WELLBEING CAMPS
TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLANDWELLBEING CAMPS
Join Us on the Adventure of a Lifetime
Do you want to build the confidence to try new things? Do you want to feel more comfortable with other people in a group setting? Want to learn better ways to cope with stress and anxiety? Are you wanting to feel better about yourself and more hopeful about your future?
Our Auckland Wellbeing Camp might be for you!
Join a group of 6-8 other young people (aged 15-18 years old) plus 2 facilitators as we head off for six days and five nights of adventure in the stunning native bush and regional parks of Greater Auckland. We will try some beginner-friendly outdoor adventure activities (like bush walking, sea kayaking and mountain biking) as well as some time doing facilitated group discussions, one-on-one sessions, space for personal reflection, throughout a week of having fun, laughter and some good deep chats about life.
“I just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you so much for organising the girls journey that [my daughter] joined you for in the holidays. Her school holiday time was spent discovering the world outside of a teenager’s darkened bedroom. It was exactly what she (and her parents) needed.
We can see the benefit of the experiences and challenges of the trip in her, now she is back and, despite being apprehensive about going without knowing anyone else, she tells us she thoroughly enjoyed the week.”
UPCOMING JOURNEYS
APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
- Girls Camp (for young women aged 15-17)
- Monday 13th – Friday 17th April 2026
JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
- Group: TBC
- Dates: TBC
OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
- Group: TBC
- Dates: TBC
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
A Focus on Wellbeing
At Adventure Specialties Trust, all of our programmes focus on hauora/wellbeing.
We define wellbeing as a holistic state where we can thrive physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and in relation to the land and the natural environment. It's about having the energy to engage full in life, with the mindset to navigate challenges and celebrate successes. We have strong connections with others, a clear sense of identity and purpose, and a deep relationship with nature.
Wellbeing is the foundation for living a meaningful and balanced life.
Wellbeing Framework
When we are designing our programmes, we use a wellbeing framework based on Te Whare Tapa Whā (the house with four walls).
Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori model of holistic health developed by Sir Mason Durie, a renowned psychiatrist, professor of Māori Studies and advocate of Māori hauora/wellbeing.
Each of the four walls of Te Whare Tapa Whā (described below) is an important part of hauora/wellbeing. At Adventure Specialties Trust, we weave these wellbeing 'walls' into our programmes in a variety of ways.
TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ
TAHA TINANA / Physical Wellbeing
Our Taha Tinana allows us to feel healthy, energetic, motivated, and physically capable of pursuing activities that bring joy, connection, and satisfaction to our days.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Outdoor activities challenge and strengthen our bodies, promoting fitness, resilience and confidence. Physical movement, especially outdoors in nature, supports overall health, wellbeing and energy levels.
TAHA WHĀNAU / Social Wellbeing
Taha Whānau is about feeling a sense of belonging, connection and confidence in our relationships with others. It includes a belief that people can be kind, trustworthy and safe, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Adventure builds teamwork, trust and belonging. Shared challenges strengthen relationships and provide a supportive space for growth, healing and connection.
TAHA HINENGARO / Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Our Taha Hinengaro allows us to feel balanced, hopeful, and positive about the future, with the capacity to navigate life’s challenges and celebrate its joys while nurturing a sense of self-compassion and self-worth.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Time in nature reduces stress and enhances mental clarity, emotional resilience and self-awareness. Adventure activities encourage participants to challenge themselves which helps them develop courage and self-confidence.
TAHA WAIRUA / Spiritual Wellbeing
Taha Wairua is about feeling a strong sense of self, identity, and connection to our faith, beliefs, culture, values, and purpose. It provides a foundation of meaning and direction.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Being outdoors in nature fosters a sense of wonder, connection and purpose. Outdoor experiences deepen spiritual awareness, whether through faith, nature or personal reflection.
TE WHENUA / The Land
Te Whenua is the foundation of Te Whare Tapa Whā. Connection to Te Whenua is about a sense of belonging in te taiao, the natural world, and drawing on that connection to support our wellbeing. It includes experiencing awe and wonder in natural spaces, fostering a sense of responsibility to protect and care for the Earth.
Programme Outcomes
How do we know if we have had a positive impact on our participants?
At the end of our programmes, we ask participants to fill in an 'Outcomes Evaluation' form, so that we can measure the impact of our programme on their hauora/wellbeing. At the end of each year, we analyse the results to see where participants have experienced personal growth, and where we can improve our services to support them better.
Read our annual Impact reports to see the stats and read about the positive impact that our programmes have on the participants.
INTERESTED?
1. Download Brochure
Download the PDF brochure of our Wellbeing Camp (April 2026 in Auckland).
2. Questions?
If you’re interested in joining us and you’ve read the brochure, but you still have questions, please contact Jo, our National Operations Assistant.
3. Enrol Now
Come join us (and a bunch of other amazing young women) on the adventure of a lifetime!
ENROL NOW
Any issues with this form? Please contact our website person (office@adventurespecialties.co.nz att: Bex)
“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
—Fydor Dostoyevsky