Schools & Students

Using the great outdoors as our classroom and playground, we offer a range of fun and safe outdoor education experiences that positively challenge and inspire youth to seek more and learn more.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award Adventurous Journeys in New Zealand

SUPKids

Stand up Paddle Boarding for Kids to discover skills, oceanography and environmentalism

Outdoor Education School Camps

Year 7-13 school camps focusing on EOTC, outdoor education and integrating school curriulum nature-based experiences

International Education NZ

Study abroad for an international education experience through youth leadership and global engagement

English Immersion Programme

Study abroad for an international education experience through youth leadership and global engagement

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)

Learning beyond walls: educational adventures await

Curriculum Field Trips

NZ Curriculum promotes hands-on Field Trips for practical, real-world learning experiences

Outdoor Education for Schools

Using Mother Nature as our teacher aide, we run various outdoor education programmes during term time for primary schools across Auckland.

The last thing a teacher needs to give students is more information; known as the ‘crowded curriculum’. They already have so much data and access to it. Instead, Social Nature Movement helps students with the ability to make sense of information, differentiating between what is important and what is not while most importantly combinng various information to make sense of ones world.

Through place-based education and by bringing awareness to the interconnectedness of communities, culture and nature, we encourage the children to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. And facilitate an environment that celebrates personal growth and lifelong learning.

Our outdoor education programmes for primary schools in Auckland aim to provide a unique learning experience for kids. By utilising the natural environment as a teacher aide, we aim to help students make sense of the information they are given, and understand the interconnectedness of communities, culture, and nature. Our programmes involve walking to and from the destination using human-powered movement, and we also offer the ability to integrate specific subjects or themes into our outdoor educational experiences. Outdoor education for kids is an essential component to promoting personal growth and lifelong learning.

We believe in using human-powered movement to get to places, so our outdoor learning programmes usually involve walking from school to our destination and back. And if your teaching team want to integrate specific subjects or themes into our outdoor educational experiences, we have the resources and knowledge to make this happen.

Read why there is so much to teach and learn city kids in urban nature, click here for the University of  Auckland article.

 

Outdoor Education in New Zealand

Outdoor education provides students with opportunities to develop personal and social skills, to become active, safe, and skilled in the outdoors, and to protect and care for the environment.

Outdoor education includes adventure activities and outdoor pursuits. Adventure activities foster students’ personal and social development through experiences involving co-operation, trust, problem solving, decision making, goal setting, communication, leadership, responsibility, and reflection.

Through outdoor pursuits, students develop particular skills and attitudes in a range of outdoor settings.

In outdoor education programmes, the four dimensions of hauora are enhanced through safe, challenging, and enjoyable learning experiences in the outdoor environment.

Through the socio-ecological perspective, students will investigate the importance of the outdoor environment and outdoor activities to the well-being of all New Zealanders. They will critically examine social, cultural, scientific, technological, and economic influences on outdoor activities, on the environment, and on how the environment is used.

The enhancement of hauora through outdoor education requires school-wide policies and procedures to ensure that appropriate activities, safe practices, and the most suitable community resources are selected, used, and evaluated.

 

In developing outdoor education programmes, SNM collaborates with schools by:

  • making use of the school grounds and the immediate local environment
  • making the most of opportunities for direct experiences that can be completed in a school day
  • providing relevant, challenging learning programmes that offer opportunities for reflective thinking skills
  • ensuring that appropriate resources and skilled personnel are available
    follow safe practices and comply with legislative requirements.

Students require a range of structured, sequenced, and developmentally appropriate learning opportunities in outdoor education. These include:

  • adventure activities and outdoor pursuits that focus on:physical skill development, fun, and enjoyment
    the development of personal and interpersonal skills.
  • learning about the traditions, values, and heritages of their own and other cultural groups, including those of the tangata whenua
  • opportunities to learn about the environmental impact of outdoor recreation activities and to plan strategies for caring for the environment
  • planning strategies to evaluate and manage personal and group safety, challenge, and risk
  • finding out how to access outdoor recreation opportunities within the community.

Adventure and environment are key dimensions of SNM’s educational philosophy, with special programmes to help students challenge themselves and engage with the world around them.

Schools we work with have the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the outdoors and the natural environment, develop greater outdoor skills, grow their self-awareness and gain confidence.

