CONGRATS to our instructors (Isaac, Nat, Oli and Anna S) who have just passed the 3-day NZOIA Bush 1 qualification last week!

Contrary to the name, “Bush 1” is not an easy or entry-level qualification. It is very a challenging assessment that includes off-track hiking, navigation, bird and tree identification, fire lighting, shelter building and a day of instructing and working with a group of participants.

The 4 instructors spent weeks studying for the practical and theoretical tests (plus some have also spent years beforehand, gaining personal experience during their own bush-crashing adventures)

Isaac said afterwards, “The most challenging part was the huge amount of study and prep that we had to do leading up to the assessment. But the most satisfying part was having all that hard work pay off. It was very nice doing this assessment with a group of friends; we were all on the same page, all doing lots of study and prep leading up to this.”

Find out more about NZOIA qualifications on the NZOIA website.

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The Christchurch team went on a “work” kayaking trip. Do you think they can call it work when they look that happy?!?? The actual purpose of the trip was so that our new instructor Rebecca could get deployed for white water #kayaking (she needed some ‘participants’ to manage). She aced it and is ready to head out on our upcoming kayak programmes. Welcome to the team, Rebecca!

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Kyle has been an Auckland-based instructor for the last 3-and-a-half years, and is leaving to work at another wonderful youth organisation, Youth Town.

Tim, our CEO, says, “Thanks, Kyle, for being a great team member. I’ve enjoyed seeing you develop your skills and you bringing your expertise to the staff tea. I also enjoyed our chats about windsurfing and kiteboarding. You will be well missed and of course are welcomed back. Who else can I share storm stories with?”

Jeff, the Auckland programme manager, says this about Kyle:
“Kyle was passionate about learning anything that increased his technical skill set but at the same time could take a non-technical activity and turn it into really memorable fun. One time he took a couple of tyre tubes and dressed them up tubes in a set of caving overalls, so a fairly standard ABL [activity-based learning] activity turned into a challenge to transport the inflatable man as part of the process. Kyle liked to follow policies and procedures and was always interested in making sure the paperwork matched the practice, making things better for staff and clients alike.”

Some comments from Adventure Specialties Trust staff:

“Good luck in the big wide world, Kyle. I already miss your wisdom!” – Oli

“Definitely going to miss you, Kyle!” – Bex

“Who’s going to solve the brain teaser metal things during work morning meeting now???? We’ll have to call you in when we get stuck! All the best Kyle, I’ll miss having you around. Don’t be a stranger!” – Anita

“I’ll miss lots of things about having you around, Kyle. You’re a good one.” – Jeff

“We miss you Kyle, so keep popping in to say hi. All the best.” – Brenda

One more comment from a long-time Adspecs client:

“Bumping into Kyle in random parts of the Kaimanawas was always a welcome event. We have benefitted from his experience over a few years with our school and he is awesome with our students … Best wishes Kyle!” – Al Ronberg

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JOB VACANCY:

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR

We’re looking for a full-time instructor for our Auckland office! If you refer a friend for the job and they get the job, then you both receive a $300 gift voucher to the outdoor supplier of your choice!

Here are the job details …

COME ON AN ADVENTURE WITH US!
Due to increased demand for our outdoor adventure programmes, we currently have a full-time field instructor job vacancy in our Auckland office. Auckland instructors lead groups on adventures across Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Central North Island.

All our instructor positions involve travelling to different parts of our beautiful country, organising and leading groups on adventures that teach practical outdoor skills and encourage deeper connection to nature and to each other.

WE MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES
We work with a range of clients, from upcoming student leaders to youth offenders, to people with disabilities, to adults that struggling with mental health problems, to people keen to feel closer to nature.
“I saw that people have strengths and weaknesses in different areas. This programme helped increase my patience and understanding.”
“I love getting out in nature. It makes me feel calm.”
“This programme has helped me come out of my comfort zone.”
“I never realised that I could be a leader.”

