Seven-day Girls Journey

Here is a reflection, written by the young women who went on the recent 7-day Journey through Marlborough Sounds with our Christchurch instructors, Grace and April.

“We really enjoyed spending a week in the outdoors as a group and had an awesome time in a new environment (Marlborough Sounds).

“We have learnt so much about ourselves and in particular how we can manage ourselves and others most effectively in a positive manner. We have grown in confidence, whether that was mountain biking, kayaking or just being more comfortable in the outdoors, but also with our collaboration skills, communication, adaptability and resilience over the course of the week.

“P.S. Thanks Grace [instructor] for saving Lexi from losing her front wheel while mountain biking.”

Paul Ferguson, their Outdoor Education teacher at Hillmorton High School, Canterbury, added a few extra thoughts:

“Congratulations to Lexi Phillips, Bethan Edwards and Noelani Ritchie on their successful seven-day leadership journey to the Queen Charlotte Sound.

“These three girls (along with four other Canterbury secondary school students) made the most of this amazing opportunity to sea kayak and mountain bike the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound over the recent holidays. A massive thanks to Adventure Specialties Trust for providing this rich experience for Horomaka [Banks Peninsula] students.

“These opportunities are another example of the huge range of experiences available to Horomaka students. It reminds me of a smorgasbord with a wide variety of delicious food and dishes. Our students are so fortunate! It is so good to see students making the most of these opportunities!”

Thanks for sharing your reflections with us, Lexi. Bethan, Noelani and Paul.

Here are some more photos:

WANT TO COME ALONG NEXT TIME?

SOUTH ISLAND:

We have another girls programme coming up: IGNITE South Island. Six days of adventure in Queen Charlotte Sound during the July school holidays.

Check out our website for more info: https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/programmes/ignite-south-island/

NORTH ISLAND:

We also have a North Island IGNITE youth camp, also during the July school holidays, for young men and women.

Find out more:

https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/programmes/ignite-north-island/

GET IN TOUCH:

If you have any questions about either of these programmes, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’re happy to chat with you about any questions you might have.

Flick us an email (office@adventurespecialties.co.nz) and our lovely office lady, Kerryn, will pass you on to the relevant person.

Or call us (Auckland 09-837-6033 or Christchurch 03-348-4547).

Or just pop in any time for a cuppa!

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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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Here is a short 30-second video from our Girls Journey, biking through beautiful Canterbury region with Instructors Grace and April.

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QUOTES FROM 2009 JOURNEYS:

14 years ago, Adventure Specialties Trust was a bit smaller, but our programmes were still having massive impact. Read these quotes from some Journey participants from 2009:

“I took big deep breaths while the sun was beating down on me, slowly taking my energy. My legs would start to get sore, but words kept repeating in my head – Never Give Up.”

“Going on the 10-day Journey really challenged me. Now I am back [home], I have more confidence and open my heart out to people.”

“I saw a great and relevant quote on a wall. Success is a Journey, not a Destination. We have all made it to our destination, but more importantly, we have all been on a journey.”

What is a Journey?

A Journey is a programme where the group leaves from one place and travels to another place (rather than staying in one area). They might travel by foot, by bike or by kayak. Normally all three! And a Journey can last anywhere from four days to 21 days.

It can be tough (for the participants and the instructors!). Physically tough, mentally tough, emotionally tough. The group needs to work together to get ready each morning, to travel together as a team, to set up tents and cook food, and to break camp each morning so they can start the process all over again.

Participants are given the opportunity to take turns leading the group for a day or part of a day. The leader is responsible for lots of things, including being aware of the group’s needs and overall morale. But the rest of the group is also responsible for their part too. A leader is only as good as their followers, so the rest of the group has to rise to the challenge and support the leader by being the best team they can be.

We run Journeys for a variety of school and community groups, including the long-running Project K (run in partnership with Graeme Dingle Foundation) and our most recent journey, Wāhine Journey, created by instructor Laura to support young women in their journey towards confidence, connection and leadership potential. (this video is from Laura’s wāhine trip)

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