The Centre for Morals and Values says the camp combines structured discipline with mentorship and practical skills development, targeting youth who need firm guidance as well as long-term support. This year’s gathering, the organisers add, is also notable for a rise in participation by stakeholders from outside the Free State province, pointing to what the organisation believes is a deepening national demand for community-based intervention programmes.
Sompane said the camp is increasingly drawing families from across South Africa, with parents seeking help for children struggling with drugs, behavioural problems and disengagement from education.
“We are grateful to be expanding our footprint to numerous provinces,” he said, “including the Northern Cape,North,West, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and the host, the Free State. Parents are facing challenges with their children abusing drugs, and we are trying to help them.” .
Programme leaders view the expansion as evidence that early intervention—particularly when supported through cooperation across provincial lines—can play a key role in disrupting cycles of addiction, gang involvement and anti-social behaviour.
Beyond the current camp model, Sompane outlined plans he says could shift the project from periodic interventions to continuous, institution-based support. Central to that vision is access to a dedicated facility where skills development can run alongside behavioural programmes.
Somoane hopes that in the future “we will have our own facilities where we can also provide skills programs for our children to empower them by organising critical skills workshops and programmes aimed at eradicating poverty.
This year’s school holiday camp focuses on participants aged 10 to 30. The organisers describe the target group as children and young adults regarded as “stubborn, dealing with addiction, or struggling academically—while still showing willingness to improve their circumstances and build new habits.
Sompane was upbeat about this year’s camp. “Last year our camp had 58 while there were 108 in 2024. Among them, 70% were drug addicts, while others were members of gangs. I’m proud to report that 42 of these children went back to school at the beginning of 2026 and 34 are in matric classes this year.
“I am eagerly awaiting the results of the 32 campers who are doing their matric, and I hope they will pass.”
Free State Disciplinary Camp encourages parents to enroll their children to the organisation and calls on the parents to be part of their children’s daily lives.
