One of KidsCan’s projects is the KidsCan Youth Council. It is a year-long scholarship programme which supports young people towards success, leadership and community
engagement.

The Youth Council is made up of ten students (aged 16-18) from all around Aotearoa New Zealand, who have been under-privileged or come from resilient backgrounds or who have benefitted from KidsCan programmes themselves. They are young people who have a desire to help others and want the opportunity to have a leadership role in their communities.

KidsCan partnered with us to create a 3-day outdoor adventure programme which focused on supporting the Youth Council students in gaining confidence and leadership skills, plus developing individual goals for themselves.

Our instructors, Nat and Joel, took the group kayaking and hiking around Waitākere Ranges Regional Park.

They also led the group in some leadership activities which focused on understanding different values and different comfort levels within a group. For example, they were asked questions like “How comfortable do you feel in deep water?” or “How much do you value time alone by yourself?” or “How connected do you feel to your culture?”

Seeing everyone’s different answers helped the students to understand how we all have different values and experiences, which, in turn, helps develop self-awareness as well as empathy and understanding for others.

After the programme, the students gave us some feedback:

“The group activities have helped me be able to talk and communicate with people I don’t know.”

“I’ve learned to be ambitious [with my goals]. It could pay off.”

“Our hike was so hard. It felt good to complete it, though.”

Ray, the KidsCan co-ordinator, gave this feedback:

“Kayaking was a youth fav. There was a good balance of education, skill, ease, exploration and playfulness. The hike was incredible and a great challenge for the youth. [The instructors] both had a very relaxed nature which made it easy for youth to feel comfortable and safe around. Good safety and risk management. I look forward to working with Adventure Specialties Trust again!”

This article is taken from our December 2023 Christmas newsletter.

Click here to read the rest of the newsletter.

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The stunning views from Cape Brett / Rakaumangamanga on the Cape Brett Track in Northland. Our 10-day Journey with Kaipara College students finished at this incredible location, next to the Cape Brett lighthouse.

More info about the Cape Brett Track:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/cape-brett-and-whangamumu-area/things-to-do/cape-brett-track/

More info about the Cape Brett Lighthouse:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/cape-brett-lighthouse
https://tohuwhenua.nz/te-tai-tokerau-northland/r%C4%81kaumangamanga-cape-brett

Rakaumangamanga, which stretches back into Te Pēwhairangi (the Bay of Islands), is of particular spiritual and traditional importance to Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) Māori. The light reflecting off the crystalline rocks below helped guide the earliest ocean voyagers to a safe landfall in this new homeland.

The Cape Brett lighthouse is noted for its spectacular cliff top location. It operates using a giant clockwork mechanism and is the last complete example on site in New Zealand. Visitors from Paihia arrive by walking (8 hours), or water taxi (35 minutes), or both, and can experience the lighthouse lifestyle by overnighting in the keepers cottage now repurposed as a DOC hut. See Cape Brett Hut.

The Cape Brett lighthouse was first lit on 21 February 1910 under the watchful eyes of Robert McIver (Principal Keeper) and Frances Earnest Lee (Assistant Keeper). The light proceeded to act as a guide to vessels for the next 68 years until the tower was decommissioned in 1978. A replacement light still functions here today.

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Rangatahi Backyard Adventures!

A group of young women from Middle School West, trying out a variety of different outdoor activities in their local area, one day a week over eight weeks.

WHY?

The whole programme was funded by Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa, through Sport Waitākere, with the purpose of giving students (especially minority groups) the opportunity to try physical activities that they might not normally get to experience, and to encourage them to continue to be active afterwards.

Here is some feedback from the students:
“Everything was new and fun and I want to do everything again.”
“When I first tried surfing, I really enjoyed it and am definitely going to do it again another time.”
“Inspired me to give kayaking a go because I love being in the water.”

ACTIVITIES

Kayaking around Lake Pupuke, surfing at Orewa, coasteering at Tawharanui, treasure hunting in the Northhead Tunnels, indoor rock climbing (wet weather option), a day hike from Mt Donald McLean to Whaitpu with spectacular 360 degree views of the Manukau Harbour, Whatipu beach and the Waitākere Ranges.

Our activities were all based in Auckland, within driving distance from their homes in West Auckland, which will encourage the students to head back to these amazing places with their friends and whānau.

FEEDBACK FROM THE INSTRUCTORS

“Went in Shakespear Regional Park to walk the TiriTiri trail, then went back to the van for lunch and played some ultimate frisbee. Had the group reflect on gratitude and share about things that they were grateful for and worries that were occupying their minds at the moment and making them forget to be grateful. Group stayed together while walking, guessed riddles, and took some time to be mindful of their surroundings. Good mood, lots of laughter.”

