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Caving
This guide covers activity-specific elements of caving (also called caving/black-water rafting depending on the venue). For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Camp Planning Templates and Downloads
Three free, editable templates to save you rebuilding the same paperwork for every trip. Each is a starting point, not a finished policy document: adapt it to your own school's…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Student Preparation for Land-Based Activities
This reference guide provides short, practical activities for use in the 2–3 weeks leading up to camp. These activities prepare students physically, mentally, and socially for land-based activities (tramping, climbing,…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Moving-Water Kayaking
This guide covers activity-specific elements of moving-water kayaking. For broader topics that apply across all water activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Canoeing (Open Canoe, Flatwater)
This guide covers activity-specific elements of canoeing. For broader topics that apply across all water activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for Water…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Flatwater Kayaking
This guide covers activity-specific elements of flatwater kayaking. For broader topics that apply across all water activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Water Safety Foundations
Core Principles for School Water-Based Activities These are the non-negotiable safety principles for all water-based activities: canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and other paddling. These must be in place before any…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
How to Debrief Outdoor Experiences
Reflection is where the real learning happens. Without it, outdoor activities (whether paddling, climbing, tramping, archery or horse riding) stay as "fun things we did" rather than experiences that stick…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Student Preparation for Water Activities
This reference guide provides short, practical activities for use in the 2–3 weeks leading up to camp. These activities prepare students physically, mentally, and socially for water activities, improving confidence…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Behaviour Management Outdoors
Outdoor environments require different behaviour management approaches than classrooms. This guide provides practical strategies for managing student behaviour during water and land-based activities (paddling, climbing, tramping, archery, horse riding) in…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Parent Communication for Water Activities
A Reference Guide for School Camps. This guide provides templates and best practices for communicating with parents about water-based activities during school camp. When parents know what to expect, they're…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Working with Outdoor Education Providers
This guide helps teachers decide when to use external providers (for paddling, climbing, tramping, archery, horse riding, and other outdoor activities) and how to select high-quality providers that align with…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Abseiling
This guide covers activity-specific elements of abseiling. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for Land-Based Activities…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
High Ropes and Challenge Courses
This guide covers activity-specific elements of high ropes and challenge (low ropes/team-building) courses. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Mountain Biking
This guide covers activity-specific elements of mountain biking. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for Land-Based…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Orienteering
This guide covers activity-specific elements of orienteering. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for Land-Based Activities…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
The EOTC Guidelines 2025 Update: What Schools Should Know
If your school's EOTC policy still links to the old TKI page for the Ministry of Education's Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) Guidelines, it's worth checking: the guidelines were refreshed…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Archery
This guide covers activity-specific elements of archery. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for Land-Based Activities…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Horse Riding
This guide covers activity-specific elements of horse riding. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for Land-Based…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Rock Climbing
This guide covers activity-specific elements of rock climbing. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for Land-Based…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Tramping and Bush Walks
This guide covers activity-specific elements of day tramps and bush walks. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Multi-Day Tramping and Expedition Skills
This guide covers activity-specific elements of multi-day tramping and expeditions, including preparing for the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award. For broader topics that apply across land-based activities, see our standalone…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Parent Communication for Land-Based Activities
This reference guide provides templates and best practices for communicating with parents about land-based activities during school camp: tramping and bush walks, climbing, archery, and horse riding. When parents know…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Land and Bush Safety Foundations
Core Principles for School Land-Based Activities These are the non-negotiable safety principles for land-based activities: day walks, multi-day tramping, and time spent in the New Zealand bush. These must be…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
SUP Journey / Distance Paddle
This beginner-friendly guide covers activity-specific elements of SUP journey paddling. For broader topics that apply across all water activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Grants and Funding Sources for School Camps in New Zealand
Our Budgeting and Funding Your School Camp guide covers how to plan your costs and mentions that grants exist. This guide goes further, naming the specific funders New Zealand schools…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (Flatwater)
This guide covers activity-specific elements of stand-up paddleboarding. For broader topics that apply across all water activities, see our standalone reference guides: Working with Outdoor Education Providers Parent Communication for…
by Dave SmythSep 21 No comments -
Planning a School Camp: Where to Start
If you’ve been asked to organise a school camp, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed at first — there’s a lot to think about. But with a solid plan…
by Dave SmythJun 27 No comments -
Budgeting and Funding Your School Camp
Getting the budget right is one of the most important parts of planning a school camp. It affects everything from where you can go to how many students can take…
by Dave SmythJun 26 No comments -
Health and Safety Planning for School Camps
Health and safety is one of the most important parts of camp planning — and one of the most heavily scrutinised. Schools have a legal responsibility to make sure students,…
by Dave SmythJun 25 No comments
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