Our afterschool program offers an exciting outdoor adventure for Year 5 - 8 children, blending education, confidence-building, and environmental connection. Students are picked up directly from school and engage in activities like bushcraft, water safety, and mindfulness, fostering resilience and a love for nature. The program encourages personal growth, teamwork, and lifelong skills in a supportive outdoor environment.
After School Outdoor Education
Timetable
Each KOA session is carefully designed to provide tamariki with fun, learning, and a chance to grow.
- Pickup: 3:00pm - 3:20 pm from Havelock North schools (exact times and locations will be shared on commencement of the program).
- Travel: 20-30 minutes in our KOA van.
- Session Start: 4 pm with an introduction and health & safety briefing.
- Activity Time: 4 pm - 5 pm, focusing on learning through hands-on activities and joyful exploration.
- Mindfulness Moment: Every session concludes with a brief reflection and connection to nature.
- Return Drop-off: 5:30 - 5:40 pm at the Havelock North Village Green
Winter Program: Forest & Bush Environments (Terms 2 & 3)
The winter program is split into five series, each split into one or two sessions (depending on term length) exploring forest & bush environments. This program will repeated & developed further in Term 3 to further extend participants in these areas. Each series brings new skills, knowledge, and fun, while building comfort and confidence in the outdoors.
When: Wednesday or Thursday afternoons
Availability: 10 participants per session
Cost: $275 per term
Teamwork & Communication Series - Tukituki Riverbed
Week 1: Problem Solving Challenges
Group activities encourage collaborative thinking, teamwork, and strategic problem-solving.
Week 2: Communication Tools & Trust
Tamariki use radios and other tools to complete challenges, followed by trust-building exercises to enhance group coordination.
Natural World Series - Te Mata Peak
Week 1: Flora Identification
Tamariki identify local plants, sketch observations, and learn about native and invasive species
Bushcraft & Fire Skills - Tukituki Riverbed
Week 1: Shelter Building
Tamariki learn to construct shelters using natural and manmade materials, focusing on simple techniques for stability and weather protection.
Week 2: Fire-Safety & Starting
Children practice safe fire-starting methods, including using flint and steel, and learn about fire safety, hazards, and responsible site selection.
Emergency Skills Series - Te Mata Peak
Week 1: Treating Injuries
Tamariki practice first-aid skills for cuts, sprains, and more serious injuries like fractures in an outdoor setting.
Week 2: First Aid Scenarios
Children role-play emergencies such as allergic reactions or injuries during a hike to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.
Navigation Series- Te Mata Peak & Tukituki Riverbed
Week 1: Map & Compass Basics
Tamariki learn to use a compass, read maps, and identify cardinal directions to orient themselves in nature.
Week 2: Trail Navigation
Children apply their skills by navigating a forest trail using a map, compass and teamwork to locate key markers.
Summer Program: Water Environments (Terms 1 & 4)
The summer program is split into two 5-week blocks, exploring both the beach and river environments. Each week brings new skills, knowledge, and fun, while building comfort and confidence in and around the water.
Beach Series - Ocean Beach
Week 1: Introduction to the Beach Environment
Tamariki begin with an overview of beach safety essentials: reading surf conditions, identifying potential rips and hazards, and locating the safest places to swim. Interactive discussions and hands-on activities empower children to feel more aware and confident in this environment.
Week 2: Swimming in the Surf
This session focuses on practical swimming techniques for the ocean, including wading through waves, duck diving, and bodysurfing. These skills provide tamariki with the foundation to manage themselves in the surf, making them feel safer and more at ease with waves.
Week 3: Helping Others
An introduction to basic lifeguarding techniques, where children learn how to assess a situation and assist others safely. Skills such as safe approach, using flotation devices, and guiding a friend to shore are practiced with a focus on teamwork and responsibility.
Week 4: Catching Waves
Tamariki get hands-on experience with bodyboarding, surfing, and bodysurfing techniques. With a mix of guidance and free play, they practice balance, timing, and confidence as they ride the waves.
Week 5: Student Choice Day
Tamariki choose their favourite beach activity to revisit and refine. Whether it’s riding waves or lifeguarding techniques, this session allows them to celebrate and reinforce their newfound skills.
River Series - Tukituki & Maraetotara Rivers
Week 1: Introduction to the River Environment
Children are introduced to river safety and gain an understanding of river hazards, such as strong currents or underwater obstacles. Guided exploration helps them identify safe areas for wading and swimming, creating a solid base for river activities.
Week 2: Safe River Crossings
Focusing on river crossing techniques, tamariki learn to judge water depth and current speed, practicing skills that make river navigation safe and manageable. Confidence-building exercises prepare them for a range of river conditions.
Week 3: River Ecology
A deep dive into the life around the river, where tamariki explore animal habitats, identify species, and learn about the ecosystem’s role in nature. Observational activities and guided discovery enrich their knowledge of the river’s flora and fauna.
Week 4: Jump Spots
Students have an action-packed afternoon learning to assess jump spots for hazards and practise different techniques for entering the water from a height.
Week 5: Student Choice Day
Tamariki revisit their favorite river activities, building on their skills and sharing highlights from the series in a relaxed and celebratory session.