Outward Bound boosted my confidence and gave me unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. I made friends and discovered what I am truly capable of.
Bookings & Fees
Monday 6 – Monday 13 January 2025
Please contact us to book this course - email adapted@outwardbound.co.nz
About the course
This course is fully funded by our generous donors. Participants will only need to cover the cost of their travel to and from Picton, and a pre-course medical done by their GP or nurse practitioner.
PARTICIPANTS WILL EXPERIENCE:
- Outdoor and physical activities such as high ropes, camping and journeys at sea. The exact programme is a surprise but there will early starts, late nights and lots of fun
- Active reflection and workshops exploring what was learnt from each activity
- Three qualified instructors and three support workers
- Living, sleeping and working with 10 others from all around New Zealand
- Some nights will be spent staying in a bunkroom at the school in Anakiwa and others exploring the Marlborough Sounds.
THE COURSE INCLUDES
- Specialist activity and safety equipment
- Food and accommodation for the duration of the course
- The option to borrow clothing. A gear list will be provided.
Participants will need to pay for their own medical and travel costs.
PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN:
- Resilience: Solution focused skills to manage challenge, uncertainty and change
- Mindset: Understanding how your thoughts, feelings and actions impact your wellbeing
- Empowerment: A deepened sense of personal identity, belonging and an acceptance of who you are. Understanding your values and how to use them to guide your goals, decisions and actions
- Teamwork: Develop your ability to work in a team and build connections with people in your community.
Participant requirements
All participants must be:
- 16-18 years of age
- Independent in personal care and taking medication
- Able to communicate clearly and have no intellectual disability
- Able to attend without a carer and travel to and from the course independently
- Experience spending time away from home overnight
- Able to participate in a full day of physical activity with rest breaks
- Comfortable in and around the water, including having head under – lifejackets available
- Able to meet general Outward Bound screening guidelines
- Willing to give things a go
- Have had at least a 1-year adaptation period since becoming a disabled person.
Wheelchair users:
- Use a manual wheelchair (electric wheelchairs are not suitable for a course)
- Be able to transfer from the ground to their wheelchair
- Be under 85kg.
NB: Due to technical equipment requirements, the course can take a maximum of two wheelchair users, two participants using crutches/frames and one participant who is visually impaired.
Participants could include those with both congenital and acquired physical disabilities e.g. muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, amputations, arthritis.
What you'll need
When you come to Outward Bound, there are items that you will need to bring with you and items that we will supply. As for the things that you need to bring - we encourage you to borrow as many items as you can, or buy second hand!
Check out our course gear list for a full run down and some hot tips on what to bring and what not to.
Meet our adapted team
Leonie King (she/her) - Hoa Kanorau | Diversity & Inclusion Partner
Kia ora, I have spent my adult life providing opportunities for people to discover their potential through sharing experiences in the outdoors. After study in New Zealand, some overseas adventures and raising three children, I was lucky enough to join the team at Outward Bound New Zealand.
To me Outward Bound is all about empowering people, allowing individuals to find their own voice, connect with our beautiful environment and connect with others. I love that I can be the starting point for someone’s Outward Bound journey.
Stef Waldon-Gibbons (she/her) - Kaimātai Whakauru | Enrolments Specialist
Kia ora, Being outside in nature is my happy place and have spent most of my life tramping, kayaking, rock climbing and teaching others in the outdoor environment. I attended an Outward Bound course as a young person and I found the experience defining for me in my direction in life. I was inspired to study and work in various outdoor instructing roles before beginning my role as Kaiako – Outward Bound Instructor in Anakiwa where I worked for over 5 years.
Now in my role as an enrolment specialist for adapted courses, I have the privilege of supporting and empowering people in their journey to attending their own Outward Bound course. Having experienced all sides of the Outward Bound journey, I hope to help individuals feel ready and supported to take up the amazing experience and challenge their course will bring.
Contact Leonie and Stef via adapted@outwardbound.co.nz
Leonie King
Stef Waldon-Gibbons
Trax seal of approval
Outward Bound New Zealand is proud to display the Trax Seal of Approval - New Zealand’s benchmark of Adaptive Adventure Travel & Inclusive Tourism.
As an approved inclusive operator, we are committed to working with our students to tailor adventures to their abilities. To find out more about the inclusive tourism movement in New Zealand, head to makingtrax.co.nz.