The Year 10 Outdoor Education or Camp Week is without doubt one of the foremost events that each Year 10 cohort look forward to the most and creates memories that last a lifetime.  Students are often asked what they enjoyed about school as they leave and everytime one of items mentioned is year 10 camps.

 

One of the core values of Trident High School is Kia Manawa Nui, which is connected with having courage.  One aspect of courage is to have the confidence to try a new activity or meet a challenge head on and gain something from that experience.  

 

The camp week provides a smorgasbord of camps where the students can choose the one that interests them the most.  Each student gets the opportunity to seek new experiences that extend beyond the classroom and do so either with their friends or by creating new friendships.

 

The main aim is to provide an opportunity to do something different.  The opportunity (and chance to show courage) to get outside an individual's comfort zone to try exciting and challenging activities.  To take this chance means the person will gain many rewards such as the confidence to have a go without worrying about the outcome, meeting new people through the shared experience of doing something challenging or finding a passion that sets them on a pathway of lifelong involvement and meaning.

 

Each student’s idea of challenging is different hence the variety of camps offered.   So camp can mean everything from “roughing” it under damp canvas in wide open spaces to marae experiences down the coast;  the surf and sand dunes of East Coast beaches or touring the waterways of the Coromandel to the balmy, city culture of either Auckland or Wellington;  tramping over mountains, through beech forests & lake shore vistas to ‘paradise in Pauanui’ - there is an option for everyone. Camps typically involve being away for a week where they are responsible for the cooking, cleaning and being responsible guests.  There are homebase options which involve similar activities for those who are unable to be away for so long and therefore providing these students with the same memories.

 

The year 10 camp programme and school commitment to providing experiences that are different for different reasons is something the school is very proud of and will always support.