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES
• Diploma or Degree in outdoor education, recreation, adventure, instructing or equivalent studies
• NZOIA qualifications in any discipline
• Experience working with groups
• Current first aid certificate
• Current full drivers’ licence and P endorsement (or the ability to gain one)

Don’t fill all those criteria? We understand that you might not have all the skills and qualities listed above, so please don’t hesitate to chat with us if you are interested in this job vacancy. It is always possible to increase your current skillset! The most important thing is your love of outdoor adventure and your desire to make a positive change in people’s lives.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
If you would like to read the full job descriptions, check out the Vacancies page on our website: www.AdventureSpecialties.co.nz/vacancies

Find out more about the Refer a Friend promotion

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Mostly because they are just so freaking happy all the time!

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Watch this 11-second video to see who our most Graceful (with a capital G) instructor is!

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JOB VACANCY: Auckland outdoor instructor

We are looking for an outdoor instructor for our Auckland office! But don’t be fooled by the not-very-outdoorsy-sounding location! Our Auckland instructors go gallivanting all over the place … the stunning beaches of Northland, the rugged bush of the Kaimai Ranges in Coromandel, the plains of the Central North Island. Plus, the hidden beauty inside Auckland: the coastal beauty of the Waitākere Ranges as well as the numerous bays and coves and inlets of the Manukau Harbour for our kayaking, surfing, coasteering missions.

Who is Adventure Specialties?

We are a charity founded in a garage in 1984 that has now grown to be a national organisation with over 20 permanent staff. We combine outdoor adventure with a deeper purpose – a look at the parts of life that are truly important

What do we do?

Our two different ‘categories’ of outdoor adventure programmes are “Adventure With Purpose” and “Adventure Therapy”

>>> Adventure With Purpose aims at building self-awareness, social awareness, cultural awareness, environmental awareness, and a desire to be physically active.

>>> Adventure Therapy aims at increasing a person’s self-worth, building tools for hauora (health and wellness), creating a feeling of community and belonging (whanaungatanga), building a sense of hope for a future with purpose, and increasing taha wairua (spiritual wellness)

Which outdoor pursuits do we do?

Take your pick from our broad range of pursuits: alpine, abseiling, bush, caving, canyoning, coasteering, mountain biking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, surfing, and white water kayaking/rafting. Get experience in lots of these, and pursue the ones that you want to get qualified in, through the national NZOIA qualification scheme.

Interested?

Think you might be interested? Pop into the Auckland office for a coffee and a chat! (The boss just bought a shiny new coffee machine, so someone will make you a real cuppa).

Or read more info about Job Vacancies on our webpage: Vacancies

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Five Fun Facts about Grace, one of our Christchurch-based instructors

1.

“I am from Taranaki , the best place on earth
Literally the definition of ‘earth, sea, sky’

2.

I am engaged to be married this November – to a very lucky man.

3.

I followed my dreams and got my paragliding license in 2021

4.

I love to oil paint portraits

5.

My great dream is to go on an expedition to Antarctica ”

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JOB VACANCY

Auckland outdoor instructor x2! Sadly, two instructors are leaving us to go on an exciting overseas adventure together. So we are looking for two more instructors to join our team.

Who are we?

Adventure Specialties Trust is a non-profit organisation based in Auckland and Christchurch.

We run two types of outdoor adventure programmes:
ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE and ADVENTURE THERAPY
Find out more about those programmes here (https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/adventure-with-purpose/) and here (https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/adventure-therapy/)

Check out this short 50-second video about our programmes:

Full job description

Full job description here (https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/vacancies/)
Or get in touch (09) 8376033 or office@adventurespecialties.co.nz

POP IN FOR A CUPPA!

If you’re in West Auckland, pop in and have a cup of coffee and a chat, we would love to meet you! You can meet the team, even tag along on a programme to get a feeling for who we are and what we do!

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