Mangatepopo Camp trip for Ohakune pupils

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 526, 8 March 1994, Page 16

Mangatepopo Camp trip for Ohakune pupils

Twenty-six Form I children from Ohakune Primary School, were given the opportunity to travel to Mangatepopo School Camp for a week last term. This was part of the outdoor education programme, offered by the School, for all Form I children and was related to the Skills for Adolescents programme sponsored by Ruapehu Lions and the DARE Programme which , is being established by the Ohakune Police Youth Aid Officer in the Waimarino area. School unity The aim of the school programme was to establish a unity between all Form I pupils within the school, so that they were aware of the type of role models that the teachers, principal, Board of Trustees and community expected of them. Acti vities the children were involved in were selected to challenge the children' s physical ability and to develop awareness of the environment that they were a part of. Activities included trekking to Ketetahi Springs, the South Crater, Taranaki Falls, Taurewa Mill-site, Te Porere Redoubt, Lake Rotopounamu (at sunrise), Pukehinau caves, the Whakapapa Information Centre, the Turangi Trout Hatcheiy , the Turangi Power Scheme and activities around the Mangatepopo School Camp. Children were encouraged to develop skills that would enable them to develop positive working relationships with other peer members and to develop an awareness of differences, whether they were cultural, or Spiritual. Positve relationships The total environment relied on positive relationships and this was reinforced by the willingness of the adults to lead by example and participation in activities organised by Brian Wilson, Carolyn Giles and Ben Goddard. A spin-off was the positive comments that were passed between children to encourage each other to complete each task. Thanks were expressed to all those people who contributed in some way to the success of the camp. They include those parents who accompanied the teachers and children on the camp, Allan and Karen Murdie of New World, Grant and Kay McMaster, Wayne and Brian Treweek and the REAP organisation and the Ruapehu Visitors Centre.