deliciously warming winter food or make a stop at Caffé Botanica for a jumbo muffin and coffee or a light snack.

Whatever your plans there’s a Winter Wonder to suit you at Kirstenbosch.

Entry to the Garden is free for young participants (6 to 17 years)
• For more information call 021 799 8686 or www.sanbi.org

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Issued on behalf of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden by HIPPO Communications
For further information call Beryl Eichenberger 021 556 8200 / 082 490 6652
beryl@hippocommunications.com

Programme of activities
Please note booking is essential for the varied workshops.
• BIODIVERSITY AND WASTE ART WORKSHOPS at the GOLD FIELDS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE, Kirstenbosch
Ages: Grades 4 - 6
Dates, times and fees:
Tuesday 28th June, Wednesday 29th June, Tuesday 12th July, Wednesday 13th July
09h00 – 13h00.
Cost: R20.00.
Do you want to learn more about biodiversity and the impact waste is having on it? Do you want to make something useful out of household items which we usually throw into the bin? Learn more about biodiversity and the impact waste is having on it at these fun four hour workshops. You’ll be introduced to biodiversity, then enjoy a walk of approximately one hour in the Garden. When you return to the Environmental Education Centre a fun, hands-on workshop will show you how to make your very own desk holder out of common household waste.
What to wear and bring:
Wear clothes and shoes suitable for the weather and a walk on uneven paths in the garden. Please bring a drink and snack to enjoy mid-morning.
Please note that you will be asked to bring some household waste items with you for the art workshop. Details will be on the booking form.
Booking details:
Contact Michelle September at 021-799 8670 or m.september@sanbi.org.za for more details or a booking form. Pre-booking is essential.

• ECO-ART HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS at Gold Fields Environmental Education Centre, Kirstenbosch
Ages: Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 4 – 8
Dates, times and fees: Grades 1-3: Tuesday 5th or Wednesday 6th July, 9.30 am – 1 pm.
Cost: R90.
Grades 4 to 8: Thursday 7th July, 9.00 am - 1 pm.
Cost: R95.
There are a limited number of partial or full bursaries available.
Enjoyable and informative these eco-art workshops, presented by Sue Nepgen art and environmental educationalist, are themed around “A Joyful Look at People, Plants and Water”. We’ll talk about the theme and then take a guided walk next to the shallow waterways and other parts of the Garden. You will also get to see a video-microscope investigation of plants and aquatic life. The highlight of the day is when you will be able to create your own artistically painted 3-D clay model of landscapes with rivers, indigenous plants and other modelling materials. If you love painting then opportunities for watercolour painting also forms part of the session.
Experienced assistants will be at hand to ensure safety and individual attention.
Booking details:
Contact Michaela or Sue at 021-7946609 or snepgen@xsinet.co.za for more details.

• Storytelling at the Videorama at the Visitor’s Centre
DatesTuesday 28 June at 10h30, Thursday 7 July at 10h30, Tuesday 12 July at 10h00
Enter the magical world of fiction and hear our accomplished storytellers bring children’s books to life.

Tuesday 28 June 2011 at 10h30: Nicole in the Surf is my Turf
by Lulu and Tee
This is the true story about Nicole, the Great White Shark which was tracked swimming to Western Australia after being tagged in South African waters. A charming tale about the adventures and narrow escape of this misunderstood creature. Suitable for all ages.
Read by Astrinita Matthews from the Kirstenbosch Branch Botanical Society Bookshop

Thursday 7 July 2011 at 10h30: Peter, Pamela and Percy in the Big Spill
by Lulu and Tee
The true story of three penguins and their long journey home from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town after the ship ‘Treasure’ sank in June 2000 north of Cape Town causing an oil slick that harmed thousands of sea birds. A fun and educational story with a touch of magic! Suitable for all ages.
Read by Catherine Gribble, Branch Secretary of the Kirstenbosch Branch of the Botanical Society

Tuesday 12 July at 10h00: Eric in it’s a Piece of Cake
by Lulu and Tee
This is the true story of Eric the Baboon, the alpha male of the Slangkop troop on the Cape Peninsula. He is a living legend in Kommetjie where he has lived for 18 years. Suitable for all ages.
Read by Jill Gribble, Kirstenbosch Branch Botanical Society Volunteer
Booking essential: Alison on 021 799 8686

• Botanical Society guided walks: Leaving from the Information Desk at the Visitors Centre:
1. All creatures great and small: Explore the animals that make their homes at Kirstenbsoch in water, forest, fynbos and rockery. A wonderland for learners and adults with a curiosity for animal life. (50 to 60 minutes)
11h00: Thursdays 30 June, 7 July and 14 July
2. Adventure Hike for pre-schoolers and Mums and Dads
10h00: Monday 27 June, 4 July and 11 July
3. Magnificent Medicinal Plants for the Garden
11h00: Monday 4 July and 11 July
4. Birds in Paradise (suitable for all ages)
10h00 to 12h00: Wednesday 29 June, 6 July and 13 July
5. Meet the King: the story of the Protea, his family and where he came from!
10h00 to 12h00: Monday 27 June
6. Grandparents and Granchildren: share the fun of Kirstenbsoch
11h00 Tuesday 12 July
7. Aloes: Hot favourites for cool weather
11h00: Saturday 9 July , Wednesday 13 July, and Saturday 16 July
8. Forest walk
10h00: Friday 1 and 8 July
9. Survival tactics- the secret life of succulents
11h00: Saturday 2 July, Tuesday 5 July and Friday 15 July.

These walks are free for 6 to 17 years old – normal garden entrance fee ( R37) applies to adults.

• Scrapbooking and papercrafting
Classes for children are two hours and are suitable for ages 8 years and upwards. Parents are welcome to stick around and help out if they want to, but be warned the scrapping bug might just bite you!
1. Wooden Photo Cube
Ages: Grades 2 - 7
Dates and times: Thursday 30 June, Friday 8 July 10am – 12noon
Cost: R75
Create a fun photo cube from wood to display on your desk at home or to give to your favourite aunty! Display four of your favourite photographs, and decorate your cube.
All materials are included in the class, and although it is better to have your photographs, the class can be completed without them.

2. Friends Always - Single Scrapbooking Page
Ages: Grades 2 - 7
Dates and times: Friday 1 July, Thursday 14 July 10am – 12noon
Cost: R80
Bring: 2 x jumbo photographs to cut 10cm x 10cm
This is a fun single page, ideal for beginners and those who have had some experience scrapbooking before.
All materials are included in the class, as well as tools and adhesives.

3. Giggle - Scrapped Canvas Class
Ages: Grades 2 - 7
Dates and times: Thursday 7 July, Friday 15 July 10am – 12noon
Cost: R100
Class requirements: 1 x portrait jumbo
Create a masterpiece for your bedroom or to hang in the lounge at home. Show off a photograph or just you or you and some friends.
All materials you need for the class are included, including adhesives, paint and ink.

For further information on any of the classes or to book, please contact me on abbie@keevers.net or 082 5710336.

• The Kirstenbosch Tea Room Winter specials
Two new vegetarian dishes are on the Winter menu:
Vegan hamburgers – chickpeas, black beans and assorted fresh vegetables. Dairy, gluten and egg free. The 180g burger is served on a roll with onion sauce (corn crackers for gluten free), chips and a salad for only R55
Warming lentil moussaka with grilled eggplant and a creamy béchamel sauce. Served with a salad or chips for only R69
Telephone :021-7974883

• Caffe Botanica are offering a jumbo muffin and coffee for only R30
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