Camp Genesis is a unique, American-style overnight camp for teenager’s ages 11-19 (grade 6-12+), offering 3-day school sessions and one to two week holiday sessions.

From leadership programs, environmental awareness, to outdoor adventure, we offer a variety of activities for campers to unleash their potential. We are not affiliated with any school, organization or religious group and welcome campers from all over the country. Our goal is to create a safe environment where campers can have fun, feel part of a bigger community, and grow in their hard and soft skills, which is why we create programs around our four pillars: values, ethics, integrity, and character.

Camp Genesis focuses on building life-skills for children, making new friends, trying new & exciting activities and having an experience they will never forget. We welcome campers regardless of gender, race, orientation, or religious background. We say “Welcome Home” the minute campers arrive because we want campers to know this is always a place they can come back to.

We operate from a location in the Cape Winelands District municipality in the Western Cape.

All our holiday camps are based at Buffalo Drift Ranch which is nestled on the Ruigtevlei Farm located 10 km outside the town of Gouda. The picturesque working farm is set on the banks of the Berg River only 1h45 minutes from Cape Town’s CBD.

Depending on the campsite, campers are housed in dormitory style accommodation with bunk beds or in army tents on bunk beds , corresponding to their age and gender. Dormitory spend time for campers are in the morning for clean-up and inspection, “down time” (rest hours), and before bed. The campsite is led by four Head Counsellors and each team with a maximum 20 kids is led by a Program Director. These experienced staff members’ main priority is camper well-being, and they work to promote safety, inclusion, and fun in between activities.

During the day, campers will do between three to four different activities from our different activity departments. We offer leadership training by renowned motivational speakers, education excursions and essential life skills. Each night we have a different evening program, such as Talent Shows, Karaoke, Night Hikes, Capture the Flag/Lantern, and so much more.

Our leadership development programs are the culmination of action based learning in which we focus on building key aspects of leadership such as Empathy, Communication, Motivation, Leadership and above all Team Work.

We provide an outcome-based program which enhances the importance of teamwork by building relationships through shared experiences on camp by accomplishing various tasks in a highly motivated environment.

We also encourage a sense of belonging by becoming a part of something bigger than the individual. Through our personal development approach, we will unlock the individual’s self-awareness helping them to fully understand their ability.

We hire program coordinators and counsellors, usually between the ages of 19-25. Many program coordinators and counselors are former campers, and most are in the education field. We complete interviews and background checks for the applicant’s before coming to camp. All staff complete intensive staff training prior to the beginning of camp. We are lucky to have a full-time team of directors, facilitators, and facilities to continue to create the best programming for all of our campers.

Camp Genesis strives to offer a variety of nutritious and wholesome meals. We can accommodate diets including, but not limited to vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free diets. One of the forms upon registering asks about dietary needs, and each day we share with our kitchen what accommodations need to be made. On opening day, our staff will seek out the campers and with dietary differences and discuss with them their plan for meals for that session. For updated information on our catering items available for Camp Genesis, please email: admin@campgenesis.co.za

We understand that being away from home for the first time can be difficult, so we try and make it as easy as possible for you and your camper. While we do not allow campers to have cell phones during daily activities and programs, however, we do allow them access to their cell phones in their down time for daily communication with parents. We think that being unplugged is a great way for our campers to really learn about themselves and their interests! We also create a WhatsApp group for parents with information daily about camp activities with plenty of pictures to allow you to see what fun they are having here at camp.

If any family needs to contact the camp or their child because of a personal emergency, we can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We recognize that, as loving and caring parents, you miss your children, but we have found that, often, telephone calls are counter-productive to the camp experience. One of the major benefits of camp attendance is for your child to gain independence. This can only happen when there is some separation between parent and child. Being in constant contact with your child will inhibit this. The leadership staff at Camp Genesis are always available should you have any questions about your child’s camp experience.

For the protection of campers and staff, all medications are required to be submitted to our medical staff during camper check-in. No medications in our dorms - with the exception of inhalers and Epipens. Medications are kept under lock and key in our Medical Bay and are only accessible by authorized personnel.

We stock many over-the-counter medications to relieve parents of the responsibility of having to bring common, non-prescription medications. However, if there is a very specific and/or unique over-the-counter medication your child is used to taking, please feel free to bring it. All prescriptions will be followed according to physician’s orders; any deviations from those orders must be approved by a physician. Medical staff maintains a medication log that campers are required to initial when taking medications. All medications are returned to you at the end of the camp session.

Transportation to and from Camp is provided. Parents/guardians are not permitted to drive their children to Camp.

Camp Genesis contracts charter buses to transport campers from Cape Town to Camp. Our service provider is Adams Luxliner, and all buses are fitted with bucket seats and seatbelts. These buses are equipped with restrooms, air conditioning, and luggage compartments. All drivers have been background checked and are certified to transport school-age children.

