Year 13 Outdoor Education: Adventure, Learning and Kaitiakitanga

This year has seen the development of a new Outdoor Education course, with the camp providing an important opportunity to bring the learning to life.

Students have been involved in planning and shaping their own adventure, making decisions about activities, considering risk, working as a team and taking increasing responsibility for the success of the trip.

We set off for Wānaka on Monday and jumped straight into an Amazing Adventure Race around the area. Students took on a range of team-based challenges, face-offs and Amazing Race-style activities that required communication, problem-solving, leadership and plenty of willingness to step outside their comfort zones. There were plenty of laughs along the way, but also some great examples of students stepping up, supporting each other and working together when things didn't go to plan. We finished the day with a team summit of Mount Iron before enjoying dinner in Wānaka and heading to Lake Hāwea to set up camp for the night.

Tuesday was the big mission.

With a 3:30am start, students got themselves organised, packed their smart layers and prepared for a sunrise mission up Mount Roy. We headed off in the darkness, with surprisingly mild conditions at the start. As we gained elevation, however, the environment began to change, with snow and ice appearing on the track and temperatures dropping significantly.

This was a fantastic real-life learning opportunity. Students were able to see firsthand how quickly conditions can change in an alpine environment and why preparation, appropriate clothing, communication and decision-making are so important in outdoor recreation.

We reached the first viewpoint with plenty of time before sunrise, so we were able to continue towards the summit. The higher we climbed, the more snow and ice we encountered, and by the summit it was properly snowy and freezing! After taking in the views, we made our way back down to the viewpoint and were rewarded with one of the most incredible sunrises across the surrounding mountains and Lake Wānaka.

After descending the mountain, we discovered that it was, in fact, a snow day back in Dunedin! After refuelling, we headed home for a well-earned little nap before finishing the day with a Year 13 MasterChef challenge.

Our final morning saw us head to the Blue Pools, where students explored another stunning environment. From rock-skimming to exploring the river and surrounding landscape, it was a great way to finish the trip and appreciate the incredible natural environments we are lucky enough to have access to.

Throughout the camp, the learning extended well beyond the activities themselves. Students were challenged to put into practice the principles of Leave No Trace, develop their understanding of kaitiakitanga, manage risk in changing environments, communicate effectively and take responsibility for themselves and others.

The camp also provided an authentic context for students to understand that outdoor education is not just about completing an activity. It is about making informed decisions, understanding our impact on the environment, respecting the places we visit and working together to create positive and safe experiences.

A huge credit to this group of young people. They showed maturity and resilience, and demonstrated a willingness to contribute to the group. For a new course, it was a pretty special way to bring the learning to life.

Adventure, teamwork, risk management, kaitiakitanga, incredible environments and plenty of memories along the way.

What a way to kick off the first camp for Year 13 Outdoor Education! 🏔️🌅🥾