OPC's largest client group is New Zealand secondary schools. Every year around 4,000 students from approximately 130 different secondary schools come to learn with us. These young people suddenly find the world is full of opportunities.

Previously perceived barriers such as gender, race, and physical size are discovered to be no obstacle to participation and achievement; everyone succeeds at their own challenges. This sharing of fun and success is the OPC experience.

With the introduction of Ministry of Education's Safety and EOTC guide and changes in legislation such as ACC and HSE, Boards of Trustees and Principals are forced into some tough decisions; how to get the best educational experience for their students, at a realistic cost, while ensuring that it is delivered in a professional manner. Safety and contemporary standards of care are critical issues. Our staff are highly trained and qualified to National standards. With this in mind it is hard to think a more professional outdoor provider anywhere in New Zealand.

OPC's flagship course is the Adventure Challenge programme. This generally runs over a five days but can be lengthened or shortened according to the availability of the school group both timewise and financially. The aims of this outdoor education programme include personal challenge, teamwork, environmental awareness, outdoor skills and....heaps of fun.

The programme could include a days mountaineering, an overnight expedition, a local environment day, snowsports in the winter and water sports in the summer. Groups are made up of ten students to one instructor. Courses are accommodated at the Youth Development Centre, Lions Lodge Taurewa/ Taurewa House or you can visit the centre daily from a nearby venue.

The Five Day Programme

The five-day Adventure Challenge programme is the most popular school programme offered at OPC. Each school group is made up of ten students to one instructor. The main objectives of the course are increasing personal confidence and awareness through ACHIEVEMENT, GROUP WORK and FUN, while learning skills used in the outdoors.

Summer Programme

A typical programme for the week is shown below. We are able to adapt within these outlines to cope with individual needs and the weather. Groups will be introduced to a variety of outdoor recreational skills used in the challenging outdoor environments of lakes, wildwater rivers, bush, caves and mountains.

Arrival Evening Arrival and brief introduction

Day 1, Local day: a selection of activities from the ropes course, climbing wall, flying fox, caving, bush skills, gorge walking, navigation and initiatives

Day 2, Water day: kayaking on the local lakes and streams, tubing on a local river, canoeing or gorging and caving on the Pukehinau stream

Day 3, Mountain day: either an attempt to climb one of the volcanoes, or an introduction to rock climbing and abseiling on local rock crags

Day 4, Expedition: in the mountains, tramping to caves or canoeing and kayaking

Day 5, Return to Centre, clean up and afternoon departure.

Each evening there is a discussion, slide show or video related to the activities.

Winter Programme

As above but water sports are replaced with skiing or snowboarding.

If you are a teacher and would like more information about the options available to School groups while at OPC visit the Teachers information page.

NZQA Unit standards in the field of adventure based learning slot easily into this format.

School Groups who provide accompanying adult supervision staff for night and evening times are charged at the reduced educational rate.

Governance Challenge - Student Trustee Development 2009

 The “Governance Challenge” is a 5-day course that will also allow the participant’s time to interact with others undertaking the Student Trustee programme.  This will enable them to form networks that will aid in coping with the challenges in the year ahead.  

The experience will prepare students for active involvement in the work of the School Board of Trustees, in time for the first meeting in 2009 and encourage them to make the necessary commitment to their school. 

The fee is $500 GST incl per Student Trustee.  This will cover all costs at OPC Tongariro but not transport to and from the centre. The “Governance Challenge” is open to all Student Trustees and there are 100 places available from January 27-31, 2009.

If you would like to reserve a place, please complete the pre-register form and return to Shelly Christensen, The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand, Private Bag 37, Turangi 3353. 

Acceptances will be on a first to register basis.  No student names will be required until 0 November 2008 by which time all schools should have held their elections.  We will then contact you with further details.

Tailored programmes for Schools and Youth

   OPC is a registered accredited Private Training Establishment. Therefore we are accredited to train and assess outdoor recreation unit standards from the NZQA national framework. A specialised course can be designed for your group for such needs.

     Schools and groups may request something different such as a journey, or course with a special theme. OPC is able to explore with you what is possible and cost it accordingly.

     Similarly, the school or group may already have challenges such as physical disabilities, special needs or be considered "at risk". OPC has a long association with designing programmes to suit such groups.

In addition to the above course, aimed at School and similar groups, there are also a number of courses suitable for individual students. These are as follows:

Individual Personal Development Courses

• Youth Adventure Challenge
• Journey

2009 School Leaders Challenge

Running in conjunction with the the Genesis Energy Summit 9 day in January, the School Leaders Challenge is an advanced leadership programme for youth, and targeted at secondary school senior students who will be (or are trying to be) in a leadership role for the coming school year. This includes Sports Captains, Head Boys and Head Girls, Prefects, and students moving on to University or entering the workforce

To reserve a place, please complete and return the youth application form

Download the Programme Flyer for full programme information

• Genesis Energy Summit Leadership Challenge 5 & 9 day

Individual Skills Courses

• Rock, Kayak, Snow Challenges

Career Development Courses

• Certificate in Outdoor Adventure SKills & Leadership
• National Diploma in Outdoor Recreation (Instructing)