Places where we are jolted out of our mundane life and swept up in a wave of awe and wonder. Places where we can’t help but think beyond ourselves and explore the vastness of creation.

At Adventure Specialties, we get to experience ‘thin spaces’ on many of our outdoor adventure programmes: when we are standing at the top of a snow-covered mountain, gazing in awe at the view; or when we are kayaking in a still harbour and gazing in awe at the crystal clear water; or when we are crawling through a dark cave and gazing in awe at the delicate glow worms.

We believe this is the part of life that touches our spirit. That touches our connection to something that is bigger than us, to the Creator, to the intangible, to that which brings hope and life.

We believe that there is a spiritual component to life that brings health, wellbeing and hope.

During our programmes, we use the Māori health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā (the house of four sides). This model talks about the four “walls” of a person’s wellbeing: physical health, spiritual health, family health, mental health. Each wall is equally important. A person’s spiritual health is just as important as their physical and mental health.

But we embrace the reality that “spiritual health” looks different for everyone.

We are a Christian faith-based organisation and, although we do not have a structured “religious” component in most of our programmes, we do acknowledge spirituality and our connection to the Creator. We often say a prayer at the start of a trip, as a way of showing gratitude for the beautiful land that we live in. Sometimes, if it feels appropriate, our instructors may share their story of their faith. Or we may simply make space for people to connect with their own spirituality in their own way, being outside in nature, feeling a connection to the land, or a connection to that which is intangible.

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