ST KENTS DUKE OF ED

Based in and around the beautiful Mahurangi Harbour, north of Auckland, you and your group will spend 3 days/2 nights refreshing your campcraft skill from the Bronze Awards, as well as learning about sea kayaks and the associated equipment. You will be able to practise the skills required to plan and run your own expedition for a Qualifying Journey. There will be a strong focus on creating a Goal and a Purpose for your trip.

 

DAY ONE: TRAINING

We will spend a full day training within the Mahurangi Harbour. This will include both theory and practical components about:

• Sea kayaking theory and technique,
• The equipment required,
• Packing for a self-supported trip,
• What you do and don’t need to take,
• Menu design,
• Campcraft,
• Leave No Trace, and
• Basic weather awareness for route selection.

You will also be guided through the decision-making process for creating a Purpose and a team Goal to meet the requirements of a Silver-level adventurous journey.

In the evening, you will be part of the planning process for the Practice Journey over the next two days.

 

DAYS TWO AND THREE: PRACTICE JOURNEY

Let’s go on an adventure! You get to put your planning into action as we head off in our kayaks to explore the area. Our route will depend on the weather and conditions, but will be around the Mahurangi Harbour and surrounding islands.

 

COST

$475 per person

This includes:

• Kayaks and equipment (life jackets, etc.)
• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

DATES

• Trip 1 (6-8th March 2026)
• Trip 2 (20-22nd March 2026)

Please note that these are the same dates that we are running the trail riding option, and that St Kents is running the school’s tramping option)

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 8 students per kayaking trip.

 

One you have completed your Training and Practice Adventurous Journey, work towards the next step of your Silver Award with our sea kayaking Silver Qualifying Journey:

 

DAY 1, 2, 3: QUALIFYING JOURNEY

Show us what you’ve got? Bust out all the skills from your Training and Practice days. Be completely involved in the planning and execution of this journey, and work with your group towards your Goal.

 

LOCATION

The location will be decided by you! In the weeks leading up to the trip, your group will be invited to submit a Trip Plan (with a Plan B option). We will coach you through this to ensure it’s safe, and also relevant to your team’s Goal.

The most likely suggestions will be Mahurangi Harbour and the islands of the inner Hauraki Gulf.

 

DATES

25-27 September 2026

(Please note this is the same dates that St Kents is running the Silver tramping option)

 

COST

$475 per person

This includes:

• Kayaks and equipment (life jackets, etc.)
• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 8 students for each kayaking trip.

 

DATES

Silver combined Training and Practice Journeys:

• Trip 1 (6-8 March 2026)
• Trip 2 (20-22 March 2026)

 

Silver Qualifying Journey

• 25-27 September 2026

 

COST

$475 per person

This includes:

• Kayaks and equipment (life jackets, etc.)
• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 8 students for each kayaking trip.

 

Cycle part of the iconic Hauraki Rail Trail, one of New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides.

Spend 3 days/2 nights refreshing your campcraft skills from the Bronze Awards, as well as learning about your bike (and how to care for it, so it will get you from A to B). You and your group will go over the skill required to plan and run your own expedition for your Silver Qualifying Adventurous Journey. There will be a strong focus on creating a Goal and a Purpose for your trip.

 

DAY ONE: TRAINING

Travel to Miranda with your group to begin a day of riding, adjusting your bike, managing your pace and planning rest stops. You will be guided through the decision-making process for creating a Purpose and team Goal that meets the requirements of a Silver-level trip.

 

DAY TWO AND THREE: PRACTICE JOURNEY

Complete the Thames-to-Waihi section of the Hauraki Rail Trail while enjoying a chunk of New Zealand’s gold mining history along the way.

 

DATES

• Trip 1 (6-8 March 2026)
• Trip 2 (20-22 March 2026)

Please note that these are the same dates as our sea kayaking option and the St Kents school tramping option.

 

COST

$475 per person.

This includes:

• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Bikes and overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

The trail riding groups have a maximum of 10 students.

(Please note: there needs to be a minimum of 8 students confirmed for the trip to go ahead)

 

The Qualifying Journey is where you and your group get to make it all happen! All the planning and skills from the Practice Journey get put to use here. Come up with a plan and make it happen. Choose what your challenge is. Maybe set yourself the goal of completing the full Hauraki Rail Trail over the 3 days? Maybe complete the sections that you didn’t do in the Practice Journey? 

Create a really good Purpose and team Goal. Use your bikes as a way of achieving those Goals, as you travel from A to B.

