In March every year, a beautiful tradition unfolds at Oakhill, the entire school excitedly sends off the Grade 10 students with banners and good cheer, on a very special journey called The Odyssey. With everything they need in their backpacks, they head off on foot with a map, directions and the Oakhill flag in hand. Their route is a circular one – starting and finishing at Oakhill.
It will lead them through the magnificent natural environment of the Garden Route and Langkloof, through forests, over mountains, across semi-desert and along lakes, rivers and the breath-taking Southern Cape coastline.
This year there will be four groups of Oakhill Grade 10s embracing their ‘journey of a lifetime’ which will encompass at least 385km adventure over the next 21 days. Based on the maps provided, the route covered is anticipated to be at least 141km of hiking, 216km of cycling and a further 28km paddling with the students arriving back at school 21 days later to hoist the Oakhill flag.
What happens between taking down the flag on Day 1 and hoisting it again on Day 21 is a rite of passage that sets Oakhill and its students apart from ordinary schooling.
The Oakhill Odyssey, originally developed in 2011 is fully supported by professional adventure specialists, and has been refined as the gold standard for similar experiences around the country with students encountering a truly life-changing adventure. Since 2016, the Odyssey has also been made available to students from other independent schools in Gauteng joining what has informally become known as the “Jo’burg Odyssey”. Another two independent groups of Jhb Odyssey students will be setting off in 40 days time, during their April school holidays.
We wish all four Oakhill groups well as they will set-off on their ‘journey of a lifetime’ this week – may your experience encompass much more than the distance of the journey.
For more information on the Oakhill Odyssey – Click Here
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