Locations for Bus Departure and return times will be sent via email to families who have completed all forms, documents, and have a zero balance 14 days prior to their enrolled Camp session.

At departure, families will check in with the Registration Coordinators. If the camper has medication, it will be turned in at the table to staff.

During the return, anyone picking up a camper must be listed as one of the camper’s emergency contacts and must be prepared to show ID. Failing to follow these procedures will result in significant wait time for the person picking up as well as the camper.

Transportation must be provided by the parents/guardians of campers to the bus departure location. Please ensure that campers are on time and arrive at least half an hour before departure time. Should your camper need addition travel arrangements, e.g. flights to and from Cape Town, airport collection and transfer, or any other transportation needs that may be required, special arrangements should be made in advance with our registration coordinators. We can under no circumstances assist in the transport of any camper if arrangements have not been made with us within due time.

It is our goal to partner with parents/guardians to work together to determine if Camp Genesis will be a positive experience for your camper prior to their registration. Safe participation requires certain physical, mental, emotional, and social health abilities, and our staff is not specialized in serving those with special needs including certain mental, emotional, social, or behavioral difficulties. These requirements are not intended to be exclusionary, but to provide a safe and positive environment for all campers and staff. As each camper’s ability to participate is unique, decisions to accept a participant are made on an individual basis. As such, if your camper meets any of the following, you must contact us prior to enrolling:

1. Have had any physical health concerns that could impact their time at camp (illnesses, broken bones, mobility issues, recent surgeries, etc.)
2. Have had any mental health concerns in the last year, including anxiety, depression, etc.
3. Has been diagnosed with any learning or behavioural disabilities (ODD, ADD, CD, etc.)

Please use the following criteria as a guide to assess your camper’s readiness for camp. A baseline for participation in our programming, without added accommodations, entails the following:

1. Have had any physical health concerns that could impact their time at camp (illnesses, broken bones, mobility issues, recent surgeries, etc.)
2. Have had any mental health concerns in the last year, including anxiety, depression, etc.
3. Has been diagnosed with any learning or behavioural disabilities (ODD, ADD, CD, etc.)

We want to make sure that we are right for your camper and family and that your camper can participate in our leadership programs and activities. If your camper currently takes any medication for mood or focus, please do not take them off it.

Camp Genesis is a big transition for everyone, and we do not want to change anything that could make it more difficult. We expect all campers to abide by our community agreement.

Any camper whose behaviour disrupts their fellow campers or program will be dismissed without refund.

The weather varies considerably at Camp with days being mild to hot (10-35 degrees) and mornings and evenings being chilly and/or cold. Be sure to provide your camper with warm layers. A packing list will be sent to you before your child’s camp experience begins.

Due to the Camp’s remote location and our need to maintain the safety of all campers, visitors are not allowed.

A tuck shop is available for general refreshments. Campers can pay via card or cash at the tuck shop.

Cost for each holiday camp is under the general information for parents page HERE.

If you are ready to register your child for camp, click HERE.

You can always call our office for help creating a profile. Camp costs vary depending on the camp/retreat you choose to attend, and if you join a Teen Leadership Camp (8 days), the Genesis Bootcamp (14 days of discipline, routine & structure) or the Film Bootcamp (10 days). You can learn more about our prices and variety of discounts by visiting our general info page,

We do not accept any cash or money orders. The only form of payment is via EFT upon receipt of an invoice or through our PayFast Payment Gateway. PayFast is South Africa’s trusted payment gateway for secure instant online payments from anywhere in the world. No Monthly Fees. Free Registration. Merchant & Buyer Support. More Payment Methods. Transparent Pricing.

Please feel free to email camperapplication@campgenesis.co.za for any questions as this email is checked very regularly. We will also offer drop-in Zoom meetings with the Manager of Camp Administration to get help completing the application, forms and documents.

"Register for Camp" links are under Holiday Programs and below are the dates:

• Film Boot Camp (ages 16 – 24): Thursday, December 11th 2025 to Sunday, December 21st 2025.
• Teen Leadership Camp (ages 13 – 18): Monday, March 30th 2026 to Tuesday, April 7th 2026.
• Genesis Bootcamp (ages 13 – 19): Monday, June 29th 2026 to Sunday, July 12th 2026.

The "hold-your-spot" fee of R300 is non-refundable for any reason. Refunds of any remaining funds paid will be allowed up to 14 days prior to the beginning of your camper's session. If a camper is not able to attend Camp due to illness or injury in the 14 days prior to the start of the session, families should contact Camp Genesis immediately. Every effort will be made to accommodate your camper in another session (when appropriate), and refunds will be given on a case-by-case basis.

No refunds are given if: families cancel with less than 14 days notice before a Camp begins, camper(s) does not show up for Camp, or if he/she is sent home from Camp for any reason.

For more questions, call our hotline at 064-231-2129 or email admin@campgenesis.co.za