The Recci

So, Dave “Bush knife” Smith and I took a merry drive of just under 1 hr ½ inland to mid Illovo to check out our new campsite before we all head there together next weekend. You know, just to avoid any awkward surprises that would leave me without explanation and ready to run from the angry mob, that would be COGS YOUTH. Such surprises could possibly have included a unisex long drop, cold outdoor showers and maybe even (the horror) no cell phone signal. But you’d be pleased to know, there were no such surprises, don’t worry girls you don’t have to share your long drop with the boys, they’ve got their own squeaky clean toilets with first world plumbing. Just kidding. There are plenty 1st world bathrooms for all.

So we arrived and climbed out the car to meet Gail, the lady in charge (she’s cool so treat her like gold), and Chucky, her potentially intimidating dog. The two of them took us on an extensive tour of the camp.
The camps name has recently changed from Living Waters to Camp Manoah, possibly because it sounds like manure and on the way there you’ll drive through some pretty gut wrenching fertiliser fragrances. But once you’re there it’s this really serene, rustic, isolated place that kind of sends the message “oh no, here comes another group of noisy teens to be completely insensitive to their surroundings”.

The place is BIG with lots of open space, there’s way more space than we could possibly need which means we’ve have accommodation options, but don’t worry I took the initiative to choose where the boys and girls would be sleeping. I’d hate to put that kind of pressure on you.
We all know that for girls it’s comfort first, so girls you’re going to be in the nice, new 6 sleeper chalets
( I regret however, no ensuite bathrooms).
For the boys, it’s common knowledge that BIG JOLS always come first, so all the boys are going to be split between two big dorms which is going to make for some pretty out of hand shananigans, but as long as no one gets kicked in the head we can all laugh about it.

So what do they have?
They’ve got a dam where you can pretend to catch delicious bass, a really big swimming pool so bring your cozzies to cool off after we shibobo on their 2010 – FIFA World Cup – hosting - nation - rural settlement - style - soccer - field. They have a tennis court which would only be good for one thing, and that involves boys, no shirts, a plastic ball, a good arm and welts on backs. But that’s not all, apparently they have two pet goats and Gail said that if you can find them you can paint them. Jokes, she didn’t, that was me.

Anyway, so loads on offer at Camp Manoah, we’re gonna have SUCH a jol!


Just a few things to remember:
*Bring your own bedding (sleeping bag & pillow)
*Bring R30 for your driver for petrol
*The weather there was quite hot and midday but I think the nights could get pretty chillos

And now … a work of art:
COGS YOUTH CAMP
IT’S NOT GONNA BE CRAMPED
SO GET AMPED
DON’T LET YOUR SPIRIT BE DAMP
GET READY FOR A REVAMP
DON’T PACK A LAMP
BUT MAYBE SOME SHAMP – OO
(It rhymes better if you sing it)


Reverend Rhyme Master
Paul Edy