Remember, you need to complete seven hours of purposeful effort to fulfil the Silver Award requirements. But those seven hours don’t have to all be spent cycling. What other activities could you include in your Journey?

 

DAY 1, 2, 3: QUALIFYING JOURNEY

Show us what you’ve got! Bust out all the skills from your Training and Practice Journey. Get fully involved with your group’s planning and execution of this trip. Work together to achieve your team’s Goal. Let’s go!

 

DATES

• 25-27 September 2026

Please note that these are the same dates as our sea kayaking option and the St Kents school tramping option.

 

COST

$495 per person.

This includes:

• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Bikes and overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

The trail riding groups have a maximum of 10 students.

(Please note: there needs to be a minimum of 8 students confirmed for the trip to go ahead)

 

DATES

Combined Training and Practice Journeys:

• Trip 1 (6-8 March 2026)
• Trip 2 (20-22 March 2026)

 

Silver Qualifying Journey

• 25-27 September 2026

 

COST

$475 or $495 per person per trip.

This includes:

• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Bikes and overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 10 students for each trail riding trip.

 

PLANNING AND TRAINING DAY

Meet at Mission Bay and spend the day going over the training and preparation for your Practice and Qualifying Journey. This will include time in a kayak, practising paddle strokes and rescue skills.

There will be a strong focus on creating a Goal and a Purpose for your Journey.

 

COST

$150 per person

This includes:

• Kayaks and equipment (life jackets, etc.)
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

 

DATES

• 14th March 2026

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 8 students per kayaking trip.

 

One you have completed your Planing and Training day, it’s time to work towards the next step of your Silver Award with our sea kayaking combined Practice and Qualifying Journey.

 

PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING JOURNEY

Time to head out on an adventure! This is your chance to put your planning and skills into practice. Work with your group (supervised by our instructors) to plan and execute your Journeys to achieve your Goal and your team’s Purpose.

The location will be dictated by the weather forecast and ocean conditions, but most likely be either Mahurangi Harbour, Hauraki Gulf or the Bay of Islands.

Our instructors will guide you for the first day and night as you practise your skills. Then they will step back and observe, as you take over the planning and execution of the remaining four days.

 

DATES

7-11th April 2026

 

COST

$1200 per person

This includes:

• Kayaks and equipment (life jackets, etc.)
• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 8 students for each kayaking trip.

 

DATES

Gold Planning and Training day:

• 14th March 2026

 

Gold combined Practice and Qualifying Journey

• 7-11th April 2026

 

COST

Planning and Training day: $150 per person

Practice and Qualifying Journey: $1200 per person

This includes:

• Kayaks and equipment (life jackets, etc.)
• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite fees,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 8 students for each kayaking trip.

 

PLANNING AND TRAINING DAY

Meet at Cornwall Park and spend the day going over the training and preparation for your Practice and Qualifying Journey. This will include studying maps, refreshing your campcraft knowledge, learning about gear and discussing the food required for a 5-day journey.

There will be a strong focus on creating a Goal and a Purpose for your Journey.

 

COST

$150 per person

This includes:

• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

 

DATES

• 14th March 2026

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 10 students per tramping trip.

 

One you have completed your Planing and Training day, it’s time to work towards the next step of your Silver Award with our tramping combined Practice and Qualifying Journey.

 

PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING JOURNEY

Time to head out on an adventure! This is your chance to put your planning and skills into practice. Work with your group (supervised by our instructors) to plan and execute your Journeys to achieve your Goal and your team’s Purpose.

The location will confirmed by your group on your planning day. We will be suggesting routes in the Central North Island or the Kaimanawa Ranges.

Our instructors will guide you for the first day and night as you practise your skills. Then they will step back and observe, as you take over the planning and execution of the remaining four days.

 

DATES

7-11th April 2026

 

COST

$1125 per person

This includes:

• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite/hut fees,
• Maps,
• Spare wet weather clothing,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 10 students for each tramping trip.

 

DATES

Gold Planning and Training day:

• 14th March 2026

 

Gold combined Practice and Qualifying Journey

• 7-11th April 2026

 

COST

Planning and Training day: $150 per person

Practice and Qualifying Journey: $1125 per person

This includes:

• Transport from St Kents College,
• Campsite/hut fees,
• Maps
• Spare wet weather clothing,
• Instruction/supervision by Adventure Specialties Trust staff who are qualified outdoor instructors, trained in first aid (find out more about Our Team),
• Our thorough safety management systems (find out more about our Safety and Compliance).

Overnight camping gear is available for hire.

 

GROUP SIZE

There is a maximum of 10 students for each tramping trip.