 

During outdoor education programmes, students will take part in a broad spectrum of outdoor activities which may include:

  • Tramping
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award,
  • Swimming,
  • Kayaking,
  • Bush Craft and Bush Survival,
  • Camping,
  • Orienteering,
  • Navigation,
  • Ropes Courses,
  • Abseiling,
  • Climbing Wall,
  • Initiative Exercises,
  • Solo Experience,
  • Problem-Solving,
  • Trust Exercises,
  • Sea Kayaking,
  • Sailing,
  • Snorkelling,
  • Rock-Climbing,
  • Confidence Course Activities,
  • Canoeing,
  • Tubing,
  • Caving,
  • Snow Skills
  • River Walking,
  • AND MUCH MORE.

N.B. All of these activities are weather dependent and some are also seasonally dependent, so there may be a great degree of variation in activities undertaken by various classes.

 

Guide and Instructor Training

SNM works with...

New Zealand Outdoor Education Processes

An instructor will work with a group of students, taking them through a series of adventurous and challenging outdoor activities that will include a strong ‘journey’ element. Underlying this journey will be some course-specific learning objectives, which will revolve around giving students a better understanding of themselves, other people and the wider natural environment.

 

Adventure and the outdoors through education

Instructors will aim to challenge all students to go further than they believe possible; beyond perceived physical, mental and emotional limits. This will enhance their belief in their own capabilities, developing capacities of mind, body and spirit to better understand responsibilities to oneself, others and the community.

We will be aiming for a sense of satisfaction through achievement. Overall, the experience of the course should be outside the students’ normal experiences, and be enjoyable, as this supports learning retention.

 

Outdoor environments and teaching

Part of the Adventure Challenge is to introduce students to the natural environment to encourage them to reflect on their place in the wider world.

 

Learning outdoors

The course will be set in context for students with specific learning objectives, linking these with adventure and the environment through a learning model. Outdoor Education lends itself to the Plan-Do-Review model of learning. Therefore, Instructors will give time for students to reflect through guided questions, constructive feedback and facilitation.

 

Leadership Training in the outdoors

At SNM, our highly respected unique Adventure Based Leadership (ABL) training has obtained outstanding results in terms of personal and social development, increase in personal confidence and ability to lead and work with others. This programme has an extremely positive reputation in the community and turns out youth leaders of the future. The school and the community provide many opportunities for trained students to contribute their skills.

Leadership training offers a unique opportunity for students to extend and take control of their own learning and development. The acquisition of physical outdoor skills and exposure to risk management is important because many New Zealand students and their families challenge themselves in the outdoor adventure environment at some time in their lives. The course is also an important introductory training ground for many students who have an interest in the growing adventure tourism industry in New Zealand and overseas.

 

Our Outdoor Education opportunities give students:

  • a positive attitude to challenge and adventure
  • enjoyment and appreciation of outdoor activities and the benefits of – physical fitness
  • awareness of the natural environment and an understanding of the importance of conservation and sustainable development
  • growth in confidence and self-esteem by pushing past self-imposed limitations, taking on challenges and achieving success
  • an ability to work in teams and to recognise the importance of their role and the contribution of others
  • increased initiative, self-reliance, personal responsibility, perseverance and tenacity, resilience and commitment
  • Personal Achievement
  • Personal and group responsibility
  • Self-confidence
  • Leadership
  • Skills
  • Safety
  • Planning
  • Communication
  • Appreciation of the potential and value of the environment

Check out our booking tab, click the book now button or make a trip enquiry.

Get help booking. Have questions? Click our FAQ’s, call a specialist (0800 76 62 66) or message one (support@snm.nz)

Schools and Students Credentials

NZAEE

SNM are NZAEE members.

The New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) aims to represent a vibrant and  connected sector to ensure that environmental education for sustainability is part of every New  Zealander’s experience in order to build relationships between people and their environment.

Education Outdoors New Zealand

SNM are EONZ members.

EONZ is a national professional organisation leading, supporting & influencing education outside the classroom (EOTC) and education outdoors in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Child matters

SNM are trained in Child Protection.

Effecting change to prevent abuse and neglect. Child Matters works with all sectors including professionals, community organisations, families and whānau, to deliver training, provide advice regarding policy and procedures, and recommend resources regarding child protection issues.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

SNM are DoE Accredited Award Providers (AAP).

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, that has since expanded to 144 nations.

Adventure Mark

SNM are externally audited in Adventurous Activities.

AdventureMark™ is New Zealand’s largest adventure certification body. They work with over 200 operators here in New Zealand and in several countries worldwide providing our health and safety audit and adventure certification services across the globe.

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