School camp, it’s an experience that evokes strong memories for most of us. 

We might not be able to remember what was on the end of term test, the topic of the information essay we wrote, or even how to spell some of those words we now rely on “autocorrect” for, but we can take ourselves back to those days and nights spent away from home with our classmates. 

For many people I talk to about school camps, their memories are overwhelmingly good ones. Whilst they can recall the lack of home comforts and deprivations that came with living “out in the wild” (or more likely bunking down in a cabin) they still have an overall positive recollection of the experience. They may have been exhausted from staying up late whispering and giggling with their friends long after lights out, but the friendships made from those shared experiences often last many years.

I recently had the opportunity to visit some Junior School students at Camp Bentzon on Kawau Island, and to see for myself, our new generation creating their own memories. It reminded me of the unique and immense contribution education outside of the classroom (EOTC) makes to a child’s development. The feeling of tangible accomplishment, the sense of camaraderie, the authentic ways to show resilience and determination. The personal growth that comes from moments like these cannot be overstated.

I watched as one girl, who with the support and encouragement of parent helpers, instructor and peers, overcame her terror of heights to abseil. I saw the look of exhilaration on the faces of the children who had returned from a substantial kayaking expedition to “Stingray Cove”, where they had wondered at the sight of such magnificent creatures. For other children it was the chance to test their skills on the confidence course, or work as a team to build and propel a raft, that left them literally “buzzing” with new found confidence and an understanding of what it really means to “face your fears”.

Time and again I encountered children revelling in the feeling of achievement that came from pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and putting themselves to the test in truly authentic situations. It also reinforced how important it is for our children to spend time disconnected from technology and the internet, in order to immerse themselves in, and experience the full power of our natural world.

Kristin school has a proud tradition of education outside of the classroom (EOTC). Over the years we have built a programme that starts right from bushwalks for our youngest Kindergarten children, and gradually increases in challenge over successive years, until senior school; where students can plan and participate in substantial expeditions both within and outside of New Zealand. Increasingly, it is the social and personal skills and attitudes that are fostered through these transformational experiences, that are what universities and employers are looking for as predictors of future success. 

I’m personally proud that we continue to provide to our children, the kinds of experiences that we know have had such an impact in our own lives, and I thank the many parent volunteers without whom such opportunities would simply not be possible.