While at Whenua Iti I had to sleep outside on the deck in a shelter I made. We had to cook our own food with the tutors keeping an eye on us. The food was great!

We had fun activities and had a blast! I’m so glad I attended the course, and I would do it again if I could. I made heaps of new friends; the best thing was no devices were allowed. I recommend a trades course as this opens your mind to new challenges.

A report is sent to school at the end of each week with a description of the week's activites, and how you got on. At prize giving you receive a badge and certificate. The tutors/instructors are lovely and very energetic.

Week One was learning to work as a team and how to cross rivers safely and effectively. We achieved this and more, cooking all our meals on an open fire, camping, and learning how to build a survival shelter in what at times were very cold conditions. The week ended with a coastguard visit and learning how to self-rescue with a pack on our back while in a swift current at Kaiteriteri.

During Week Two we completed a series of team-building games before working together in Commentary Cave. We participated in smaller-scale emergency scenarios to remind us how to work effectively in a team. The group also took part in two larger emergency scenarios - a flooded river and a tsunami scenario at Marahau. During the week, there were also sunrise swims on the beach, campfires at night and basketball games. The week finished with stand-up paddle boarding at Marahau.

Week Three: The group headed into the bush to learn about bush survival skills. Heading to Wainui Hut where we spent one night under flys the next in bush survival shelters. We learnt firefighting techniques, knife skills, how to build shelters and what to look out for when building them. We learnt how to make small animal traps and basic self-awareness in the bush. A SAR volunteer visited us shared what is involved with NZLSAR and the process of rescuing a person. A highlight of this week was the indoor climbing wall.

Week four: Unfortunately, due to unforeseen injury, weather, and sickness, our for the week were changed. We split into groups of 2 or 3 to plan and lead their selected activities. This included abseiling at Breakers Bay and kayaking in Kaiteriteri, where the group also camped for the night. The next day the whole group headed for a day walk in the Abel Tasman and then to Whenua Iti for a session on the high ropes. On the last day, the final student group ran a great orienteering session out at Moturoa before heading back to Whenua Iti for a final clean-up and then graduation!

Report by Kelly Jordan

UPCOMING EVENTS TERM 4