Lion Kids Camp
Most Kenyan children despite living in close proximity to world famous National Parks and Reserves have never had the chance to observe wildlife at close range. Instead, they are exposed to negative interactions between wildlife, livestock and people, which shape their perceptions of wildlife.
Recognising that children are the new custodians of Kenya’s wildlife, and underscoring that attitudes formed at an early age tend to last a lifetime, Ewaso Lions launched its Lion Kids Camp (LKC) programme in 2013. The programme empowers a new generation of wildlife ambassadors by engaging young people in environmental education ultimately fostering long-term conservation values. We target young livestock herders whose daily activities impact wildlife and yet they have limited exposure to conservation. Similarly, we target school going children hence inspiring the next generation of conservationists, park wardens, safari guides, and wildlife biologists.
The LKC Experience
Each five-day camp follows a carefully designed curriculum that teaches children about the value and importance of lions, large carnivores and other wildlife species, the threats to their survival and techniques communities can adopt to promote peaceful coexistence. Since inception we have run 27 camps bringing a total of 786 children from 7 conservancies and four counties (as of March 2023). Of these 13 have been students’ camps while 14 were camps for herding children.
Watch this clip to learn more about the LKC experience:
How LKCs help
As attitudes formed at an early age tend to last a lifetime, engaging young people in environmental education is critical to fostering long-term conservation values and cultivating a new generation of wildlife ambassadors. We focus on two key demographics:
- Livestock herders: In pastoralist communities, young children are often charged with tending livestock whilst out grazing. Each day their actions impact wildlife. Yet, they have limited, if any, exposure to conservation. By engaging herders through our LKCs, we hope to have an immediate, positive impact on wildlife. The early indications are compelling; 99% of herders agreeing or strongly agreeing that their knowledge of conservation had increased as a result of a Camp they had attended and 76% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing that their attitudes towards wildlife had not changed as a result of the Camp.
- Students: By engaging students in our LKCs, we hope to inspire the next generation of conservationists, park wardens, safari guides, and wildlife biologists. Following a Reunion Camp held in August 2015, and attended by 122 children, 66% of attendees hoped to pursue a wildlife-related career, with a further 5% stating their desire to support conservation whilst in pursuit of an alternate career.
Children who attend our camps are encouraged to act as ‘message multipliers’ within their communities, spreading the conservation message to their families, friends and neighbors back home
“When I returned to my home [from the Lion Kids Camp] the first thing I told my parents was to make the environment clean. I taught them how to conserve and protect our wildlife – not to poach or kill. I told them that our wildlife is in our hands” – Junior Lekirmui
More stories from our LKCs
- Read the story of Junior the Lion Kid
- Read about Lion Kids Camp
- Read about our LKC Programme Plan Lion Kids Camp Strategy
For more information or to sponsor a LKC
Please contact info@ewasolions.org