Give your school holidays a reboot – and get away, keep busy, have fun!
Each outdoor programme has a different focus depending on student age and level of challenge required and will involve physical activity each day so a moderate fitness level will help you make the most of the nature-based programme. But you don’t need to be into sport or the outdoors, the main thing you need is a willingness to “have a go”.
Our holiday programme runs during the New Zealand school holidays. Sessions start around 08:30 am and finish around 16:00. That is one hour either side of the suns smallest daylight hours (winter) while keeping times consistent and roughly a full-working day so that you can pick up and drop off while having done a days work.
There is no minimum attendance required and children are welcome to attend as many of these days as they wish.
Each session follows a similar pattern, providing a consistent structure that children become familiar with. We tend to develop themes and activities based on the interests of the children so every day brings new opportunities to discover something new and amazing. If your child has a particular fascination, please let us know when you book and we can try to include a science session on this!
Our programs are designed as an antidote to the fast-paced technology-filled world many children now inhabit. Our children’s lives are so filled with structure, our programs aim to give them a break from instruction and allow them to play as they like, for as long as they like, within a framework of respect for those around them and the environment.
The foundation of our programmes is free-play in a natural setting through human-powered movement with as little assistance as possible from equipment and technology. Extension opportunities will be available but only if the children genuinely want to participate.
We provide basic equipment suitable for exploring the outdoors: ropes, tarpaulins, bungees, compass, magnifying glasses, knives (to be used with supervision), and some art equipment. Any personal devices (phones, iPods, etc) must be left at home.
Playing in the outdoors inevitably means getting dirty, and often getting a few scrapes and bruises too. If you or your child are not happy with this concept then this is not the programme for you.
The program will go ahead in all weather. Rain brings exciting opportunities for play and exploration and of course shelter building! Good quality wet weather gear is very important. We wholeheartedly believe the famous quote “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. Waterproof gear (jacket and pants) is compulsory for rainy days. We offer waterproof pants for sale in our online shop. In case of a severe weather warning, we always have an indoor venue booked and ready to move the group in.