The Allan Gray Scholars Programme was started in 2007, with the first Allan Gray Scholars starting high school in 2008. For the first time in 2010, the Scholars Programme developed and ran its own Selection Camp as part of its Selection Process. While mirroring the Allan Gray Fellows Programme in terms of its name, the camp had to take on a significantly different focus given our younger future beneficiaries. 

After months of intensive development, two scholars’ camps were held, one in Cape Town at the Villa Via Hotel in Gordons Bay and one in Gauteng at the Ngwenya Lodge. The decision to include a selection camp was borne out of a need to ensure that learners are viewed in a more holistic manner and to see how they presented both individually and in group situations. 

The camps were two days in length and 99 candidates were invited to participate in this leg of the Scholars Selection Process.  During the camps learners were put through their paces in activities ranging from individual written assignments to interactive group activities which highlighted the ability to deal with group dynamics. The Scholars Programme has at its core the following four pillars namely Wisdom and Knowledge, Courage, Vision and Leadership. In addition to the four pillars, individuals were also assessed on the following key attributes: adaptability, independence and resilience.

While the camp is quite rigorous, we do add huge doses of fun which means learners get to interact with each other and the Foundation within a fun environment. We are happy to note that from the 99 learners who attended the selection camp, 49 scholarship offers were made to individuals to start Grade 8 at one of our preferred high schools in 2011.

We wish our Allan Gray Scholarship candidates well for their final year at primary school and look forward to welcoming them onboard for high school in 2011.