The Project K students from Auckland Girls Grammar School (AGGS) are going ahead in leaps and bounds. This is the first time we have worked with an all girls school and it has been a resounding success so far.
The students recently returned from their 17 day Wilderness Adventure in around the Hunua Ranges. The winter weather was certainly a challenge but the spirits of the girls remained high.
Freelance Adventures, the outdoor providers that led the expedition, spoke of the girls' resilience and commitment to challenge themselves and complete the journey.
They experienced a range of activities such as kayaking, cooking for a group, pitching a tent, tramping with a back pack, mountain biking, abseiling. Through these experiences the students learnt that when they pushed themselves they could achieve great things and that working as a team and independently their ability to succeed was huge. Their confidence raised, the students returned to Auckland to the school where their parents/caregivers and Project K celebrated their accomplishments with food, speeches and certificates. For many of the students and their parents the Wilderness had gone beyond their expectations.
“On the Wilderness Adventure I learnt that if you challenge yourself you can achieve something and if you fail you try again. Abseiling made me feel like I can challenge myself more and overcome my fears. Tramping made me push myself to the limits to help me reach greater boundaries. Mountain biking helped me keep up with my fitness. Tent making, raft building and kayaking helped me build confidence and helped to improve skills I will use on an everyday bases.”
“I thought a really useful part of our Wilderness Adventure was building up relationships with people with different personalities and beliefs”
“The Wilderness Adventure helped my confidence in being a good leader, how to read a map and to navigate and to have a positive attitude”
“On the Wilderness Adventure I learnt heaps! Now I can be a more supportive and a more positive person, thanks to Project K”
“The Wilderness Adventure was a great experience and opportunity. It helped me to push myself for myself and the people around me. Anything is possible!”
The group is currently on their Community Challenge. Here they will research the city and what it can provide for them; how they can access resources and make connections with community groups. The students will also take part in a Community Project, a student-led initiative which will see them design and organise an event that ‘gives something back’ to the community. The students will then commence their 12 month Mentoring phase.
Mentoring can be a rewarding and positive experience and it's such a great opportunity to give back to the community. Change your life and sign up to become a mentor. For mentor enquiries and registration please contact Lisa Easte, ph 09 488 0147 or 021 420 958.
For mentor training dates please click here.
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