– Instructors Louis and Reuben

MORE FEEDBACK FROM THE STUDENTS

“I found that I love being outside with nature.”
“I’ve learnt that other opinions are necessary […] and working together will always win.”
“When we did rock climbing, it helped me rely and work as a team when climbing the wall.”
“We went out a lot and had some awesome views. This made me appreciate my surroundings.”

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Our IGNITE Adventure Therapy Youth Camp last week was a rip-roaring success! Next one coming up on the Term 2 school hols (3rd-7th July) so sign up now!

What is the IGNITE camp? It’s five days, four nights of outdoor adventure activities (kayaking, zip line, high ropes, hiking) mixed with group therapy activities (facilitated discussions, group activities, one-on-one chats with our qualified mental health professional, etc.).

IGNITE is perfect for young people (15-18 years old) who might be struggling at the moment, maybe dealing with anxiety or depression, stress at home or school, etc.

__________

Below is one of the updates that we received during the camp last week from Emily, the qualified mental health professional on the programme.

“Our campers have really challenged themselves over the last couple of days. They have been paddling down the Puhoi river, where they had some great conversations with both the instructors and each other. Today we hit the high ropes course and each person had a go at Jacob’s ladder [a giant wooden ladder that you climb up in pairs], and the zip line.

“We headed off into the bush this evening and everyone set up their own tents and joined in on group conversations around the fire.

“Alongside the activities we have held space for conversations about self-worth, self-acceptance and strategies for coping with difficult feelings/emotional regulation.

“Connections have been made amongst the campers and they are enjoying (device-free!) spare time playing card games, chess and chatting with each other.

“We are looking forward to going coasteering tomorrow!”

_________________

If you’re interested in finding out more about IGNITE, then check out our website (www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/programmes/ignite-north-island) or contact Brenda the programme co-ordinator (email office@adventurespecialties.co.nz attention: Brenda or call 09-837-6033).

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Aorere College prefects, soaking up the stunning view at the trig point of Ōmanawanui Track, one of the walks in the Waitākere Ranges.

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Our instructors Peter, Joe and Oli took five students from Rutherford High School on a ten-day Journey.

Here is a short slideshow of their photos, including hiking, camping and bush skills, river crossings, mountain biking, team building activities, cooking together, as well as goal setting, group discussions and “chur bro” conversations.

A “chur bro” is an acknowledgement to another person in the group about something good that they have said or done, or something positive about that person. Most of the students mentioned afterwards how much they enjoyed the “chur bro” conversations!

The post Rutherford Journey photo slideshow appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

Thanks to Instructor Kyle for these amazing photos:

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FEATURED HIKE:

Montgomery Peak walk. A intermediate-level hike with stunning views of Akaroa Peninsula, 2-hour return.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

The hike starts with the Giant Tōtara Walk, a short 5 minute walk in Montgomery Scenic Reserve which will take you to a huge forked lowland tōtara that is over 2000 years old. The track continues past the tōtara and winds up steadily through forest and then north through open grasslands and regenerating bush. The track then turns and climbs steeply up a gap in the bluffs and over boulders. It reaches open tussock tops before eventually climbing onto Montgomery Peak, with stunning views down into Akaroa Peninsula and Akaroa Harbour.

MORE INFO:

Department of Conservation website

Giant Tōtara Walk: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/banks-peninsula-area/things-to-do/giant-totara-walk/

Montgomery Peak walk:

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/banks-peninsula-area/things-to-do/montgomery-peak-walk/

HAVE YOU DONE THIS WALK?

We would love to hear about your experience! Do you have any advice or recommendations to share?

WHICH WALK SHOULD WE FEATURE NEXT?

What is your favourite hike? Anywhere around New Zealand! Short or long, day trip or multi-day hike, let us know!

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BREAKAWAY APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW!

This is our eternally popular FREE school holiday programme for teenagers in West Auckland.

WHO:

There are different programmes for juniors (11-13 years old) and seniors (14-17 years old). Strict eligibility criteria apply so please check the Breakaway webpage.

Priority will be given to any teens who have NOT yet attended a Breakaway programme.

WHEN:

Second weekend of the school holidays: 18-22nd July 2022

WHERE:

Adventure Specialties Trust
Auckland office
1/4 Winston Ave
Henderson

WHAT:

Activities might be sea kayaking, sand boarding, mountain biking, abseiling, hiking, caving, coasteering, or rock climbing (depending on the weather and the instructor).

WANT TO APPLY?

Check out our website for more info and to apply: https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/programmes/breakaway/

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