Discovering EOTC opportunities

Education can extend outside the classrooms and going outside to try new exciting things is both great fun and a challenge for school students, which has many learning benefits.

The more people involved, the easier it is to ensure health and safety and the curriculum-based

Group accommodation in the heart of Rotorua

Blue Lake TOP 10 have a wide variety of accommodation options available to suit every budget, from 180 powered and non-powered tent sites to standard and self-contained cabins.

The facilities at the park will keep your group entertained and active, a private or sole use marquee with attached kitchen and BBQ that can accommodate up to 80 people.

The park is central to a variety of local attractions. Lakes Tarawera, Okareka and Rotokakahi are all within 2km of the park, and a short 8km drive will find you in the centre of Rotorua.

Blue Lake TOP 10 offer large groups heavily discounted rates from February – November (excluding peak season only) and can work with you to accommodate any size group and any budget.

teaching is met, according to Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI).

Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) is the country’s leading professional organisation supporting EOTC and encouraging others to partake in outdoor activities.

Its aim is to give various people in Aotearoa the opportunity to

By Natasha Parrant

explore, learn and combat their fears by getting out and about to do group activities outdoors. Benefits include selfimprovement, building on relationships, teamwork, and attaining confidence while admiring the beautiful nature and improving mental and physical health.

For more information please call 0800 808 292 or visit www.bluelaketop10.co.nz

EONZ wants to:

• Boost the number of people participating in wonderful outdoor activities

• Emphasise the importance of taking part to support and promote the benefits of outdoor education

• Continue to educate people to learn, build on their skills and improve practice.

EONZ believes every young person in Aotearoa should have access to and explore various opportunities to upskill, learn and have fun through EOTC and outside experiences that are taught by various qualified instructors.

Learning through EOTC teaches young people about strong morals like integrity, respect, inclusion, diversity, equity, care for others and one’s self, and the benefits of sustainability and having an eco-friendly planet.

As EONZ provides a big voice for EOTC, it strives to support, advocate and educate schools on EOTC all over the country.

As said on the EONZ website, “We are committed to fostering quality EOTC that educates for a sustainable future”.

EONZ does this by providing:

• Professional learning improvement opportunities

• Resources, tools, knowledge, and guidance

• Communication all the time backed by excellent evidencebased research

• A strong, communicative, truthful, and reliable voice

• Close relationships and supportive collaborations. Overall, these solutions will improve practice across the education field and for EOTC providers, provide high-quality learning results, make people aware of the importance of the environment and Tiriti o Waitangi fundamentals, allow EONZ to continue to be the lead agency for EOTC and promote shared results.

EONZ can provide schools with professional advice, resources and opportunities to connect with others. It has the opportunity to create and provide expert improvement and training such as:

• Inserting outdoor education into the school curriculum

• Sustainable curriculum

• Teaching and learning outdoors

• Learning in real-life situations

• Field trips

• Planning camps

• Managing EOTC

• EOTC regulations

• Safety guidelines for outside education

• Rules and systems in place for EOTC

• Rules and systems in place for outdoor education in general

• Environmentally-friendly outdoor education.

To find out more, visit: eonz.org.nz.