Our trainee instructor Sophie, was pleasantly surprised by the scaffolded learning that happens on our holiday programmes – see what she has to say about her time on Kaitiaki Kids!
Here at Whenua Iti Outdoors we have recently started training some new instructors! You will see these trainees out and about with our qualified instructors on various programmes as they work towards completing their qualifications. The best part about having these new trainees join our Whenua Iti whānau other than having more awesome individuals on deck is that they offer a fresh perspective on our programmes.
Kia ora e te whānau,
My name is Sophie, and I am a trainee instructor here at Whenua Iti Outdoors. I was lucky enough to hang out with a bunch of awesome adventurers during our summer Kaitiaki Kids holiday programme.
After experiencing the programme for the first time, I feel it is so much more than just your average school holiday programme to get the kids out of the house.
Sophie exploring caves with tamariki on the Kaitiaki Kids Holiday Programme
After experiencing the programme for the first time, I feel it is so much more than just your average school holiday programme to get the kids out of the house.
It can be a bit intimidating for a young person to join a group of strange new faces, but friendly bonds are quickly created through teamwork-focused activities. The team at Whenua Iti focus on making tamariki feel settled on the programme by establishing new friendships through fun, active games, and a group culture to support each other as they face different challenges. There is so much value in learning how to work in a team, even when you’ve just met! And it really sets them up for a fun programme ahead.
The friendships are further forged by overcoming challenges together, such as conquering a fear of heights on the high ropes course, experiencing maybe their first overnight tramp into the beautiful outdoors or getting out to the beach on a stand-up paddle board.
During the programme kids will also learn useful skills for the outdoors such as orienteering through the bush to gain their bearings and an understanding of reading maps to find where they need to go.
The activities such as our high ropes course, and the stand up paddleboarding are designed to be fun, inclusive and confidence-building
We even teach tamariki how to make a fire using only what is naturally around them (and a lighter) which they use to roast marshmallows as well! They get to set up and sleep under a fly with their new Kaitiaki whānau and my favourite on this trip, using a pack liner to slide down the side of a hill!
So, from my perspective, it’s so much more than just a school holiday programme. It inspires our youth to learn valuable life skills, build positive relationships with new friends and with nature, and show Kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection) of our beautiful land we call home. Aotearoa!
I hope to see you on one of our holiday programmes in the future!
By Sophie Padmore