Camp Activity Descriptions

Team Building/ABL

Description:

The team building session has been designed as a full course that students must work through, to achieve the final goal…defusing a bomb!  There are around 6 activities that flow into each other and the course is a race between two small teams to see who can get there first. Giant skis, code cracker, toxic swamp, cargo net and bomb are just some of the activities the students will complete to get across a pressure sensitive field without setting off the bomb at the end that they must defuse. This activity never fails to deliver a great time and heaps of excitement.  It is a must do for any school camp.

Bush Craft/Bush Safety

Description:

Bush craft/Bush safety is an interactive session of bivvy building and survival. Students start with an auction to buy equipment that they think they would need to survive a night in the wilderness eg, shelter, cooker, headlamp, food, warm clothing etc. Then in their groups they have the opportunity to build a natural/man made shelter against the elements that must protect their entire team. They demonstrate with the equipment they purchased during the auction how they intend to support each other and survive. This activity reinforces preparedness in New Zealand wilderness.

River Safety/Waterfall Abseil

Description:

Fun with water safety! Working our way along the river we find pools to explore and swim in and students learn about how to safely walk and cross rivers. Our rivers are always changing and the hazards can be hidden so by learning through interactive play we are teaching our students how to act and think safely when in this environment. As the river is not deep and is managed by our experienced staff, students of all abilities are able to participate in this activity.

The River Safe Programme and abseiling provides students with an active, exhilarating and fun wilderness experience.  The activities have a ‘swimming hole safety’ tint as they teach river crossing techniques, hazard identification, checking the pool depth and safe jumping and sliding practices.

Orienteering

Description:

A centre wide orienteering course has been specifically designed to engage all students in an exciting treasure-hunt experience. Using photos, descriptions and flag markers students make their way around the course in groups no bigger than 6. They look for answers to all the clues in order to successfully complete the course. A mixture of navigation, observation and team work will see the students round.

Mt Richardson Tramp

Description:

At some point over the three days at camp, students will be tramping all or part of the Mt Richardson track.  The total Richardson, Blowhard and Bypass Track has a DOC time of 4-6 hours.  Students will tramp in a group of between 30 and 45 students, with a ratio of 2 adults to 15 students.  

Students will need plenty of drinking water for the tramp (we suggest that students carry 2L of water with them).  It is also a good idea to pack energy snacks, such as pretzels, crackers and other complex carbohydrates that help fuel the body and replenish the electrolytes lost through sweating.  A dried fruit mix is also another good option.

It is encouraged that students carry antihistamine cream and tablets as a precaution because of the wasp population at this time of year, and any students who are known to be allergic to stings/bites not complete the tramp.  Wasps are attracted to food, so all food should be covered and sweet drinks avoided.  Students should wear light-coloured clothing as wasps are more likely to be attracted to dark-coloured objects that resemble the dark colours of the beech trees.